(UK) Do I have to have alloy wheels covered in my insurance?

Question

I have bought a Golf GTI and it has 17" alloys from the previous owner. Because of these wheels being a 'modification', do I have to have them included in the insurance as it puts the price up by £150 a year just for these!!! (£280 quote with standard wheels, £430 with these). Could I take the ceaper insurance and just pay for the alloys out of my own pocket if i have a problem with them?

Answer 1

if you had to make a claim , by not declaring the modification the insurance company would have a loop hole to null and void your insurance policy, meaning you had no cover, leaving you in the s**t, either declare them or take them off and put standard wheels back on, just to be on the safe side

Answer 2

The insurance company would argue that

1) the alloys make yoru car more desirable to steal

2) theives may try to steal the actual wheels

3) you might drive to the limit of grip, which is higher with these alloys, and outside the limits the car was designed to.

So you can see their point in wanting more money, and calling this a modification.  I would shop around for a better quote though.

Answer 3

Yes, I'm afraid you have to include them on your policy. If you have an accident, the insurance could be void if they weren't declared. (they will find any excuse to get out of paying) Can I suggest if you're not that bothered about having alloys, go to your local scrap yard and buy some secondhand steel rims. It will be a lot cheaper than £150. I know some cars have alloys as standard which are not seen as modifications, but it would be pricey to replace them with the standard sized alloy rims.

Try doing a price comparison on the 'Go Compare' site below, if you want cheaper insurance, but watch out for the excesses. Some can be huge and can be more than the car is worth in some cases.

Answer 4

If the wheels were not fitted as standard to the vehicle, you do need to declare them to your insurer, and you also need to get the insurer to increase the overall value of the vehicle by the value of the wheels. It is also advisable, though not essential to take photos of the wheels, and keep the receipts if you have them , as if the vehicle is stolen, you may be asked to provide proof that you had these wheels.

I am surprised that your insurer is charging you extra to include the wheels under your policy. I have been an underwriter for several of the major insurers, and the rule we always seem to have had is that if the wheels are the same size as the original wheels, we do need to be made aware of them but we do not charge any extra.

Did you apply for your quote online, as I am wondering if you just ticked that it was modified and the insurer could be under the impression that the engine or body has been modified. I would speak to your insurer again and make them aware that it is only the wheels that have been modified, and if they insist on increasing your premium, it may be time to say cheerio to your insurer and go to one who doesn't rip customers off.

Answer 5

Strictly speaking you do need to include them because if you have an accident, say you write your car off totally and you expect a total loss payout, then they discover you have a 'modification' that you did not mention then they do not have to payout. However, it is unlikely that they will ever find out unless someone (maybe the other driver) gave a full description of your vehicle to your insurer (very unlikley) or if the insurer came round your house (again very unlikely)...

Here's a kind of loophole I think. Sell you alloys and buy some Volkswagen alloys, then they are made by manufacturer so can be classed as 'standard' I believe.#

can get some canny nice VW rims...

Answer 6

There are two things to think about here - Firstly, if your wheels get stolen, you're obviously not going to be covered, but all you'd need to do is claim for the loss of standard wheels & tyres - no problem.

Secondly, if you were involved in an accident, I'm not sure that having non - standard wheels & tyres would negate your claim - although it is possible.

I think your insurance company would struggle not to pay out if the car was in a legal & roadworthy condition.

Try calling your insurer & ask if that's the case, ie ; could you pay the lower premium & just not have the theft cover on your wheels, and would running non - standard wheels & tyres cause a problem in the event of any accident related claim?

It's most likely that they will refuse on the grounds that having these wheels on makes your car more of a target for theft in the first place, it probably marks you out as more of a 'boy racer' type too.

It would possibly be cheaper to buy standard alloys & tyres and then keep your 17" ones to sell on with the car, or get rid of them sooner.

Answer 7

they are covered under your policy only if they were fitted as standard from new. if you add alloys - this is classed as a modification.modified vehicles have a proven track record of being a higher theft risk - hence the increase in premium. there are many many insurers who specialise in modified vehicles who may be cheaper for you, your best bet is to google "modified vehicle insurance" and get quotes with them

Answer 8

150 extra just for the wheels? They saw You coming. Try Adrian Flux.

Answer 9

sent message.