Seriously Modified Defender Insurance $100K cover??? Is it doable?

[Baytown]

As per the title, and seeing as I’ve just spent $70K on top of the $60K plus that I’ve spent on my 2012 110 on top of its purchase price, for the people who have insured their highly modified/accessorised late model 110, who are you insured with and for how much etc if you’re comfortable sharing?

I’m Rating One, full No claim bonus.

I’ve currently insured with Club 4X4 for $80K (dropped $10K by them this year which Im not impressed by) and I’m looking at $100K insurance after fitting the LS3 6.2 V8 and 6 speed auto conversion/up rated running gear, ARB BP51 suspension etc etc.

Please, let’s not turn this into bagging insurance companies or quotes for $60K Defenders, just highly modified and high value cover towards the $100K mark.

Thank everyone.

Ken
163154

[Tote]

What do the guys that build show cars do ? They would be pretty much in the same category I have found Shannons to be OK and they created no fuss at all increasing the cover on m y old Falcon ute, but not at the 100K price range

Regards,
Tote

[rick130]

As my old insurance broker said years ago, you can get insurance for anything if you're willing to pay the premium.....

[DieselDan]

Try Club 4x4 again. They did the same thing to me at renewal time, dropped the value by $10k (and mine's nowhere close to having the mods yours does so it was a massive % drop), but after a bit of negotiation they put it back up again.

[grey_ghost]

I was going to say Shannons (all of my Landy’s are with them) but wasn’t there a stink recently with Shannons? Something about if you go through a water crossing you’re not covered?

[Baytown]

I contacted Shannon’s recently at renewal time when comparing options against Club 4X4.

They had no idea about Defenders, and actually looked at Car Sales while I was on the phone with them. I could hear them talking. They wouldn’t insure my vehicle above $60K at the time.

I will contact them again, but if they are not good at covering the vehicle for actual 4X4 activities, then I’ll give them a miss. At least I won’t have to listen to Glen Ridge carry on while on hold again!


I was going to say Shannons (all of my Landy’s are with them) but wasn’t there a stink recently with Shannons? Something about if you go through a water crossing you’re not covered?

[grey_ghost]

It does seem a bit hit and miss with them - if you get a good operator that is. Maybe ask if they have a Land Rover specialist?

[Baytown]

GG, yep, I’ll call them tomorrow to discuss.

Ive sent off a request to Club 4X4 again, and DGA. I’ll keep searching the net for specialist 4X4 insurers, and post the details here.👍

[Grumbles]

I hear you on the insured max of $60 thou. I've previously run into that problem with RACV Insurance except their max was a mere $40 thou.

Perhaps consider saving your sanity and getting an insurance broker to do all the running around for you. It's in his best interest to make you happy.

[101RRS]

Just because you have spent all this money, it doesn't mean it is worth what you have spent - but then again maybe it is - I dont know.

You need to take the vehicle to a professional valuer that is recognised by the insurance industry and get a proper valuation. Certainly many of the mainstream insurance companies will not insure it as it is modified - with many of these companies like Allianz, as soon as you tick the modified box you will get a message that they are not prepared to insure.

Get a recognised valuation certificate and see how you go from there.

Garry

[W&KO]

Just because you have spent all this money, it doesn't mean it is worth what you have spent - but then again maybe it is - I dont know.

You need to take the vehicle to a professional valuer that is recognised by the insurance industry and get a proper valuation. Certainly many of the mainstream insurance companies will not insure it as it is modified - with many of these companies like Allianz, as soon as you tick the modified box you will get a message that they are not prepared to insure.

Get a recognised valuation certificate and see how you go from there.

Garry

I assume Ken is looking for agreed/replacement value not perceived/market value, we all know you generally don’t get your money back when selling but some want to be insured for replacement.


I would have thought it’d be straight forward to get agreed value acknowledging it’d probably cost a bomb.

[Baytown]

The vehicle including purchase has had around $180K spent on it (if not more).

I know I’ll never get anywhere near that, so $100K is quite a trade off and I’ll see how I go with insurance for that amount.


Just because you have spent all this money, it doesn't mean it is worth what you have spent - but then again maybe it is - I dont know.

You need to take the vehicle to a professional valuer that is recognised by the insurance industry and get a proper valuation. Certainly many of the mainstream insurance companies will not insure it as it is modified - with many of these companies like Allianz, as soon as you tick the modified box you will get a message that they are not prepared to insure.

Get a recognised valuation certificate and see how you go from there.

Garry

[Toxic_Avenger]

Start a discussion with an insurance broker. This is the kind of work they are there for.
Then take their advice from there.
You won't get far shooting the breeze on a forum I'm afraid, as your requirements are way outside that of a standard website quote request or phone call to the insurer.

[scarry]

And for those that have diesels,I know Kens is a petrol.

Have a look in the fine print and make sure they don’t exclude contaminated fuel.

I couldn’t find a policy that included miss fueling and contaminated fuel,so went with one that didn’t exclude contaminated fuel,many do.

This meant a change of insurer for our own vehicles as well as the work vehicles.

[Baytown]

Hi Mitch;

Yes, Ill contact a broker today.

I had a reply from an insurance company that brag about offering Australia’s top 4x4 insurance (not Club 4x4) and they totally ignored my specs, quoting me for a 2.4 Deisel Defender @ $50K. What is it with these idiots?

I won’t bother replying.

I hope you’re well Mitch.

Ken


Start a discussion with an insurance broker. This is the kind of work they are there for.
Then take their advice from there.
You won't get far shooting the breeze on a forum I'm afraid, as your requirements are way outside that of a standard website quote request or phone call to the insurer.

[scarry]

Start a discussion with an insurance broker. This is the kind of work they are there for.
Then take their advice from there.
You won't get far shooting the breeze on a forum I'm afraid, as your requirements are way outside that of a standard website quote request or phone call to the insurer.


We use brokers all the time,but once something different comes up and they hit a wall,they give up.

Then I have had to chase it myself,and sort it.

[big harold]

The vehicle including purchase has had around $180K spent on it (if not more).

I know I’ll never get anywhere near that, so $100K is quite a trade off and I’ll see how I go with insurance for that amount.

Ken,
Have you got a write up on what you have done to your Defender to spend $180K.
I have been following the engine install but what else have you done?
Mark

[Bigbjorn]

The insurance policy is to insure you against loss. In the case of a written off vehicle most companies regard your loss as an assessed market value usually somewhere between wholesale value and maximum retail. They assess the value and if you disagree it is "see you in court".

In your case what you have is a "hot rod" or "street machine". Few companies are prepared to insure these and those that do usually impose extra conditions and a large excess. You need to find a specialist insurer who does this. If the Red Book or Glass's Guide price is $50,000 you are going to be pushing poo uphill to get an agreed value of $100,000 let alone $180,000. Remember, money spent on modifications and/or refurbishment is the cost of a hobby not value adding.

[Baytown]

Hi Mark;
My major items fitted to the vehicle include the following:
Bullbar
winch
driving lights
snorkel
dual batteries
alarm
Terrafirma wheels
up graded slotted brake rotors and braided lines
spare wheel carrier
long range tanks x 3
tow bar
Recaros
double din stereo and speakers
steering wheel
cargo barrier
draws
sound proofing
rough parts gull wings/boxes/tables
BP51 suspension
maxidrive shafts
ARB Lockers
Gwyn Lewis drive shafts/steering/trailing arms
Superior Engineering front arms
roof rack
Bundutop RTT
270 Deg Awning
perimeter LED lighting
interior power management
ARB dual compressor and tank
oh yeah, LS3 6.2 V8 and 6 speed automatic box
heavy duty cooling system
oil and fuel filtration and cooling
etc etc plus the cost of the vehicle.



Ken,
Have you got a write up on what you have done to your Defender to spend $180K.
I have been following the engine install but what else have you done?
Mark

[94GQPerentie]

Maybe Self insure it ? no premium and save $$$ .The odds are in your favour that nothing will happen to it anyway. Honestly you could 24k gold plate any defender and put diamonds on the bonnet and leave the keys in it runnings in the middle of Mt druitt and no one would take it, they are not that sort after a car especially in Tassie . If it was an old Vk commy or Xf falcon different story. A few tips for self insurance , drive it carefully and put a tracker on it. Carry a fire exstinguisher. Nice car btw, impressive mods !

[Baytown]

Nope, I must be old school, I’d never move a vehicle out the driveway without full comprehensive insurance.
Ha, I carry two extinguishers, and thanks for the compliment.👍


Maybe Self insure it ? no premium and save $$$ .The odds are in your favour that nothing will happen to it anyway. Honestly you could 24k gold plate any defender and put diamonds on the bonnet and leave the keys in it runnings in the middle of Mt druitt and no one would take it, they are not that sort after a car especially in Tassie . If it was an old Vk commy or Xf falcon different story. A few tips for self insurance , drive it carefully and put a tracker on it. Carry a fire exstinguisher. Nice car btw, impressive mods !

[Baytown]

Well, Shannon’s couldn’t go above $80K @ $1700, but Club 4X4 did, $100K @ $2000 per annum.
Im content with that so will go with Club 4X4.
The Brokerage that I contacted haven’t got back to me at all!

Done.👍

[Grahame Roberts]

Well, Shannon’s couldn’t go above $80K @ $1700, but Club 4X4 did, $100K @ $2000 per annum.
Im content with that so will go with Club 4X4.
The Brokerage that I contacted haven’t got back to me at all!

Done.👍

Club 4x4 changed their valuation method to Glass’s guide hence the change in $ amounts.
I was with them but went to Suncorp as I was assured that I would be covered anywhere in Oz. Yes, even in the middle of the Simpson Desert!
Club 4x4 wrote my D2 off ($7500), after I hit a roo which broke a headlight and blinker and buckled a front fender. So I bought the car back with all accessories (it never left my driveway) and fixed it myself. There’s something dreadfully wrong with the insurance game these days.

[Wojer]

What do the guys that build show cars do ? They would be pretty much in the same category I have found Shannons to be OK and they created no fuss at all increasing the cover on m y old Falcon ute, but not at the 100K price range

Regards,
Tote

I have heard that Shannons have modified their cover.

Be cautious as many are modifying cover on water crossinings.

[Tombie]

I have heard that Shannons have modified their cover.

Be cautious as many are modifying cover on water crossinings.

Thats been clarified.

However, willing driving into water above manufacturers specifications can be, by ALL, considered an act of willfull neglect.

[Tombie]

Well, Shannon’s couldn’t go above $80K @ $1700, but Club 4X4 did, $100K @ $2000 per annum.
Im content with that so will go with Club 4X4.
The Brokerage that I contacted haven’t got back to me at all!

Done.👍

Just be very careful. Several on the record accounts of that mob NOT paying out if the vehicle suffers an electrical fire.