[shortie]

After i have spoken to 2 different sales persons and got 2 very different answers, i have now emailed Admiral twice in the past 14 days, the only response they give me is an automated "we have received your email" but fail to respond and put the answers in writing.

The questions i want answering are as follows and are in relation to my BMW 320i MSport:

1) Over the winter; i want to get my summer MV3 alloys refurbished. Instead of the original silver i was thinking about Ferric Grey which is an option available from BMW. Do i need to declare this and will it incur a charge?

2) If i fit identical size winter tyres to my MV3 alloys, will this incur a charge and do i need to inform you.

3) If i fit 17" BMW OEM alloys with appropriate size winter tyres,will this incur a charge and do i need to inform you.

4) Do i need to declare roof bars and roof box for the occasional camping trip?


Now i note that from the Association Of British Insurers site that Admiral "do not require the payment of any additional premium if customers decide to fit winter tyres to their cars, provided that the tyres meet, and are fitted in accordance with, the relevant vehicle manufacturers’ specifications and are in a roadworthy condition whilst in use".

Now i presume this means only if i fit identical tyre sizes onto my standard MV3 wheels?

http://www.abi.org.uk/Information/Co...mmittment.aspx


Anyone managed to get a definitive answer on any of these from Admiral?

[IanS100]

Originally Posted by shortie

Now i note that from the Association Of British Insurers site that Admiral "do not require the payment of any additional premium if customers decide to fit winter tyres to their cars, provided that the tyres meet, and are fitted in accordance with, the relevant vehicle manufacturers’ specifications and are in a roadworthy condition whilst in use".

Now i presume this means only if i fit identical tyre sizes onto my standard MV3 wheels?

http://www.abi.org.uk/Information/Co...mmittment.aspx

This is ironic as BMW recommend 225/45 R17 94 V 17" all round for your car and if you go to BMW for a set of winter wheels/tyres this is exactly what they will sell you

edit

I've just had a look at the ABI website and it also adds:

The commitment does not cover fitting new wheels. Any motorist who has winter tyres fitted to new wheels should contact their motor insurer for advice.

[shortie]

Originally Posted by IanS100

This is ironic as BMW recommend 225/45 R17 94 V 17" all round for your car and if you go to BMW for a set of winter wheels/tyres this is exactly what they will sell you

edit

I've just had a look at the ABI website and it also adds:

The commitment does not cover fitting new wheels. Any motorist who has winter tyres fitted to new wheels should contact their motor insurer for advice.

So, i get charged extra from downgrading from 18" to 17" for aprox 3 months but i get the tyres free lol

I hate insurance companies, not surprised they wont put anything in writing as then they cannot change their mind lol;

[IanS100]

Originally Posted by shortie

So, i get charged extra from downgrading from 18" to 17" for aprox 3 months but i get the tyres free lol

No, they charge you extra for "downgrading from 18" to 17" and then charge you extra again for fitting the non standard 17" tyres lol

[xs2man]

I have never heard of an insurance company charging for different tyres. Tyres are tyres as far as they are concerned, as they all have to adhere to British tyre safety standards.

However, as you will be putting on different wheels, you will have to tell the insurance company of this, as it is a "modification". However, if you put on BMW spec winter wheel / tyre package, they are fitted in accordance with the relevant vehicle manufacturers’ specifications.

My current insurers made no extra charge for me fitting new wheels and tyres, and many companies wont charge for this, you just need to tell them when you do it. And explain that it is for winter use. I have MV3's with winter tyres for use in the winter months, and 3SDM wheels with normal tyres for the summer months, and do not have to pay any extra premium for either set. Of course, I do pay a substantial premium for my remap, so that probably covers any theoretical premium needed for wheels.

[sheps]

I find it outrageous that Insurance companies can rob their customers in this fashion; at least Dick Turpin had the good grace to wear a mask.

Imaginary scenario; If your car came with 15" wheels as standard and you slap on a bigger set to look like a model higher up the food chain then you can see the insurance company's argument. In theory, you're increasing the theft risk.

Likewise, if you spec a car with larger than standard wheels, in the event of total loss or theft, you're going to want a (marginally) higher payment to offset the upgrade - hence your premium should be higher.

But, in the case of the OP, if you want to downgrade the size of your wheels and, more importantly, decrease the insured risk for winter driving, the last thing the insurance company should be doing is looking to fleece him for more money.

Deplorable action.

[xs2man]

Fair points, but at no point did he say his insurers were charging him any extra for the swap?

[shortie]

Originally Posted by xs2man

Fair points, but at no point did he say his insurers were charging him any extra for the swap?

One advisor said there would be £40 premium for going down to 17" OEM wheel with winter tyres, the second advisor said there would be no increase but £17.50 admin fee to update policy.

[Dragon88]

I'm with Elephant (part of Admiral Group), and they didn't charge me any additional premium when declaring normal tyres on my rear axle (normally RFTS), so hope that helps with question 2.

[shortie]

Originally Posted by Dragon88

I'm with Elephant (part of Admiral Group), and they didn't charge me any additional premium when declaring normal tyres on my rear axle (normally RFTS), so hope that helps with question 2.

Cheers mate

[ian_m]

insure with some else, lots to chose from.

My eldest was with them, he had two non-fault accidents with 100% recovery in each case as we used their loss recovery service, admiral put his premium up the reason - he'd had two accidents so was likely to have another.

trying to discuss the reason why was impossible you are dealing with a call center Muppet simply repeating a standard script

[makkan00]

Admiral charged me £40 for 6 months when I moved from MV3 to CSLs.
I was told that I could go back to MV3s whenever I like provided the condition, they are OEM wheels at no additional cost.
HTH.

[sheps]

Originally Posted by ian_m

trying to discuss the reason why was impossible you are dealing with a call center Muppet simply repeating a standard script

That's the biggest problem with insurance; the fact that the person you're dealing with (lobotomised call centre monkey) who isn't empowered to make a change to cover without charge, despite the change creating less risk for the insurer (in the case of the OP fitting suitable winter boots, which one would assume would lower his risk during the winter months).

[IanS100]

I think they charge more simply because they can, irrespective of whether the risk is higher.

[SteveC]

If you look at your car's documentation, you will normally find that BMW specify a range of different wheel and tyre sizes. As long as you stick to the sizes recommended by the manufacturer, you are not deviating from 'standard'.

For example, on my X5, summer tyres are 315/35/R20. For Winter M/S tyres, BMW specify 255/55/R18 plus something for 19" rims. Essentially the insurance company is fine that I alternate between the 2 vehicle specific manufacturer specified wheel/tyre sizes for different seasons.

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by ian_m

insure with some else, lots to chose from.

My eldest was with them, he had two non-fault accidents with 100% recovery in each case as we used their loss recovery service, admiral put his premium up the reason - he'd had two accidents so was likely to have another.

trying to discuss the reason why was impossible you are dealing with a call center Muppet simply repeating a standard script

All insurance companies do this.
Statistics show after one accident you are actually likely to suffer another.
And your case certainly proves the accuracy.

Nothing to do with muppets, and everything to do with data.
Like it or not - thats how it is

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by sheps

That's the biggest problem with insurance; the fact that the person you're dealing with (lobotomised call centre monkey) who isn't empowered to make a change to cover without charge, despite the change creating less risk for the insurer (in the case of the OP fitting suitable winter boots, which one would assume would lower his risk during the winter months).

Likewise sheps are the lobotomised car 'tuners' who (badly) install such mods or fail to declare the salient points.

Which is why we are presumably in this hole in the first place.
As a business I guess you have to cover your business risk.
In most cases (here) people are quite savvy to wheels and tyres and whats acceptable.
Not always the case with the majority of the (ignorant) public and 'tuner boyz' from Halfords.

I dont agree with it, but you can see why its become this way.

[AlanYoro35i]

If you're going to email them again can you help me ask the following

I added a Air Fresher which modded the interior smell from leathery smell to lemon smell would that incur any cost?

[BoondogUK]

I have just finished having a conversation with the people at privilege...

I declared my new alloys... 18"s over the stock 16s
to my delight, no increase in my policy.

I asked about using the stocks with winter tyres...
to my delight, no increase in policy. Just have to let them know when they are on the car, and when they come off again.

[xs2man]

Privilege... Thats who I'm insured with. Couldn't remember the first time I posted here. Yeah, they were no charge for changing alloys, and the remap was only an increase in excess with them.

[shortie]

Well still no reply from them, if no reply by tomorrow night then they will be getting a snotty call lol

[Mart1000]

Originally Posted by Yoro35i

If you're going to email them again can you help me ask the following

I added a Air Fresher which modded the interior smell from leathery smell to lemon smell would that incur any cost?

Now that made me laugh