Run Flats and Insurance

[bd02]

I'm currently trying to get some runflats fitted to my Cooper... proving harder than I imagined as most local tyre dealers are refusing on the basis that it will invalidate my insurance. Now I know that they prefer to fit the run-flats due to the fatter margin but seems odd that they would flatly refuse to fit conventional tyres without good reason. So what's going on here?? Do insurance companies have a policy on this? anyone checked with their insurer before making the switch?

Thanks

[Hobzy]

Absolute balls - what tyres you fit will not affect your insurance policy providing they are the correct size for your wheelsand legal road tread patterns! Only thing I can think of is that they are afraid non RFs wont fit. This is also untrue. Any decent tyre place will be able to replace runflats with no runflats. (I assume thats what you mean as your post is a bit confusing!)

[DavidLScott]

If they are standard fitment I can't see what the issue would be anyway.

FWIW I found my Mini dealer was the cheapest for runflats anyway.

[bd02]

Sorry - what I meant was that I'm trying to get some NON runflats fitted. I have spoken to my insurance company and there is no issue at all. God these tyre places irritate me.

[Hobzy]

Glad you sorted that out

Check MINI2.com for a list of the tyres people have used, and there are a couple of threads in here on it too. Personally I use TOYO T1Rs, but there is a fair bit of choice.

[Eifion]

Hi, just changed my run-flats for Falken ZIEX 512s all-round-fantastic decision.

I did check with my insurer (Direct Line) and they said as long as they are road legal tyres then no problem at all. They couldn't understand why I was asking initially.

My local tyre shop just wrote on the receipt 'Non-standard fitment' I guess to cover themselves but the guy I dealt with there said that they'd changed lots to non run flats and he agreed that run-flats were a pain in the neck.

[Fatboy]

Eifion said:

Hi, just changed my run-flats for Falken ZIEX 512s all-round-fantastic decision.

I did check with my insurer (Direct Line) and they said as long as they are road legal tyres then no problem at all. They couldn't understand why I was asking initially.

My local tyre shop just wrote on the receipt 'Non-standard fitment' I guess to cover themselves but the guy I dealt with there said that they'd changed lots to non run flats and he agreed that run-flats were a pain in the neck.

I had the same issue when getting some new tyres for my Mum's MINI - the guy told me it would invalidate the insurance, so I just accepted what he said (he's normally spot on with his advice, so had no reason not to believe him)

[baSkey]

it is tosh, it's the same as the 'n' tyres for a porsche or whatever the lotus markings are. for those firms they may well make the cars drive better but that's all.

the issue you have with a mini is that you must have some other method of tyre repair (because there's no spare obviosuly). so get a can of foam. this is an mot type issue, so i suspose if the mot is 'invalid' i can see where they're coming from but it's still bolox as long as you have a pump and foam.

we've still got runflats but i am not sure for how much longer...