[sensible]

Picked up my used winter wheels and tyres today.
400M 18" wheels 8j front and 8.5j rear
225 45 18 95V M+S XL Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 all round.

My car was bought with the M-Sport plus pack with 442M 19" wheels 8j front and 8.5j rear.
Front tyres 225 40 19 and rears 255 35 19 Bidgestone Potenza run flats.

The tyre size sticker inside my door shows an 18" winter tyre size as above...225 45 18 95 V M+S XL. (no mention of a winter tyre in 255 size)

Is this a declarable modification for my insurance company?

[G82Dude]

Depends on your insurance company. Some want to know; some don't. Best to tell them to mitigate any potential loss in the event of a claim.

[stu14t]

Have a look at CLICK HERE

This is a list from the Association of British Insurers but do check

[sensible]

Originally Posted by stu14t

Have a look at CLICK HERE

This is a list from the Association of British Insurers but do check

Very helpful thanks.

[teaston]

It’s not a modification as they’re standard tyre sizes, but Coopers did tell me they should be 225’s all round, to which I replied in a negative manner!

[Tengocity]

Some will say so but it's a nonsense. You don't tell them when you change tyre brand so why when they're winters? As long as they are as per manufacturer recommended sizes then it should be irrelevant.

[robbiep]

Basically, inform them. Not doing so risks loads of grief.

Most insurance companies are perfectly sensible about it. Some are not. If you happen to be unfortunate, and yours tries charging extra, or being stupid, then you can always vote with your feet. Or threaten to, which usually works just as well.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by robbiep

Basically, inform them. Not doing so risks loads of grief.

Most insurance companies are perfectly sensible about it. Some are not. If you happen to be unfortunate, and yours tries charging extra, or being stupid, then you can always vote with your feet. Or threaten to, which usually works just as well.

stu’s link above proves this is not true! (Apart from ecar and southern rock)

[dizzy619]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Some will say so but it's a nonsense. You don't tell them when you change tyre brand so why when they're winters? As long as they are as per manufacturer recommended sizes then it should be irrelevant.

This.....

[sensible]

Sent my insurance broker an email giving details of the wheels and tyres and got this reply. (I am with Royal ans Sun Alliance)

"I am sorry if this appears brief in our response but the fact of the matter is our underwriter is very happy to allow winter tyres on your car without any sort of charge or terms, simply if you have a set of four. Some people only buy two for example for two/rear wheel drive vehicles.

However you are absolutely right to inform us, I have recorded this on your car insurance and you can simply add them on when you see fit. Should you have any further question or queries I will be more than happy to help."

So it's no problem, but probably best to inform them.

[sensible]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Some will say so but it's a nonsense. You don't tell them when you change tyre brand so why when they're winters? As long as they are as per manufacturer recommended sizes then it should be irrelevant.

Maybe.....but if you fit aftermarket wheels it could be a modification. Then does it depend on whether they are genuine BMW wheels for your winter set or if you got aftermarket wheels.
As per my letter from my insurer, probably best to inform them.

[stu14t]

The way I see it is, my insurance company allows me to put winter wheels / tyres on my car. The wheels and tyres are in accordance with their specifications, as required by the AIB guidance

"their insured customers use winter tyres, provided that they meet, and are fitted in accordance with, the vehicle manufacturers’ specifications and are in a roadworthy condition".

If I was really bothered, then yes, I'd write to them and say exactly what I was fitting. Making drivers buy OEM wheels for their winter tyres (which it does not say in the AIB document) is restrictive and could potentially put drivers off, which defeats the original purpose of having a positive impact on improving road safety, not modifying your car up.

[GEP77]

It is interesting that the vast majority of insurers now do NOT need to be informed about winter tyres. This is in stark contrast to a few years ago when most did, and many charged as well.

It is good to see some real sense being applied in the insurance industry. By doing this they encourage safety by giving everyone the free option of fitting the appropriate tyres for the conditions at the same time as reducing bureaucracy. Remarkable!

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by GEP77

It is interesting that the vast majority of insurers now do NOT need to be informed about winter tyres. This is in stark contrast to a few years ago when most did, and many charged as well.

It is good to see some real sense being applied in the insurance industry. By doing this they encourage safety by giving everyone the free option of fitting the appropriate tyres for the conditions at the same time as reducing bureaucracy. Remarkable!

As you say, good to see. Took a while to get them in harmony and seeing sense.

Go back 10 years and BMW didn't even supply/support run-flat winter tyres in the UK. I remember talking to Bridgestone at the time and they didn't support winter tyres in the UK. I would have had to import them myself from mainland Europe, with no spare tyres available in the UK.