Unapproved tyres invalidating insurance?!

[Ken Figenus]

It would have been easy to dismiss but this online company sells tyres nationwide and it was their experience that putting non manufacturer approved tyres on a car can lead to insurance issues. He cited a few examples of claims being rejected as an owner had put 'Porsche N1' approved tyres on a Ferarri that specifically cites 'K1' spec in the owners manual - even though they might both be Michelin Pilot Super Sports . He also cited someone changing from RFT's on a Bimmer for more compliant and planted tyres (as I have - awful things) but then an insurer not paying for an accident due to a puncture! Guy seemed very credible and put me off buying K1 P4S for my car that should have (awful) Bridgestone S01's with the AMR manufacturer's approval stamp...as it says in the handbook to fit...

As I say seems easy to dismiss what he is saying since putting some Chinese remoulds on the car mighty be totally insurance compliant (and there is nothing AFAIK in an insurance contract about what tyres you should fit...) but putting tyres that are specifically designed for a Porsche on an Aston may give issues . So am consulting the fount of all knowledge at PH for any experience/fact and tomorrow also my insurers!

[was8v]

Ask your insurer.

As far as I understand when I have asked, so long as the tyre is legal (correct size, load rating, speed rating, tread depth) I am covered.

Good luck getting an N rated tyre sized for a 928....

Edited by was8v on Monday 25th September 15:54

[C70R]

I'd be asking for some more details about these 'so-called' cases of insurance cancellation. If he knows the cases in intimate detail (as they almost certainly aren't public knowledge), then he should easily be able to give you more background.

If someone giving me 'advice' that seems to be hard to believe is also selling me something, I'm always suspicious.

[Tannedbaldhead]

was8v said:

Ask your insurer.

As far as I understand when I have asked, so long as the tyre is legal (correct size, load rating, speed rating, tread depth) I am covered.

Edited by was8v on Monday 25th September 15:54

This.

One of the worse cars I have ever driven was my own MINI Cooper S on runflats. Strangely enough changing them to NRFs made the same car one of the best.
Prior to swapping I informed my insurance company. They noted my intention to change, informed me it would not effect my premium and made one stipulation which was never to run a runflat and NRF on the same axle.

[Ken Figenus]

Irony was it killed any sale so there was nothing in it for him...maybe he'd 'read it on the internet'? Guy seemed genuine though...

I spoke to the insurers [Chubb] and it's no issue for them as suspected. Maybe some companies have sneaky clauses? Admiral excludes factory fitted options I believe if they aren't declared... #minefield

[Tannedbaldhead]

Ken Figenus said:

Admiral excludes factory fitted options I believe if they aren't declared... #minefield

Bloody well hope not. I used to buy a 2 to 3 year old car every three years or so. Never once checked if the spec was standard. Am pretty sure the Electric sliding sunroof was a factory fitted option and a Cooper S I owned was more JCW than Cooper S thanks to a plethora of undeclared factory options.

[TooMany2cvs]

Tannedbaldhead said:

Ken Figenus said:

Admiral excludes factory fitted options I believe if they aren't declared... #minefield

Bloody well hope not. I used to buy a 2 to 3 year old car every three years or so. Never once checked if the spec was standard. Am pretty sure the Electric sliding sunroof was a factory fitted option and a Cooper S I owned was more JCW than Cooper S thanks to a plethora of undeclared factory options.

There was this a while back...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...

If anybody was going to try that one, it'd be Admiral, the Ryanair of insurers.

[sonnenschein3000]

Tannedbaldhead said:

They noted my intention to change...and made one stipulation which was never to run a runflat and NRF on the same axle.

If i'm not mistaken, this is a legal requirement anyway? (to have the same type/construction of tyre on both sides of an axle)

[Mr E]

Tannedbaldhead said:

Ken Figenus said:

Admiral excludes factory fitted options I believe if they aren't declared... #minefield

Bloody well hope not. I used to buy a 2 to 3 year old car every three years or so. Never once checked if the spec was standard. Am pretty sure the Electric sliding sunroof was a factory fitted option and a Cooper S I owned was more JCW than Cooper S thanks to a plethora of undeclared factory options.

Ditto. The merc is insured with admiral and has a number of very expensive options. They didn't ask about any of them when I insured it.

[Ken Figenus]

Mr E said:

Ditto. The merc is insured with admiral and has a number of very expensive options. They didn't ask about any of them when I insured it.

Maybe they are a bit less Ryanair about this by now but definitely check mate - lots of stuff on it on t'internet...

http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=63&am...

[Mr E]

I would think it's highly likely that almost every car has an option extra and almost nobody thinks to mention them.

My policy has the standard "any modifications from manufacturer spec" statement in it.
The car is as it came out of the factory.

[Alpinestars]

sonnenschein3000 said:

Tannedbaldhead said:

They noted my intention to change...and made one stipulation which was never to run a runflat and NRF on the same axle.

If i'm not mistaken, this is a legal requirement anyway? (to have the same type/construction of tyre on both sides of an axle)

Correct.

Reg 26 - The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986