T5 Polestar upgrade and insurance?

[pj41]

I've just signed up for the Polestar upgrade to my T5 V60CC and was prompted to inform the insurance company of the change.

What experience have people had with this leading to an increase in premiums or other feedback and if so, of what magnitude etc.?

Cheers.

[S60Chris]

Aviva - no change, just noted on their system. My wife (policyholder) and myself both 29yo when added, XC90 D5 Polestar.

[Saftlad]

Admiral - admin charge only

[pj41]

Thanks for the feedback - I'm with Admiral too.

[DAN AT ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi.
If you do have any issues with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.

[Trebor17]

My insurance company wants £25 plus it’s usual £25 admin fee!

I’m still unsure about getting the Polestar optimisation, as I’ve only had my S60 T5 for four weeks and not had the chance for a proper drive!

I know Volvo offer a 14 day trial but it would still cost me the £50, as this would not be refunded, if I then decided to have it removed!

[Familyman 90]

Had my XC90 2ith Polestar from new and its never raised an eyebrow with insurers.

[key76]

Both LV and AA have been fine with it on mine, but LV asked a lot of questions about increased BHP and had to refer it for a decision before eventually saying it was fine. Mine was installed when I ordered from new so not sure if that made any difference.

[ovlov04v]

I think what is important to remember when talking to your insurers is that the optimisation, on the T5 for example, only increases max available power by about 3hp on the stock 250hp.
Put simply the optimisation works by giving access to more power in the 'mid range' as Volvo call it. That means you get better acceleration in that mid range of revs. It is not about increasing max available horses like many 'sporty' go faster remaps that folk apply to their vehicles. ​

The Volvo site also clearly tells us that "The gears have also been calibrated to exploit the engine's improved midrange performance. The gearbox also avoids changes when cornering at high g-forces (where possible) for better stability."

It is this combination of changes that we all notice in the 'improved ride'. Not sporty in the remap sense but simpy a more balanced and smooth ride.

I am not at all sure that insurers necessarily recognise that significant difference when pricing. If they are simply rating on a % increase in max power then for example the T5 is only 1.2%. 3hp over stock 250. Maybe important to explain that to your insurers?

[Familyman 90]

In the case of mt D5 its a 22BHP and 50NM increase but, as I say, it's never raised an eyebrow with insurers.

The governments own research via the TRL and accident stats show no link between a vehicles performance and the likelihood of having a smack. Indeed, attempts to prove the case ended up actually demonstrating a slight decrease as performance rises.

Seeing as the map doesn't make our vehicles look any different or suddenly appear any sexier to thieves, there is no evidenced increase in what insurers like to call "risk", there is little for an insurer to legitimately get uppity about.