The thing about insurance is this: We all acquire auto insurance and pay our premiums on time, but we don’t want to be in a scenario where we have to actually file a claim. Insurance is similar to purchasing a fire extinguisher: you buy it and hope that you never have to use it. However, prayer isn’t always enough. You may find yourself in a scenario where you need to file a claim with your auto insurance carrier for a variety of reasons. What do you think your insurer’s response will be?
Insurance Companies Do Not Like Having To Pay Out!
There are no surprises here. Nobody enjoys having their money taken away from them. And it appears that insurers are at the top of that list at times. Never mind that you’ve already paid the monthly premiums, so the money they’re giving you (at least a portion of it) is your own. Well, I guess we’re being harsh on them because they do have a difficult job ensuring that the claim is real. But, after everything is said and done, smiling after an insurance claim discussion is quite difficult. Your agent may cite a number of reasons why your claim will not be paid. Some of these factors are directly tied to the tyres on your car. If you’ve ever wondered how and why your car tyres effect your auto insurance, now is the time to learn more.
How Your Tyres Affect Your Automobile Insurance
In a nutshell, there are two options. Your tyres may void your insurance policy for a variety of reasons. And in some cases, your insurance rate may be increased as a result of your tyres. Let’s have a look at how we can do it.
How Tyres Can Make Your Insurance Null And Void
To be eligible for insurance coverage, your car must be in “road-worthy” condition at the time of the accident, according to the insurance company. The term “road worthy” can refer to a variety of things, including your vehicle’s tyres. The insurer’s argument is that if your car has been compromised for any reason (including those linked to your car tyres), they will deny your claim. Under the following circumstances, your car’s tyres may be judged “non-road worthy.”
Incorrectly fitted replacement tyres
This does not apply to new cars with factory-installed tyres. When it comes to replacing your tyres after a while, it’s advisable to stick to the manufacturer’s original size recommendations. You can even choose the same tyre brand to be totally safe. The manufacturer has chosen original fitments with care to ensure safe driving. Furthermore, replacing these tyres has an impact on the vehicle’s handling, braking ability, and other characteristics, rendering the tyres unfit for safe driving. There are three crucial elements to consider here.
a. Tyre Dimensions
Stick to the manufacturer’s suggested original size. Are you thinking about upgrading your tyres to a larger size? Here are the benefits and drawbacks of the move. However, sizing your tyres without alerting your insurer may result in your insurance being invalidated. In the event of such a change, notifying your insurer by phone (or in writing) may suffice. It’s possible that premiums will rise as a result. However, you have the freedom to do whatever you want while maintaining your insurance coverage.
b. Rating Of Speed
The new tyres will not sustain your regular speed if you install tyres with a lower speed rating than the original installation. This can lead to unfavourable outcomes. Furthermore, the insurance company may deny your claim, claiming that the vehicle was not roadworthy and had been “modified.” In fact, driving on tyres having a lower speed rating than the original fitments is banned in some nations.
c. Load Capacity
Overloaded/under inflated tyres would occur from using tyres with a lower load rating. This would result in faster tyre wear as well as a higher risk of tyre-related accidents. And your vehicle will no longer be roadworthy. An interesting case study on this topic can be found here.
Illegal Tyres Illegal tyres are those that are defective, damaged, or have noticeable lumps, bulges, or tears. The tread depth of the tyres is also important. The permissible tread depth limit throughout the full tyre circumference is 1.6mm in the centre 3/4th of the tread.
If your tyres are deemed illegal for any of the reasons listed above, there is a chance that you will be a risk of the following…
- There’s a chance you’ll have to pay a fine.
- Penalty points are likely to be awarded.
- You could face legal action.
- You run the risk of having your insurance revoked.
How do your tyres affect the cost of your insurance?
Because you are seen as a “unsafe driver,” being involved in a car accident automatically raises your rate. Second, depending on how many penalty points you have, your insurance cost may increase. Driving-related offences in the United Kingdom result in penalty points being added to your driving record. The number of penalty points varies based on the offence, ranging from 3 for driving with under inflated tyres to 11 for driving while intoxicated. 3 points may not seem like much, but if you don’t keep an eye on your tyres, they can quickly add up. Your insurance premium will rise as you accrue more penalty points.
What Are Your Options?
Checking your tyre pressure on a regular basis is a simple way to improve your car’s safety. Under inflated tyres are more prone to cause tyre blowouts, hence this minimises the risk of an accident. Safe driving requires paying strict attention to tyre age and replacing tyres that are no longer in usable condition. Finally, be conscious of the depth of your tyre tread. Despite the fact that the legal limit is 1.6mm, most manufacturers advocate replacing tyres when they reach a depth of 3mm. On wet terrain, studies have shown that stopping distance increases considerably below 3mm tread depth, with the stopping distance increasing by 44.6 percent at 1.6mm (legal minimum).
And Now For The Interesting Part:
It may appear that all of this information is geared toward ensuring that your auto insurance isn’t voided or that you don’t end up paying a high premium. However, the reality is that this is about you, your tyres, and your LIFE. You may drive with greater peace of mind if you pay more attention to all of these characteristics of your tyre. As I previously stated (and I am sure you agree), we all get insurance and pay our premiums on time, expecting that we would never have to use it.
If you are worried about the condition of your tyres or you simply have reached the point that they need replaced then get in touch with us and let’s make sure to keep you and your passengers safe on the road.