Insurers hike premiums for winter tyres

Bargin_bunny_2

True, but I am unsure what this have to do with winter tyres.

smitchy73

I've always wondered about why when the police tell you not to go out unless absolutely necessary why is it when you phone your boss he treats you like a piece of s**t for not making it in? Or refuses to pay you or even let you take it as a days holiday, etc etc.
Snow tyre's can't believe they're now trying to class it as a modification, what about low profile tyres, less grip/tread, I bet all those 4x4 chelsea tractors that could be of some use in this weather are absolutely useless because their low profiles can't get a grip in the snow.
Rant over, merry chrimbo

Wig

MrRedundant wrote: »

Or sense...

Sadly as is proven winter after winter this country has more than its fair share of idiots who think their car is invincible to snow and ice.

However science has proven that the fitting of snow tyres will reduce the chance of an accident in winter, so not sure what point you are making really.

mikey72

smitchy73 wrote: »

I've always wondered about why when the police tell you not to go out unless absolutely necessary why is it when you phone your boss he treats you like a piece of s**t for not making it in? Or refuses to pay you or even let you take it as a days holiday, etc etc.
Snow tyre's can't believe they're now trying to class it as a modification, what about low profile tyres, less grip/tread, I bet all those 4x4 chelsea tractors that could be of some use in this weather are absolutely useless because their low profiles can't get a grip in the snow.
Rant over, merry chrimbo

Maybe they don't go out.
I've never seen a Range Rover stuck, a lot round here do have about 2mm of sidewall as well.

magpiecottage

vaio wrote: »

Except than modern cars are often fitted with V or higher tyres (my summer ones are Y rated) but my winter tyres are only H rated

On a reasonably powerful car it seems it’s impossible to get winter tyres of the same speed rating.

I think an insurer would find it difficult to persuade FOS that a policy should be voided on the basis of a tyre choice unless it was the wrong size or otherwise not suitable for purpose or the policy specified the tyres to be used.

Most policies do not, for example specify a particular model of tyre and there is no need to inform an insurer that you have changed brand or tread pattern.

Dropping from a V (rated at 149 mph) to an H (131 mph) would not seem very persuasive when, with the exception of German motorways, European roads have limits of no more than 81 mph - so that seems to be a non-starter.

However, I have a set of Autosocks which work for me. I keep them in the boot, put them on when I need them and take them off when I get off the snow. At around £50 for a pair they cost less than one winter tyre.

mikey72

magpiecottage wrote: »

I think an insurer would find it difficult to persuade FOS that a policy should be voided on the basis of a tyre choice unless it was the wrong size or otherwise not suitable for purpose or the policy specified the tyres to be used.

Most policies do not, for example specify a particular model of tyre and there is no need to inform an insurer that you have changed brand or tread pattern.

Dropping from a V (rated at 149 mph) to an H (131 mph) would not seem very persuasive when, with the exception of German motorways, European roads have limits of no more than 81 mph - so that seems to be a non-starter.

However, I have a set of Autosocks which work for me. I keep them in the boot, put them on when I need them and take them off when I get off the snow. At around £50 for a pair they cost less than one winter tyre.

By the same token though, are autosocks a modification, an approved accessory, or something that invalidates your insurance?

olly300

chigley wrote: »

In Germany (any maybe other european countries) if you do not fit 'winter tyres' during the specified period of winter, then you can actually find your insurance invalid.

And if the police catch you, you also get a nice fine as well before they stop you continuing with your journey.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Cheapskate internet insurance companies will use any excuse to extract some more money from you, cheap insurance is cheap for a reason.

NFU don't make any such fuss and i'll wager other proper companies don't either, i called them the first year i bought the winter's and they said thankyou very much we'll make a note in the file (local offices), no charge no hassle.

Gloomendoom

smitchy73 wrote: »

Snow tyre's can't believe they're now trying to class it as a modification, what about low profile tyres, less grip/tread, I bet all those 4x4 chelsea tractors that could be of some use in this weather are absolutely useless because their low profiles can't get a grip in the snow.
Rant over, merry chrimbo

Why would the profile of tyre affect it's grip in the snow?

I have found some ultra low profile Pirelli Scorpion tyres suitable for my car that have exceptional grip on snow.

mikey72

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Why would the profile of tyre affect it's grip in the snow?

I have found some ultra low profile Pirelli Scorpion tyres suitable for my car that have exceptional grip on snow.

It shouldn't.
Maybe all the Range Rover Vogue drivers swop the low profile summer tyres for winter ones.