insiorc wrote:

mods are additional to how it left the factory

Problem with that is some genuine optional extras are dealer fit accessories. Mine came from the factory with rear privacy glass but side steps and mud flaps were fitted by the dealer "after factory" even though I included them when ordering the car. LR just don't fit them at the factory, not my choice, their procedure.

I bought a policy online yesterday. When I spoke to them today they were OK with the rear tinted windows (due to being factory fitted) but wanted to add side steps and mud flaps as modifications, despite being genuine accessories fitted by supplying franchised dealer before I even got the car. After a lot of persuading, they agreed not to class mud flaps as a mod but won't budge on side steps. I explained their purpose and the fact that they are more common or "standard" than mud flaps but fruitless. They didn't agree to just make a note of it on the system but really wanted to specify as a mod. When I gave up and asked them to add the steps as a mod, they couldn't quote me i.e. couldn't insure me ... because I have side steps

The guy kept assuring me that he understood where I was coming from and agreed with me, spoke to colleagues and supervisors to get an agreement but apparently such were the underwriter's terms so couldn't help me. I wasn't even interested in insuring the flaps and steps as in I don't care if they are not covered in case of a claim. Problem is policy could potentially be voided and entire claim denied if those "mods" were not specified. I cancelled the policy and awaiting a full refund. Insurance hunt goes on  Current: Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription Pro PHEV with some optionals on top
Gone: MY16 RRS2 3.0 SDV6 Autobiography Dynamic, Carpathian Grey & Santorini Black Sliding Pano/Ebony & Ivory 2 Tone
Gone: MY13 RRS 3.0 SDV6 HSE Black Edition, Orkney Grey/Ivory
Gone: MY09 RRS 2.7 TDV6 HSE, Santorini Black/Almond

Check wording of Policy, I've declared additions I've added, no extra premium if as fitted to new cars as standard in trim level, but was told side steps if fitted at purchase doesn't matter due to "You" not fitting them.
Only problem for people now is that Dealerships are no longer supplying or fitting sidesteps as an afterfit for pre 2014 models, so have to do them yourself.
Plenty of specialist insurance Companies out there and others that only want to know modification from original Spec.
Watch the LR insurance Policy as they have dropped "off road and Green Lanes" as standard now, and is chargeable extra on top of inflated premiums. LR are evidently looking into this as several complaints on renewal. How crazy that LR insurance don't cover what car designed for?  John

RRS MY12 SDV6 HSE. Sumatra Black/Ebony & Walnut + Dynamic Pack, + Cold Climate Pack + Memory Pack, Digital TV/DVD, Premium Leather, Cornering Lights, Cooler/Fridge Box, & most Options.

It varies from insurer to insurer. The company in question wants to add sidesteps as a mod regardless of who fitted them and at what stage because it wasn't at the factory. In the past Admiral did the same to me for my previous 2 Sports but at least covered them after adding the mod and charging me for the pleasure. In my current case, I explained the process of ordering a new car, it coming from factory and the dealer then fitting the genuine accessories in the most detailed way possible. Doesn't matter to them ... "still a modification from standard".

The "specialist" insurers may not want to know about the mods but quote a fortune. LR Insurance quoted me about £6,900. Their quote last year for the same car (although newer and more valuable), same address, same drivers and driving history was £2,900.

We are not young (both late 30s), low risk professions, wife has a clean license and I only have 3 expired points from a fixed penalty 4.5 years ago, no claims EVER and the post code isn't the worst in terms of insurance risk ratings either. I wish the insurance industry gets heavily regulated soon, as rigorously as mine is  Current: Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription Pro PHEV with some optionals on top
Gone: MY16 RRS2 3.0 SDV6 Autobiography Dynamic, Carpathian Grey & Santorini Black Sliding Pano/Ebony & Ivory 2 Tone
Gone: MY13 RRS 3.0 SDV6 HSE Black Edition, Orkney Grey/Ivory
Gone: MY09 RRS 2.7 TDV6 HSE, Santorini Black/Almond

Thanks to all who posted on this... I finally got my insurance sorted with NFU Mutual.

Very good deal and considerably cheaper than my previous insurers.

Thanks again all.

Taking things to the extreme even fitting a tyre of a different make to the factory fitted tyres is a modification. So too is the red poppy on my front grille!

Click image to enlarge

Just going through the renewal quotes process myself, NFU were very good and nice people to deal with BUT I have to use their approved repairer and even then no gauarantee of a courtesy car, also they will subsitute copy or recycled parts. I can use a LR approved repairer subject to their claims dept approval and no courtesy car. NFU have a local approved repairer only 14 miles from home but I would not trust them with a Corsa never mind the RRS.

I have found the above with all the usual suspects with prices ranging from £240 to £800, I may stick with LR as they have not increased the premium and if the worst happens the car is repaired by LR approved shop and the warrantee is intact. Two days wasted on this already. 2018 MY19 HSE Dynamic, Santorini, Ebony/Ivory, Sliding pano, Adaptive cruise, Black wheels. Arrived 3rd September 2018
2015 MY16 HSE Dynamic, Santorini, ebony/cirrus, sliding pano, cameras, black wheels - Arrived 1 October 2015

When we hit this issue of what was factory fitted etc we got from the supplying dealer the DDW which is effectively an inventory of your car from all the basic/standard stuff to all the options chosen at initial delivery

It helped us clarify that the car was standard as everything on it was a factory supplied option

In keeping with the general trend of insurer absurdity in this thread:

Today I filled in the online forms for quotes from a well-known comparison site run by some rodents who like cheap movie tickets. It's renewal time, and it's Mrs. Copilot's turn to be the policyholder so I complete the forms with her details. Get some quotes back and a couple are lower by far than the current renewal notice.

I call the promising quotes and speak to the providers. Over the course of the call, we spot that I have accidentally used my date of birth in the driver details section, artificially raising Mrs. copilot's age by eleven years. I correct that error and supply the correct DOB for my lovely wife.... quoted sum drops by over £40.

I also had a bit of a nightmare getting insurance for my RRS with the GTS Overfinch kit and wheels.

NFU accepted me to start with and when I went to ask about business mileage, they refused to insure me as they clocked my email and stated I would be collecting parts in it. How I would fit the stock I pick up it I don't know.

Went with A Plan and got insured with the Thatcham Office, £470 for 13k miles. 2010 3.0 TDV6 RRS Overfinch GTS
1987 BMW E30 M3 2.4 Turbo
1990 BMW E34 M5 3.6 Trackcar