Insurer won't cover "H" rated Tyres! I need new insurer.
Discussion
I've just put four Nokian "Weatherpoof" 215/65 R16 H102 XL on my 2010 Subaru Forester 4x4.
The car is a 2.0 litre, manual petrol, top speed 115mph.
After informing my insurance co. of the change from the standard "V" rated tyres to H-rated they are saying they will not insure this modification. I have pointed out the the H-rated tyres exceed my car's maximum top speed by some 15mph and that they have a higher load index than standard at 102 compared to 98. They are also "All-Weather" tyres suitable for cold, wet, winter roads.
A gripper, more stable and officially rated "Winter" rated tyre (3 peaks symbol) but insurer won't cover me. So I either need to ditch the tyres ( £400 worth fitted, plus another £80 to re-fit my old & slippy V-rated ones) or ditch my insurer.
Does any one know of an insurer (with some common sense and actual knowledge of cars & tyres) who will insure me & my car?
( The person I spoke to on the "help line" insisted that only tyres made by Subaru would be covered. I had to explain twice that Subaru & other car makers do not actually make the tyres fitted to their cars...jeez)
The car is a 2.0 litre, manual petrol, top speed 115mph.
After informing my insurance co. of the change from the standard "V" rated tyres to H-rated they are saying they will not insure this modification. I have pointed out the the H-rated tyres exceed my car's maximum top speed by some 15mph and that they have a higher load index than standard at 102 compared to 98. They are also "All-Weather" tyres suitable for cold, wet, winter roads.
A gripper, more stable and officially rated "Winter" rated tyre (3 peaks symbol) but insurer won't cover me. So I either need to ditch the tyres ( £400 worth fitted, plus another £80 to re-fit my old & slippy V-rated ones) or ditch my insurer.
Does any one know of an insurer (with some common sense and actual knowledge of cars & tyres) who will insure me & my car?
( The person I spoke to on the "help line" insisted that only tyres made by Subaru would be covered. I had to explain twice that Subaru & other car makers do not actually make the tyres fitted to their cars...jeez)
Pica-Pica said:
Incidentally, the ‘speed’ does not just relate to the top speed, but also acceleration capabilities.
That's interesting and I didn't realise that. So it's not quite as simple as staying below the speed of the tyre rating then.How can you find out the "acceleration rating" for a specific tyre? Presumably it's also related to weight?
Timbuktu said:
Pica-Pica said:
Incidentally, the ‘speed’ does not just relate to the top speed, but also acceleration capabilities.
That's interesting and I didn't realise that. So it's not quite as simple as staying below the speed of the tyre rating then.How can you find out the "acceleration rating" for a specific tyre? Presumably it's also related to weight?
https://mycarneedsa.com/blog/what-tyre-speed-ratin...
“From an insurer’s point of view, they argue that fitting tyres with a higher speed rating than a car’s top speed helps ensure that those tyres can deal with higher acceleration loads and the stresses of higher speed cornering, even if the maximum speed isn’t exceeded.”
Essentially, the ‘speed’ rating is a simplified rating to cover those parameters of a tyre’s performance.
The speed rating only refers to the maximum speed capability of the tyre...it has been tested to those speeds. It doesn't refer to acceleration, braking or anything else.
Your new tyres are road legal and unfortunately your insurance company are saying "computer says no".
What does your car's handbook say about speed ratings?
I would write to them to complain and ask them to reconsider. I don't see how they can refuse a claim on that basis.
However, now that you've told them, it's their choice whether to insure you so there's not a lot you can do if they won't change their mind
Your new tyres are road legal and unfortunately your insurance company are saying "computer says no".
What does your car's handbook say about speed ratings?
I would write to them to complain and ask them to reconsider. I don't see how they can refuse a claim on that basis.
However, now that you've told them, it's their choice whether to insure you so there's not a lot you can do if they won't change their mind
Thanks all for the replies. Sorry for the apparent silence. I was unable to post due to a ban on new posters following some kind of problem yesterday.
The car's "Tyre Size" plate says 215/65/ R16 98V but also gives snow tyres rated "Q" ( max 99mph) as an option. ( picture attached hopefully)
There's plenty to debate about the rights and wrongs of the issue, but as Leo says, the insurance Co. can do what they please; "computer says no" etc. No point in fighting them if they won't see sense.( I have lodged a complaint)
What I'm hoping to find is a user friendly insurer with enough brains to know that an H-rated, 130mph tyre with superior grip and water clearing ability, an "XL 102" load index ( 750 kg per tyre) and 8 ply Aramid fibre sidewalls is not a problem in a 114mph car weighing 1.5 Tonnes with a normally aspirated 2-litre petrol engine.
So, does any one know of a good, sensible insurer that allows minor, sensible deviations from standard equipment?
The car's "Tyre Size" plate says 215/65/ R16 98V but also gives snow tyres rated "Q" ( max 99mph) as an option. ( picture attached hopefully)
There's plenty to debate about the rights and wrongs of the issue, but as Leo says, the insurance Co. can do what they please; "computer says no" etc. No point in fighting them if they won't see sense.( I have lodged a complaint)
What I'm hoping to find is a user friendly insurer with enough brains to know that an H-rated, 130mph tyre with superior grip and water clearing ability, an "XL 102" load index ( 750 kg per tyre) and 8 ply Aramid fibre sidewalls is not a problem in a 114mph car weighing 1.5 Tonnes with a normally aspirated 2-litre petrol engine.
So, does any one know of a good, sensible insurer that allows minor, sensible deviations from standard equipment?
The photo in your last post shows that your new tyres are actually better than the manufacturer's recommended speed rating for snow tyres. Q is 99mph.
See the the link below which gives each insurer's attitude to winter tyres. Hopefully the above and below will give you more ammo in your complaint.
https://www.abi.org.uk/globalassets/files/publicat...
See the the link below which gives each insurer's attitude to winter tyres. Hopefully the above and below will give you more ammo in your complaint.
https://www.abi.org.uk/globalassets/files/publicat...
Wulbert said:
There's plenty to debate about the rights and wrongs of the issue, but as Leo says, the insurance Co. can do what they please; "computer says no" etc. No point in fighting them if they won't see sense.( I have lodged a complaint)
Was it a call-centre numpty who gave you the answer? I've had that a few times, but when they go away and ask someone else, you get a more sensible answer.As others have said, I wouldn't have even told them. Wife's Tiguan is with LV= and don't tell them, even though the wheels and tyres are smaller than standard, as they're the official VW wheel and tyre set for that car.
However I've read of others being told it needs to be recorded as a modification if the wheel and tyre size isn't the same as those fitted as standard - which is a bit bonkers as the car could come with qute a range of wheel and tyre sizes from new.
Sheepshanks said:
Was it a call-centre numpty who gave you the answer? I've had that a few times, but when they go away and ask someone else, you get a more sensible answer.
As others have said, I wouldn't have even told them. Wife's Tiguan is with LV= and don't tell them, even though the wheels and tyres are smaller than standard, as they're the official VW wheel and tyre set for that car.
However I've read of others being told it needs to be recorded as a modification if the wheel and tyre size isn't the same as those fitted as standard - which is a bit bonkers as the car could come with qute a range of wheel and tyre sizes from new.
Yes, it was a call centre "help-line" numpty. I do wish I hadn't told them and rattled their cage. I was trying to be sensible. I've heard stories of "claims being refused" because a car had non-standard tyres, but I can't see them making any kind of argument that H rated tyres could be a contributory factor in an accident. Maybe they wouldn't do that though and just say "We don't have a contract because you failed to inform us, therefore no insurance"As others have said, I wouldn't have even told them. Wife's Tiguan is with LV= and don't tell them, even though the wheels and tyres are smaller than standard, as they're the official VW wheel and tyre set for that car.
However I've read of others being told it needs to be recorded as a modification if the wheel and tyre size isn't the same as those fitted as standard - which is a bit bonkers as the car could come with qute a range of wheel and tyre sizes from new.
I have escalated my issue with them and am awaiting a response from some higher up, but still clueless, staff member.
LeoSayer said:
The photo in your last post shows that your new tyres are actually better than the manufacturer's recommended speed rating for snow tyres. Q is 99mph.
See the the link below which gives each insurer's attitude to winter tyres. Hopefully the above and below will give you more ammo in your complaint.
https://www.abi.org.uk/globalassets/files/publicat...
Indeed, the H are ‘higher’ than a Q tyre. In fact I don’t recall ever seeing a Q speed-rated tyre. I don’t think many tyre makers bother to make them.See the the link below which gives each insurer's attitude to winter tyres. Hopefully the above and below will give you more ammo in your complaint.
https://www.abi.org.uk/globalassets/files/publicat...
OK. Sorry for lack of response from me; I still have limited posting rights because I'm a newbie.
I've had a second response from insurer following my "escalation" of the issue. They said they would need to speak to the underwriter and have come back with the following:
"Winter tyres are absolutely fine and will be covered under your policy. The tyres must be used in the correct driving conditions and be suitable for your vehicle."
So, it looks like I am covered and insurance co. have seen sense. Thank goodness for that.
Thank you for all you comments & support.
I've had a second response from insurer following my "escalation" of the issue. They said they would need to speak to the underwriter and have come back with the following:
"Winter tyres are absolutely fine and will be covered under your policy. The tyres must be used in the correct driving conditions and be suitable for your vehicle."
So, it looks like I am covered and insurance co. have seen sense. Thank goodness for that.
Thank you for all you comments & support.
Just one thought. Nokian Weatherproof are technically NOT winter tyres, they are all-season, therefore the Q rating does not apply to them. They are also available in many speed ratings, including V. Your insurance company will need to be understanding to accept them, but, do not tell them they are winter tyres.
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