Does putting an arb back on a tipper count as a modification for insurance?

[GarethM]

Yes.

Edited September 7 by GarethM

[Doug Tait]

Yes.

I'd consider fabricating part of a vehicle to be different from factory spec to be a modification. If nothing else it'll alter the value of the insured vehicle.

Edited September 7 by Doug Tait

[Peadar]

Yeah, to clarify, it's a body on top of a truck that's already a tipper. Just want some sides and a back so I can chip on it! It's transit's I'm looking at mainly, not a full conversion like on a Land Rover.

 

I'm gonna call some arb specific places on Monday see what they say.

 

I'd obviously prefer proper cover, but the issue is more that I'm struggling to find more than one or two quotes that aren't in the 10's of thousands and that's even before the modification issue. I'm living in North London so I get it, but still, it's gotta be doable!

[Dan Maynard]

What about three sheets of ply, tied together in the corner with ropes, trailer net to stop chip flying up? Not a mod, just part of the load?

 

Not very permanent or professional either, agreed.

[Peasgood]

Son has a heavily modded L200, suspension lift. winch bumper, bull bar,side rails, aftermarket wheels, rear tray etc.

Insured with NFU and whenever he declares his latest mod they accept it as non performance enhancing so no increase in premiums.

[Steven P]

Seen a lot of Transits sitting round the corner - a fabrication place - cab and wheelbase only, so I guess adding the back is a modification to how it came out the factory - tipper, flat bed or whatever.

 

They might argue that adding a 'load' that is semi-permanent in the form of plywood boards and a frame is a modification too, unless you remove it (and show it is removed) regularly. What is their position if you weld / bolt a tool chest on a flat bed / tipper?

 

It will only come out as not covered if they have to pay out some money, I'd guess that a pull by the police will show "insured"... unless you are pushing the weight limit (see that thread) they probably won't check on sides.

 

I'd perhaps look for the cost you want to pay / cover you want to pay for and then give them a call to confirm all is OK and to record what you said with an e-mail confirmation from you or them. Loads of trucks with sides on them and not everyone pf them will be driving about hoping for not too many questions asked.

 

Not quite the same but insured the car, added business miles and the cost went down - business miles from the house were less and quieter times then the morning commute every day. You never know you might get lucky like that (though be surprised if you do!)

Edited September 10 by Steven P

[Peadar]

Little update. NFU wouldn't touch my postcode (london), trust came back with £12000 a year (nuts) but Arborisk saved the day with £1600 a year any driver over 30.

[kram]

On 06/09/2024 at 17:22, Peadar said:

Yeah, it has to be euro 6 because ULEZ charges are not worth it

£12.5 a day works out about £3k a year. With a newer tipper likely far more than that 3k premium.

 

The question is if your happy funding Khan and ginving TFL a penny more than you have to, which for me would be a big nope.

 

However, I believe older tippers, without wet belt engines, are more reliable if you can find a good used one.

 

[Steven P]

27 minutes ago, kram said:

However, I believe older tippers, without wet belt engines, are more reliable if you can find a good used one.

 

 

Wouldn't touch a wet belt engine ever again. £2500+ to change a timing belt, plus when it start deteriorating it bungs up the oil pump (so a new one required), you need a full oil system flush.. and when I enquired a couple of months ago half the garages just laughed at me for asking if they could. Cheaper to get a run around instead and scrap the 5 year old car.. which I am sure if environmentally sound.

Edited September 22 by Steven P

[openspaceman]

40 minutes ago, Steven P said:

 

Wouldn't touch a wet belt engine ever again. £2500+ to change a timing belt, plus when it start deteriorating it bungs up the oil pump (so a new one required), you need a full oil system flush.. and when I enquired a couple of months ago half the garages just laughed at me for asking if they could. Cheaper to get a run around instead and scrap the 5 year old car.. which I am sure if environmentally sound.

It worried me but the belt change on my 1.6d fiesta cost £750 with a service and it seems fine 10k miles since.