Winter tyres = Increased insurance premium?!

[oyster]

pirie555 said:

Legal advice sought, letter of complaint written, I'II keep you informed of any developments.

Why should British motorists be charged a premium for the fitment of manufacturer approved winter wheel/tyre combinations which are in use throughout Northern Europe?!

Cheers!

Ol

Cheers for what?
You turned up and ranted. You haven't responded to a single reply to your OP.

Several people have already told you why an insurance company may charge extra for fitting new/different wheel/tyre combinations, but you seem to have your ears blocked.

[pirie555]

oyster said:

Cheers for what?
You turned up and ranted. You haven't responded to a single reply to your OP.

Several people have already told you why an insurance company may charge extra for fitting new/different wheel/tyre combinations, but you seem to have your ears blocked.

Apologies for my lack of forum manners, I have only just been able to read and respond to the replies this morning. Many thanks to all contributors. I'll go and stand on the naughty step!

It's not that I wasn't listening to the reasons that Insurance companies may charge more, it's just that I don't agree that they should be able to in this circumstance, for reasons I have already stated.

The AA and ABI seem to agree with my way of thinking.......

Insurance implications - winter tyres
If you fit winter or all-season tyres in place of your standard 'summer' tyres there should be no need to tell your insurer – even though the speed index might be lower.

The lower speed index is still likely to exceed all national speed limits by a considerable margin – with the exception of some German autobahns – and is not checked as part of the passenger car MOT test.

If you follow the standard European practice of keeping two sets of wheels, one with winter tyres and one with summer tyres, then you shouldn't need to tell your insurer as long as the winter tyres are fitted to wheels of the correct specification.

'Correct specification' means that the wheel size – diameter, width and offset – conforms to the vehicle manufacturer's specifications.
Check the handbook for details of wheel/tyre sizes suitable for your car and refer to the car manufacturer or dealer for further advice.
Over the winter of 2010/11 we did hear reports of some insurers increasing premiums or remarkably even refusing cover if winter tyres are fitted. As a result we recommend talking to your insurer if you are considering fitting winter tyres.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI)
If anything winter tyres should reduce the accident risk and, by implication, drivers who fit them are likely to be more risk-conscious too.

The major motor insurers have all confirmed that they would not class fitting winter tyres as a material modification and it would not impact on the premium. The one condition would be that they would expect such tyres to be fitted by reputable garage/dealer, in accordance with the motor manufacturer's specifications.

Some said that they would not require the policyholder to tell the insurer these tyres had been fitted, but the ABI's advice is to play safe and tell your insurer anyway.

[Mr E]

This seems somewhat useless advice;

pirie555 said:

If you fit winter or all-season tyres in place of your standard 'summer' tyres there should be no need to tell your insurer – even though the speed index might be lower.

If you follow the standard European practice of keeping two sets of wheels, one with winter tyres and one with summer tyres, then you shouldn't need to tell your insurer as long as the winter tyres are fitted to wheels of the correct specification.

...

Over the winter of 2010/11 we did hear reports of some insurers increasing premiums or remarkably even refusing cover if winter tyres are fitted. As a result we recommend talking to your insurer if you are considering fitting winter tyres.


Some said that they would not require the policyholder to tell the insurer these tyres had been fitted, but the ABI's advice is to play safe and tell your insurer anyway.

Cliff notes. We can't actually comment about the individual contract between you and your insurer, so just ring them. We're now just going to waffle on and fill some column inches by covering our arse.

[Patrick Bateman]

squareflops said:

For goodness sake. Picture the scenes if you will.

A) Your car is stolen (may be in part because the twocker fancied a ride in the comfort of leather rather than cloth). It's subsequently written off. The insurers offers you X for the car based on it's original spec market value. You come in with "yea but my car had a load of optional extras on in that I had to pay extra for.." 'stunned silence' So you're saying you want more pay out for your (optional extra based) modified car without any increase in premium. Right

B) Your car is involved in a serious accident and many parts have to be replaced including some of the ones you've listed above. The insurers don't know you have these optional extras because... you didn't tell them. They fix the vehicle and return it to it's standard spec in the process as per the spec sheet for that model. They give you your car back and you say "yea but my car had a load of optional extras on in that I had to pay extra for.."

I see a pattern emerging here and may be even some common sense on the insurers part.

So to answer your question, yes; of course you bloody do



and yes, there probably are 1000 325 ds driving round in the same blissful ignorance. Some may even be mapped..

In fairness, they're alright about it in my limited experience, the majority of that would just come under 'interior changes'- for which I've never been charged extra.

[clarkey328is]

I just don't bother any more. Last time I did they charged me extra for upgrading my brakes.

[ZOLLAR]

pirie555 said:

oyster said:

Cheers for what?
You turned up and ranted. You haven't responded to a single reply to your OP.

Several people have already told you why an insurance company may charge extra for fitting new/different wheel/tyre combinations, but you seem to have your ears blocked.

Apologies for my lack of forum manners, I have only just been able to read and respond to the replies this morning. Many thanks to all contributors. I'll go and stand on the naughty step!

It's not that I wasn't listening to the reasons that Insurance companies may charge more, it's just that I don't agree that they should be able to in this circumstance, for reasons I have already stated.

The AA and ABI seem to agree with my way of thinking.......

Insurance implications - winter tyres
If you fit winter or all-season tyres in place of your standard 'summer' tyres there should be no need to tell your insurer – even though the speed index might be lower.

The lower speed index is still likely to exceed all national speed limits by a considerable margin – with the exception of some German autobahns – and is not checked as part of the passenger car MOT test.

If you follow the standard European practice of keeping two sets of wheels, one with winter tyres and one with summer tyres, then you shouldn't need to tell your insurer as long as the winter tyres are fitted to wheels of the correct specification.

'Correct specification' means that the wheel size – diameter, width and offset – conforms to the vehicle manufacturer's specifications.
Check the handbook for details of wheel/tyre sizes suitable for your car and refer to the car manufacturer or dealer for further advice.
Over the winter of 2010/11 we did hear reports of some insurers increasing premiums or remarkably even refusing cover if winter tyres are fitted. As a result we recommend talking to your insurer if you are considering fitting winter tyres.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI)
If anything winter tyres should reduce the accident risk and, by implication, drivers who fit them are likely to be more risk-conscious too.

The major motor insurers have all confirmed that they would not class fitting winter tyres as a material modification and it would not impact on the premium. The one condition would be that they would expect such tyres to be fitted by reputable garage/dealer, in accordance with the motor manufacturer's specifications.

Some said that they would not require the policyholder to tell the insurer these tyres had been fitted, but the ABI's advice is to play safe and tell your insurer anyway.

You've completely missed the point, the insurer is charging you extra due to you changing the alloys NOT because you've changed the tyres.

[pirie555]

ZOLLAR said:

You've completely missed the point, the insurer is charging you extra due to you changing the alloys NOT because you've changed the tyres.

Thanks for your Insurance advice mate.

I understand that they are charging for the alloy - the car is on alloys during the summer, and a different set for winter. If I crash the replacement cost will the same/less as those fitted originally. But there's a significant improvement in road holding. Where's the extra liability for the insurer?

[pirie555]

Well lads, I've got a result!

I have just received a very nice letter from the Customer Relations Department of my Insurer...

To quote the most important bit -

"I understand that you have been charged an additional premium to add winter tyres and alloy wheels to your policy. Understandably you were concerned as this was a safety feature recommended by your manufacturer. Having spoken to our technical department they have confirmed that this charge should not have been made."

The premium has been refunded, and common sense has prevailed!

If anybody else needs assistance with the same issue, i.e. what to put in the letter of complaint, I would be happy to help.

Thanks for all the advice.

[ZOLLAR]

pirie555 said:

Well lads, I've got a result!

I have just received a very nice letter from the Customer Relations Department of my Insurer...

To quote the most important bit -

"I understand that you have been charged an additional premium to add winter tyres and alloy wheels to your policy. Understandably you were concerned as this was a safety feature recommended by your manufacturer. Having spoken to our technical department they have confirmed that this charge should not have been made."

The premium has been refunded, and common sense has prevailed!

If anybody else needs assistance with the same issue, i.e. what to put in the letter of complaint, I would be happy to help.

Thanks for all the advice.

They've just written off the amount to stop the complaint going further as it can cost the company more in the long run.

[broker1]

I got a rebate of £6.49 when I told my insurer about my winters.... seems a bit more sensible.

[pirie555]

broker1 said:

I got a rebate of £6.49 when I told my insurer about my winters.... seems a bit more sensible.

I'm just glad to break even

[pirie555]

ZOLLAR said:

pirie555 said:

Well lads, I've got a result!

I have just received a very nice letter from the Customer Relations Department of my Insurer...

To quote the most important bit -

"I understand that you have been charged an additional premium to add winter tyres and alloy wheels to your policy. Understandably you were concerned as this was a safety feature recommended by your manufacturer. Having spoken to our technical department they have confirmed that this charge should not have been made."

The premium has been refunded, and common sense has prevailed!

If anybody else needs assistance with the same issue, i.e. what to put in the letter of complaint, I would be happy to help.

Thanks for all the advice.

They've just written off the amount to stop the complaint going further as it can cost the company more in the long run.

[pirie555]

ZOLLAR said:

pirie555 said:

Well lads, I've got a result!

I have just received a very nice letter from the Customer Relations Department of my Insurer...

To quote the most important bit -

"I understand that you have been charged an additional premium to add winter tyres and alloy wheels to your policy. Understandably you were concerned as this was a safety feature recommended by your manufacturer. Having spoken to our technical department they have confirmed that this charge should not have been made."

The premium has been refunded, and common sense has prevailed!

If anybody else needs assistance with the same issue, i.e. what to put in the letter of complaint, I would be happy to help.

Thanks for all the advice.

They've just written off the amount to stop the complaint going further as it can cost the company more in the long run.

That could be the case, but the letter also said that their the manager of the operators would be notified to ensure it wouldn't happen again.

[ZOLLAR]

pirie555 said:

That could be the case, but the letter also said that their the manager of the operators would be notified to ensure it wouldn't happen again.

They'll still charge for the alloys but will probably make staff aware not to charge if just the tyre is changed (which is correct)

[pirie555]

ZOLLAR said:

pirie555 said:

That could be the case, but the letter also said that their the manager of the operators would be notified to ensure it wouldn't happen again.

They'll still charge for the alloys but will probably make staff aware not to charge if just the tyre is changed (which is correct)

Hold on, you must have missed this -

"I understand that you have been charged an additional premium to add winter tyres and alloy wheels to your policy. Understandably you were concerned as this was a safety feature recommended by your manufacturer. Having spoken to our technical department they have confirmed that this charge should not have been made"

[ZOLLAR]

pirie555 said:

ZOLLAR said:

pirie555 said:

That could be the case, but the letter also said that their the manager of the operators would be notified to ensure it wouldn't happen again.

They'll still charge for the alloys but will probably make staff aware not to charge if just the tyre is changed (which is correct)

Hold on, you must have missed this -

"I understand that you have been charged an additional premium to add winter tyres and alloy wheels to your policy. Understandably you were concerned as this was a safety feature recommended by your manufacturer. Having spoken to our technical department they have confirmed that this charge should not have been made"

I know what is says, the safety feature refers to the tyres and not the alloys.
An insurers will charge in most circumstance for a change of alloy.

[pirie555]

ZOLLAR said:

pirie555 said:

ZOLLAR said:

pirie555 said:

That could be the case, but the letter also said that their the manager of the operators would be notified to ensure it wouldn't happen again.

They'll still charge for the alloys but will probably make staff aware not to charge if just the tyre is changed (which is correct)

Hold on, you must have missed this -

"I understand that you have been charged an additional premium to add winter tyres and alloy wheels to your policy. Understandably you were concerned as this was a safety feature recommended by your manufacturer. Having spoken to our technical department they have confirmed that this charge should not have been made"

I know what is says, the safety feature refers to the tyres and not the alloys.
An insurers will charge in most circumstance for a change of alloy.

No, the safety feature relates to the tyre AND the change from 17 inch to 16 inch alloy as recommended by the manufacturer for winter use.

I suspect we'll have to agree to disagree on this...

Thanks for the banter

[ZOLLAR]

pirie555 said:

No, the safety feature relates to the tyre AND the change from 17 inch to 16 inch alloy as recommended by the manufacturer for winter use.

I suspect we'll have to agree to disagree on this...

Thanks for the banter

Yep no worries, but for anyone reading this rather than just take the thread as gospel speak to your insurer rather than presume you don't need to declare.

[Mr Whippy]

Or just choose an insurer that isn't cretinous...

If you have to ask about such things with your insurer, then you have to wonder what other stupid things they are probably going to bring up when you do need to claim


Pay peanuts and you get monkeys, usually

Dave

[ZOLLAR]

Mr Whippy said:

Or just choose an insurer that isn't cretinous...

If you have to ask about such things with your insurer, then you have to wonder what other stupid things they are probably going to bring up when you do need to claim


Pay peanuts and you get monkeys, usually

Dave

Regardless of whether you think it's worth declaring or not you need to notify the insurer of any changes to the policy as the risk lies with them.