Winter tyres- insurance issues..

robtri

Yes another winter tyre thread, but this time not about the types and pros and cons of fitting them...

was reading there other day in local rag, about an issue in the UK, which i am sure our insurance companies will follow..
Basically

Winter tyres are a performance enhancement and need to be declared to your insurance company. Reports say that some insurance companies are adding up to 20% onto premimums.... and also heard some unsubstantiated reports that if u have winter tyres and didnt declare them to insurance company, it could be a case of voiding your insurance in case of accident..


Cant link to local rag, not online.. but here is some of it, on Honest John website
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/tax-insurance-and-warranties/2010-12/winter-tyres

Cookie_Monster

by that logic replacing old tyres with brand new ones is a performance enhancement too and should be declared :rolleyes:

Captain Commie

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

by that logic replacing old tyres with brand new ones is a performance enhancement too and should be declared :rolleyes:

good point, also i dont see how they can add to the premium as its a performance upgrade, its a safety upgrade, they should DROP your premium as you are now LESS likely to skid into someone

robtri

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

by that logic replacing old tyres with brand new ones is a performance enhancement too and should be declared :rolleyes:

possibly, but in fact you are only returning the tyres to original specifications, not a performance enhancement....

innovated

innovated wrote: »

they should DROP your premium as you are now LESS likely to skid into someone

Not in mild, dry road conditions though
It's quite easy to be in 12/14 deg temps in the winter too, winter tyres not at their best then.

Cookie_Monster

robtri wrote: »

possibly, but in fact you are only returning the tyres to original specifications, not a performance enhancement....

so if you upgrade the set to a higher quality spec then...

Cookie_Monster

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

so if you upgrade the set to a higher quality spec then...

.......... you'll find it harder to do powerslides in the Bimmer :pac:

Seth Brundle

Insurance companys. Any excuse to squeeze a few quid more out of the customer!

Technoprisoner

if thats the case should we be changing to winter tyres in the summer and summer tyres in the winter? i think the insurance companys would prefare us not to crash so i reckon they would ioncourage winter tyres

robtri

Technoprisoner wrote: »

if thats the case should we be changing to winter tyres in the summer and summer tyres in the winter? i think the insurance companys would prefare us not to crash so i reckon they would ioncourage winter tyres

insurance company just want to expolit more money from us:mad:

Technoprisoner

you can use any tyre you like as long as its thee correct size for the wheel and has a legal amount of thread and is obviously E marked

robtri

Technoprisoner wrote: »

you can use any tyre you like as long as its thee correct size for the wheel and has a legal amount of thread and is obviously E marked

true, and likewise i can fit a turbo charger to my car as long as i report the performance enhancemnt to my insurance company..
the article is indicating that certain UK insurance companys percieve winter tyres as a performance enhancement... they not saying its illegal or anything like that, but an enhancment that needs to ber reported to them so they can screw you for more money

Technoprisoner

you are well within your rights to fit whatever tyre you like....i dont see insurance companys encouraging you to fit nangkan ditchfinder 2000's so you crash more lol

Biglad

I would only be concerned if I, for example, had fitted just two winter tyres on the front wheels of a FWD car and left the summer tyres on the rear. That to me is the only time an insurance company might have a valid point (or reason)as it will make the vehicle potentially unstable in slippery conditions. I would definately ask my inusrer about this combination if it was my set up (in my case it isn't).