properly so that should the
worst happen, you’re as covered
as possible. It comes down to a
couple of things.
GET IT LISTED, GET
IT IN WRITING
What you say over the phone, or
what the sales rep tells you,
counts for absolutely diddly-
squat when it comes to getting a
claim approved. The only thing
that counts is what’s in writing.
Well, that’s not entirely true –
you can bet your bottom dollar
that the reason they record the
call for ‘verification purposes’ is
to verify what you said should
something go to court. But for
your own sake, get anything in
writing. Send the rep an email
with the list of accessories and
mods, and make sure they’re all
listed in the policy. It’s just a
simple way of making sure
things are clear from day dot.
ACCESSORIES V
MODIFICATIONS
ACCESSORIES: Generally
speaking, anything that can be
easily bolted onto the vehicle
that you could reasonably expect
to transfer to your next 4WD.
Examples of accessories;
- Awning
- Roofrack
- Spotlights
- Winch
- Barwork (even if it is vehicle
specific)
MODIFICATIONS: Something
that effects the vehicle’s safety
and handling characteristics.
Generally model-specific and
expected that you’d leave it on
the vehicle if you sold it.
Examples of modifications;- Suspension
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Turbo kits
- Engine conversions
- Dual-cab chop
- Automatic transmission
conversion - Solid-axle swap
ENGINEERING
AND LEGAL
MODIFICATIONS
Going hand-in-hand with listing
modifications, is ensuring
they’re legal. You can break it
down generally like this –
insurance companies are
for-profit businesses. As much
as they try and convince you
they’re your best friend, it’s not
in their interest to pay out
claims if they don’t have to. The
number one way they can deny
a claim, is by attributing it to
illegal or un-engineered mods.
No insurer will list more than a
2inch suspension lift, 2inch
upgrade in tyre diameter or any
of the big mods without an
engineer’s certificate.Even mildly modified rigs may
require engineeringW
W
W. 4
W
D
AC
TI
O
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.C
O
M
.A
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(^06)
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