Had bumper resprayed - Must I inform insurance?

AdrianH

AdrianH

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I had my front bumper resprayed at my own cost as it had picked up quite a number of stone chips and also a nice trolley scratch. Apart from the paint, the bumper had no other damage.

Must I inform my insurance that I had the bumper resprayed?
 
AdrianH said:
I had my front bumper resprayed at my own cost as it had picked up quite a number of stone chips and also a nice trolley scratch. Apart from the paint, the bumper had no other damage.

Must I inform my insurance that I had the bumper resprayed?
Click to expand...

Phone your broker and ask....
 
AdrianH said:
I had my front bumper resprayed at my own cost as it had picked up quite a number of stone chips and also a nice trolley scratch. Apart from the paint, the bumper had no other damage.

Must I inform my insurance that I had the bumper resprayed?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't bother to be honest.

That being said, when it comes time to sell and a smart buyer pics up the fact that it's been resprayed, they're most likely not going to believe it was "just for stone chips and trolley rash". Not that it matters if you'll keep the car for a while.
 
Keep invoices and you should always take before and after pics to prove minimal damage if you ever want to sell.

Insurance no need to advise them, this is maintenance and in a way increases the value compared to a scratched car.

If you with a reputable insurer don't bother.
 
If the respray increases the value of the car then the insurance company could argue that you are now under-insured...unlikely, but not impossible.

Just phone and ask.
 
silver6933 said:
If you do not inform them, what are the penalties?
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I don't know for sure, but I've heard that it could show them that you hid an accident by fixing it yourself. And you should always let them know when you've been in an accident even if you do't claim since, even if there is no damage, the other party could decide to sue you for damages or injuries a while after the fact. If you didn't let them know when it happened, they won't help you later. So by being open with them they know that there has been no accident. Fixing it yourself seems like hiding it.

Also, if you do need to claim later and have the bumper fixed, and the panel beaters do something wrong and e.g. the paint starts peeling after a couple of months, they can say that it was a result of you fixing the bumper yourself previously (which the new panel beater is likely to pick up on).

So ja, just tell them, no harm done?
 
It's a tricky one because most insurance companies have conditions that you must inform them of anything that may alter your risk profile as your premiums are based on your risk profile.
If you have a very minor accident and the damage is less than the excess or the other person was at fault and you have it repaired under their insurance, you still need to tell your insurance as it may have a material effect on your risk profile. Failure to do so could result in a future claim being rejected on the basis of misrepresenting your risk profile.
For small scratches, etc, I really don't think it should affect your risk profile, but rather be safe than sorry and inform the insurance. Down the line, the insurer could just see that your bumper was sprayed - there is not proof that it was just small scratches and they could assume it was to cover minor accident damage.
 
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