Winter wheels - do you have tell your insurance?

[spadger001]

Hi

Just bought a set off winter wheels & tyres and was reading some of the threads it's just dawned on me do I have tell my insurance i've made my car safer for travelling in winter?

I was really trying to find out when is the best time to put them.

Thanks

Mick

Sent from my iPad using MBClub UK

 

[whitenemesis]

You have nothing to lose by informing your insurers. As long as the wheel/tyre combo is as specified by MB there can be no problem.

 

[Dieselman]

I was really trying to find out when is the best time to put them.

Winter.

 

[CobraCoupe]

I called my insurance to check if I needed to call them
They said I did not need to tell them about swapping my winter kit on/off unless I was drastically changing sizes etc
My summer wheels are 18" and my winter ones are 17" but they are both original Mercedes
Insurance company is Admiral


Andy

 

[johnm112]

I called my insurance to check if I needed to call them
They said I did not need to tell them about swapping my winter kit on/off unless I was drastically changing sizes etc
My summer wheels are 18" and my winter ones are 17" but they are both original Mercedes
Insurance company is Admiral


Andy

I contacted Admiral with the same enquiry when I was considering winter wheels for my E320 and was told the same. My new car is a Lexus and my new insurer - Aioi Nissay Dowa - will not allow me to fit smaller rims when I have my winter tyes fitted!

 

[Rory]

My new car is a Lexus and my new insurer - Aioi Nissay Dowa - will not allow me to fit smaller rims when I have my winter tyes fitted!

Do Lexus list a smaller size in the vehicle spec, either specifically for winter tyres or for a lower spec version of the car?


There's a list here of insurance companies and their attitude to winter tyres, but it doesn't cover wheels: https://www.abi.org.uk/~/media/File...ter tyres The motor insurance commitment.ashx

 

[johnm112]

Do Lexus list a smaller size in the vehicle spec, either specifically for winter tyres or for a lower spec version of the car?


There's a list here of insurance companies and their attitude to winter tyres, but it doesn't cover wheels: https://www.abi.org.uk/~/media/File...ter tyres The motor insurance commitment.ashx

Rory, the smallest rims offered in the UK for Lexus GS450h are 18inch as ftted to my car. The new GS300h will be available with 17inch rims. My GS450h handbook does mention specs for 17inch wheels.
I did highlight this fact, however my insurer specifies that I must use wheels of the same size as those factory fitted. I attemted to argue the point that fitting smaller wheel rims would in fact make my car less of an insurance risk over the winter, the agent at Lexus insurance agreed with me as did the supervisor he went off to confer with!!!!!

 

[Paddcomp]

I've just bought a CLS and treated it to a set of winter wheels and tyres.
Phoned Admiral who weren't bothered about tyres alone but a change in wheel size was £10.
Initially they suggested I only phone them when I change the wheels to pay the £10, but this came with a £17.50 admin fee each time I changed. We agreed to pay only once and I can change when I need to.
Happy to pay £10 to be sure I'm covered.

I've bought 17" wheels to replace 18" originals for winter.

 

[MDC250]

So your reward for doing the right thing and making your car safer for winter driving is to pay extra to the insurer?

Madness, they really do screw every last penny out of honest motorists.

That said the admin fee is small change to them trying to avoid the policy on grounds of non disclosure.

I've heard of insurers trying to dodge honouring policies for all sorts, my favourite was a guy who painted his brake callipers. That was classed as a modification. You couldn't make this stuff up!

 

[CardinalZeus77]

Called Direct Line to let them know I have Winter tyres on the car and they said that is fine. They asked me to let them know when I have swapped back to the Summers. There was no additional charge.

 

[Alex4638]

I have insurance through Mercedes for my C63 estate, they said to tell them when they are fitted so they can work out the discount due on my premium for using safer winter tyres!!!

 

[gr4h4m]

I had to tell mine, no extra costs

 

[davidjpowell]

Association of British Insurers survey....

https://www.abi.org.uk/~/media/File...ter tyres The motor insurance commitment.ashx

 

[kinaero]

I have just informed my insurer Esure change of winter tyres and after market alloys, £40 additional premium, not that happy.

 

[Rory]

I have just informed my insurer Esure change of winter tyres and after market alloys, £40 additional premium, not that happy.

I'm guessing tyres only would be no cost - the premium hit is for the wheels?

To be fair, non-OEM wheels open up such a can of worms that I'm surprised insurance companies don't load much more for them.

 

[kinaero]

I'm guessing tyres only would be no cost - the premium hit is for the wheels?

To be fair, non-OEM wheels open up such a can of worms that I'm surprised insurance companies don't load much more for them.

Yes you are right, the extra cost was for non OEM wheels, still I have saved over £800 for OEM 18" wheels.
I was just surprised that if people increase engine performance, they might only pay a little more, and yet my wheels are non performance enhancing

 

[Rory]

I was just surprised that if people increase engine performance, they might only pay a little more, and yet my wheels are non performance enhancing

I've no idea what the real reason is, but my thinking is that after-market alloys don't have the same certainty of fit and quality that OEM wheels do (or least should have).

 

[Markjames]

Had my Mercedes winter wheels and tires fitted today, no increase in premium but did have to pay an admin charge with RAC insurance. Back in October when I first enquired about changing them they also

 

[Markjames]

Wanted to increase the cost of my policy but they appear to have seen sense.
Before and after pics