Insurance + ditching run-flats

Craig242 · 09-07-2015, 06:06 AM

Hi all,

I'm going to need tyres within the next few months and have decided on the Kumho's KU39s as they seem to have good reviews and are about £200 cheaper than the Eagle F1's I was originally looking at.

I rang a local fitter and they advised on informing the insurance company as it's a 'modification'. They mentioned its because I wont have a spare etc. and they could possibly get out of paying out in the event of a claim.

Personally I think this is a bit stupid but I'm keen to get other people's advice as many of you have ditched the run flats. So have you informed your insurance company?

Thanks,
Craig

Dann · 09-07-2015, 06:17 AM

Changed mine last month
Haven't told my insurance company as they are the same size, a higher load and speed rating(Safer) and still black and round.

In the event of a crash they would probably check depths and sizes and that's it.

Tell him to do one and go elsewhere.

Also check F1 Autocentres as they are the cheapest for tyres normally and most decent garages will pricematch with them

Craig242 · 09-07-2015, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dann

Changed mine last month
Haven't told my insurance company as they are the same size, a higher load and speed rating(Safer) and still black and round.

In the event of a crash they would probably check depths and sizes and that's it.

Tell him to do one and go elsewhere.

Also check F1 Autocentres as they are the cheapest for tyres normally and most decent garages will pricematch with them

Thanks. I plan to increase from 255 to 265 on the rears as the current run flats look stretched and offer no rim protection.

F1Autocentres don't stock the Kumho's from what I can see on their website, but at £360 for a set of 4 delivered I think they would struggle to get them that low.

The0pportunist · 09-07-2015, 08:11 AM

Telling your insurance company should not cost much at all anyway, bigger wheels and tyres on mine were £50 extra. I also keep a spare wheel in my boot.

BoondogUK · 09-07-2015, 08:36 AM

asked about this when I changed alloys and they didn't care one bit. 'As long as they are legal and pass an MOT' was all I got.

AWSAWS · 09-07-2015, 09:16 AM

I bought my car with non run flats already fitted. Never even crossed my mind about the insurance.

Craig242 · 09-07-2015, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWSAWS

I bought my car with non run flats already fitted. Never even crossed my mind about the insurance.

That's a very good point, you could just play stupid and say what are these runflats you speak of

un1eash · 09-07-2015, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWSAWS

I bought my car with non run flats already fitted. Never even crossed my mind about the insurance.

Same here, my car was a BMW AUC and came without run flats and a puncture repair kit in the boot which I believe is an option from BMW anyway.

k9david · 09-07-2015, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoondogUK

asked about this when I changed alloys and they didn't care one bit. 'As long as they are legal and pass an MOT' was all I got.

Same for me, that was with Hastings.

IanS100 · 09-07-2015, 11:33 AM

When I ditched the RFT from the e90 about 4 years ago I advised my insurance company & they tried to increase the premium because it was, in their opinion, a modification, after a lengthy achievement however they agreed to note it on the policy for no charge. They seem to be a lot more sensible now when it comes to RFT/nRFT tyres, but I still advise them when I go from summers to winters, a phone call costs nothing & it's better to be safe than sorry.

The0pportunist · 09-07-2015, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanS100

When I ditched the RFT from the e90 about 4 years ago I advised my insurance company & they tried to increase the premium because it was, in their opinion, a modification, after a lengthy achievement however they agreed to note it on the policy for no charge. They seem to be a lot more sensible now when it comes to RFT/nRFT tyres, but I still advise them when I go from summers to winters, a phone call costs nothing & it's better to be safe than sorry.

Bless your such a sweetheart.

Somerset Jim · 09-07-2015, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig242

Thanks. I plan to increase from 255 to 265 on the rears as the current run flats look stretched and offer no rim protection.

F1Autocentres don't stock the Kumho's from what I can see on their website, but at £360 for a set of 4 delivered I think they would struggle to get them that low.

I'm running non run flat Goodyear F1 A2's on mine and found that they were much wider than the original continentals even though the width reading was the same (255).

Thermobaric · 09-07-2015, 04:15 PM

Would people say having the BMW mobility kit thing (compressor and gunk) is enough or should I be packing a can of tyre gunk too do you think?

Craig242 · 09-08-2015, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somerset Jim

I'm running non run flat Goodyear F1 A2's on mine and found that they were much wider than the original continentals even though the width reading was the same (255).

Yep I've read that a few times now, don't think there's such a problem with the kumho's and for 360 delivered I can't complain

Ess · 09-08-2015, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanS100

When I ditched the RFT from the e90 about 4 years ago I advised my insurance company & they tried to increase the premium because it was, in their opinion, a modification, after a lengthy achievement however they agreed to note it on the policy for no charge. They seem to be a lot more sensible now when it comes to RFT/nRFT tyres, but I still advise them when I go from summers to winters, a phone call costs nothing & it's better to be safe than sorry.

With the outrageous premium rate numbers some of these companies use, a phone call can actually cost quite a lot, particularly if they make you hold for a couple of weeks before picking up as they do these days.

jimpom23 · 09-09-2015, 06:18 AM

I did the same the other week and general consensus was to let insurance company know and given I'm with Admiral I expected all manner of pain but having asked them on Twitter they said they didn't need to know

Size wise I replaced like for like with the F1's and they are fine and in fact offer more protection to the rim than the RFTs did as there is a nice lip on them

Gunk wise, again my research led me to 'Slime' which is the best option for being cleaned out after use and anecdotally the only one that can be. They do a kit with compressor included for mid 20's or if like me you already have a compressor you can just get the slime for around £8 per 16oz bottle which will do you one tyre (I got two just in case)

Hope this helps

Thermobaric · 09-09-2015, 06:33 AM

Cheers. I have ditchfinders on right now (on when I bought it) so will just bin them should I get a puncture but will get some of that stuff when I get some decent rubber on it.

IanS100 · 09-09-2015, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The0pportunist

Bless your such a sweetheart.

I'm afraid your comment doesn't make any sense??

Thermobaric · 09-09-2015, 07:24 AM

Implying that you're going out of your way to pander to the ridiculous insurance companies when you really don't need to. I appreciate you want to leave nothing to chance and to be 100% covered should there be an issue.

To be honest, if my insurance company kicked up a fuss about moving to winters/non RFTs, I would leave them as they clearly have no idea what they're doing. Totally ridiculous to increase your premium for making your car safer.

Conor335d · 09-09-2015, 02:21 PM

When changing my RFT's out for some new Michelin PSS Non-RFT's two months ago, I rang the insurance company (Esure), they said there would be no increase in premium, it was not a modification as the tires still met the speed and load rating. The manager just advised me to get a spare wheel or a gel injection kit..

They put it down as a note on my policy, so in the event of an accident, it has been recorded.

Also, ride seems better, slightly quieter and much better grip! (Most likely due to fresh soft tread

haha)

09-07-2015, 06:06 AM	#1
Craig242 Private First Class 18 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 320D M Sport Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Hertfordshire iTrader: (0)	Insurance + ditching run-flats Hi all, I'm going to need tyres within the next few months and have decided on the Kumho's KU39s as they seem to have good reviews and are about £200 cheaper than the Eagle F1's I was originally looking at. I rang a local fitter and they advised on informing the insurance company as it's a 'modification'. They mentioned its because I wont have a spare etc. and they could possibly get out of paying out in the event of a claim. Personally I think this is a bit stupid but I'm keen to get other people's advice as many of you have ditched the run flats. So have you informed your insurance company? Thanks, Craig
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09-07-2015, 06:17 AM	#2
Dann Major 133 Rep 1,381 Posts Drives: E90 LCi 335i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Portsmouth, United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	Changed mine last month Haven't told my insurance company as they are the same size, a higher load and speed rating(Safer) and still black and round. In the event of a crash they would probably check depths and sizes and that's it. Tell him to do one and go elsewhere. Also check F1 Autocentres as they are the cheapest for tyres normally and most decent garages will pricematch with them __________________ My Individual E90 LCI 335i
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09-07-2015, 08:11 AM	#4
The0pportunist Major 471 Rep 1,268 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Telling your insurance company should not cost much at all anyway, bigger wheels and tyres on mine were £50 extra. I also keep a spare wheel in my boot.
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09-07-2015, 08:36 AM	#5
BoondogUK Captain 28 Rep 901 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue e90 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Gloucestershire iTrader: (0)	asked about this when I changed alloys and they didn't care one bit. 'As long as they are legal and pass an MOT' was all I got. __________________ Pre LCI Monaco Blue e90, iDrive, 18" 220M reps, M3 Front Bumper, LCI headlights, Darklines, Eibach Pro Kit [Build Thread] ICE: DLS R4s, Gladen HG-201BMW-3, Alpine PDX 4.100
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09-07-2015, 09:16 AM	#6
AWSAWS Colonel 283 Rep 2,343 Posts Drives: E92 GC Turbos, FBO, 335i DCT Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Valhalla iTrader: (0)	I bought my car with non run flats already fitted. Never even crossed my mind about the insurance. __________________ GC Turbos, FBO, JB4, DCT, Port Meth injection, BMS Charge Pipe, NGK plugs. EBC brakes and pads, LED Angel lights, LED foglights, LCI rears OCC, Braided brake lines. Custom Diff Lockdown Kit, VTT inlets, TMAP, stage 2+ fuel pump 11.79@119mph (stock turbos) 11.74@129mph (GC Turbos)
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09-07-2015, 11:33 AM	#10
IanS100 Major General 136 Rep 5,050 Posts Drives: 520d F10 LCI M Sport Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Southport UK iTrader: (0)	When I ditched the RFT from the e90 about 4 years ago I advised my insurance company & they tried to increase the premium because it was, in their opinion, a modification, after a lengthy achievement however they agreed to note it on the policy for no charge. They seem to be a lot more sensible now when it comes to RFT/nRFT tyres, but I still advise them when I go from summers to winters, a phone call costs nothing & it's better to be safe than sorry.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-07-2015, 04:15 PM	#13
Thermobaric Captain 65 Rep 670 Posts Drives: BMW E92 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bucks iTrader: (1)	Would people say having the BMW mobility kit thing (compressor and gunk) is enough or should I be packing a can of tyre gunk too do you think?
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09-09-2015, 06:18 AM	#16
jimpom23 First Lieutenant 7 Rep 313 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Leeds iTrader: (0)	I did the same the other week and general consensus was to let insurance company know and given I'm with Admiral I expected all manner of pain but having asked them on Twitter they said they didn't need to know Size wise I replaced like for like with the F1's and they are fine and in fact offer more protection to the rim than the RFTs did as there is a nice lip on them Gunk wise, again my research led me to 'Slime' which is the best option for being cleaned out after use and anecdotally the only one that can be. They do a kit with compressor included for mid 20's or if like me you already have a compressor you can just get the slime for around £8 per 16oz bottle which will do you one tyre (I got two just in case) Hope this helps
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09-09-2015, 06:33 AM	#17
Thermobaric Captain 65 Rep 670 Posts Drives: BMW E92 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bucks iTrader: (1)	Cheers. I have ditchfinders on right now (on when I bought it) so will just bin them should I get a puncture but will get some of that stuff when I get some decent rubber on it.
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09-09-2015, 07:24 AM	#19
Thermobaric Captain 65 Rep 670 Posts Drives: BMW E92 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bucks iTrader: (1)	Implying that you're going out of your way to pander to the ridiculous insurance companies when you really don't need to. I appreciate you want to leave nothing to chance and to be 100% covered should there be an issue. To be honest, if my insurance company kicked up a fuss about moving to winters/non RFTs, I would leave them as they clearly have no idea what they're doing. Totally ridiculous to increase your premium for making your car safer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-09-2015, 02:21 PM	#20
Conor335d New Member 8 Rep 24 Posts Drives: e92 335D M Sport Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Derbyshire, UK iTrader: (0)	When changing my RFT's out for some new Michelin PSS Non-RFT's two months ago, I rang the insurance company (Esure), they said there would be no increase in premium, it was not a modification as the tires still met the speed and load rating. The manager just advised me to get a spare wheel or a gel injection kit.. They put it down as a note on my policy, so in the event of an accident, it has been recorded. Also, ride seems better, slightly quieter and much better grip! (Most likely due to fresh soft tread haha)
	Appreciate 0 Quote