Modified 4WD Insurance 2019

[Mehrts]

Hey guys,

Just wondering what vehicle insurance providers you're with for your "modified" 4WDs.

I've had the Hilux fully insured with NAC for the past 6 years, but this year they've increased their premium and excess rates to an amount that I just can't agree with. I gave them a call to see what the story was, but they said there wasn't anything they could change with pricing.. Yea right.. I've made no claims over this period, and have a completely clean licence history.

The Hilux is just a road legal club truck, not used for any competitions or anything too crazy.

I know there's a few old posts asking this same question, however they're a few years old, and the info most probably isn't relevant now.


Cheers.

[kbushnz]

I use https://www.rothbury.co.nz/
They took over from Barley Ins...
Haven't compared costs..Never had to claim on vehicle yet....other than windscreen..... No issues...
Mines heavily modified and certified..

Calvin

[Mehrts]

Thanks Calvin, might start doing some shopping around.

I've never had a problem with NAC, and for a few years their premiums were dropping. The last couple have increased though, and this year the theft excess AND premiums have both increased by a decent amount.

[tweake]

I use https://www.rothbury.co.nz/
They took over from Barley Ins...
Haven't compared costs..Never had to claim on vehicle yet....other than windscreen..... No issues...
Mines heavily modified and certified..

Calvin

i went away from them.
they never covered windscreens. they quietly dropped competition use. i think there was something else they changed.
then dicked me around so i went else where.
in the end i went with FMG. came to agreement on value to cover the mods. price was ok.

[wjw]

I use https://www.rothbury.co.nz/
They took over from Barley Ins...
Haven't compared costs..Never had to claim on vehicle yet....other than windscreen..... No issues...
Mines heavily modified and certified..

Calvin

i went away from them.
they never covered windscreens. they quietly dropped competition use. i think there was something else they changed.
then dicked me around so i went else where.
in the end i went with FMG. came to agreement on value to cover the mods. price was ok.

My experience of them has been pretty poor too, have told them so, but its still not improved, will be looking to move away when our renewals come up.

[Mehrts]

Ah ok, cheers for the info.

To be honest, I think I'll stick with NAC for one more year (just because it's easier). In that time I'll ask around some other insurance outlets to see what they offer and for how much.

I see there are dedicated companies that deal with classic cars & performance vehicles, but they specifically don't mention 4WDs. I guess it doesn't hurt to get in touch and ask though.

Mehrts

[Clint]

My cruiser is done through Classic Cover. Good price & years back when I made a claim through them for a motorbike crash it was pretty stress free. They were recommended by an insurance broker mate.

Cheers
Clint

[SMOKEY]

I also have my new Toy (not 4WD) insured with Classic Cover, I found them very easy to deal with and low premiums.

FITZY.

[Mehrts]

Bit of an update:

Called Classic Cover, and their prices are very sharp, however they specifically mentioned that they don't cover any form of offroad related claim (e.g. drowned in river).

I thought I'd give NAC another call, and it was a good thing I did, because when I was comparing my modification notes with what they had, they had only specified a "turbo upgrade", not the fact that it was a turbo diesel..

Fortunately the person I was speaking to instantly realised that there's a bit of a difference between turbo petrol and diesel engines haha. Basically because of this, my premiums have come down to a level I'm happy with, and they also took the time to explain that if I get an alarm installed, then my theft excess will be a fifth of what it is now.

To be honest, I see an alarm system as being a bit pointless, but hey, if it's potentially going to save me a huge chunk if someone did steal it, then it's worth considering.

Personally I'd just install a hidden GPS tracker, so at least you have the chance of knowing where it is if some bastard did manage to steal it..

I've decided to stick with NAC for the mean time. Cheers for the input guys.

[coxsy]

been with the AA since we had the saf, they were told it's a off road unit, told them of we have modified it lifted turbo ect,
Wife did the deal , When we deal with some new in the company we get no no covered , go back read the cover in your computer get back to us,
Oh it's is coved off-road and mods excepted ,only claimed on two screens within two month no,problems,just the minions to deal with now and then

[DieselBoy]

I have the Defender 110 insured with Barley/Rothbury.

Started with them after they agreed to insure it when we took it to Australia and have stuck with them.

Windscreen cover, and all mods and accessories covered at an agreed value.

Covered off-road (not competition) and recovery is from a point accessible by a 2wd tow truck.

$600 approx premium $400 excess

Had a couple of windscreens out of them so far, but no true claims so can’t comment on that aspect.

Happy with my valuations with the recent Defender tax added too

[wjw]

The Agreed value is the maximum they will pay under the policy, but they will work out market value at time of loss. Basically what John told me was it gives you a line in the sand to argue from. Did you read the last policy doc?

Unless stated differently in this policy, we will indemnify the insured by whichever of the following options we choose.
1. If we consider the insured vehicle is economic to repair, we will at our option:
(a) pay the reasonable cost of repairs to the insured vehicle, or
(b) pay the cash equivalent of the reasonable cost of repairs to the insured vehicle.
2. If we consider the insured vehicle is a total loss, we will at our option:
(a) replace the insured vehicle with a vehicle of similar condition, or
(b) pay an amount equal to the market value of the insured vehicle or the amount stated in the vehicle declaration, whichever is the lesser, unless the insured vehicle is leased, in which case we will pay an amount equal to the market value or residual value of the insured vehicle, whichever is the greater.

This was on my renewal this year:

Sum Insured (including modifications and accessories) We only insure you for the current Market Value of the vehicle, or the nominated Sum Insured; whichever is the lesser. The Market Value is the value of the vehicle including its accessories and improvements as prior to the date of loss. We are unable to insure the vehicle for Agreed Value. If you are not confident of the value we would strongly advise that you have a written valuation completed by a 4WD specialist or a 4WD Motor Vehicle Dealer. If you provide to us the valuation we will insure the vehicle for the value specified noting that it is the maximum amount the insurer will settle for.

[nivaman]

If you are not confident of the value we would strongly advise that you have a written valuation completed by a 4WD specialist or a 4WD Motor Vehicle Dealer. If you provide to us the valuation we will insure the vehicle for the value specified noting that it is the maximum amount the insurer will settle for.

Interesting.
Who would do a valuation in Dunedin?.