You would not think that your tyres would have any type of connection with your car insurance. That is not the case. Your tyres can have a significant impact upon your coverage in a couple of ways. If you have a brand-new car with tyres designed for the vehicle, you will not have any issues at first. After the car is older, and the tyres are broken in, is when issues can come up. Let us dig deeper into the two key issues that come up.
Invalidate Insurance
- Tires that do not fit properly can cause your claim to be denied. This can mean several different things. If you change your tires from anything other than what the manufacturer suggests, your insurance company could put the blame of the accident onto your tyres. You need to make sure that your insurance company does not have any stipulations on this before you put mud tyres onto your truck, or low profiles on your sports car. You may be paying for insurance that is pointless.
- The speed rating of your tyres can also affect a claim. If you have cheap tyres with a low-speed rating but travel at a higher rate of speed than what is set, an accident could once again be blamed on your tyres. For example, if your tyres are rated for a speed of seventy, but you are going eighty when you get into an accident, you will not be covered.
- The load rating of the tyre is another aspect that many of us do not even consider. Once again if you have a load that is over the suggested limit of the tyres set by the manufacturer, a claim will be denied. Before you load your truck with firewood make sure that the tyres are rated to handle such a load.
- The final aspect of your tyre that may come back to bite you during a claim is if they are even legal to be on the road. If you have a noticeable problem, such as a bubble, that causes a blow out ending in an accident, your insurance company will red flag the claim. If you get a ticket on sight from an officer due to a tyre issue, you will be denied. This includes tread depth, which can cause your car to be less stable.
As you can see the insurance company will do whatever they can to avoid having to pay a claim. That is why it is so important to compare car insurance companies when you are looking for a policy. Always check to see what their stipulations are for tyres before you sign a contract.
Prices-The second way that your tyres can affect your car insurance is being charged more, or less.
- Having snow tyres on during the winter months can get you a discount for a few months. Of course, your agent will not offer this premium discount unless you ask for it. Some carriers may not even make an allowance for it, but you will never know if you do not ask.
- An all-wheel drive vehicle, or four-wheel drive, can cause your premiums to increase. These options increase the selling price of the car, and in turn increases the amount of cash that will be needed to repair if needed. Even though it makes it safer on the roads to have these options, the insurance company looks at it from a cost perspective.
The tyres on your car can impact your car insurance premiums. They can also affect a claim if you ever need to file one. The best way to avoid tyre issues, when it comes to your insurance, is to always follow the guidelines set by the vehicle maker, check the air pressure on a regular basis, and always check your tyres for any noticeable damage. Consumer Reports gives a good checklist to follow to stay ahead of any tire issues that may jump out at you.
