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[STEMO]

https://mol.im/a/14153617

[Mr Skrunts]

Fair point, but I have never seen it as a tick box when I have renewed my insurance.

[YZ250]

They must have access to the manufacturer original build list then (not difficult I grant you), as some vehicles have hidden towbars. I’ve had a few BMW’s with electrically fold away towbar as standard equipment, the only give-away being the button in the boot (assuming that you’re not towing at the time). 

I’ve also seen on the same website, that a hardwired dashcam is classed as a modification, whereas a dashcam plugged into a 12V socket is not. Anything to wriggle out of a claim I guess. 

[Mr Skrunts]

Also I reckon my tow ball has saved at least two possible claims at my last home.

Saw 2 different neighbors drive into my car whilst parking (Both women sad to say) one of which cost them a new bumper.

[Mr Skrunts]

They must have access to the manufacturer original build list then (not difficult I grant you), as some vehicles have hidden towbars. I’ve had a few BMW’s with electrically fold away towbar as standard equipment, the only give-away being the button in the boot (assuming that you’re not towing at the time). 

I’ve also seen on the same website, that a hardwired dashcam is classed as a modification, whereas a dashcam plugged into a 12V socket is not. Anything to wriggle out of a claim I guess. 

So much is never covered on insurance (I didnt know about the dash cams) even though some mods would help with an insurance claim.

I hook 2 up in my car, I bought the hard wire kit but never fitted it.

[YZ250]

They must have access to the manufacturer original build list then (not difficult I grant you), as some vehicles have hidden towbars. I’ve had a few BMW’s with electrically fold away towbar as standard equipment, the only give-away being the button in the boot (assuming that you’re not towing at the time). 

I’ve also seen on the same website, that a hardwired dashcam is classed as a modification, whereas a dashcam plugged into a 12V socket is not. Anything to wriggle out of a claim I guess. 

So much is never covered on insurance (I didnt know about the dash cams) even though some mods would help with an insurance claim.

I hook 2 up in my car, I bought the hard wire kit but never fitted it.

Mine (front and rear cams) are hardwired in both of my vehicles so maybe I ought to give them a call.     If I’m lucky enough to survive the incident I suppose I could just remove it and tuck the wires under the headlining.    

[Rangie]

Always declared my towbars on all our vehicles that have had them, seemed a fairly obvious thing to do to me.

[Varche]

Interesting article .Early next year, I intend having a tow bar fitted to our Spanish car.

Dockyard job. Find an authorised fitter. Pay for the job and then take it to government mot station where they OK it or reject. When OK’d it gets added to your vehicle documentation. If it isn’t there at your next MOT it is a fail. 20 years ago we used to regularly see incidents where trailers/ tow bars/ cars had parted company. Haven’t seen one for years since they tightened up the rules.

I am with Linea Directa ( same company as Direct Line) so will make sure they know.

We don’t see hardly any modified cars. The few that are I suspect are returned to factory spec for MOTs. You can get a fail for having tyres of a size not homologated or speed rating shown on vehicle documentation. I had to prove the mini facelift Elite 16 inch wheels were an Opel homolgated option when I put our uk car onto Spanish plates……

[Doctor Gollum]

Find the factory option VW towbar and fit that.

My Merc one came from the in house parts recycler. Every part of it has a Mercedes and Oris part number along with the CE plate and all the mounting hardware was ordered from MB so it's as close to factory as it can get.

The DVLA had the foresight to issue the V5 with both the braked and in braked trailer weights.

Whether the car CofC needs updating is a secondary issue as the Towbar is covered by it's own as long as it's fitted in according with the factory installation documents via WIS even if it's self installed.

The car was built with all the installation points ready fitted. And there's not a single scotch block or twisted wire on the installation.

Point being the factory kit will go straight in whereas aftermarket will invariably require some level of bodgery.

[Kevin Wood]

Point being the factory kit will go straight in whereas aftermarket will invariably require some level of bodgery.

In don't know these days.. I fitted a Brink towbar to the Jag and it just bolted on like a factory one, and the supplied electrics was a CAN box that just plugged into the factory towbar connector and hooked up to a 7 pin plug on the tow bar. No bodgery at all.

[Doctor Gollum]

Point being the factory kit will go straight in whereas aftermarket will invariably require some level of bodgery.

In don't know these days.. I fitted a Brink towbar to the Jag and it just bolted on like a factory one, and the supplied electrics was a CAN box that just plugged into the factory towbar connector and hooked up to a 7 pin plug on the tow bar. No bodgery at all.

Did Brink supply the factory ones?

It makes sense that the provision should be there if the car is type approved for it and therefore no excuse for it not bolting straight in, but..., likewise the electrics on a newer car.

Even the GM kit for the Omega was essentially plug and play. That doesn't prevent bodgery though.

[TheBoy]

I think its fair really, its a modification and should be declared.  If there isn't a tick box, then that is no reason to assume it doesn't matter.  My old car was LPG, and not all insurance sites had a tick box for that, but I can guarantee you they would cancel the insurance in case of a claim.

[TheBoy]

that a hardwired dashcam is classed as a modification, whereas a dashcam plugged into a 12V socket is not[/highlight]. Anything to wriggle out of a claim I guess. 

Yes, dickheads with dashcams should have to pay an excessively high premium. In the same way that dickhead cyclists with helmet cams should be allowed to be run over.

They encourage bad behaviour.

[STEMO]

Most helmet cams are worn by helmets 

[Rangie]

When I switched the Range Rover from LV to Aviva ( quote me happy ) motor insurance last year they actually asked me if the vehicle had a towbar , it made no difference to the premium I had already been quoted .