Car Insurance query

**JaMaW** · 27th October 2007, 22:17

Does anyone have experience with Elephant as an insurer? Having recently insured my car with them I had a conversation with a colleague that made me wonder what was actually insured. So I called elephant to find out. My concern was around any factory fitted options like Parking sensors etc I had assumed that as long as I declared the upgrades when I took out the policy the car was fully insured. I was suprised to find out that in the event of a claim the car is only insured as standard.

So for example if I had bought a black car with parking sensors and upgraded wheels as a factory upgrade and advised Elephant so they were recorded on my policy, in the event of the car being stolen I would expect a replacement. However apparently I only get a standard car back probably in red without any extras. I questioned what the increase I had paid in premium was to cover and was told it's because the car is more attractive to thieves and it covers the increaded chance of being stolen. I asked how I could insure options and apparently you cannot.

Is this typical?

**Gsi3.2** · 27th October 2007, 22:19

not in my experience....they where spot on with me..

..

they insured like for like as long as i declared everything...

**JaMaW** · 27th October 2007, 22:35

Originally Posted by Gsi3.2

not in my experience....they where spot on with me..

..

they insured like for like as long as i declared everything...

I said I thought it was like for like and she went to check. Came back and said no it definitely was not like for like and they don't do it.

I might phone back again and speak to someone else. Surely if you buy something like a BMW or JAG and add £10k of extras they must be covered?

**Gsi3.2** · 27th October 2007, 22:40

You'd think so!!!..

..

deffo worth checking out again..

**mark1319** · 27th October 2007, 22:50

First time I've heard of insurers doing that. Normally they insure mods and it's like for like or they don't insure mods. So in reality they are just ripping people off.

**JaMaW** · 27th October 2007, 22:58

i have dug out the policy document that states Quote......

'elephant.co.uk does not cover any non standard parts (modifications), or anything which alters the performance of your car.

If you make a claim for loss or damage to your car, we will only pay the cost of replacing parts needed for the car to meet the manufacturers standard specification. Manufacturers optional extras are only covered if they have been declared and we have agreed to cover them.'

I was told today that no factory fitted options not even paint is covered and wont be covered even though I declared them. The additional premium I paid for the options was only because the car is more attractive to thieves.

Looks like I will be changing from them next time.