Remapping and insurance?

JoeA3

millington wrote: »

Clearly the common sense bit was a joke.

Yes you do risk it but how would the insurance company know it's been mapped?

I'm more than confident that they wouldn't. A main dealer with all the correct diagnostic equipment would be very hard pressed to know in my experience, never mind some young fella that Chill.ie send out to look into your engine bay :pac:

If you're an otherwise "low risk" customer, then I would say you've even less to worry about - i.e. a relatively good car that's worth a few quid, no silly cosmetic "RS4 TDI" modifications, you're not 18-19 years old, etc, etc. Those are the things that would raise red flags far quicker than any supposed map.

millington

JoeA3 wrote: »

I'm more than confident that they wouldn't. A main dealer with all the correct diagnostic equipment would be very hard pressed to know in my experience, never mind some young fella that Chill.ie send out to look into your engine bay :pac:

If you're an otherwise "low risk" customer, then I would say you've even less to worry about - i.e. a relatively good car that's worth a few quid, no silly cosmetic "RS4 TDI" modifications, you're not 18-19 years old, etc, etc. Those are the things that would raise red flags far quicker than any supposed map.

I agree. In the real world nothing would happen. On paper/law/boards.ie you will go to jail for 25 to life

Henry Ford III

millington wrote: »

Clearly the common sense bit was a joke.

Yes you do risk it but how would the insurance company know it's been mapped?

They won't unless you or somebody tells them or they find out somehow.

If they go "full bore" after a dubious claim they have all the resources they'll need.

shietpilot

Well considering that there is around 35 different ECU calibrations released for a Mk2 Focus with a 1.8 TDCI, you would need to be fairly specialised at reading ECUs and comparing the maps between each one. This is just for one model of car with 1 of many other engine possibilities.

If you account for the different engines, different ECU models fitted to later year models and thousands of different makes and models I don't think you'll find anyone who has every single one available to compare.

JoeA3

shietpilot wrote: »

Well considering that there is around 35 different ECU calibrations released for a Mk2 Focus with a 1.8 TDCI, you would need to be fairly specialised at reading ECUs and comparing the maps between each one. This is just for one model of car with 1 of many other engine possibilities.

If you account for the different engines, different ECU models fitted to later year models and thousands of different makes and models I don't think you'll find anyone who has every single one available to compare.

That's a very good point. I brought my old MK6 GTD to a well known and highly regarded tuner several years ago. After several trial and error attempts, he could not apply a map to the car. The factory map on the ECU was completely different to those on the ECU's in several other MK6 GTD's he'd already worked on...

Henry Ford III

shietpilot wrote: »

Well considering that there is around 35 different ECU calibrations released for a Mk2 Focus with a 1.8 TDCI, you would need to be fairly specialised at reading ECUs and comparing the maps between each one. This is just for one model of car with 1 of many other engine possibilities.

If you account for the different engines, different ECU models fitted to later year models and thousands of different makes and models I don't think you'll find anyone who has every single one available to compare.

Using guesswork as a basis for anything important can't be a good idea.

Rattlehead_ie

Hey guys, sry to resurrect oldish thread, but was relevent
Was just onto my insurer with reference to getting my diesel ST remapped. Needs to go to underwriters that aren't available on Saturdays.
But with FBD, So here is hoping they take the same attitude as some of the earlier posters mentioned "its a diesel so should be fine"

bazz26

Given that they are loading policies left right and centre these days, I'd expect this response when asked about tuning:

ironclaw

Rattlehead_ie wrote: »

Hey guys, sry to resurrect oldish thread, but was relevent
Was just onto my insurer with reference to getting my diesel ST remapped. Needs to go to underwriters that aren't available on Saturdays.
But with FBD, So here is hoping they take the same attitude as some of the earlier posters mentioned "its a diesel so should be fine"

Just to brace you, FBD are very anti-performance. They pretty much won't insure anything over 2L unless its a jeep or agricultural. At least that was my experience.

grogi

bazz26 wrote: »

Given that they are loading policies left right and centre these days, I'd expect this response when asked about tuning /../

For the insurer the issue with remapping is not the car itself, but the owner that thinks about remapping.

Rattlehead_ie

Well either way I'll know tomorrow and let you know

Agricola

bazz26 wrote: »

Given that they are loading policies left right and centre these days, I'd expect this response when asked about tuning:

My first thought as well. Wouldn't even entertain the idea of notifying them of remapping tbh. IF I knew for a fact I was going to be dealing with people who knew what the hell I was talking about, had some idea on what it entailed AND could be sure I'd be treated reasonably premium wise, I'd be up for it. As it is, by telling them you are basically just pulling down your pants and applying a generous amount of vaseline before the inevitable shafting happens!

ironclaw wrote: »

Just to brace you, FBD are very anti-performance. They pretty much won't insure anything over 2L unless its a jeep or agricultural. At least that was my experience.

Definitely. Similarly to the idea of ringing them with notions of upgrading performance, I remember calling FBD a few years back about covering a Porsche 924 I was buying in the UK. The agent had to put me onto a manager who advised me there was no way they could offer a quote on a vehicle of such ferocious performance. :rolleyes:

Enquired about covering a bog standard genuine Irish 1L Toyota Starlet on a classic policy couple of years back. Was told by 2 big insurers that they were all supped up Jap Import rocketships that they could in no way offer a policy on.

Honestly, most of 'em haven't a scoobie do as far as I can see.

,mnb

Any update on this. Rattlehead did you ring the insurer? Any more thoughts on this issue?

Rattlehead_ie

Sorry guys I forgot to reply.
So I did a lot of investigation and reading up on certain things around insurance and remapping. I got a company to cover me for a reasonable price. FBD refused to insure the car if modified.
So my new insurer for 175euro more than FBD were to insure my non modified car. I got the car remapped and fully covered for all mods on the car, cosmetic and performance.

dar83

Can I ask, was it one of the main insurers or was it a smaller outfit (or even a broker that managed it)?

Rattlehead_ie

I ended up going with a relatively small broker. I can fire you the details in PM if you want?

dar83

Rattlehead_ie wrote: »

I ended up going with a relatively small broker. I can fire you the details in PM if you want?

Please do. Cheers.

Henry Ford III

It's good to read cover is available for remapped cars. Trouble is a lot won't chose to pay for it, and will risk a lot for very little.

Steel rain

Great to hear that there is still some insurance companies out there willing to help a guy out.

Shane1989

Rattlehead_ie wrote: »

I ended up going with a relatively small broker. I can fire you the details in PM if you want?

Hey,
Can I ask who you got your insurance with. Cheers