Jump to content
SAU Community

Insurance And Power Fc

R33-RB26DETT
 Share

Recommended Posts

R33-RB26DETT Proficient

R33-RB26DETT

Posted
Posted

Hi guys,

This is an issue which causes mixed opinions but i would like to get a definitive answer from someone who 100% knows.

Situation 1: You get caught with an After-market ECU after a crash when an insurance assessor comes to inspect the vehicle. Is your insurance void?

Should i tell Just Cars that i have a power fc installed?

What are the facts, and the risks here?

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/220988-insurance-and-power-fc/
Share on other sites
RBwhatever Veteran

RBwhatever

Posted
Posted (edited)

Well when you do up online quotes and when your listing your modificatiions it has the "aftermarket/replacement ECU" modification tick box.

So that should tell you that they would cover you with a power fc installed.

Tell them the truth about what you have got on the car and you should have no troubles.

PS. I told just car I had a FC and they happily added it to the list of modifications and continued to insure my car. I have never had to make a claim, but if it makes you happy I have a friend who had an accident in his 34 and he had his FC fitted at the time. The assesor went over his car and approved the claim.

Edited by KeyMaker
R33-RB26DETT Proficient

R33-RB26DETT

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Well when you do up online quotes and when your listing your modificatiions it has the "aftermarket/replacement ECU" modification tick box.

So that should tell you that they would cover you with a power fc installed.

Tell them the truth about what you have got on the car and you should have no troubles.

I see, so even though it is an EPA, roadworthy issue it still doesnt void your insurance becuase?

Its so confusing. sorry.

RBwhatever Veteran

RBwhatever

Posted
Posted
I see, so even though it is an EPA, roadworthy issue it still doesnt void your insurance becuase?

Its so confusing. sorry.

Well when you do up online quotes and when your listing your modificatiions it has the "aftermarket/replacement ECU" modification tick box.

So that should tell you that they would cover you with a power fc installed.

Tell them the truth about what you have got on the car and you should have no troubles.

PS. I told just car I had a FC and they happily added it to the list of modifications and continued to insure my car. I have never had to make a claim, but if it makes you happy I have a friend who had an accident in his 34 and he had his FC fitted at the time. The assesor went over his car and approved the claim.

Sorry I edited my post a bit late.

Well, from what I can figure is, as long as just car is willing to cover you with said modifications then you should be ok.

As far as EPA road worthy trash goes, maybe they're assuming that said modications were approved by an engineer, hence mod plated and road worthy.

It may pay to ask them that question. I'm sure the chick or lad on the otherside of the phone would be quite obliged to answer it for you to give you a definite.

R33-RB26DETT Proficient

R33-RB26DETT

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

I see, i guess my biggest cocern is the following:

Me: "Hi, i just bought an Apexi Power FC, i would like to add this to my insurance policy."

Just Car: "Sorry we cant insure you, your insurance is now void."

So i would prefer to hear from someone who is actually with Just Car and has added this to their insurance policy no prob before i call.

Just for the piece of mind, that all :unsure:

Edited by GTR-PWR
RBwhatever Veteran

RBwhatever

Posted
Posted (edited)

Well I am insured with Just Car. I told them over the phone that I had bought a Power FC and they said no worries we'll add it to your policy.

I know sometimes insurance mobs can be very discrimitive so to speak. Maybe its your state and its laws. QLD seems to be more laid back with mods.

edit: just realised you haven't called them yet. You should be fine to add it. Call them and ask them. If they say no, i'd be suprised.

Edited by KeyMaker
typevu Grand Master

typevu

Posted
Posted
I see, i guess my biggest cocern is the following:

Me: "Hi, i just bought an Apexi Power FC, i would like to add this to my insurance policy."

Just Car: "Sorry we cant insure you, your insurance is now void."

So i would prefer to hear from someone who is actually with Just Car and has added this to their insurance policy no prob before i call.

Just for the piece of mind, that all :)

That wouldnt be the biggest concern... the BIGGEST concern would be the following:

Me: "Hi, I recently crashed my car and am calling about the claim I lodged a couple weeks ago wondering whats the progress like with the claim?"

JC: "Sorry we cant insure you as you have specified you have an after market computer therefore making your car not roadworthy. Your insurance is now voided. Thank you for your money; come again!"

I'm wondering the same thing with Boost Controllers - they have it listed in their list of modifications but then again its illegal on road cars so what happens to the many thousands of modified turbo cars out there with a Boost Controller!?

My guess is they'll be happy to take your money now and list whatever modifications you have but when it comes down to claim time they might use it against you? :(

OZ_Pomy Rising Star

OZ_Pomy

Posted
Posted

i was always under the impression that the illegal modification had to be the cause of the accident for them to void your insurance. Why dont you ring up say your thinkin bout buyin another car tell them what mods including power fc then ask them. This way they have no way to proove you have put it in your car and nothing should be recorded down.... Then if its all good just ring up next day and add it to your mods list. I dont see the point in taking the chance though cuz ur excess is prolly more then a power fc is worth and the value of your car only goes up after every 5 modifications listed (if its still the same way when i did my insurance)

DECIM8 Grand Master

DECIM8

Posted
Posted

They wont insure you for any illegal perofmrance part... I.e anything that is deemed illegal in adrs.. but Ive heard of multipul cases where they've paid out. I dont really think it would be an issue.

However and engineering cert will make sure you are coverd. alot better for the cops, yourself and insurance.

R33-RB26DETT Proficient

R33-RB26DETT

Posted
  • Author
Posted
They wont insure you for any illegal perofmrance part... I.e anything that is deemed illegal in adrs.. but Ive heard of multipul cases where they've paid out. I dont really think it would be an issue.

However and engineering cert will make sure you are coverd. alot better for the cops, yourself and insurance.

Hi Guys,

All good i actually had an assesor for Just Cars PM me and tell me that it would be fine to add this to my policy so im calling them tomorow :-) ill let you all know if i have any dramas.

Thanks for all the comments, and i hope someone else finds this useful in the future..

Triptych Proficient

Triptych

Posted
Posted

If unsure ring them and tell them you are planning on installing it and wanted to know if they will cover it. That way if they turn around and say No you can tell them you aren't going to install it then but if they say its fine ring them the next day and let them know its installed..... pretty simply really.

I have listed everything on my insurances with Just Cars including the Pindent in my rear quarter that was on the car when I got it. They made a note of it and said that when I get the pindent fixed they will remove the note.

R34NRG Grand Master

R34NRG

Posted
Posted

i was with jsut cars until a few months ago when GIO did a better deal. but it was all the same.

i told them i had a aftermarket ECU. they said yep thats fine. both GIO and Just Cars

im assuming that they only void your insurance if the modification is a direct result of a accident. but thats my guess.

but they defiently said okai....=D

some_cs_student Veteran

some_cs_student

Posted
Posted
i told them i had a aftermarket ECU. they said yep thats fine. both GIO and Just Cars

Yes they say that, but they will all also say "as long as the modification is legal", either over the phone or in the small print.

You can list just about anything on the policy, but they still hold the "does it comply to ADR rules" thing above you.

Thats why I've got ADR brake lines now and not Japanese braided lines.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • GoHashiriya
      From Japan and back to Europe, my sh*tbox R34 GTT

      By GoHashiriya · Posted

      Cheers. Skyline is back on the menu, can’t get rid of it. It’s like a child you don’t want, or herpes 
    • Dose Pipe Sutututu
      From Japan and back to Europe, my sh*tbox R34 GTT

      By Dose Pipe Sutututu · Posted

      Welcome back brother 
    • GoHashiriya
      From Japan and back to Europe, my sh*tbox R34 GTT

      By GoHashiriya · Posted

      I got back to Japan in January and was keen to get back on track as quickly as possible. Europe is god-awful for track accessibility (by comparison), so I picked up a first-gen GT86 in December just to have something I could jump into right away. The Skyline came over in a container this time and landed in early January. It was a bit battered after Europe, though—I refused to do anything beyond essential upkeep while it was over there. The clutch master cylinder gave out, and so did the power steering. I didn’t even bother changing the oil; it was the same stuff that went in just before I left Japan the first time. Naughty. Power steering parts would’ve cost double with shipping and taxes, so knowing I’d be heading back to Japan, I just postponed it and powered through the arm workout. It took a solid three months to get the car back on the road. Registration was a nightmare this time around. There were a bunch of BS fees to navigate, and sourcing parts was a headache. I needed stock seats for shaken, mistakenly blew 34k JPY on some ENR34 seats—which, of course, didn’t fit—then ended up having the car’s technical sheet amended to register it as a two-seater with the Brides. Then there’s the GT86. Amazing car. Does everything I want it to do. Parts are cheap, easy to find, and I don’t care what anyone says—it’s super rewarding to drive. I’ve done a few basic mods: diff ratio, coilovers, discs, pads, seat, etc. It already had a new exhaust manifold and the 180kph limiter removed, so I assume it’s running some kind of map. I’ve just been thrashing it at the track non-stop—mostly Fuji Speedway now, since I need something with higher speed after all that autobahn time. The wheels on the R34 always pissed me off—too big, and it was a nightmare getting tires to fit properly under the arches. So I threw in the towel and bought something that fits better. Looks way cleaner too (at least to me)—less hotboy, less attention-seeking. Still an R34, though. Now for future plans. There are a few things still outstanding with the car. First up, the rear subframe needs an overhaul—that’s priority one. Next, I need to figure out an engine rebuild plan. No timeline yet, but I want to keep it economical—not cutting corners, just not throwing tens of thousands at a mechanic I can barely communicate with. And finally, paint. Plus a bit of tidying up here and there.  
    • The Bogan
      NC MX5

      By The Bogan · Posted

      Nope, needed to clearance under the bar a little with a heat gun, a 1/2" extension as the "clearancer", and big hammer, I was aware of this from the onset, they fit a 2.0 with this intake no problems, but, the 2.5 is around 15mm taller than a 2.0, so "clearancing" was required  It "just" touched when test fitting, now, I have about 10mm of clearance  You cannot see where it was done, and so far, there's no contact when giving it the beans Happy days
    • GoHashiriya
      From Japan and back to Europe, my sh*tbox R34 GTT

      By GoHashiriya · Posted

      It's been a while since I've updated this thread. The last year (and some) has been very hectic. In the second-half of 2024 I took the R34 on a trip through Germany, Italy, France and Switzerland - it was f*cking great. I got a little annoyed with the attention the car was getting around Europe and really didn't drive it that much. I could barely work on the car since I was living in an inner-city apartment (with underground parking). During the trip, the car lost power steering in France - split hose - and I ended up driving around 4,000kms with no power steering.  There were a few Nurburgring trips here and there, but in total the R34 amassed just shy of 7,000kms on European roads. Long story short, I broke up with the reason I was transferred to Europe for and requested to be moved back to Japan. The E90, loved it. It was a sunk cost of around EUR 10,000 and I sold it to a friend for EUR 1,500 just to get rid of it quickly. Trust me, moving countries f*cking sucks and I could not be bothered to be as methodical as I was the first time around.
×
×
  • Create New...