[Kermit]

Apologies if this is a stupid question but....has anyone any idea when getting insurance for Minis if you have to list all the individual options you've specified?

I've seen some quote tools specify Mini Cooper pepper or Mini Cooper chilli, but what about other options e.g. Tinted glass, heated windscreen do I have to specifically list these?

(I'm being optimistic that Mini will manufacture and deliver mine at some point!!!)

 

[lawrothegreat]

I can't give you legal advice on this, but the following is my personal opinion.

Insurance companies are interested in options or modifications that affect the security, safety and performance of the vehicle. I've never listed all individual options.

When you take out insurance you're also asked for the value of the car, so it's important that you take options into account with this valuation.

 

[MintMark]

I went through a quote on confused.com and there was only one option for a 2014 mini cooper, but as you say, many options for older coopers.

I think at some point the insurance companies will decide whether they want to take the options into account and list them separately. Some options might help, like the driving assistant safety features.

 

[Kermit]

Thanks both, appreciate your views.

 

[italianjob]

usually just asks you for model, year, and engine/trim.

 

[MJCW]

I know smaller insurance companies are easier to deal with and even give you a better rate, might be worth it to look into them

 

[kenl]

LV said as long as changes to spec were factory installed they did not need them listed.

This suggests that if you change anything you would need to tell them.

I quite fancy new mirror caps but don't want the added expense of a change to my insurance.

 

[MiloMini]

I've just gone through the process of insurance and I did get a quote from a few places and two of the companies couldn't guarantee that Mini would fix the problems - one even said they would charge £200 excess for me to have that option!

In the end I went with Mini insurance - worked out £50 more but I have a replace like with like for 1st year, guaranteed mini dealer/garages and a few other things included.

One thing I did ask MINI today was if I needed to let them know about Chilli pack addition etc and he said it would make no difference to the cost but I know some insurers count alloys, sat nav, parking sensors as modifications even when factory fitted. You have to be so careful and this is why I went with who I did - much easier!

 

[MintMark]

I hadn't really thought about it in those terms (mini parts and labour) but I can see the value of it. When my renewal comes up in August I'll have to see how mini insurance compares... thanks for making me think about it!

 

[Hat]

a lot of time with insurers its just a case of notifying them, there isn't necessarily always a charge for small changes as long as they don't change the performance or value of the car

 

[MiloMini]

No worries mark, I was talking to Andy the other night and he mentioned the guaranteed workmanship something I hadn't thought about but glad I went down this route now. Always concerned when an insurance company can't find my registration number or know what a chilli pack is!!

 

[Ash92]

I'm with admiral and they insisted on me listing each individual option.

 

[jeremybingham]

As far as I understand on the comparison websites most say is the car factory standard ie if the car is as was made and has every option coming out of the factory ie factory standard that's fine but if you take it home and add Carlos fandago alloys and a akrapovich exhaust plus chip they DEFINITELY want to know!

 

[Angib]

....but if you take it home and add Carlos fandago alloys and a akrapovich exhaust plus chip they DEFINITELY want to know!

Well, yeah, with Carlos Fandango wheels they would, wouldn't they? I mean, they're made from solid unobtanium so if you nick 'em and melt 'em down, the scrap value is more than the car.

 

[jeremybingham]

Absolutely, as is the warp drive xxx cloaking device comes free tho x