More Than Insurance and Non Runflats

[Medium Dave]

Is there anyone on here who is insured through MoreThan insurance who uses non runflat tyres?

I have just spoken to them to enquire if changing to Falken 452s would be a problem with my insurance. The answer, (after a big discussion) was that they will not cover the use of non runflats on my 3.0 roadster. The reason they give is that BMW (I also spoke to them) will not confirm that this is a recommended setup. BMWs view is that since the suspension setup is different to the Z4M, the use of non runflats on the M does not mean that it is OK for the standard 3.0 roadster. BMW say that they receive 20 calls a week asking for a letter confirming that non runflats is a safe setup on a standard Z4 but that they are unable to supply the letter.

Has anyone had confirmation from More Than that they can use non runflats? If so, then I could use that information as leverage to get mine approved too.

I would just say that More Than were very helpful and did ask loads of pertinent questions before the decision was made. I can understand their position but it doesn't mean that I'm not frustrated that I can't use runflats without invalidating my insurance.

 

[Zed]

Interesting!

About to go through the same process and ditch the RFT's for brand 'X' (TBC), I'm with MoreThan at the moment but if they will not cover then I'll be more than happy to switch at renewal (April) to Adrian Flux, slightly cheaper quote and they said covering the Z (3.0i) on std tyres wouldn't be a problem. I'll have a chat with MoreThan and let you know the outcome.

 

[Mr Whippy]

I wonder what terms they would invalidate the insurance under.

Just say you didn't know!? I've seen Z4's up for sale with non-runflats.

As I've said a fair few times on forums, what defines a run flat tyre. In this case it is just a stiff sidewall, but they can be found on any tyre whether it is runflat or not.
I'd bet for example, that the new PS2 ZP manages to sustain a strong sidewall without it being excessively stiff, so in theory would be against BMW's rules which essentially say that you need a stiff tyre. Even my FK452's have a higher loading rating than the Bridgestones so I'd imagine they will hold the car up when flat pretty well (will try one day )

Or are BMW even going as far as saying you HAVE to run their OEM recommended tyre, which if that is the case, then so would any other manufacturer, and so maybe 99% of cars out there are running the wrong tyres and shouldn't be covered by insurance.

I'd swap insurers. I asked Norwich Union and they said wheels were an issue if changed, but tyres were not on their list of things they could tick for a change, so no problem.


Lastly, has anyone actually heard of any BMW user having insurance refused because of tyres not being rfts? (load/speed ratings etc fair enough, but rft feature?)

Dave

 

[Breaker]

You'll probably find it's just an OEM thing. What was fitted to the car when purchased from the dealer.
Until BMW supply a statement to insurers (that take this into account) that it is OK to fit non- runflats, we may be stuffed! BMW are not likely to do that either as it's a possible admission that runflats are not the best tyre for the Z4!

Find a different insurer. They would love that if you did have them fitted then skidded off the road!

I'm with Swift but I haven't needed to change the tyres yet so I haven't asked to be honest!

 

[Medium Dave]

BMW were not saying that I had to use the OEM tyre, just that it had to be a run flat. I agree that there may be non run flat tyres with stiff walls but the end result is that, regardless of the reason why BMW won't approve the non run flats or the reason the insurance company won't insure them, there is no point in paying for insurance and then invalidating it. To say I didn't know is not sufficient defence as they ask the question "has your vehicle been changed in any way from the standard" and it is your responsibility to answer correctly. If not, the contract is invalid. I suppose I'm a little paranoid about invalidating the insurance because people forget that it isn't just the cost of repairing 2 cars you may be liable - it may be millions of pounds payable to the person who was crippled/maimed/killed in the accident.

I will look to another insurer if More Than won't insure non run flats but I would rather stay with More Than because they protect your no claims bonus for life (and they were the cheapest!). I have had my Z4 for one year in May so maybe then I will insure with a company like Chris Knott (of other threads in this forum) who will insure non run flats.

 

[mmm-five]

Protected no claims is just a gimmick to keep you with them.

If you have an accident your NCB will not diminish with them, but the loading on your policy will increase as it would with any insurer, except MoreThan's loading might be more than another insurer.

I had a similar issue with them a few years ago when I replaced the front windscreen. The problem arose when they were told by the windscreen company that they couldn't do an OEM screen with the 'no band' on the top as they didn't have one and BMW wanted £600 for one, so they'd put a optional (still OEM) one in with a 4" green sunband in instead. It was fine with me as it just meant I didn't have to put the visor down as often, but MoreThan said under my policy 'no modifications were allowed, at all', so we got an agreement from them that I'd use the 'modified' windscreen until the windscreen company could source another 'normal' one.

Never did get another windscreen and left MoreThan when my policy came up for renewal and they said they couldn't insure it without a Tracker on the car, and that policy had been in place all the time I'd been covered by them

 

[Mr Whippy]

MoreThan, then, sound a bit crap.

Move to an insurer who doesn't care.

Dave

 

[ChrisKnottIns]

No problem with us for runflat tyres!

 

[ChillZ4]

I will be swictching to you in the summer if the price is right!

 

[Mr Whippy]

No problem with us for runflat tyres!

What about BMW approved repairs and valuations in event of total loss? (did try for a quote but lack of experience meant you wouldn't cover, but did mean to ask these anyway)

 

[sp3ctre]

No problem with us for runflat tyres!

What about BMW approved repairs and valuations in event of total loss? (did try for a quote but lack of experience meant you wouldn't cover, but did mean to ask these anyway)

Am sure Tim is happy to answer this but in the interest of a tidy forum can you ask it in the Insurance forum and keep this one for the runflat discussion. Thanks

 

[Dreamer]

Elephant couldn't give a monkeys when i told them i had changed my tyres to non RFT's.

 

[ChrisKnottIns]

No problem with us for runflat tyres!

What about BMW approved repairs and valuations in event of total loss? (did try for a quote but lack of experience meant you wouldn't cover, but did mean to ask these anyway)

The offers insurers make in the event of a total loss claim should be the same as that of a similar car of that ilk found in places like Autotrader, etc.
You can use whichever repairers you like, btw, but tell the insurers first!

 

[pvr]

On the previous Z, I had the dealer change the tyres to non-runflat. They had no issue with it, and I never told the insurance company either as it was just a tyre replacement done by the dealer as far as I was concerned.

 

[Medium Dave]

On the previous Z, I had the dealer change the tyres to non-runflat. They had no issue with it, and I never told the insurance company either as it was just a tyre replacement done by the dealer as far as I was concerned.

Which dealer? If a BMW dealer does the change then More Than would probably accept it as being OK.

 

[pvr]

Vines of Gatwick

 

[Medium Dave]

Thank you - might give them a go.

 

[Medium Dave]

I give up!!! Just spoke to Vines who said that I would need to change the wheels too (they are 108s) and that they would not fit them to my current wheels.

I'm waiting for a call back from Chris Knott (who will insure, no problems) with a price.

 

[pvr]

They fitted them on my 107 wheels. I have the invoice to prove ...

 

[Mr Whippy]

I give up!!! Just spoke to Vines who said that I would need to change the wheels too (they are 108s) and that they would not fit them to my current wheels.

I'm waiting for a call back from Chris Knott (who will insure, no problems) with a price.

What plonkers. I can't believe they pass up business so readily for what is all just standard kit. RFT is a feature of rim and tyre, not a different standard excluding the use of non-rft wheel/tyre combo's.

Hey ho. Again, I'd move to a decent insurer and away from dumbass BMW dealers (good at making cars it seems, increasingly though it appears their dealers are useless (as with most manufacturers) at actually looking after them! )

Dave