Towbar mounted Cycle Racks.

[Drago]

I think the insurance company might argue if it was properly installed - so put behind panels and fixed in place

even if it is only an accessory like a dashcam - that could have been stuck to the windscreen with a loose cable plugged into the internal power socket
in future I will check this out if I ever get anything installed properly

The ABI define for their members what constitutes an accessory and what is a modification. Your typical sucker on the screen dashcam is the former, a fixed mount hard wired job the latter (ie, hard install asmI stated.)

 

[lazybloke]

The thought never occurred to declare the towbar on my wife's car.
Had a quick look online and there's a multiple choice list of modifications to choose from, including 'bar'.

Is that tow bar? Bull bar? Light bar? Roof bar? Running board bar?

I'll be giving them a call shortly...

 

[steveindenmark]

I would be suprised if anyone is suprised at this. Insurance companies are notorious at wriggling out of paying claims.

 

[lazybloke]

Phew, I can tow on my existing policy. My insurer doesn't consider the after-market towbar to be a 'modification'.
I've requested written confirmation!

 

[Drago]

Phew, I can tow on my existing policy. My insurer doesn't consider the after-market towbar to be a 'modification'.
I've requested written confirmation!

I suspect that the chaps insurers also never gave a toss about the towbar...until it presented a handy means of avoiding writing a cheque for a six figure sum.

You're wise to get it in writing.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I suspect that the chaps insurers also never gave a toss about the towbar...until it presented a handy means of avoiding writing a cheque for a six figure sum.

You're wise to get it in writing.

If I was to guess then the problem probably was highlighted by the rear car's claim, possibly their insurer was arguing the damage was more severe because of the towbar and that triggered the process of the insurers trying to avoid paying the claim.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I suspect that the chaps insurers also never gave a toss about the towbar...until it presented a handy means of avoiding writing a cheque for a six figure sum.

You're wise to get it in writing.

that is a very cynical attitude

not saying it isn't 100% accurate though!!!

 

[Drago]

Ife very good reason to be cynical of insurers.

 

[simongt]

This is why I always phone insurers and have a conversation with something passing for real human. It's a ballache, but all question get answered and there is no ambiguity.

As I've experienced, don't always rely on the spoken word. Once or twice, when I've had to phone back to check a detail that was given to me verbally, I was then informed that '..'whoever' wasn't authorised / shouldn't have said that' and then enter a 'discussion' about the validity of said detail.
Always get any such agreement in print, it's much harder to deny.