Comfort won't quote as I self fitted Semi Air Assistance

[mrh74]

Going through the hell of getting renewal quotes and surprised that Comfort will not quote as I fitted easyTOP air assistance on the van, myself and it's not been checked by a "professional", anyone else had this issue?

Mark

 

[Minxy]

Not surprised really as they don't know how 'well' it has been done so an unknown entity 'risk' wise.

We were asked about our Carthago as we'd had semi-air fitted on it, fortunately as it was professionally fitted it wasn't an issue, otherwise they'd probably have insisted on it being checked.

 

[mrh74]

It's air assistance, the worst risk is it falls off, it won't, but then the van still has it's original suspension ;-)

 

[David and Sally]

It's air assistance, the worst risk is it falls off, it won't, but then the van still has it's original suspension ;-)

Someone sitting in a dark room not knowing what AA is.

 

[chaser]

Going through the hell of getting renewal quotes and surprised that Comfort will not quote as I fitted easyTOP air assistance on the van, myself and it's not been checked by a "professional", anyone else had this issue?

Mark

Did they ask you or did you volunteer the information, as I have never been asked about it on our ambulance which has it.
This is nfu though.

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[ontheroadagain]

I am insured with the CAMC. When I fitted Easy Top Semi Air earlier this year they asked a lot of questions including had it been fitted by a professional. As I had fitted it myself I said no, but informed them that as I owned and maintained a classic car, I was more than capable of fitting it. They accepted this but charged me an additional £50 for the privilege.
The Easy Top system is very easy to fit and has been designed to be a DIY job. I cant understand why you would need a "professional" to fit it.

 

[63720]

This may be deemed as a modification so should probably be declared and whether self installed or by a competent person.

 

[Mikeco]

I did mine a few years ago and at the next MOT I asked the garage to check it over and to mention it on the invoice which they did, cost me an extra £20 but worth it.

 

[mrh74]

Did they ask you or did you volunteer the information, as I have never been asked about it on our ambulance which has it.
This is nfu though.

Volunteered, as it is a modification to the original vehicle and would be the route they'd use to deny a claim if anything goes wrong.

 

[Minxy]

It's air assistance, the worst risk is it falls off, it won't, but then the van still has it's original suspension ;-)

It's not just about that, it's about ALL risks, if you're driving along the motorway for example at speed and it fails it could cause you to swerve and cause/be in an accident, even if this doesn't affect you unduly the part coming off could cause an accident for someone else.

This may be deemed as a modification so should probably be declared and whether self installed or by a competent person.

Yes it is a modification, not declaring it will likely invalidate the 'comprehensive' part of the policy.

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[Minxy]

I did mine a few years ago and at the next MOT I asked the garage to check it over and to mention it on the invoice which they did, cost me an extra £20 but worth it.

That's the easiest way to get professional approval for a modification such as this, we had to do similar for a scooter we bought which had been written off (cosmetic), we had to have an MOT and a letter confirming it was legal and safe to use with no issues, cost us £25 in total.

 

[Langtoftlad]

My Air Assist was 'professionally' fitted by a bloke in a car park [P'Boro Nat MH Show] working out the back of an estate car!

I called Comfort, my insurers about the modification, and the weight uprating... couldn't have been less interested... in fact, I had to push to get them to make a note I'd informed them.

 

[jezport]

Ive seen a semi air system fitted so badly that it could cause an accident.

 

[Howard B]

Might have to dust my City & Guilds certs out if I decide fit a set myself.

 

[mrh74]

The four nuts on the u bolts were really hard to tighten up! Just had to remember how to set the torque wrench and "righty tighty, lefty loosey". MOT next Monday ;-)

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[Lenny HB]

Had full 4C air fitted to ours when I rang Comfort to let them know they just said we will make a note, no questions about the fitting or anything.

 

[TheBig1]

The four nuts on the u bolts were really hard to tighten up! Just had to remember how to set the torque wrench and "righty tighty, lefty loosey". MOT next Monday ;-)

And after a few miles use, retorque the U bolt nuts to ensure they remain tight. Plenty don't bother though, same with wheel bolts

 

[Jim]

Comfort are a broker, but unlike others they only have one underwriter, Aviva which is why they turn so much insurance down.

If you use a broker like AIB they have relationships with numerous underwriters, (including Aviva) and if there is something an underwriter does not like, this could be a modification, your postcode, your self build, too high or too low van value, business use etc they can propose you to other underwriters and see you get cover.

I had an issue with a number of things. Big American van, towing a 3.5t Commercial Trailer, business use needed for both. Conmfort laughed, no one would touch me. Called AIB who sorted cover in an afternoon.

If you are a perfect fit for Aviva then Comfort will give you great service. But Aviva are notoriously picky, so stories like yours are common.

 

[BusyBuilder]

Could say the same about LPG.

 

[gus-lopez]

Volunteered, as it is a modification to the original vehicle and would be the route they'd use to deny a claim if anything goes wrong.

What would have happened if you bought it without knowing it was fitted?

Yes it is a modification, not declaring it will likely invalidate the 'comprehensive' part of the policy.

As above?

Here 99% of everything has to be fitted by an authorised approved installer who then supplies the paperwork to allow it to be added to the log book. In reality this just means they have the required licemce to supply the paperwork. The vast majority I wouldn't let within 100m of anything of mine.

I stick to the "I'll install it & you just supply the paperwork after checking it". It is far safer.

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[Minxy]

What would have happened if you bought it without knowing it was fitted?

AFAIK when you answer the questions by the insurer about modifications etc they can only expect an answer from what you know, ie 'to your knowledge' and accepted to be true on that basis. If you didn't know it had been fitted by a previous owner rather than came as standard then you wouldn't have lied, however if you fitted it, or had it fitted, but didn't tell them then that would be a lie.

 

[jezport]

AFAIK when you answer the questions by the insurer about modifications etc they can only expect an answer from what you know, ie 'to your knowledge' and accepted to be true on that basis. If you didn't know it had been fitted by a previous owner rather than came as standard then you wouldn't have lied, however if you fitted it, or had it fitted, but didn't tell them then that would be a lie.

But their question will be is the vehicle modified? You should know what is on your vehicle. I always say that it is modified in a lot of ways being a motorhome. I make sure I declare things like solar, suspension and gas tank etc.

 

[Minxy]

But their question will be is the vehicle modified? You should know what is on your vehicle. I always say that it is modified in a lot of ways being a motorhome. I make sure I declare things like solar, suspension and gas tank etc.

But it can only be 'to your knowledge' if you buy it second hand with stuff already done to it, some of which you won't know about and some you will ... but if you do something yourself and do NOT disclose it then that's a big no-no.