Towbar mounted Cycle Racks.

[Drago]

I think the insurance company might argue if it was properly installed - so put behind panels and fixed in place

even if it is only an accessory like a dashcam - that could have been stuck to the windscreen with a loose cable plugged into the internal power socket
in future I will check this out if I ever get anything installed properly

The ABI define for their members what constitutes an accessory and what is a modification. Your typical sucker on the screen dashcam is the former, a fixed mount hard wired job the latter (ie, hard install asmI stated.)

 

[lazybloke]

The thought never occurred to declare the towbar on my wife's car.
Had a quick look online and there's a multiple choice list of modifications to choose from, including 'bar'.

Is that tow bar? Bull bar? Light bar? Roof bar? Running board bar?

I'll be giving them a call shortly...

 

[steveindenmark]

I would be suprised if anyone is suprised at this. Insurance companies are notorious at wriggling out of paying claims.

 

[lazybloke]

Phew, I can tow on my existing policy. My insurer doesn't consider the after-market towbar to be a 'modification'.
I've requested written confirmation!

 

[Drago]

Phew, I can tow on my existing policy. My insurer doesn't consider the after-market towbar to be a 'modification'.
I've requested written confirmation!

I suspect that the chaps insurers also never gave a toss about the towbar...until it presented a handy means of avoiding writing a cheque for a six figure sum.

You're wise to get it in writing.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I suspect that the chaps insurers also never gave a toss about the towbar...until it presented a handy means of avoiding writing a cheque for a six figure sum.

You're wise to get it in writing.

If I was to guess then the problem probably was highlighted by the rear car's claim, possibly their insurer was arguing the damage was more severe because of the towbar and that triggered the process of the insurers trying to avoid paying the claim.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I suspect that the chaps insurers also never gave a toss about the towbar...until it presented a handy means of avoiding writing a cheque for a six figure sum.

You're wise to get it in writing.

that is a very cynical attitude

not saying it isn't 100% accurate though!!!

 

[Drago]

Ife very good reason to be cynical of insurers.

 

[simongt]

This is why I always phone insurers and have a conversation with something passing for real human. It's a ballache, but all question get answered and there is no ambiguity.

As I've experienced, don't always rely on the spoken word. Once or twice, when I've had to phone back to check a detail that was given to me verbally, I was then informed that '..'whoever' wasn't authorised / shouldn't have said that' and then enter a 'discussion' about the validity of said detail.
Always get any such agreement in print, it's much harder to deny.

 

[Dag Hammar]

And quoting my own advice I've just had a towbar fitted for a carrier, so I checked and my insurer says their fine with it. I've saved the conversation just in case

If you need a sturdy two-bike towball mounted rack, here’s a nice one on eBay if you feel like a trip to Colchester in Essex.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/297226128954

 

[Dag Hammar]

Advertising for a friend?

Yes. And I am my best friend ! I have listed the bike rack on eBay and F B marketplace.
I cannot use it anymore as my wife and I share one car now and there is no towbar. The price of having a towbar supplied and fitted seems astronomical compared to when I last had one fitted many years ago.

 

[bikingdad90]

Great idea @wiggydiggy.

Tow bars are a pain when it comes to insurance, some want it declared as a modification, some say it isn’t a modification that needs declaring and some even say equipment fitted at the factory is not considered a modification.

I have some sympathy for the car driver as a result, it is confusing.
I also don’t use comparison sites as I have found that they often get it wrong or miss details, Instead I use it as a guide for prices and then go through the insurer direct.

 

[Binky]

I have a Thule towbar bike rack and first couple times using it was very nervous as visually it doesn't look like it's going to be sufficiently stable and strong enough. However, never had a problem even carrying 3 heavy old style MTB/hyrid bikes.

One point though, always use a seperate registration board with lights. My wife got stopped once by the police who said it was needed even though the reg number and lights were clearly visible without.

 

[Tom B]

Great idea @wiggydiggy.

Tow bars are a pain when it comes to insurance, some want it declared as a modification, some say it isn’t a modification that needs declaring and some even say equipment fitted at the factory is not considered a modification.

I have some sympathy for the car driver as a result, it is confusing.
I also don’t use comparison sites as I have found that they often get it wrong or miss details, Instead I use it as a guide for prices and then go through the insurer direct.

Exactly that.

My insurance is about due and I've been looking at quotes after reading this. The comparison site said on its modifications section"

"if your looking to add a tow bar click no modifications then add it with the insurer when reviewing the quote"

I've just looked at the top 3 defacto 5* quotes £211, £240 and £250 in their modifications section a tow bar adds nothing to the prices and the on the third it isnt listed. Interesting one insurer goes out of their way to at every opportunity tell you they are offering a "no advice service" and it's up to the buyer to ascertain if cover is suitable.

I wonder if this is another area where buying slightly dearer insurance (i.e. that with a defacto 5 star rating) is better value and offers slightly broader cover.

With stuff like this I usually call them and ask and record the call. I apply the same to when I buy house insurance and ask about bike cover in an Asgard shed.

 

[Sixmile]

Perhaps I should declare my Nodding Dog and furry dice. 🤔

You definitely should. When my da's Ford Orion was stolen in the 90's, the only thing that was missing from the recovered car was the nodding Gromit on the parcel shelf.