[m@rk]

According to this report

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11969958

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says that is a mistake and premiums should not be higher.

And

The AA's Ian Crowder said in some cases insurers were even refusing to offer cover if winter tyres were fitted.

But

Insurance companies may have been treating the tyres as a modification to the manufacturer's specifications.

The ABI said providing 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 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.

[SteveC]

Call Centre wanted £170.00 for fitting winter tyres on standard (SE) BMW rims. Wrote to head office and they added winter wheels to my policy for free, so in my case at least, this info is correct

Steve

[biscuits]

Admiral said there would be no increase in premium as long as they were BMW OEM approved wheels and tyres.

[Captain Chaos]

How consistent. Admiral told me that if the wheels weren't the ones that came on the car when bought then they'd load the price for having a mod, regardless. I explained that during the colder months BMW wheels with winter tyres were better than BMW wheels with all-round tyres - all I got was 'Computer says no'...

She seemed very keen to get the £17.50 admin charge though and wasn't at all interested in anything like logic or human interpretation, which was a shame as I imagine she'll have needed the latter to understand my farewell offer to 'poke it'.

Insurance companies...

[F30 Steve]

Admiral have charged me £150 for putting mv3's on my se!!!

[dxb335d]

When I changed to Non runflat I notified them... It is true, they have no clue and thought they were modded tyres. It took a while of explaining, but it quite rightly didn't cost me any more.

[Merv B]

Spoke to Admiral on Friday and no charge.

Trying to find winter tyres is now the challenge without bringing your own barrel and KY jelly to the party and getting reamed on price.

Spoke to a tyre chap I have used a few times in November before all the snow and heard nothing back, wish I had shopped harder. Did order some from a German firm similar to blackcircles and after five days they got in contact to say they hadn't got the ones I ordered in stock and the alternative was another €45 more per tyre and still waiting for my money back a week later. Sorry end of rant.

[Baby Dave]

Don't tell the insurance companies anything they are all a set of thieving gits. Winter tyres are not a mod. What next premiums to rise if you fill up with shell v power????

[doughboy]

Or maybe some aftermarket tuning screen wash??

[Anneka @ Sytner]

Given the ABI's stance and media coverage, I suppose the situation in a few days should be better with clearer policies, but I don't suspect that all those customers who paid extra for the "modification" can hope to expect a rebate, it would be the proper thing to do.