Chip or remap - mobile?

[Sausageinabun]

Just as a matter of interest, what is the insurance companies general reaction to a reported remap or chip tune. Do they arbirtarily add on a large slice of premium as a matter of course, or are they a little more gracious, and get some details from you before deciding on any increase.

I say increase because I'm fairly sure there is one!

Some of the chaps at work haven't notified their insurance companies of their chip tunes/remaps at all, which I'd imagine would not only void their insurance should it subsequently be discovered in the event of any accident, but could also potentially leave them open to prosecution.

What do you think?

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

Just as a matter of interest, what is the insurance companies general reaction to a reported remap or chip tune. Do they arbirtarily add on a large slice of premium as a matter of course, or are they a little more gracious, and get some details from you before deciding on any increase.

I say increase because I'm fairly sure there is one!

Some of the chaps at work haven't notified their insurance companies of their chip tunes/remaps at all, which I'd imagine would not only void their insurance should it subsequently be discovered in the event of any accident, but could also potentially leave them open to prosecution.

What do you think?

If you don't tell them then it could create major issues if subsequently discovered - not least you could have your insurance withdrawn which you would then have to state on every subsequent insurance application etc.

Check out Admiral online - they have the ability to select the modification and they will usually be able to quote you. For me the premium is around £100 for a +25%BHP mod (was £50 earlier in the year before someone went in the back of my car). Also there's a couple of specialist insurers out there like Chris Knott etc (check out insurance subforum) so a quick call to them could help you figure it out.

 

[Sausageinabun]

This wasn't a query with regards to my own personal circumstances, but just a general query as a matter of interest.

Still thanks for the information.

Can I ask why your premium rose as a result of someone running into the back of your vehicle, that doesn't sound very fair?

 

[tom0311]

This wasn't a query with regards to my own personal circumstances, but just a general query as a matter of interest.

Still thanks for the information.

Can I ask why your premium rose as a result of someone running into the back of your vehicle, that doesn't sound very fair?

If you make any sort of claim your premium goes up (usually). Insurance in general isn't fair

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

This wasn't a query with regards to my own personal circumstances, but just a general query as a matter of interest.

Still thanks for the information.

Can I ask why your premium rose as a result of someone running into the back of your vehicle, that doesn't sound very fair?

Sorry, I should have written , If 'one' doesn't tell... rather than saying it was you.

Insurance is a funny old business - basically, if you have an accident (fault or not) then (simplistically) their models tell them that you are at higher risk of future accidents. Therefore, all else equal your premium will go up.

The fact that it was a not at fault and my insurance company did not have to pay out means that my NCB wouldn't be affected, but the underlying premium has gone up.

Standard practice in the industry really!

 

[Alexis27]

Some of the chaps at work haven't notified their insurance companies of their chip tunes/remaps at all, which I'd imagine would not only void their insurance should it subsequently be discovered in the event of any accident, but could also potentially leave them open to prosecution.

What do you think?

Playing devil's advocate, the chances of an undeclared remap being discovered are next to nothing.

Even APR state "Your car dealer cannot determine a software modification with his equipment as our software is designed to be invisible to all engine diagnostic equipment."

 

[MJ]

Playing devil's advocate, the chances of an undeclared remap being discovered are next to nothing.

Even APR state "Your car dealer cannot determine a software modification with his equipment as our software is designed to be invisible to all engine diagnostic equipment."

Yeah that might have been the case 5 or more years ago but these days if dealers, insurance companies etc really want to check and verify that things have been played with - they can.
lets not forget that whilst ecu tuning has moved on leaps and bounds so has the understanding of the practice as has the technology used in vehicles.
Measures are put in place to attempt to stop ecu manipulation and areas of the software are created in such a way that any alterations made will effect the algorithm and make it detectable. More and more of the big tuners are openly admitting that they cannot 100% guarantee their software is completely undetectable, even switching back to stock still leaves signs.

 

[Sausageinabun]

Although the insurance industry is seen as a 'License' to print money industry, I can't say I blame them for working hard to detect these kinds of tuning manipulations.

Some of these can give an otherwise stock vehicle a huge increase in power, and if the rest fo the running gear, suspension, brakes etc are not up to that power increase it could spell disaster for the unwary. So if this has contributed to an accident why should they pay up.
Remember every time they have to pay out a claim, it could impact our future premiums.

Please don't think that I am on their side though, I think they are greedy in the extreme, and use any excuse they can possibly think of in order to bump our premiums up. I know from my own experience that they automatically bump my premium by a percentage every year. I then have to go to the trouble of calling round for a best quote.

Having said that, some of my younger workmates pay literally thousands each year on their premiums, so I guess I can't moan too much eh, it's all relative isn't it!!

 

[RichL]

I modded my Golf PD150 (lightly) with a rear ARB and a green cotton panel filter so I called Sky Insurance (nothing to do with Sky the satellite dish lot) - the guy I spoke to was very helpful and sounded like an enthusiast himself. I would up paying £20 less per year than I'd been paying with Admiral for an unmodified car.
I called Adrian Flux, but the guy on the phone was obviously a very bored call center drone who just wanted to tick boxes and get it over with. Quote was about the same so I went with Sky.

 

[Mr Bigglesworth]

Yeah that might have been the case 5 or more years ago but these days if dealers, insurance companies etc really want to check and verify that things have been played with - they can.
lets not forget that whilst ecu tuning has moved on leaps and bounds so has the understanding of the practice as has the technology used in vehicles.
Measures are put in place to attempt to stop ecu manipulation and areas of the software are created in such a way that any alterations made will effect the algorithm and make it detectable. More and more of the big tuners are openly admitting that they cannot 100% guarantee their software is completely undetectable, even switching back to stock still leaves signs.

And 'apparently' the do have ECU labs and can take the ECU out for testing (this could be done not just to detect a map, but maybe if something else was wrong with the ECU which led to the accident.

 

[RichL]

Just dragging this thread back up as today I fitted my DTUK CRD-T box.
I've only done a few miles but so far I'm pleased. Setting 2+1 and more pull overall, and a noticeable kick of power around the 2000rpm mark.

NB - A moment of panic as when I first connected everything I sat on the drive in neutral with the engine idle, gave it some revs and it wouldnt go past 2500rpm. Checked connections, reset box and even took it out completely and still rev limited to 2500. Not happy

After a spot of Googling this is a standard feature - you cant rev past 2500 (some VAG cars its 2800) when stationary - unless you turn off the ESP and in the case of my Exeo, dip the clutch. Panic over I reconnected the DTUK box and went for a blat.