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Insurance companies 'charging more for winter tyres' | Insurance companies 'charging more for winter tyres' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
By Brian Milligan Business reporter, BBC News | By Brian Milligan Business reporter, BBC News |
Some motorists who fit winter tyres to their car to cope with snow are being charged higher insurance premiums, it has been claimed. | Some motorists who fit winter tyres to their car to cope with snow are being charged higher insurance premiums, it has been claimed. |
AA Insurance Services says some people have been told to pay up to 20% more. | AA Insurance Services says some people have been told to pay up to 20% more. |
Winter tyres should be much safer in the snow, but some insurers have been counting them as a modification to the manufacturer's specifications. | Winter tyres should be much safer in the snow, but some insurers have been counting them as a modification to the manufacturer's specifications. |
"In some cases, they're even refusing to offer cover if winter tyres are fitted," says the AA's Ian Crowder. | "In some cases, they're even refusing to offer cover if winter tyres are fitted," says the AA's Ian Crowder. |
The mistake is being blamed on insurance company call centres, where not all staff may be aware of the safety implications. | The mistake is being blamed on insurance company call centres, where not all staff may be aware of the safety implications. |
Popular | Popular |
Over the last few weeks of wintry weather, winter, or snow tyres, have proved more popular than ever before. | Over the last few weeks of wintry weather, winter, or snow tyres, have proved more popular than ever before. |
One supplier, Kwik Fit, says it has already sold 50,000 of them this year, compared with 2,000 last year. | |
And it is warning that many retailers have now sold out of the standard sizes. | And it is warning that many retailers have now sold out of the standard sizes. |
The tyres provide improved performance on snow and ice. | The tyres provide improved performance on snow and ice. |
Once the temperature falls below seven degrees Celsius, standard tyres tend to harden up, reducing their grip. | Once the temperature falls below seven degrees Celsius, standard tyres tend to harden up, reducing their grip. |
But winter tyres contain a higher proportion of natural rubber and silica, which keeps them more pliable in cold weather. | But winter tyres contain a higher proportion of natural rubber and silica, which keeps them more pliable in cold weather. |
In tests conducted by the British Tyre Manufacturers Association, a car braking at 60mph in wet conditions has a five metre shorter braking distance if it has winter tyres fitted. | |
Expensive | Expensive |
Should winter tyres be compulsory? | Should winter tyres be compulsory? |
"There's a very, very, strong argument that people in the UK should fit winter tyres for the four to five months of the autumn and winter," says Clare Simpson, of the RoadSafe organisation. | "There's a very, very, strong argument that people in the UK should fit winter tyres for the four to five months of the autumn and winter," says Clare Simpson, of the RoadSafe organisation. |
Many other European countries have legislation that compels motorists to fit winter tyres in certain conditions. | |
They include Austria, parts of Germany and countries in Scandinavia. | |
But in practice, having a set of winter tyres means having a separate set of wheels, which can be expensive. | But in practice, having a set of winter tyres means having a separate set of wheels, which can be expensive. |
BMW told the BBC that prices for its smallest car, a One Series, would start at £600. | BMW told the BBC that prices for its smallest car, a One Series, would start at £600. |
And you have to have somewhere to store the wheels as well. | And you have to have somewhere to store the wheels as well. |
Nevertheless Clare Simpson believes we should be thinking about legislation. | Nevertheless Clare Simpson believes we should be thinking about legislation. |
"We very much recommend that there should be a debate on this in the UK," she says. | "We very much recommend that there should be a debate on this in the UK," she says. |
Mistake | Mistake |
Even so, some call centre staff appear to have been telling customers that winter tyres require higher premiums. | Even so, some call centre staff appear to have been telling customers that winter tyres require higher premiums. |
Insurance companies may have been treating the tyres as a modification to the manufacturer's specifications. | Insurance companies may have been treating the tyres as a modification to the manufacturer's specifications. |
But the Association of British Insurers (ABI) says that is a mistake. | But the Association of British Insurers (ABI) says that is a mistake. |
Providing the tyres are fitted by a reputable garage, and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, motorists should not be charged a higher premium. | Providing the tyres are fitted by a reputable garage, and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, motorists should not be charged a higher premium. |
"The confusion may be through call centres, where that information is not getting through," says Malcolm Tarling, of the ABI. | "The confusion may be through call centres, where that information is not getting through," says Malcolm Tarling, of the ABI. |
"The fitting of winter tyres should not affect the risk," he insists. | "The fitting of winter tyres should not affect the risk," he insists. |
If anyone is told they do in fact have to pay more when they fit those tyres, they are advised to contact their insurance company's head office directly. | If anyone is told they do in fact have to pay more when they fit those tyres, they are advised to contact their insurance company's head office directly. |