Car Insurance- towbar

[Morganic]

My insurance company have advised me that I need to pay an extra premium as I now have a towbar fitted to my car. Is this usual?

 

[Dustydog]

A certain call centre in Delhi said as long as my towbar was an original part of the vehicle, ie made by Kia no extra charge, if not there would be. Stupid or what. I'm insured elsewhere now.

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Murdan]

I have never had my insurance premium increased for having a towbar fitted. So I guess its not normal.

 

[TonyH1]

I've always declared a tow bar to my insurers but have never been charged extra for it. It sounds to me that they may be classing the tow bar as a modification. Either that or they make a charge because you're now towing.

 

[Morganic]

Thanks for the responses. My insurance is due for renewal so I will get a quote from a firm that doesn't charge.

 

[jacky3]

hi,

this has been discussed at length on most forums___BELIEVE ME A TOW BAR REGARDLESS WETHER ITS FITTED AT SOURCE OR BY AN INDEPENDANT ITS A MODIFICATION__IF ITS NOT LISTED AS AN OPTIONAL EXTRA (WHICH IT NEVER IS)THEN IT MUST BE DECLARED ON THE INSURANCE PROPOSAL___IF YOU DONT ,IF ANYTHING HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING ,ACCIDENT WHATEVER THEY COULD WELL VOID YOUR POLICY SO BEWARE___AND DONT LISTEN TO ANYBODY ON THIS__'THIS IS FACT'

 

[Parksy]

Hi Klarky

Thanks very much for your input but there's really no need to become worked up to the point of 'shouting'.

Please consider forum etiquette rule number ten when submitting posts to this forum.

Why make things that you want to say so difficult for us to read?

 

[jacky3]

Hi Klarky

Thanks very much for your input but there's really no need to become worked up to the point of 'shouting'.

Please consider forum etiquette rule number ten when submitting posts to this forum.

Why make things that you want to say so difficult for us to read?

him parksy,

sorry for the caps____but how else do you get people to sit up and listen lol.these insurance companies now are snakes in the grass and will leap out and bite you at the slightest chance___dont give them the oppotunity,anything that youve changed on the car you must inform you insurer---even if they tell you its not nescessary___tell them and record it.

 

[Dustydog]

Klarky is right. Hope he hasn't burst a blood vessel.LOL

Cheap premiums mean a lot of insurers, not all, seek to reject claims for any non disclosure at inception of the policy.

Ridiculous? Yes. But why wait to find out when you need to claim?

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Lutz]

If it's a factory fitted towbar then it must be listed as an optional extra. Otherwise it would not be factory fitted.

 

[Dustydog]

So a Kia own make is ok but not towsure or Witter?

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Lutz]

No, it appears that factory fitted towbars are OK but not towbars fitted by a dealer or the owner. Kia don't make their own towbars, no car manufacturer does.

 

[Dustydog]

Mine has a Kia label on it. It is different from my mates Witter and was fitted by the Kia dealer, so they said.

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Sedo]

I've always advised the insurers that I tow when renewing my insurance policy and they've always stated that it doesn't count but thank you for advising of the fact.

This or these are reputable, not 'cheap' insurers.

I take it then that you either have to tape the phone call or obtain written proof of the fact that you were advised that towing is o/k within the policy.

I have a Witter fitted to a Kia and neither top rated insurers I had qoutes off were concerned when they were appraised of the fact, even though I've bought it up concerning modifications as well.

So what do you do keep phoning around until you find an insurer who wants to make it an issue?

A normal answer will do, caps-locks aren't needed ta, hearings o/k at the mo'.

Tom

 

[Dustydog]

Tom

Have a look at the last two Financial Ombudsman Service reports. There are many Insurers out there looking for ways to decline a claim. Very sad.

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Lutz]

Mine has a Kia label on it. It is different from my mates Witter and was fitted by the Kia dealer, so they said.

Cheers

Dustydog

It might have a Kia label on it, but they certainly don't make it themselves. They just buy it in and stick their own label on it. Nevertheless, it doesn't count as being factory fitted if the car didn't leave the factory with it already on.

 

[Dustydog]

It might have a Kia label on it, but they certainly don't make it themselves. They just buy it in and stick their own label on it. Nevertheless, it doesn't count as being factory fitted if the car didn't leave the factory with it already on.

Thanks Lutz

Nothing surprises me anymore. It was definitely fitted by the dealer. So I guess technically it is an accessory?

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Lutz]

It might have a Kia label on it, but they certainly don't make it themselves. They just buy it in and stick their own label on it. Nevertheless, it doesn't count as being factory fitted if the car didn't leave the factory with it already on.

The short answer is 'yes'

 

[DeliDave]

Rang Saga today about a quote and asked them about towbar and they did indeed count a non factory fitted bar as a modification but were interested from the value point of view and the lady said if it cost less than

 

[Allen774]

Had a phonecall yesterday from Churchill telling me that they had authorised payment for a new towbar and fittings which was not accounted for in the original damage quote,they said that they are replacing it with a witter towbar and was I happy with the make,they also authorised the replacement of the reversing sensors,which I must admit I had not informed them about.

I will be sticking with Churchill in the future.

Allen

 

[RayS]

Just renewed with LV Frizzell and they asked whether the bar on the new car was fitted by the dealer and included on the overall invoice. It was, although not branded as a factory bar, and LV accepted it without any trouble. They implied that fitting by a third party after purchase may, just may, have caused them to count it as a modification.

I suspect that the dealer actually got a towbar specialist to come in and fit it, but it was all shown on the main invoice, so that appears to be that.

 

[DianneT]

Both our car and caravan are insured by the CC. They have never asked about towbar. We have a Witter on the Kia fitted by a Witter Agent. When we had an accident with the Coachman caravan 3 years back no problems were had.

 

[vernon]

My Saga policy covers me to tow a caravan (third party), therefore they must assume that I have a towbar fitted!

 

[DeliDave]

Had email from Saga confirming its a modification if not factory fitted but doesnt incur a charge,they just need to know.Cant be too careful with insurance companies,worse than horsethieves