what do i tell my insurance?

[rubjonny]

I went with HIC via martinb, it didn't cost me a penny extra
Most decent companies base the quote off the car the engine came from, and since a MK3 GTI is the same insurance bracket as a MK2 GTI, the quote was the same for me

I notified the DVLA too, but that didn't make any difference either since a 2.0 dont cost any more than a 1.8.

[Simpson]

I personally wouldnt bother and would claim ignorance but that's just me i am a skinflint as i have no money and in my previous accident nobody even checked under the bonnet. 

[DarnPB]

If you are aware, then that is a dangerous game you play.
In my dim and distant past, I have driven cars, knowing that they were being driven slightly outside the law. ie, expired insurance, tax disc, MOT (all seperate instances I hasten to add), and without fail and without committing any traffic offenses like speeding, parking etc, I have been given 7 day wanders. As a result, I have a total of about 26 points on my license, most of which I am glad to say are expired.
On the other hand, I borrowed a car for a number of weeks, and unknown to me, the MOT was out, and I never recieved a thing.
Pleading unawareness and being unaware are two seperate things.
Maybe I´m just unlucky, but I do try to make myself bullet proof these days.

[Daz...]

When I had mine done I changed to HIC and it worked out cheaper than when it had the original engine in!

[jaybv6]

The biggest thing you need to think about is the inevitable.  If you don't tell them (the insirance company that is) and you are involved in an RTA (Road Traffic Accident) things wouodl go so wrong very very quickly.  If you were found to be to blame, and god forbid the other parties were either injured or killed, then you'd come under the spot light.  If your car got examined and was found to have mods that weren't declared then no only would it invalidate your insurance, you'd be prosecuted for driving without insurance, causing harm/death by dangerous driving, sued by the family of the injured parties (as your legal protection on your insurance won't cover you) and ni the worse case scenario if the other party was killed you'd end up in the slammer with some big bloke called Bubba  as your new room mate.   Then again you may get away with it and never have an accident or get caught.

I choose to tell my insurance company as it keeps me legal and above board, and I don't want to share the showers with Bubba 

[gibby]

I choose to tell my insurance company as it keeps me legal and above board, and I don't want to share the showers with Bubba 

That's pretty sound advice as far as I can see.

[martinb]

I choose to tell my insurance company as it keeps me legal and above board, and I don't want to share the showers with Bubba 

That's pretty sound advice as far as I can see.

seconded, very sound advice! 

[MarkS]

Would invalidating your insurance by being found to have extra modifications to your car, mean that it would be much harder to get insurance from then on after?
In the same way it is if you are convicted of driving an un-insured car?

I'd just play it safe and tell the insurer.

[oldmanmille]

Only one person has mentioned an RTA and the consequences - this topic of telling or not telling the insurance company appears to me that its all about the insurer trying to save money - has anyone thought about an RTA and the poor 3rd party?

Valid insurance pays for the 3rd parties repairs and personal injuries etc. Forget about your own car guys, its the innocent 3rd party that needs to be considered. This is close to my heart as my daughter was involved in a head on with a transit van 3 yrs ago and the prat drove off leaving my daughter and her car in a total mess - car was written off.

Police tracked the registration as the plate was imbedded in her car, but he was uninsured and the van wasnt even registered to anyone. Lost all her no claims as she had to claim for the car on her own insurance - fully comp, all mods declared - VTR Saxo, lowered etc etc. Took her 2.5 yrs to get some pitence of personal compensation and building her NCB again.

So think guys and gals, insurance needs to be in place and valid, and the only way is to declare absolutely everything - basic rule is if you can't afford the insurance due in the main to mods then don't mod it until you can afford the insurance - simple as that

If I am ever unfortunate to be involved with anyone with insurance that becomes invalid because of mods etc not declared, pity help that person....I still have the reg of the van that hit my daughter and the day will come and I pity that person when I have a chat with him......

[DarnPB]

Very valid points here. Well said and I second this post.
I hope your daughter made a full recovery and it is all behind her and your family now.