Tyres... need expert advice.

gilbert_and_sullivan

focae wrote: »

I was looking at changing to winter tyres on steel rims for the rest of the winter. This gives better performance below 7 degrees centigrade, no just snow and ice.
However, can anyone explain why Direct Line want £64 because I am modifying my car even though it is an obvious safety improvement.
They also said that this change is effective for the rest of the policy so I would have to pay an additional £15 admin fee when I put my standard alloys back on in the spring.

Presumably you changed tyre sizes too, if you had stuck to same size tyres wheels there would have been nothing to report.

Some of the older more established insurance companies don't worry about such things, NFU local office just make notes of any changes unless peformance enhancing, no charge.

focae

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Presumably you changed tyre sizes too, if you had stuck to same size tyres wheels there would have been nothing to report.

Some of the older more established insurance companies don't worry about such things, NFU local office just make notes of any changes unless peformance enhancing, no charge.

Same size tyres and wheels, just 'winter' spec. They said changing the tyre costs nothing, its the wheels they see as a modification.......bizarre!

Wig

focae wrote: »

I was looking at changing to winter tyres on steel rims for the rest of the winter. This gives better performance below 7 degrees centigrade, no just snow and ice.
However, can anyone explain why Direct Line want £64 because I am modifying my car even though it is an obvious safety improvement.
They also said that this change is effective for the rest of the policy so I would have to pay an additional £15 admin fee when I put my standard alloys back on in the spring.

Remind them because of their appetite to charge £15 admin fees every time you sneeze and their inability to recognise a change for safety rather than performance. You gaurantee that you will NOT renew with them next year. And by the time renewal comes around it will be too late for them to apologise and see sense. Usually this does fall on deaf ears when you tell it to the CS monkeys so you do have to ask to speak to someone with the power to overule admin and additional premiums.

I have NEVER paid an admin charge in my life, I always fight them on it, and I ALWAYS have won. If EVERYONE does what I do, we would be more like USA where companies will fall over backwards to keep a customer happy because over there they understand customers will walk if they don't. We on the other hand just take all the crap companies throw at us and say "Thank you very much here is my renewal cheque".

focae

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Presumably you changed tyre sizes too, if you had stuck to same size tyres wheels there would have been nothing to report.

Some of the older more established insurance companies don't worry about such things, NFU local office just make notes of any changes unless peformance enhancing, no charge.

Direct Line are fairly well established methinks? I have spent sometime on the phone with the rep talking to the underwriters - they are pretty intransigent - it is a modification regardless of whether it is performance enhancing or not - and just so that others are aware - it is something that is reportable on your policy and may affect any payout after an accident if not declared.

Again - bizarre

maxheadroom

I fitted some winter tyres this year after losing work in the snow last year on the recommendation of a german friend. i have been really impressed snow has not stopped me evem on hills where some soft roaders (bmw X5 etc) have been stuck and i drive a rwd estate. Fitted them ar beginning of december and even int he wet the grip is much better.

So impressed have fitted a set to wifes car on some cheap set of wheels offf ebay so can swap them back in the spring

You can get part worns off ebay quite cheaply as they arre imported from germany where by law they maut fit winter tyres and change them when 4mm of tread is left - which is what i did fro wifeys

Thoroughly recommend winter tyres.