Tyre ratings and Insurance
Discussion
Do I need to notify my insurers if I have deviated from manufacturer recommended tyre ratings?
Say my car is specified as having a 99Y rating and I fit a 103W. Both are higher ratings, so should I notify my insurers of this?
All this got me thinking: Should we be telling the insurance company about fitting alternatives or have the argument with the claims people when our P&J is involved in something nasty.....
For instance: I’ve took the Run-flats off my Vette and fitted “normal” tyres. Where does this leave me (ratings are higher)?
Say my car is specified as having a 99Y rating and I fit a 103W. Both are higher ratings, so should I notify my insurers of this?
Blackcircles Website said:
It is very important that you check your speed rating before buying your tyres - as choosing a tyre with a lower speed rating could invalidate your insurance
Talked about this with some of the guys at work today. One said that his FiL fitted winter tyres as he wanted to go Germany, where (apparently) it is law to have them fitted (?). Insurance company refused to continue his cover with the winter’s fittedAll this got me thinking: Should we be telling the insurance company about fitting alternatives or have the argument with the claims people when our P&J is involved in something nasty.....
For instance: I’ve took the Run-flats off my Vette and fitted “normal” tyres. Where does this leave me (ratings are higher)?
fatboy b said:
You can go up in ratings, but not down. If you choose to go up, I don't believe you have to tell insurance co, but I would.
"Hi is that my insurance? Yes I have fitted uprated tyres to my vehicle to allow me to do 150mph rather than the standard 100mph ones. Why have I done this sir? Errr... Business trip to the autobahn" 
Depends on your insurance company. I'm with Admiral and they're actually fairly sensible about stuff like this. I called to tell them about points years back and they were fine, I mainly get decent answers from them.
I believe that the tyres you fit, regardless of winter/summer spec only need to be the correct size and speed rating. Would I need to bother telling anyone if I started to use cut slicks for example as, technically, they're just a summer tyre.
I believe that the tyres you fit, regardless of winter/summer spec only need to be the correct size and speed rating. Would I need to bother telling anyone if I started to use cut slicks for example as, technically, they're just a summer tyre.
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Why not just tell 'em?
Hexactly, you should also let them know each time you forget to wash your hands after taking a leak - blokes who are not homeowners and who like the smell of their own urine are statistically more likely to be more flamboyant behind the wheel. This is a scientificalley proven fact.nouze said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Why not just tell 'em?
Hexactly, you should also let them know each time you forget to wash your hands after taking a leak - blokes who are not homeowners and who like the smell of their own urine are statistically more likely to be more flamboyant behind the wheel. This is a scientificalley proven fact.
The way I see things are this
Insurance companies will do everything in their power to prevent paying out
So firstly you have to declare if there are any modifications to the car when you take out the policy. Personally I think that higher tyre ratings and “modifications” are a moot point. I have no idea what rated tyres were fitted when my car(s) left the factory.
In the past I’ve been told by a national tyre chain that it’s illegal to fit a lower rating than the one fitted. Dunno about this, but my guess is that it’s b
ks to make you buy their premium brand
Ultimately IMO 3 things have got to happen before I face the worse case scenario
• I’ve got to be involved in an accident
• The assessor has got to notice the tyres that are fitted and then demonstrate that they are incorrect
• The insurance company has to prove that the (higher) rating falls into the category of “modifications” - which is well worth a discussion.
But, then again, I can’t argue against the 20p phone call to tell them in the first place (assuming that I remember at renewal time) - could save a lot of hassle downstream....
Insurance companies will do everything in their power to prevent paying out
So firstly you have to declare if there are any modifications to the car when you take out the policy. Personally I think that higher tyre ratings and “modifications” are a moot point. I have no idea what rated tyres were fitted when my car(s) left the factory.
In the past I’ve been told by a national tyre chain that it’s illegal to fit a lower rating than the one fitted. Dunno about this, but my guess is that it’s b

Ultimately IMO 3 things have got to happen before I face the worse case scenario
• I’ve got to be involved in an accident
• The assessor has got to notice the tyres that are fitted and then demonstrate that they are incorrect
• The insurance company has to prove that the (higher) rating falls into the category of “modifications” - which is well worth a discussion.
But, then again, I can’t argue against the 20p phone call to tell them in the first place (assuming that I remember at renewal time) - could save a lot of hassle downstream....
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