Modifications

raskazz

laurel7172 wrote: »

I think you'd better ask. I couldn't believe it when I found out I had to notify the insurance company of a modification when I bought a set of winter tyres.

I mean, seriously. Does anything say "middle-aged plodder" more loudly than seasonal tyres?

As an underwriter my team had several enquiries from brokers regarding the fitment of winter tyres. Every single call was music to my ears as it is a really good indication of a prudent driver who is aware of risk and will actually take proactive steps to minimise it.

StevieJ

laurel7172 wrote: »

I think you'd better ask. I couldn't believe it when I found out I had to notify the insurance company of a modification when I bought a set of winter tyres.

I mean, seriously. Does anything say "middle-aged plodder" more loudly than seasonal tyres?

Did you have to pay for a change of policy?

laurel7172

No, I didn't have to pay. Which is fortunate, because I have to notify them of the modification *again* in a few weeks when the regular tyres go back on....

mikey72

raskazz wrote: »

As an underwriter my team had several enquiries from brokers regarding the fitment of winter tyres. Every single call was music to my ears as it is a really good indication of a prudent driver who is aware of risk and will actually take proactive steps to minimise it.

What added risk is there from winter tyres?
I must admit, I fitted what it said in the car drivers handbook, and as the manufactuer had specified the tyre, I didn't inform the insurer.

raskazz

mikey72 wrote: »

What added risk is there from winter tyres?
I must admit, I fitted what it said in the car drivers handbook, and as the manufactuer had specified the tyre, I didn't inform the insurer.

There is no added risk as long as (a) they are correctly fitted etc (b) the driver is mindful that the tyres degrade rapidly above their intended operating temperature and (c) they are fitted to all 4 wheels to avoid differential front/rear grip. Not sure why you ask though as I never implied or stated that there was an added risk - quite the opposite in fact?

They can reduce what insurers would call 'physical hazard' - i.e. the chances of losing control in winter; but IMO the real benefit is that - in general - it indicates good attitudes and behaviour on the part of the driver (what insurers would call a 'low moral hazard').

Alison_B

My son received his new insurance policy as he has changed insurers. On the policy it said about non standard parts, so just be certain, we phoned up to check on his gear knob as that had been changed. It was unfortunately an indian call centre operating at the weekend and they didn't have a clue what one of them was. We were asked to spell it, they wanted to know if it was like alloy wheels, if it was an engine part, if it made the car go faster. Then the woman said that she would have to class it as an interior design change which would mean an increase in price. We then asked to speak with another person who could understand us. After several questions about engine etc, she asked if it was something that was more comfortable to hold rather than performance related and when we said yes, she said it was fine and that there would be no increase.

mikey72

raskazz wrote: »

There is no added risk as long as (a) they are correctly fitted etc (b) the driver is mindful that the tyres degrade rapidly above their intended operating temperature and (c) they are fitted to all 4 wheels to avoid differential front/rear grip. Not sure why you ask though as I never implied or stated that there was an added risk - quite the opposite in fact?

They can reduce what insurers would call 'physical hazard' - i.e. the chances of losing control in winter; but IMO the real benefit is that - in general - it indicates good attitudes and behaviour on the part of the driver (what insurers would call a 'low moral hazard').

My handbook didn't specify two or four, and Nokian don't state any maximum temperature. I assume that were fitted correctly by ATS, same as any tyre.

laurel7172

I had to confirm to the insurance company that I had four, as there are rules about tread combinations that you have to follow otherwise. If you've done everything by the manual and had them fitted by ATS, though, I should hope you have that covered.

Winter tyres don't become unsafe, as such, at summer temperatures. They just wear out really fast.

raskazz

mikey72 wrote: »

My handbook didn't specify two or four, and Nokian don't state any maximum temperature. I assume that were fitted correctly by ATS, same as any tyre.

There is a trend for some people to fit them only to the drive wheels but the RAC and AA recommend against it due to the potential for sudden over/understeer due to the differential in grip. Certainly if someone did fit winter tyres to drive wheels only and was involved in an accident where lack of grip of non-driving wheels was a contributing factor then the insurer would be well within their rights to decline the claim.

Nokian may not state any specific maximum temperature but they do state on their website FAQ:

"We do not recommend the use of friction tyres throughout the year. Modern friction tyres may wear unnecessarily quickly, particularly on coarse spring roads. The wear may also be uneven due to abnormally rapid wear. Friction tyres should be mounted in the autumn when the ground freezes and replaced when the summer sun starts to warm the pavements."