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Moles

Member Since: 17 Mar 2016
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 40

Direct Line and Bench Seats

So, I'm really keen on fitting a set of bench seats to the back of my Puma 110 Utility.
Not for riding in, just for camping / sitting in the back while parked up set, and for storage to protect the wheel arches.

Talked to my insurer today, Direct Line, and this is a modification that will invalidate the policy. No ifs or buts.

Anyone have experience of this, and maybe recommend an insurer who's going to be a bit more flexible?

Ta,

Moles.

12th Aug 2016 5:27pm

ericvv

Member Since: 02 Jun 2011
Location: Near the Jet d'Eau
Posts: 5816

2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black

Would be surprising if any insurance company would insure something which is against EU regulations. Bench seats were outlawed with the Puma in 2007. Not only EU itself, but all of Europe, including Switzerland for instance. So don't count on Brexit helping you.
Eric You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o
https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I
https://vimeo.com/201482507
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw

12th Aug 2016 5:44pm

Moles

Member Since: 17 Mar 2016
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 40

Yes, but this is daft.
We all know that this is illegal to sit on while driving, but if you just want a seat in the back of your 110 to use when parked up?
How about people who put a mattress in the back. You can sit on that, right?
Or, I could carry them folded and not fitted, then bolt them on once parked up?

The thing that invalidates the policy should be having a passenger sat on the bench, not the fitting of the bench itself.

12th Aug 2016 5:53pm

K9F

Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey

The fact the seats are there they could still be sat in whilst driving. It has been known for ages that insurance companies are shying away from insuring Defenders with inward facing rear seats without clauses or exclusions.

In particular here is an article referring to your own insurer from 2012.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motoring...-defenders

Type approvals also come into the mix as does your V5......from one of the several threads on the debate....

ericvv wrote:
If you hava a Puma 2.4 or 2.2 as I think to read from your first post, note that retrofitting a center seat will be fully illegal, not only in Holland, but Europe wide. Same time, as of 2007 the reason why LR went away from inward facing rear seats was that they were also outlawed by EU. So the bad news is that retrofitting either a front middle seat or any inward facing seats to a 2007 onward Defender can neither be legalized, nor will be accepted by any insurance company. Doing so, they would break the law themselves.

Not worth the hassle. What would you do MOT time unless of course you are going to provide belts for them to strap themselves in when parked? Just take some small fold up camping chairs or cushions to park their 'arrises on. If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!

12th Aug 2016 6:05pm

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