Re-mapping a car

[Hutch]

Do they check every car for remapping where there is a claim?

Sorry I don't know the answer to that, I would think not,
A slight fender bender in ford escourt, by a 55 year old, with fully Comp insurance, probable would not even be looked at but a BMW 3 series driven by a 25 year old on 3rd party fire and theft, with wide tyres and go faster exhaust running into the back of Tobes Polestar, causing 30k damage, might create something to look at.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Checking the status of a vehicle is well within the remit of the insurer, Just because its not done on a regular basis, does not mean they won't do it. Its more likely if the claim involves something that might relate to the performance of the vehicle.

But its made very clear in all the the policy details I have seen that, any modification made to the vehicle must be reported to the insurer - incase it changes the risk they are insuring.

 

[RogerL]

Checking the status of a vehicle is well within the remit of the insurer, Just because its not done on a regular basis, does not mean they won't do it. Its more likely if the claim involves something that might relate to the performance of the vehicle.

But its made very clear in all the the policy details I have seen that, any modification made to the vehicle must be reported to the insurer - incase it changes the risk they are insuring.

It's usually worded to include ANY modification - not just those the owner thinks will improve performance, so includes towbars and suspension aids.

 

[Buckman]

Checking the status of a vehicle is well within the remit of the insurer, Just because its not done on a regular basis, does not mean they won't do it. Its more likely if the claim involves something that might relate to the performance of the vehicle.

But its made very clear in all the the policy details I have seen that, any modification made to the vehicle must be reported to the insurer - incase it changes the risk they are insuring.

However if the mishap is not result of the remap any insurance company would probably have a very hard time trying to wiggle out of a claim. Insurance companies are not bothered with a tow bar fitment which could add value to the vehicle plus it is a physical modification. After all the insurance is based on the value of the vehicle and not the driver's abilities.

 

[Parksy]

However if the mishap is not result of the remap any insurance company would probably have a very hard time trying to wiggle out of a claim. Insurance companies are not bothered with a tow bar fitment which could add value to the vehicle plus it is a physical modification. After all the insurance is based on the value of the vehicle and not the driver's abilities.

If an insurance company wanted to 'wriggle out' of a claim with regard to a vehicle that had been modified in any way and they hadn't been informed about the modification they would have no difficulty whatsoever.
When an insurance policy is purchased the insurers will provide a statement of facts.
This statement gives the correct details of the vehicle and driver(s) that are covered by the policy.
The insured is asked to check the material facts and to correct any inaccuracies before the policy is issued.
To conceal any fact, and this includes modifications of any kind, would be deception.
Insurance is also based on mutual trust, and that trust involves disclosure.

 

[Woodentop]

Advice: don't have the ECU remapped if you are running an Audi and you use dealer service. They poke the latest operating software into your ECU at the end of each service which will wipe your remap.

 

[otherclive]

Advice: don't have the ECU remapped if you are running an Audi and you use dealer service. They poke the latest operating software into your ECU at the end of each service which will wipe your remap.

Does that go for other VAG cars too?

 

[RogerL]

However if the mishap is not result of the remap any insurance company would probably have a very hard time trying to wiggle out of a claim. Insurance companies are not bothered with a tow bar fitment which could add value to the vehicle plus it is a physical modification. After all the insurance is based on the value of the vehicle and not the driver's abilities.

The value of the vehicle plays little part in the premium calculation - the main cost for insurers is personal injury to third parties, that's why young drivers with a poor driving record pay a lot more than experienced drivers with good records, despite driving the same car.

 

[ProfJohnL]

However if the mishap is not result of the remap any insurance company would probably have a very hard time trying to wiggle out of a claim. Insurance companies are not bothered with a tow bar fitment which could add value to the vehicle plus it is a physical modification. After all the insurance is based on the value of the vehicle and not the driver's abilities.

That is not entirely true. The value of a vehicle does play into part of the policy premium, but differnt drivers will be offered different premium costs for the same vehicle. For example if you take out an insurance aged 69, and keep teh car. the next premium when your 70 is invariably higher by quite a margin. Or if you have claimed on the policy and do not have a protected NCD, the rates go up ahead of of inflation.

 

[RogerL]

That is not entirely true. The value of a vehicle does play into part of the policy premium, but differnt drivers will be offered different premium costs for the same vehicle. For example if you take out an insurance aged 69, and keep teh car. the next premium when your 70 is invariably higher by quite a margin. Or if you have claimed on the policy and do not have a protected NCD, the rates go up ahead of of inflation.

Depends on the insurer - some don't start age-loading until much older.

 

[Woodentop]

Advice: don't have the ECU remapped if you are running an Audi and you use dealer service. They poke the latest operating software into your ECU at the end of each service which will wipe your remap.

Thinking about it I may have said the wrong make - it could have been Merc. Certainly they don't at VW AFAIAA (and being on our fifth VAG of which the last three have been VW) or Skoda, and I don't <think> they do at BMW.

 

[ProfJohnL]

We are not going to be able to determine if or when an insurer might wish to check the state of tune of a car, But why tempt fate and risk driving uninsured. Simply follow the insurers policy requirement and inform them of any changes you make to the vehicle away from standard specification.

 

[Buckman]

We are not going to be able to determine if or when an insurer might wish to check the state of tune of a car, But why tempt fate and risk driving uninsured. Simply follow the insurers policy requirement and inform them of any changes you make to the vehicle away from standard specification.

Are you saying that if you change the brand of tyres on the vehicle it is not longer standard and you will be uninsured if you do not inform the insurance company? Changing tyres can affect the performance of the vehicle in different conditions. Same applies to many other parts on a motor vehicle.
Just to add I have never and probably will never re-map any of our vehicles in case people have forgotten the first post.

 

[otherclive]

Are you saying that if you change the brand of tyres on the vehicle it is not longer standard and you will be uninsured if you do not inform the insurance company? Changing tyres can affect the performance of the vehicle in different conditions. Same applies to many other parts on a motor vehicle.
Just to add I have never and probably will never re-map any of our vehicles in case people have forgotten the first post.

That’s not a relevant comment as you are still required to fit tyres that conform to the car makers specifications. Brand of tyres is quite irrelevant, although quality between premium and budget varies but insurers don’t class that as a notifiable change. But some do still require notifications if you change between summer and winter as often the winter can have lower maximum speed rating, or run on different sized wheels.

 

[Tobes]

A slight fender bender in ford escourt, by a 55 year old, with fully Comp insurance, probable would not even be looked at but a BMW 3 series driven by a 25 year old on 3rd party fire and theft, with wide tyres and go faster exhaust running into the back of Tobes Polestar, causing 30k damage, might create something to look at.

😱😱😱😱😱 Noooooooooooo….

//Goes to check car//

 

[Buckman]

That’s not a relevant comment as you are still required to fit tyres that conform to the car makers specifications. Brand of tyres is quite irrelevant, although quality between premium and budget varies but insurers don’t class that as a notifiable change. But some do still require notifications if you change between summer and winter as often the winter can have lower maximum speed rating, or run on different sized wheels.

To put it another way, if the software in a vehicle is upgraded, it is not longer standard and many vehicles have software upgrades when serviced by the dealer mine included. Of course many EVs have their software upgraded regularly which alters their performance. I would assume this is like remapping the vehicle?

 

[Tobes]

To put it another way, if the software in a vehicle is upgraded, it is not longer standard and many vehicles have software upgrades when serviced by the dealer mine included. Of course many EVs have their software upgraded regularly which alters their performance. I would assume this is like remapping the vehicle?

Not quite. The standard software upgrades are exactly that. Standard. There are upgrades you can pay for (Tesla do one and now Polestar) that are optional. Those equate to a remap and would require you inform your insurer.
Some polestar drivers have asked their insure for a quote for the upgrade and been told no, others have done it at no cost and others charged.

 

[RogerL]

That’s not a relevant comment as you are still required to fit tyres that conform to the car makers specifications. Brand of tyres is quite irrelevant, although quality between premium and budget varies but insurers don’t class that as a notifiable change. But some do still require notifications if you change between summer and winter as often the winter can have lower maximum speed rating, or run on different sized wheels.

ABI guidance has removed the need to notify insurers when changing between summer and winter tyres - providing both sets are of size/specification approved by the car manufacturer.

 

[otherclive]

To put it another way, if the software in a vehicle is upgraded, it is not longer standard and many vehicles have software upgrades when serviced by the dealer mine included. Of course many EVs have their software upgraded regularly which alters their performance. I would assume this is like remapping the vehicle?

My Skoda had a software change to counter the effects of “ dieselgate” but as it was carried out by a franchised dealer under the authority of Skoda then that would be non notifiable. Very few if any makers software or hardware changes make any difference to the performance envelope of the car. Some though can do but aren’t they purchased extras from the car maker rather than updates to counter issues they are upgrades to performance.

 

[Buckman]

Thanks all for some very informative replies especially from Prof, OC and Tobes as things a lot clearer now.

 

[Raywood]

However if the mishap is not result of the remap any insurance company would probably have a very hard time trying to wiggle out of a claim. Insurance companies are not bothered with a tow bar fitment which could add value to the vehicle plus it is a physical modification. After all the insurance is based on the value of the vehicle and not the driver's abilities.

The insurer rates each modification on its merits so just because a tow bar does not mean an increase in rates does not mean a different modification will not. Engine tuning can be used to increase performance and some people will use it to drive faster so insurers increase premiums as it equates to more claims whereas a tow bar statistically at least indicates a safer driver. In general the increase in the value of fitting one will not be enough to increase the premium. There is plenty of cases of an undeclared remap being sufficient to repudiate a claim, although in many cases this will be missed by their engineers as it is not normally obvious.

 

[otherclive]

Some insurers increase rates for a tow bar, especially the type where the cars rear cross member is removed and the tow bar installed in its place. The reason being that the car may suffer increased damage in a rear end shunt. However mines like that but LV= did not load it.

 

[RogerL]

Some insurers increase rates for a tow bar, especially the type where the cars rear cross member is removed and the tow bar installed in its place. The reason being that the car may suffer increased damage in a rear end shunt. However mines like that but LV= did not load it.

Most cars will suffer increased damage in a rear end shunt if a towbar is fitted - the towbar takes the impact and transmits it directly to the structure - in standard form the crushability of the rear bumper absorbs some of the impact.

 

[otherclive]

Most cars will suffer increased damage in a rear end shunt if a towbar is fitted - the towbar takes the impact and transmits it directly to the structure - in standard form the crushability of the rear bumper absorbs some of the impact.

I know, when our Saab 9000 took a relatively gentle rear end that made a mess of the following Fiesta. The Saab had a very strong rear bumper that was designed to move forwards across the girth of the car against spring mounts. The towbar though stood proud of the bumper and took the initial impact then the bumper took its share of the load as the Fiesta crumpled under the impact of the towbar. Externally everything looked fine on the Saab but underneath there was ripple in the car’s underfloor where the towbar fixings took their portion of the load of the impact. The structural assessment by the insurers appointed garage decided no repair action was necessary. I doubt we would get away so lightly with a more modern car.

 

[Buckman]

Most cars will suffer increased damage in a rear end shunt if a towbar is fitted - the towbar takes the impact and transmits it directly to the structure - in standard form the crushability of the rear bumper absorbs some of the impact.

However by the same token surely it then be the responsibility of the other car's insurer to pay out?