Winter wheels - insurance implications?

T

tonyg

Member
On my E89 I've got 19inch wheels summer and separate 17inch wheels/tyres for the winter. I find it a hassle organising insurance each time - they always say it's fine to change tyres but never know about changing the complete wheels.

Does anyone use a company that specifically specify that changing winter wheels (and to a manufacturer-standard smaller size?) is ok.

Thanks, Tony
 
17 inch wheels were available as standard on the E89, so I can't imagine that it would ever be a problem.

Personally, I'd file that away under Things Not Worth Worrying About.

Appreciate that doesn't answer your question though. apologies....

If you're worried about it, why not just tell your insurance company that you've changed the wheels and leave it at that? The one thing I'd guess is even less likely than getting in trouble for using manufacturer approved wheel sizes that weren't originally on your car is getting in trouble for using manufacturer approved wheel sizes that were originally on your car, even if you've told insurance company you've changed them.
 
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So how does the insurance company know what wheels and tyres were fitted to your car, especially if you purchased it used. The only caveat is that if the wheels are not standard fitment, I mean obviously not standard, you have an accident, you make a claim and a loss adjuster notices, that's the risk.
 
Give Chris Knott a ring, I don’t swap wheels over for winter, summer but I have 224s on my e85 se and they are fine about it.
 
tiglon said:
Personally, I'd file that away under Things Not Worth Worrying About.
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Totally agree.

As long as any wheels are standard OEM fitment (whatever size) and the tyres have been accepted by the UK as road legal I don't see what business it is of the insurance.

If I put winter wheels/tyres on any of my cars (which I don't), I would expect a discount on my insurance for it being a safer vehicle on the roads. I wouldn't hold my breath, though!

Of course if you volunteer unnecessary information, there are many that will want to charge extra, but that's just the UK for you.
 
Pondrew said:
Totally agree.

As long as any wheels are standard OEM fitment (whatever size) and the tyres have been accepted by the UK as road legal I don't see what business it is of the insurance.

If I put winter wheels/tyres on any of my cars (which I don't), I would expect a discount on my insurance for it being a safer vehicle on the roads. I wouldn't hold my breath, though!

Of course if you volunteer unnecessary information, there are many that will want to charge extra, but that's just the UK for you.
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Plenty don't charge, or charge very little. The modifications on my 35is cost me about £25.00 extra per year with Admiral, and my current car with non-standard wheels, brakes and remap is actually slightly cheaper with LV than the quote I got from LV for no modifications.

It's just the hassle of having to explain it to them and hope they understand, if it doesn't fit neatly into one of their tick boxes.
 
tonyg said:
On my E89 I've got 19inch wheels summer and separate 17inch wheels/tyres for the winter. I find it a hassle organising insurance each time - they always say it's fine to change tyres but never know about changing the complete wheels.

Does anyone use a company that specifically specify that changing winter wheels (and to a manufacturer-standard smaller size?) is ok.

Thanks, Tony
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The legal issue is as Sars pointed out is the following…

If you put a set of alloy wheels on that bmw specified as winter wheels and you fitted a set of suitably sized (by bmw) winter / all season tyres then you do not need to notify any insurance company as it’s not a modification…

Technically if you fit a non approved by bmw alloy wheel set then you are materially altering the car ..so the insurance company should be notified..if they want to charge you for that change or not charge it’s their prerogative..

Of course folks argue ..lots of other’s don’t declare them etc. etc..

Personally as long as the wheels follow BMW’s design specification in terms of widths and offsets the chances that any insurance company would default in paying out must be very very slim..

FWIW under UK law it’s NOT construction regulations issue..

In many European countries it would be ..in others the supplier of the wheels has to provide paperwork to the effect that it’s been tested on that car and be found to be ok..
 
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