Fitting a snorkel - notification to insurer

I am going to fit a snorkel and breather kit to my TD5 90 and see about waterproofing the seat box. I'm not planning on doing much wading but I think that every Land Rover should be fitted with one one to keep all eventualities covered for the future. :cool2:

I guess that this constitutes a 'modification' for the purposes of insurance so I plan to notify them (as suggested by this thread), but my question is as follows:

For those of you who have notified your insurer of a new snorkel, have they raped you for a significantly larger premium and, if so, how much have they ragged you for?

No, but be quite open and firm with them from the start. Explain to them that it is not a performance modification, it is not adding value to the car, and it does not change the driving characteristics of the car in any way.

If they try and charge you more, tell them the idea of charging more for it is absurd, and that you've previously fitted snorkels on these vehicles before with other insurers and they haven't affected your premiums atall.

Half the time the people on the end of the phone haven't got a clue, and any modification is a performance or value modification, and they see pound signs. If they're awkward, you be awkward.

Having said all that, I've always found insurance comps. to be okay about such things. For a few years though I've used trade insurance that don't care anyway

You're not wrong Matt - thanks for the tips.

I found it unbelievable when they tried to charge people extra for fitting winter tyres during a recent cold snap. Yes, it was a misunderstanding by administrative types and they relented when the press got hold of it, but it rather proves your point. It's all too easy to take them at their word and lose out.

Tell them but as Matt said be firm with them. I have informed my insurance company of all mods just not worth them worming out of paying out. The only mods that have cost me more was the winch, and EDC chip.

The other thing you should consider is when your insurance is up for renewal. They may try to charge you an admin charge if your vehicle is mid-term with the insurance. If that's the case I would be tempted to wait with fitting the snorkel until just before your insurance is due.

It won't cost you anything now to ask a) will a snorkel increase the premium (which it shouldn't) b) if I fit one, will you be charging an admin fee to change the vehicle spec?

If you are with a specialist then you shouldnt have any problems, its the run og the mill companies that might want to charge more. More insurance dont load my premium if its not a performance mod, they just make a note of it

Was quite funny when i phoned to say it now had a 2" lift kit and the woman replied 'Does that increase the horsepower at all? ' lol

have fun trying to explain what a snorkel is - i spent 10 minutes once talking to a very pleasant Scottich woman, but she just didnt get it at all.
that was nothing to the fun to be had when explaining rock sliders