[PoleKing]

Tank was in van and they never asked.

Of course they never.

It isn't a modification.

It was a van doing vanly stuff in a vanlike manner.

You really have got me thinking about this Soups.
So-a modification is so if it's bolted through?
How do you think a tank could be secured, safely, without bolting through the floor-therefore becoming a modification?

[EandM]

Tank was in van and they never asked.

Of course they never.

It isn't a modification.

It was a van doing vanly stuff in a vanlike manner.

You really have got me thinking about this Soups.
So-a modification is so if it's bolted through?
How do you think a tank could be secured, safely, without bolting through the floor-therefore becoming a modification?

It seems to be down to the discretion / attitude of the insurance company.
Some refuse point blank on the grounds that if it's bolted then it's a modification because it didn't have when it left the factory - if it's not bolted than it's unsafe due to the size and weight and they refuse again.
Others take the view that it's part of why you want commercial insurance and it's not a problem.
As long as you tell them and they're happy I don't see a problem.
If you lie to them and they won't pay out then that's your own problem.
Just find an insurer with a bit of non-scripted intelligence and thinking and you'll be fine.

[Arnold Palmer]

I have never lied to an insurance company. That would be stupid. I have never been asked, if I were to be asked I'd tell them I carry many things for many reasons. That's what the vehicle is for.

You bolt other stuff in, pole rack, resin bottles, pump, controller, are they modifications? No.

[EandM]

I have never lied to an insurance company. That would be stupid. I have never been asked, if I were to be asked I'd tell them I carry many things for many reasons. That's what the vehicle is for.

You bolt other stuff in, pole rack, resin bottles, pump, controller, are they modifications? No.

I'd reason it out with exactly the same logic you've used and I'd agree with you completely - common sense dictates that outfitting your work vehicle for work is perfectly reasonable as that's what you've bought it for and are insuring for in the first place.
Sadly, my experience with insurance companies over the last 28 years tells me that logic and common sense are something that most of them are incapable of.
This time I noticed a definite change in the questions from the brokers when I mentioned window cleaning, namely;
Do you carry ladders?
Do you have a water fed system?
Do you have a tank?
How big is the tank?
What is the tank made of?
Is the tank baffled?
Is the tank secured?

Seems like there are now enough WFP systems in circulation for the insurance companies to have caught up and attempt to extract more money from their customers.

[Arnold Palmer]

I thought you used a broker? I'd hazard a guess that it's the broker, not the insurance company who are asking you damn fool stupid questions in order to extract more money from you.

[PoleKing]

Soups-who do you insure with?

[Arnold Palmer]

 I am currently with Axa (through Darwin Clayton). I have claimed this year. No problems.

[EandM]

I thought you used a broker? I'd hazard a guess that it's the broker, not the insurance company who are asking you damn fool stupid questions in order to extract more money from you.

It's entirely possible although all that using the brokers does is draw up a list of companies who will quote and a list of the those who won't. All the broker does is liaise and although they could be embellishing the terms and conditions the final decision is with the company which can be contacted directly. My level of distrust for most organisations borders on the paranoid but on the basis that if you go elsewhere the broker won't get his cut I think it's more down to risk management on behalf of the companies themselves.

[Stoots]

I just went online, comparison site, put for business use and carriage of own goods. doesnt ask if you have a tank only for modifications, payload on my van is 825kg im under it, so im fully legal in my eyes.

[EandM]

I just went online, comparison site, put for business use and carriage of own goods. doesnt ask if you have a tank only for modifications, payload on my van is 825kg im under it, so im fully legal in my eyes.

It's the follow up from the insurance company afterwards when the say, ' We'd just like to check a few details... '

[Arnold Palmer]

I had a broker round to see me this week for our upcoming renewal. I showed him our "modified" vehicle. He really wasn't that interested. It made no difference to our premium.

[J.D]

Most of you seem to think insurance companies employ reasonable common sense people who will not look to deeply into your next insurance claim and will over-look the things you forgot conveniently to mention! However the reality is they are complete sharks and will look for anything and everything so as not to have to pay out! Trust them at your peril , you might even get lucky!