rakh1

Hi all,

Ganna get a new MY03 WRX but want the STi rear wing.
As it is a dealer fit 'option' with subaru part number and under warantee does it count as a mod or not? Very confused about dealer options and insurance!

Also - what about Subaru 18"s and colour coding the lower side skirts? Does a light window tint count as a mod too?

Anyone any experience?

Cheers - Rich

JohnMcC

I pick my WRX 03 up on monday with the STi wing, colour-keyed sills and 18s. The dealer thought it wouldnt make any difference to insurance (eg it already had a wing and alloys) but I wasnt so sure (more nickable etc...?).

Anyway, when I mentioned it to Tescos they didnt mind...as it was Subaru stuff etc.. I imagine. Also didnt mind the WR sport back box - hope the guy I spoke to wasnt a useless gimp....

At the end of the day, probably depends on the insurance company.

[Edited by JohnMcC - 3/21/2003 5:56:46 PM]

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Yes its classed as a modification.
If it isnt exactly like it should be from the factory then its modified, even if its another subaru item.... some insurance co's will hammer you for a rear spoiler though, it just depends who your with.

Tony

Mungo

Not sure I agree with the "more nickable" argument - "hmmm, no, it's only got a standard spolier, I'll not bother nicking that one"!

JohnMcC

I dont either, in terms of making the vehicle more nickable, but we all know what insurance companies are like dont we....

However, isnt spoiler and hood scoop theft sometimes a problem?

I'm sure some scally would rather try and rip off an STi spoiler than a normal one, or try and nab big gold alloys rather than standard ones.

JohnMcC

Tony - I agree with you in the strictest sense of what you are saying...

But I think the point is that such mods are not aftermarket. They are from the official, warrantied, manufacturers option list. To all intents and puposes they are factory fitted options (except fitted at the dealers )

As I said, I hope the guy I spoke to wasnt a gimp, but he said that as long as they were Subaru items off the options/accessories list then they didnt have to be declared.

As we both said though, it really depends on the company that you ask or are with.

Andy W

Guys, Declare it.
In the broadest of sweeping statements, insurance companies do not want to pay out, they could in theory use an undeclared mod to withhold a claim. Why run the risk?

I know of a few companies that will not accept ANY modifications IMHO do not risk invalidating your policy.

Common sense does not come into it, if you breech the terms of your contract with your insurer you risk being seriously out of pocket.

JohnMcC

Yeah, of course, I'm not saying dont even mention your spoiler, wheels etc...

But what I was getting at was that not all companies will penalise you for it.

But, even if they do, I would imagine that there wouldne be too much of a weighting - if there was then I would certainly look elsewhere.

Remember, cheapest isnt always the best, and if I was in a position to I for one would rather pay a couple of quid more and make sure everything is covered.

At the end of the day ask, they will soon tell you what the score is

chiark

It makes the car more likely to be targeted for theft, either of the car as a whole, or just by someone ripping the spoiler off.

Declare it.