[Hedgehog]

Hi guys,

My van insurance is due for renewal. On the renewal documents from my existing insurance company, it stated that the renewal quote did not cover a water tank in the van and to ring if thats what I had. I gave them a call and it appears to have opened a can of worms for me.

Initial renewal quote £361 (already 30% higher than last year) but once water tank mentioned the cheapest was £600 as long as I get an engineers report to state that the tank is secure etc.

Rang round some other companies and most point blank refused to insure because the tank is strapped in as opposed to 'professionally' fitted. I am currently only using a 250lt tank although in process of getting a bigger one.

What is everyone else doing? Has anyone else had this problem? Any decent brokers/insurance companies I could try?

Any help much appreciated? 

[ronnie paton]

you will find many will not be insured corectly, a kind of didnt ask so i didnt say excuse.

The water fed pole system is a good excuse for insuarnce company to double premiums

[EandM]

Insurance companies will always ask you if the vehicle has been modified in any way. Some will ask you exactly what you have fitted if you're WFP then if you declare a tank will load your premium. Those who don't ask will probably just refuse to pay out in the even of a claim.

I would never have considered a tank in a truck or van as a modification as it's simply using a specific type of vehicle in accord with the purpose to which it is intended. However the insurance companies don't seem to consider this anymore and will likely leave you with no cover.

In my personal experience this is because many insurance companies are a load of lying, cheating weasels

[Hedgehog]

While trying to sort this out, I have just flooded the bloody van 

I just dont get these companies. I was using 25lt containers before and by the sounds of it, this wouldn't be a problem.

[scud]

Insurance companies will always ask you if the vehicle has been modified in any way. Some will ask you exactly what you have fitted if you're WFP then if you declare a tank will load your premium. Those who don't ask will probably just refuse to pay out in the even of a claim.

I would never have considered a tank in a truck or van as a modification as it's simply using a specific type of vehicle in accord with the purpose to which it is intended. However the insurance companies don't seem to consider this anymore and will likely leave you with no cover.

In my personal experience this is because many insurance companies are a load of lying, cheating weasels

  Mine is due and a few have rang me to quote, all asked about the tank. I did queery as to why it upped the premium as I am just using the van to transport my goods.

  In the end I have just renewed my existing policy as they haven't asked and it is reasonable. As far as them not asking, I have disclosed all info asked for, so I am not in the wrong.

[H S and Son]

What is everyone else doing? Has anyone else had this problem? Any decent brokers/insurance companies I could try?

A lot of guys on here are praying they dont have an accident.

[G Griffin]

How many points have you got, Hedgehog? 
Sorry, I couldn`t resist  .

[Hedgehog]

How many points have you got, Hedgehog? 
Sorry, I couldn`t resist  .

 

Just put my details through Tesco Compare £437 fully comp.....no mention of tank. 

[EandM]

Tesco don't ask, I know this as my friend is with them. But is that, they didn't ask because it's not a problem or they didn't ask because they'll argue that you modified it and didn't tell them? If someone would like to ask them and then tell us what they say it'll be interesting. If they really don't mind then I can see us all signing up with them. Otherwise any ambiguity in a policy usually means "your on your own pal".

This leads me to wonder: What do you do for insurance if you make and deliver water tanks?

[dave.e]

the way the's insurance company's are going about we will all be lucky to get insurance next year. mine went up from £458 to £660 with aplan. PS that's with 9 years no claims as well

[lee09]

Tesco don't ask, I know this as my friend is with them. But is that, they didn't ask because it's not a problem or they didn't ask because they'll argue that you modified it and didn't tell them? If someone would like to ask them and then tell us what they say it'll be interesting. If they really don't mind then I can see us all signing up with them. Otherwise any ambiguity in a policy usually means "your on your own pal".

This leads me to wonder: What do you do for insurance if you make and deliver water tanks?

Stop wondering as you would not deliver them full of water

[ronnie paton]

How many points have you got, Hedgehog? 
Sorry, I couldn`t resist  .

 

Just put my details through Tesco Compare £437 fully comp.....no mention of tank. 

you leave your self open that if you have a serious accident you will not be covered and it is illigal not to have a vehicle insured

[EandM]

Tesco don't ask, I know this as my friend is with them. But is that, they didn't ask because it's not a problem or they didn't ask because they'll argue that you modified it and didn't tell them? If someone would like to ask them and then tell us what they say it'll be interesting. If they really don't mind then I can see us all signing up with them. Otherwise any ambiguity in a policy usually means "your on your own pal".

This leads me to wonder: What do you do for insurance if you make and deliver water tanks?

Stop wondering as you would not deliver them full of water

See where your going with this. But that would of course then mean that any of us driving with empty tanks would be covered.

[Hedgehog]

How many points have you got, Hedgehog? 
Sorry, I couldn`t resist  .

 

Just put my details through Tesco Compare £437 fully comp.....no mention of tank. 

you leave your self open that if you have a serious accident you will not be covered and it is illigal not to have a vehicle insured

Yep I want to do it correctly.

Just spoken with Done Deal Insurance (referred from Tesco Direct). They will refer it to underwriters tomorrow. So will report back tomorrow.

The girl I spoke with didn't feel that it was a modification as the 'load' is secured using strapping as opposed to secured to the van chassis. Wait and see I suppose.

[EandM]

How many points have you got, Hedgehog? 
Sorry, I couldn`t resist  .

 

Just put my details through Tesco Compare £437 fully comp.....no mention of tank. 

you leave your self open that if you have a serious accident you will not be covered and it is illigal not to have a vehicle insured

Yep I want to do it correctly.

Just spoken with Done Deal Insurance (referred from Tesco Direct). They will refer it to underwriters tomorrow. So will report back tomorrow.

The girl I spoke with didn't feel that it was a modification as the 'load' is secured using strapping as opposed to secured to the van chassis. Wait and see I suppose.

I'm Amazed!
Could it be you've stumbled across an intelligent insurance company?

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

It's probably Ionics behind this new "money spinner".

They once tried to get ladders banned apparently.

However, w/c'ers haven't helped either, some people just seem hell bent on handing over reasons for insurers to hike premiums! :

Mine's strapped to manufacturers anchor points, I've offered up all the info required & read all the small print. I commit no offences & offer up no modifications.

Mines less than £300 fully comp', including reduced £150 excess, legal protection & protected no claims.

[EandM]

It's probably Ionics behind this new "money spinner".

They once tried to get ladders banned apparently.

However, w/c'ers haven't helped either, some people just seem hell bent on handing over reasons for insurers to hike premiums! :

Mine's strapped to manufacturers anchor points, I've offered up all the info required & read all the small print. I commit no offences & offer up no modifications.

Mines less than £300 fully comp', including reduced £150 excess, legal protection & protected no claims.

Who are you insured with?

[George P]

try stephen eyre at G.T.Insurance, he is very helpful, his  number is 0115 9394747, we have started going to him now as helpful and competetive, knows about the fitted tanks, just let him know, just because they havent asked about a tank it doesnt mean you cant tell them, if strapped in - its not a modification, if bolted in it is a modificatiion and its up to you to let them know youve modified your van, hope that helps,
george

[matthewprice]

i have a tank with a metal frame around it ,it is fitted into the anchor points in the van floor,using the bolts that came with the van.would you consider this as a modification

[George P]

i have a tank with a metal frame around it ,it is fitted into the anchor points in the van floor,using the bolts that came with the van.would you consider this as a modification

if its bolted in then yes