Will a Strut Brace make you uninsurable?

aixlad · 10-10-2005, 21:38

Sounds daft I know, but after receiving a renewal notice for £450 (Fully Comp. Class1, 20,000 miles per annum, 9 years no claims, no convictions, ancient person) I decided to ring around for another quotation. The SEAT Strut Brace has caused all sorts of problems with the insurers. Here's my summary -

Norwich Union Direct - These jokers didn't even know what a Strut Brace (or Anti-vibration Reinforcing Bar) was. Said they would phone back, but never did, waste of time, wouldn't even give them the opportunity again.
Barclays Insurance - Did'nt know what one of these was, but still provided a quotation but would not detail these modifications on the documentation

Liverpool Victoria - First question "Is the car modified?". Would not even provide a quote due to Yes answer to modification question.
Sainsbury's Insurance - Did'nt know what a Strut Brace was, unable to provide quotation!
Lloyds Bank Insurers - Strut Brace, totally lost, waste of time.
First Alternative - Did not know what a Strut Brace was, so just quoted as a normal car! I wonder what would have happened in the case of a claim!!!!
Zurich Insurance - Based in India.
AA Insurance Services - These charged me no extra for the Badgeless Grill and the Strut Brace, and even knocked another 10% off the price because I have AA Breakdown (indirectly via Skoda Recovery). The Grill and Brace are also noted on the insurance document.

As a result, I've reduced my insurance cost by 35%, which is a significant saving. At one point I was thinking of actually removing the Strut Brace as this appeared to be the item causing the most problems. I can't see why this should be so because it's not a high cost item, I could go to Halfords and spend £80 on a set of floor mats!

What a complete minefield this is, but I think I've ended up with a reasonable deal, worth the effort and frustration, but it did'nt seem like it at the time

jifster · 10-10-2005, 21:43

Admiral would not insure me with a Strut Brace or FMIC. I moved to Greenlight in the end, it put my insurance cost up £200 but i've only got 1 years ncb so I can't expect to much. There's also a lot more mods planned which are already included in the Greenlight policy.

lee c · 11-10-2005, 08:16

Try some of these guys, they all do modified cars.

Keith Michaels were the cheapest for me.

Cheers
Lee

Keith Michaels: 0208 642 7868 ask for Christian
Brentacre on Tel: 01792 650933 09:00 - 17:00
Chris Knott: 0800 917 2274 09:00-17:00 ask for Briskoda discount.
Greenlight : 08707 535455 09:00-17:00
Adrian flux : 08700 760001 09:00-17:30
HIC: 08451 290 290 on, Mon-Fri 0900 – 1900
A Plan 0845 071 1234 MLR 08:30 17:00 £500, 01635 874646 direct number.
Pace Ward: 01782 286311 MLR Jeremy or Scott.

pbirkett · 11-10-2005, 09:15

Direct Line wanted almost 50% when I asked about a strut brace when I had the Fabia vRS. I really dont know where they get off...

RobClubley · 11-10-2005, 09:47

First Alternative charged me no extra as long as the Skoda dealer fitted it.

Goochie · 11-10-2005, 09:50

From an insurance company's point of view, strut braces are usually bad news. A friend of mine fitted one to a Corrado just before he had a low speed nudge, what would have normally resulted in a repair job wrote off his car because the strut brace transfered the impact to the other side of the car, twisting the front end of the chassis. The car was written off.

flatfourburble · 11-10-2005, 09:56

As goochie said that is my only worry about the strut brace. But saying that it's fitted as standard on some skoda models

WW_VRS · 11-10-2005, 11:42

I'm with Zurich - currently it has listed & approved at no extra cost:

* Green Filter
* PD160 air intake
* Seat Strut brace

They definitely DO NOT do remaps.

I am hoping they do the other stuff I'm getting - FMIC/Blueflame/312mm brakes/Eibachs for some kinda deal. It shouldn't increase bhp (more than marginal), although I'm expecting trouble for the lowering & the brakes

Jules59 · 12-10-2005, 01:14

My insurers, NFU, are happy to accept my Fabia VRS with a Seat Strut Brace at no additional cost.

ScoobyChris · 12-10-2005, 08:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by WW_VRS

It shouldn't increase bhp (more than marginal), although I'm expecting trouble for the lowering & the brakes

The brakes should be fine as most insurance companies treat these as "consumables", despite replacing calipers! Tesco told me this after referring to their underwriters...

Lowering is likely to be treated as a cosmetic mod.

Chris

WW_VRS · 12-10-2005, 09:37

I'm hoping for that call from my insurance broker sometime soon

SteVRs · 12-10-2005, 10:52

Elephant do it for £40 including a £10 admin fee for adding it, so £30 for the brace itself. Like most companies it's 'Suspension - Other'

Took them a while to work out what it was though!

blueheart · 12-10-2005, 11:44

eSure were fine with mine, no extra cost at all.

10-10-2005, 21:38	#1
aixlad Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: /usr/bin/whereis `whoami` Posts: 556 Members Car: Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Will a Strut Brace make you uninsurable? Sounds daft I know, but after receiving a renewal notice for £450 (Fully Comp. Class1, 20,000 miles per annum, 9 years no claims, no convictions, ancient person) I decided to ring around for another quotation. The SEAT Strut Brace has caused all sorts of problems with the insurers. Here's my summary - Norwich Union Direct - These jokers didn't even know what a Strut Brace (or Anti-vibration Reinforcing Bar) was. Said they would phone back, but never did, waste of time, wouldn't even give them the opportunity again. Barclays Insurance - Did'nt know what one of these was, but still provided a quotation but would not detail these modifications on the documentation Liverpool Victoria - First question "Is the car modified?". Would not even provide a quote due to Yes answer to modification question. Sainsbury's Insurance - Did'nt know what a Strut Brace was, unable to provide quotation! Lloyds Bank Insurers - Strut Brace, totally lost, waste of time. First Alternative - Did not know what a Strut Brace was, so just quoted as a normal car! I wonder what would have happened in the case of a claim!!!! Zurich Insurance - Based in India. AA Insurance Services - These charged me no extra for the Badgeless Grill and the Strut Brace, and even knocked another 10% off the price because I have AA Breakdown (indirectly via Skoda Recovery). The Grill and Brace are also noted on the insurance document. As a result, I've reduced my insurance cost by 35%, which is a significant saving. At one point I was thinking of actually removing the Strut Brace as this appeared to be the item causing the most problems. I can't see why this should be so because it's not a high cost item, I could go to Halfords and spend £80 on a set of floor mats! What a complete minefield this is, but I think I've ended up with a reasonable deal, worth the effort and frustration, but it did'nt seem like it at the time __________________ I'm the only Skoda driver in the village! 4 Wheeler: Black Magic Fabia vRS, MSD Grill, SEAT Strut Brace, ESP, Side Airbags, Cruise Control, 3rd Rear Headrest. 2 Wheeler: Triumph Thunderbird Sport

10-10-2005, 21:43	#2
jifster Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: London & Hereford Posts: 536 Members Car: Black Magic Fabia vRS Thanks: 24 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Admiral would not insure me with a Strut Brace or FMIC. I moved to Greenlight in the end, it put my insurance cost up £200 but i've only got 1 years ncb so I can't expect to much. There's also a lot more mods planned which are already included in the Greenlight policy. __________________ jifster Black Magic Fabia v/RS with Forge Motorsport FMIC, Milltek exhaust system, Eibach springs & dampers, 312mm brakes, Cupra intake, Seat upper strut brace, Jabbasport rear ARB, Xenons, Cruise, Sunroof and ESP. Pioneer: DEH-P8600MP.

11-10-2005, 08:16	#3
lee c Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 207 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Try some of these guys, they all do modified cars. Keith Michaels were the cheapest for me. Cheers Lee Keith Michaels: 0208 642 7868 ask for Christian Brentacre on Tel: 01792 650933 09:00 - 17:00 Chris Knott: 0800 917 2274 09:00-17:00 ask for Briskoda discount. Greenlight : 08707 535455 09:00-17:00 Adrian flux : 08700 760001 09:00-17:30 HIC: 08451 290 290 on, Mon-Fri 0900 – 1900 A Plan 0845 071 1234 MLR 08:30 17:00 £500, 01635 874646 direct number. Pace Ward: 01782 286311 MLR Jeremy or Scott. __________________ I don't have a signature. It's all chip and pin now.

11-10-2005, 09:47	#5
RobClubley Midnight Mod! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Aotearoa - land of the long white cloud Posts: 7,205 Members Car: 2004 Octavia vRS Estate Images: 2 Thanks: 192 Thanked 165 Times in 137 Posts	First Alternative charged me no extra as long as the Skoda dealer fitted it. __________________ Corrida Red 2004 Octavia vRS Estate - It's the bestest Skoda in New Zealand! Whaia te mātauranga, whaia te māramatanga - Pursue knowledge, pursue the wisdom of knowledge www.pimpmyskoda.co.uk www.clubley.org Facebook

11-10-2005, 09:56	#7
flatfourburble "Bones" Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Heathrow/Crewe Posts: 5,449 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	As goochie said that is my only worry about the strut brace. But saying that it's fitted as standard on some skoda models __________________ Oh to have the internet back..................oh have I missed it

11-10-2005, 09:15	#4
pbirkett Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,873 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Direct Line wanted almost 50% when I asked about a strut brace when I had the Fabia vRS. I really dont know where they get off...

11-10-2005, 09:50	#6
Goochie Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Up a tree. Posts: 12,363 Members Car: Thanks: 7 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	From an insurance company's point of view, strut braces are usually bad news. A friend of mine fitted one to a Corrado just before he had a low speed nudge, what would have normally resulted in a repair job wrote off his car because the strut brace transfered the impact to the other side of the car, twisting the front end of the chassis. The car was written off.

11-10-2005, 11:42	#8
WW_VRS Escorted Estate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oxfordshire/Berkshire Posts: 9,961 Members Car: Ford Escort 1.6LX + Fab Estate Thanks: 48 Thanked 92 Times in 82 Posts	I'm with Zurich - currently it has listed & approved at no extra cost: * Green Filter * PD160 air intake * Seat Strut brace They definitely DO NOT do remaps. I am hoping they do the other stuff I'm getting - FMIC/Blueflame/312mm brakes/Eibachs for some kinda deal. It shouldn't increase bhp (more than marginal), although I'm expecting trouble for the lowering & the brakes __________________ WW --->> Project Journal (pic links in first post there) Lummox'/Ross thread on Unit18 Automotive progress on my car: here

12-10-2005, 01:14	#9
Jules59 Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: West Midlands, UK Posts: 399 Members Car: Thanks: 9 Thanked 18 Times in 16 Posts	My insurers, NFU, are happy to accept my Fabia VRS with a Seat Strut Brace at no additional cost.

12-10-2005, 09:37	#11
WW_VRS Escorted Estate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oxfordshire/Berkshire Posts: 9,961 Members Car: Ford Escort 1.6LX + Fab Estate Thanks: 48 Thanked 92 Times in 82 Posts	I'm hoping for that call from my insurance broker sometime soon __________________ WW --->> Project Journal (pic links in first post there) Lummox'/Ross thread on Unit18 Automotive progress on my car: here

12-10-2005, 10:52	#12
SteVRs Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 3,065 Members Car: Smart Roadster Coupe Brabus Thanks: 4 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	Elephant do it for £40 including a £10 admin fee for adding it, so £30 for the brace itself. Like most companies it's 'Suspension - Other' Took them a while to work out what it was though! __________________ Engined bike. Engined car. Neither a Skoda - been there, done that

12-10-2005, 11:44	#13
blueheart Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Andover, Hants Posts: 24 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	eSure were fine with mine, no extra cost at all.

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