Modified components - void insurance?

[PDMJO]

Question for you mod veterans out there,

What's the go with modifying the original major components of a car when it comes to (voiding) insurance policies?

Excluding consumables like brake pads, would changing a car's rotor's and brakes/coilovers pose the risk of voiding a policy?
Or is this something which varies from insurer to insurer?

[shauno]

It’ll be up to your individual policy, but most insurers seem okay with minor mods as long as they’re notified.

[Beedub]

It all depends on your insurer. Upgrading the rotors may void policy if you went bigger or used slotted, etc, same with coilovers, even sports springs.
I'm with NRMA and I have all my stage 3 mods listed with them. It had no bearing on my policy whatsoever (ie the price didn't jump up).

When my renewal came up I did the usual online shop-around and Budget told me to go away. Haha.

[Simonr23]

Usually if it’s ADR (and/or engineer) approved (and for your vehicle) you’re all good- using the examples you gave.

I think the catch-all is vehicle being roadworthy. Beyond that that read your pds- the cheaper the company, the more restrictive the terms- usually.

Mods that are legal are normally only an issue if their difference from standard COULD have contributed to the event being claimed against.

Engine hardware mods should be written into your policy- a tune, don’t bother.

New exhaust- if with a legal car converter, don’t bother.

Wheels- within your cars diameter ranges and widths, don’t bother(except for reimbursement of a claim) changing offset is not ADR approved and therefore can be an ‘out’ for insurance- if you crash.

Dark tinting- can be an out- but only where your vision had an effect on the claim being made.

Likely a million more, but am bored of typing and thinking now.

[PDMJO]

Thanks everyone. Very helpful and informative. Will call around to different insurers before I start making -further- mods

[INASNT]

Shannons allow any mods.

[The_Hawk]

NRMA actually got pretty good, although I've been out of NSW for 5 years so who know anymore. They went from zero mods to 'anything legal is fine'.
Shannons were always the default and have always seemed far more reasonable when it comes to mods.
Most budget insurers laugh as they hang up the phone.

Pretty much all PDS's will have a line in there that says the policy is void if you don't tell them something (if they consider relevant).



But, if you want to open a whole can of worms, what is actually legal in the modding world (with a certification)? For eveything else do you have a valid certification?

Wheels that are appropriately load rated and within the spec for the car. Yes!

Coilovers, lowering springs, air bags? ??? Maybe

In VIC VSI 8 applies, 13.2:

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/-/media/files/documents/safety-and-road-rules/vsinumber8guidetomodificationsformotorvehicles.ashx?la=en&hash=ADC5076B9F3DA0D047319217ECDEDEB1

This says: "lowering and raising suspension (by not more than one thrid of the original suspension travel) in either direction provided the vehicle ride height is not increased or descresed by more than 50mm from the manufacturers specification" is fine (and doesn't need certification). (More details in there too). This would seem to say coilovers are fine (if you set them right).

Interestingly, a VASS Approval certificate is all that is required for airbags too, although the two thirds travel rule still applies... So what is the travel for a Tiguan? Finding that info is another question, it didn't come up in a google search.




Again in VIC, for power increase for anything after 1968 VSI 8 applies again and references VSB 14 (linked below). In short this says that you any mod that adds more than 20% power must be certified by a VASS Signatory.... what % does a stage 1 tune add these days....???
Vehicle Standards Bulletin 14 (VSB 14)

The short answer is that plenty of mods are perfectly legal, but some insurers wont touch you anyway. Others are very questionable without certification that very few people would bother with. Tuning FI cars being the biggest one that springs to mind.

[BeverlyHillsCop]

Depends on your insurer and whats stated in their PDS (you know that document which nobody ever reads hehe)
Having gone through this with Shannons, even if the mods are not engineered and your car is technically not roadworthy because of the mods, you will still be covered should you be involved in an accident, provided the mods are not what caused the accident.

For example, you decided to remove your airbag steering wheel, airbag seat and fit an aftermarket steering wheel and a fixed back race seat with 6 point harness etc... and run into a car which did not give way, you'll still be covered.

Again, this is with Shannons, you need check your insurers PDS

And never lie to your insurer... you're only asking for trouble the day you go claim etc...

[PDMJO]

Seems like it’s a +1 to Shannon’s, but an even bigger +1 to The Hawk for his detailed response.

Thanks for all the info everyone - definitely seems to be a real rabbit warren when it comes to liability.

[The_Hawk]

Another great reason to be with Shannon’s

/pats policies


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[INASNT]

Another great reason to be with Shannon’s

/pats policies


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I have the tig with shannons as I had my R33 Skyline that I used to track with them, that pretty much had every nut and bolt changed from stock..I have my house insurance with them also and get a good discount as a package with the wifes car..

[The_Hawk]

Same here, they have been very good with discounts when you have multiple policies. They have always been very easy to deal with too when it comes to claims over the years, although mostly on the contents side for us.