Undeclared mods during insurance valuation, how screwed am I?

[Drogen24]

So after I wrote my Vectra off, my swansong post on these forums is a plea for help.

Insurance offered £760 for the car and I've seen they're on eBay and AutoTrader for around double that with my mileage. I told this to the insurers and this was how much I was looking for for it and they said they'll arrange for collection from the recovery company so they can do an independent valuation.

Now I'm bricking it because I haven't declared any of the mods I've put on it. Am I risking having my insurance voided which is going to cost a bomb on insurance for the rest of my life, or will it just be a slap on the wrist?
I'm thinking things like the big brake upgrade (will they even notice, they won't measure the discs will they?), loads of SRi trim and things like eyelids on the lights and wind deflectors, alloys when it came from the factory with steelies, there's amp wiring left in so they will know it's had that.

Should I just call them and accept the £760?

[justin32]

In a nut shell yes they will probably pick upon the mods.

Insurance companies dont like paying up so if there is any reason for them to not cough up they will find it. It happened to a mate of mine who didnt declair his mods so when he wrapped it around a lamp post and it got recovered he knew he wouldnt get a penny. He lost out on just over 9k

Take the money and run

[Big Dave]

What if a previous owner did the modifications and the current owner knows nothing about cars and wouldn't spot some of them, such as brake upgrades, or different wheels to what it had from factory?

[Drogen24]

What if a previous owner did the modifications and the current owner knows nothing about cars and wouldn't spot some of them, such as brake upgrades, or different wheels to what it had from factory?

This was my thought, and what I'll use if I have to. The car was collected this morning so it's out of my hands now, can't cancel the inspection

[Dog_Book]

What if a previous owner did the modifications and the current owner knows nothing about cars and wouldn't spot some of them, such as brake upgrades, or different wheels to what it had from factory?

This is what I’ve asked before but had no solid answer.
When asked about mods I say not that I’m aware of and I’m not a expert so you’d have to check it yourself I just bought it as is.
My current and last Vectra I did declare though as both sway quite a way from standard.

[Daywalker]

What if a previous owner did the modifications and the current owner knows nothing about cars and wouldn't spot some of them, such as brake upgrades, or different wheels to what it had from factory?

That is what i would say if the mods weren't overboard like ie aftermarket bodykits,20" wheels etc etc.

[megsdad]

You can't plead ignorance, you've admitted on this forum that you know about it !!! and yes they do do checks on forum pages, trust me i know...
On an insurance policy request form the question says "Has the vehicle been modified in any way", sorry mate but they've got you over a barrel so to say.

Ignorance is no defense.

Maybe an idea if you offered to buy the vehicle off them for a couple of hundred

[NeilGo]

I'm inclined to agree with megsdad on this one. If your car becomes more 'stealable' as a result of the 'mods' then you present a greater risk and that's the name of the game in insurance land. I hope it all goes well for you.

[Big Dave]

You can't plead ignorance, you've admitted on this forum that you know about it !!! and yes they do do checks on forum pages, trust me i know...

Nothing posted here mentions the car reg, nor does the OP's forum username (Drogen24) could be traced back to him either.

I could understand insurance investigators donning a dear stalker for a car worth £30,000 or more for example, but not for anything less than a £1000. It's just not worth their while. Would cost them more to investigate than the claim being made.

[Drogen24]

So insurance have just called me: debadge, black grille, eyebrows on the lights and radio were all picked up as undeclared and would have voided my policy had the call centre I spoke to not already sent a payout when I tried to cancel the inspection last week so I've dodged a massive bullet. I've also managed to actually get a second payout for the stereo and door speakers which covers my excess.
I'll be declaring all mods in future but with that, the vectra has now gone to the scrapyard in the sky.