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My Experience with Mods, Insurance and Legality


Guest Big Mick

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Guest Big Mick
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I know the legality issue has been discussed heaps on these Forums, but I just thought I would share my experience of trying to obtain insurance on a modded T and the advantage I found in having an engineers certificate.

After I had the APS Stage II kit fitted to my car, I also got an engineers certificate for the mods to ensure everything was legal. The main reason being that I pay too much for insurance on both a personal and business level to have a claim on my car knocked back on some technicality that it is not roadworthy because of the mods.

Anyway, when it came time to tell my insurance company of the mods, they (AAMI) said they wouldn't insure me anymore because they only allow 3 mods and get this, they class the factory sports steering wheel and factory premium brakes as mods :nono:

AAMI suggested I contact Just Cars, which I did and not only found them expensive, but when you read the fine print they only guarantee repairs for 3 years (arguably this would mean lower quality repairs than when a lifetime guarantee on repairs is given).

I subsequently contacted GIO and listed all my mods which went fine until I got to the chip, they said NO. Then I told them I had an engineers certificate for all the mods including the chip, they subsequently agreed to insure me :)

I’m obviously very happy I got the engineers certificate because I know I'm legal and it has already proven its worth in helping me to obtain insurance with what I would call a preferred company :nono:

Cheers,

Mick

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Thanks for the feedback Mick.

It's certainly food for thought. Interesting that AAMI classified for factory options as modifications. I have quite a few options on the car including the brakes and it's insured with AAMI. Interesting to see if they will continue to insure me once the Phase 1 is installed....

Also, did you mention the engineer's certificate to AAMI?

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Guest Big Mick
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Also, did you mention the engineer's certificate to AAMI?

The engineers certificate made no difference to AAMI as the car has more than 3 mods. AAMI didn't care about the chip, they were just concerned about the number mods and trying to pass me off to Just Cars.

Mick

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Guest dingah
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AAMI - discussed the Stage 1 fully with them and they were happy to insure with specs as per below.

$630/year. Joys of being an old fart I guess.

Dingah

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Just got off the phone with my NRMA fleet guy about the new T.

I can do whatever I want as long as it is Legal with the RTA and an engineer has certified the work. They will not increase my policy unless I want the mods added to the value of the car....somebody say stage 3 APS :lol:

I also had a chat with my local Ford service foreman. He said I could mod the car with exhaust, cold air, suspension...but he ummed and arred about APS piggyback. When I asked what do you do when the car overboosts, he said fit a aftermarket ECU....hmmm

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Way to go Big Mick! :spoton:

You now have a super-quick 12.5 second quarter mile, street legal, fully insured APS Phase II AND peace of mind!...who wouldn't want to be you? :glad:

Safe and happy driving...Dr Z. :blink:

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Just a quick note about your experiences Big Mick.

AAMI and Just Car Insurance is actually the same company.

The separate company has been set up for the "higher risk" categories such as guys like me (I.e. 24 years old driving modded a sports car).

Just car insurance covers the high risk cars with unlimited mods (as long as they are legal engineers etc) with any age of driver at a considerable cost while AAMI will only cover you if you are over a certain age and for up to 3 mods as mentioned.

I am hanging out until my 25th birthday so I might actually be able to insure my car at a competitive rate.

Unfortunately, don't have much choice at the moment. :spoton:

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He said I could mod the car with exhaust, cold air, suspension...but he ummed and arred about APS piggyback.  When I asked what do you do when the car overboosts, he said fit a aftermarket ECU....hmmm

Mate don't worry about what that Ford service foreman said, if he had any real knowledge or was talented in engine management, he would not be working as a foreman in a Ford dealer ship, that's for sure. :lol:

Peter

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He said I could mod the car with exhaust, cold air, suspension...but he ummed and arred about APS piggyback.  When I asked what do you do when the car overboosts, he said fit a aftermarket ECU....hmmm

Mate don't worry about what that Ford service foreman said, if he had any real knowledge or was talented in engine management, he would not be working as a foreman in a Ford dealer ship, that's for sure. :lol:

Peter

APS

Hmmm Peter, that's a bit harsh ... probably true though :k24t:

I left that arena many years ago and went out on my own ...

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