Insuring a modified Mini -1071Steve??

[rolesyboy]

Hi All. Just reinsuring my Mini for some summer fun. Tried RH and waiting for a quote but felt extremely nervous when declaring my modifications. The car is 1380 with flowed head and RC40, H4s etc. Interior has recaros, whole lot trimmed in leather. I felt like every mod was a nail in my coffin and I then worried that if I came to make a claim if I inadvertantly missed something they would rebuff my claim. Am I being an old woman or if not how can I feel comfortable that each mod has been accounted for? The car itself isn't boyed up. The mods were made to make the car a bit more driveable in modern traffic. It has 65 BHP at the wheels according to my rolling road man. Any advice welcomed. Cheers. Mark

[steve1071]

What year is the car? If it fits on a classic car type policy use one of them as they understand old cars better and will ask for photos and modification details for the agreed value. I am told that RH are one of the better providers / brokers, though I have never used them. CVI also get a good mention.
The thing with insurance is, the bigger the claim the more the insurance company will dot the i's and cross the t's before paying out. But that doesn't mean they will try anything to wriggle out of paying, as synics would suggest.

[rolesyboy]

Thanks Steve. Sorry I am one of those cynics!! On a serious note I only view it that way as if there were a serious collision I would want to ensure all parties were covered appropriately. The car is a 1966 Morris Cooper S. Hopefully RH will come back with a favourable figure. Thanks for your input. PS who are CVI? Mark

[Andrew1967]

I insure my 'ex 850' 1964 Cooper S replica along with my two other standard spec Mini's with CCC in Northern Ireland. Just renewed this week, £197 for all three. My car has been built to full, standard 1275 Cooper S spec and they have insured it as a standard non-modified Cooper S. They are fully aware that it originally began life as an 850. No problems.

I wouldn't think the average assessor would know a 1380 from any other A-series engine or an RC40 from a standard exhaust and if you've disclosed the obvious modifications then I doubt there'd be any problem.

[sclemow]

I have found Hagerty to be very understanding about modifications. I have declared all of mine on my '67 S, have an agreed value policy and a reasonable premium.

HTH

[rolesyboy]

Result. RH Insurance (Brentwood) came up trumps! Classic pokicy £120 full comp, 3000 miles per annum, £15k agreed value with all my mods declared. Well impressed and nice people to deal with. They will let me add additional cars for very reasonable rate too. Thanks to Mark and Rich who originally recommended them and thanks to the rest of you for your input. See you at Brooklands

[steady eddie]

I insure my 'ex 850' 1964 Cooper S replica along with my two other standard spec Mini's with CCC in Northern Ireland. Just renewed this week, £197 for all three. My car has been built to full, standard 1275 Cooper S spec and they have insured it as a standard non-modified Cooper S. They are fully aware that it originally began life as an 850. No problems.

I wouldn't think the average assessor would know a 1380 from any other A-series engine or an RC40 from a standard exhaust and if you've disclosed the obvious modifications then I doubt there'd be any problem.

In case anyone else is shopping around I also recommend Hagerty. Our Appendix K race car is road legal and we insure it with them, agreed value basis, premium is less than mentioned above. Having been rejected by all sorts of insurers, particularly Aon who supposedly specialise in classic cars, because of the extent of the modifications and value of car, Hagerty were a pleasure to deal with.

regards

Eddie