1. Adrian Flux (26.10.2010)

"In regards to the tyres that you wish to fit to the vehicle during the winter months, this shall not incur an increase to the premium."

2. SKY Insurance (Briskoda sponsors)

No Problems Post #2

3. Bell

4. Allianz (Skoda Insurance)(1.11.2010) Require notifying when they go on and come off.

"I have checked all the details out for the winter wheels and because the rolling radius isn't affected this wouldn't affect the price of the insurance. We would just need to be informed when the wheels were being swapped over."

"We can confirm there will not be any admin fee charges for when you inform us of the change of wheels."

5. Aviva (1.11.2010)

"Just off the phone to Aviva (formerly Norwich Union) They do NOT view putting OEM Steel wheels with winter tyres as a modification, nor do I need to inform them at wheel changeover time."

6. More Than (1.11.2010) Require notifying when they go on and come off.

Changing to manufacturer approved wheels of the same or smaller size (steel or alloy) does not count as a modification. Ditto for winter tyres. Required notification but no admin fee.

7. LV (11.11.2010) Require notifying when they go on and come off.

Changing to Skoda steel wheels (same size) with winter tyres does not incur a charge.

8. Swiftcover (2.12.10)

We would ask that you ask the manufacturer of the car if you can add Winter Tyres on VAG OEM spec wheels, if that is visible then we would cover the car with the change of wheels and there would be no change in premium in doing this.

9. NFU (2.12.10)

10. Privilege Insurance (Likely all Direct Line companies) (5.12.10) Require notifying when they go on and come off.

Changing from stock 18" 225/40 to Audi 16" 205/55 did not incur a charge.

11. Admiral (05/10/2011)

"There would be no additional premium payable if you intend on changing your current tyres to winter tyres."

Insurance companies that charge an admin fee for changing to winter tyres

1/ Tesco (24.11.2010)

Insurance companies that see it as a modification and charge extra

1/ Tesco (24.11.2010)

Just to clarify, we will not charge extra but we do ask you to let us know.

7. LV (11.11.2010) Require notifying when they go on and come off.

Changing to Skoda steel wheels (same size) with winter tyres does not incur a charge.

A slightly different answer from their website :S

No, we don't view winter tyres as a modification (as long as they're of standard size and specification for your car and are in road worthy condition), fitting them won't affect your premium and you don't need to let us know.

1. Adrian Flux (26.10.2010)

"In regards to the tyres that you wish to fit to the vehicle during the winter months, this shall not incur an increase to the premium."

2. SKY Insurance (Briskoda sponsors)

No Problems Post #2

3. Bell

4. Allianz (Skoda Insurance)(1.11.2010) Require notifying when they go on and come off.

"I have checked all the details out for the winter wheels and because the rolling radius isn't affected this wouldn't affect the price of the insurance. We would just need to be informed when the wheels were being swapped over."

"We can confirm there will not be any admin fee charges for when you inform us of the change of wheels."

5. Aviva (1.11.2010)

"Just off the phone to Aviva (formerly Norwich Union) They do NOT view putting OEM Steel wheels with winter tyres as a modification, nor do I need to inform them at wheel changeover time."

6. More Than (1.11.2010) Require notifying when they go on and come off.

Changing to manufacturer approved wheels of the same or smaller size (steel or alloy) does not count as a modification. Ditto for winter tyres. Required notification but no admin fee.

7. LV (11.11.2010) Require notifying when they go on and come off.

Changing to Skoda steel wheels (same size) with winter tyres does not incur a charge.

8. Swiftcover (2.12.10)

We would ask that you ask the manufacturer of the car if you can add Winter Tyres on VAG OEM spec wheels, if that is visible then we would cover the car with the change of wheels and there would be no change in premium in doing this.

9. NFU (2.12.10)

10. Privilege Insurance (Likely all Direct Line companies) (5.12.10) Require notifying when they go on and come off.

Changing from stock 18" 225/40 to Audi 16" 205/55 did not incur a charge.

11. Admiral (05/10/2011)

"There would be no additional premium payable if you intend on changing your current tyres to winter tyres."

12. Budget (10/10/11)

No charge & no questions asked, although I had already said they were to makers spec - but they have made a note on my file.

Insurance companies that charge an admin fee for changing to winter tyres

1/ Tesco (24.11.2010)

Insurance companies that see it as a modification and charge extra

1/ Tesco (24.11.2010)

Contacted Tesco's this morning re winter tyres. They have now said that there will be no extra charge for changing to winter tyres as long as your rim size stays the same or is smaller ( im going from 18" to 16" ). They would like to be informed when they are swapped over. It did take a couple of calls from them to their underwriter and to me to explain what was needed, and i did have to explain that the 16" steel rims i want to fit are the same size as my steel spare , as initially they said a change in rim size was a mod, but once i told them the rims were the same as my spare they were ok. They have apparently put a note on my policy for future referance.

Result.

Asked Admiral via email about just putting winter tyres on, not steelies, the response was:

"I can confirm that if you do put winter tyres on your vehicle you do not need to inform us."

Good news

Just to make finally sure about by steel wheels and tyres I rang LV to check.

After a few minutes of "off phone chatter" I was informed that as I was going from the same size alloys/tyres to steel/tyres it didn't count as a modification.

Contacted More Than re fitting winter tyres on Skoda steel wheels in place of Skoda alloys. I asked if they needed informing each time I swap from summer to winter rubber.

Their response:-

Thank you for your email received 14/11/2011.

Winter tyres are acceptable if they are within the car manufacturers guidelines.

It's unnecessay to notify us as it makes no difference to the premium

Regards

MORETH>N

Now that's pretty clear!

I've just phoned Aviva to clarify the situation as looking to buy a second set of wheels/tyres. The guy tells me that any change to the car after it leaves the showroom is classed as a modification, so even a set of official Skoda OEM 16" steels to fit with higher profile winter tyres would result in an increased premium. They wanted £27 for essentially a months use of the wheels. Just fitting winter tyres to standard wheels though would be fine, if expensive for an Octavia vRS with 18" wheels!

This seems to contradict what has been reported in this thread. Anyone else have experience of Aviva's policy?

Cheers,

Dan

Currently having the same problem with quotemehappy (Aviva is mother company)

They have said any change to the size of the wheel/tyre is classed as a modification and they would not be able to insure me.

I live in Germany where it's mandatory to have winter tyres fitted during winter weather, with it being about 10*c I don't really need to worry!!

As for the insurance company's, they'll charge you for anything! It used to be the case that if your insurance covered your cars alloy wheels you could go up or down 2" without being an issue!! They're an utter PITA!!!

Updated with a link to the ABI website

There's no charge for switching to winter tyres with Chris Knott either. Please just tell us when you switch and when you switch back though.

hastings direct though not necessarily hastings essentials.

 

I received this today 12.09.2013

 

Hello,

 

Please take this email as confirmation that we do not need to be notified if you change your tyres to suit the weather conditions and they do not need to be listed as a modification.

 

Regards,

 

Ben Schaefer

Team manager - Sales

 

HastingsDirect