Winter Tyres - Insurance Companies may not cover

[rldavison]

I was coming home tonight and there was an article on Radio 2 about winter tyres. Apparantley, some customers have contacted their Insurance Company before having the tyres fitted, and are being told they will be classed as a modification. This may cause problems if you make a claim and your Insurance Company does not cover modifications.

I don't understand how any tyre can be classed as a modification if it has the same rim size, width, profile and (or exceeds) the load index as the original equipment fitted by the car manufacturer. The speed rating does not matter, unless you are caught exceeding it. How can anyone with any intelligence prevent the fitment of tyres which are specifically designed to improve braking traction and cornering grip in winter conditions? After all, they are designed and substantiated by Engineers to provide these important safety functions. Furthermore, most vehicle manufacturers approve the fitment of winter tyres, and state this in their owners manuals.

I have winter tyres fitted to my diesel Yaris which I use for work (the RS stays in the garage if there is any sign of salt on the road). I fit them between October to April, as I have a 600 mile per week commute over the Pennines. They are an absolute necassity for myself, as summer tyres would be lethal in the conditions we have experienced this week.

I just don't understand how Insurance Underwriters in this country can get away with this. Most of our European neighbours are required to fit them by law.

[RS-4-Me]

Because it gives them an excuse.

TBH though I doubt many insurers would know the difference. I mean when have you ever been asked what tyres you have on your car when buying insurance.

[lengster1]

I find this quite unbelievable,im currently working in germany and am using my tdi for work,they think i am mad still having summer tyres on and dont believe there not required in the UK,when i tell them they could void your insurance im sure they will fall about laughing,they say if you dont have them you are automatically 50% liable even if not your fault,i explained my uk ins would probably not accept that.The uk has alot to learn regarding insurance,over here your covered in all of europe no drama no notification of travel were in the uk ooooh no that will cost you££££ sir,how on earth can they deem it a mod when winter tyre sizes and pressures etc are stated as approved on various stickers and handbooks regarding the standard vehicle

[gottanS]

Just been reading the Honest John guide on winter tyres and he recommends you tell your insurance company to comply with disclouure rules.

[url]http://honestjohn.co.uk/news/parts-and- ... /snowtyres[/url

Looks like a phone call on Monday...

[Ice_Coffee]

I find this quite unbelievable,im currently working in germany and am using my tdi for work,they think i am mad still having summer tyres on and dont believe there not required in the UK,when i tell them they could void your insurance im sure they will fall about laughing,they say if you dont have them you are automatically 50% liable even if not your fault,i explained my uk ins would probably not accept that.The uk has alot to learn regarding insurance,over here your covered in all of europe no drama no notification of travel were in the uk ooooh no that will cost you££££ sir,how on earth can they deem it a mod when winter tyre sizes and pressures etc are stated as approved on various stickers and handbooks regarding the standard vehicle

I'm currently with bell, they cover me for the whole of europe at no extra cost.

[ArthurPE]

that is weird
as long as the:
size 255/35/19
load/speed 96 / > limiter 155 mph
XL

and is recommended by the manufacturer (isn't 18's listed in the manual?)

it should violate the policy NOT having them in snowy climes?!

[amanda1]

This is the UK arthur and while i agree with you i suspect our insurance companies will try to wriggle out ...................I need to phone mine monday as well to check

[rldavison]

I agree with Arthur all the way. However, it is a battle with UK Insurance Companies to make them understand what winter tyres are for. A number of years ago I had a bad experience when informing my insurance company I was fitting winter tyres to my Impreza WRX. I contacted them to try and be up front and completely squeaky clean, in case I had to make a claim. I couldn't believe the response. First of all they jumped to the conclusion I was using the car for rallying, and then I got the usual 1001 excuses why they don't cover the slightest modification to cars. I felt like I was banging my head against a brick wall, and ended up directly contacting the Underwriters. I ended up speaking to a Senior Underwriter who actually understood something about cars, and got a letter in writing saying I was OK to fit the tyres. The problem is this: when you first ring the Insurane Company call centre you get someone who normally has not got a clue about cars and they have no guidelines or training about winter tyres.

I don't bother to inform them anymore now. I take the approach that if they tried to void my policy, if I make a claim, the Insurance Ombudsman would make them pay out.

[RS-4-Me]

Right I know nothing about tyres nor what differentiates a summer tyre from a winter one. But...

Say you're running winters and are unfortunate enough to ditch the car and have to make a claim. The cars sitting in a pound waiting for an inspector to check it over. He checks and confirms the tyres have above the legally required minimum tred depth and are of a size/speed rating recommended by the manufacturer.

Do we really think they'd go to the lengths to check whether the tyres are for summer/winter use?

[gdavison]

I called mine and as they are (a) Audi Supplied (a) Audi Spec'd and (c) No Wider then the Originals I was covered

[parlee-king]

Maybe why the winter tyres are in short supply



Dec 2010

Germany enforces tougher law on winter tyres


New legislation came into force in Germany yesterday (4/12/10) requiring all motorists to fit snow tyres to boost road safety.

The new law means anyone caught driving in wintry conditions without them faces a fine, after Germany’s upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat, voted to pass new regulations cracking down on the failure to use winter tyres.

Under the new rules, drivers caught using their summer tyres in ice, snow or slush will have to pay a €40 fine — up from €20 in previous years. Anyone caught obstructing traffic with inappropriate tyres during the difficult winter season faces an €80 fine and receiving a point on their driver’s licence.

Any tyres bearing the “M+Sâ€

[klauster]

Spoke to my insurance company this morning, they said well done for getting them and no issues at all with my policy

[klauster]

thats interesting also:

http://www.churchill.com/motor/winter-tyres.htm

[gottanS]

Spoke to mine this morning as well, again not a problem.

[ArthurPE]

jeez, common sense prevails for once :
winter tires in winter are approved

interesting, I thought it stood for mud + snow
tyres bearing the “M+Sâ€