Insurance and alloys.

[J_hutchison]

My insurance is due and I've changed to Portago 16" alloys from 15" (cant remember style name) do I put these as a mod on insurance or not?
I'm thinking not as the new alloys are still VW alloys for the polo just not the ones that came with it when j bought it.

Any help would be appreciated

[SRGTD]

I’d say better to be safe than sorry and declare them to your insurance company. They’ll probably not charge you much if anything at all by way of an increased premium.

I’ve changed the alloys on my current VW and previous 2 VW’s. There’s a requirement in the small print in my insurance policy booklet that requires any modification to be declared so I did. I think that pretty much all insurance companies will have a similar requirement to declare modifications, and most insurers consider a change from the factory build spec of the car to be a modification.

As for being charged any additional premium for changing my wheels;
- the first change on my mk6 Golf (replaced original VW alloys with a different set of VW alloys) there was no charge.
- the second change on my 6c Polo (again, replaced VW alloys with VW alloys) I was charged (I think) and extra £18 per year.
- the latest change on my AW Polo (changed the original VW alloys with a set of aftermarket alloys) there was no charge.

[Gee40]

With 20 years as a senior manager for a very large UK insurer managing motor claims, I've waited years for a post I'm qualified to comment on and SRGTD has beaten me to it (and annoyingly pretty much hitting the nail on the head LOL!)

The only thing I'd add is the every insurance company I've ever dealt with does have a clause requiring proposers/policy holders to declare any modifications/changes from manufacturer's specifications (this does not include changing brands eg Tyres providing the specifications are the same)

Providing the car was originally specified with alloys some insurers would not increase premiums for the change you have mentioned as its unlikely you will affect the handling/stability/ safety of the car.

If you don't declare the change and you need to make a claim, some insurers may dispute the claim on the grounds that you have not declared what is according to the letter of your insurance contract a modification ( this would be even more likely if your car was stolen as they could reasonably suggest your have made the car more desirable and so a greater target for theft.) Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of insurers are not looking to decline claims ( as it often costs more in admin costs/legal costs dealing with protracted claims and the associated arguments etc ) but want to be fair to those who are honest and follow the requirements of the policy.

For peace of mind and as SRGTD suggests, I would declare the change as I'd be surprised if anything other than a minimal charge was made if at all

[RUM4MO]

Also, it might be handy to have winter tyres on these old 15" rims for winter use, and again advise your insurance company that you will be swopping wheels over every year.

[Bepis]

Providing the car was originally specified with alloys some insurers would not increase premiums for the change you have mentioned as its unlikely you will affect the handling/stability/ safety of the car.

Changed the steelies for a set of VW alloys on my previous Polo with no extra charge from my insurer even as a brand new driver. However, they did have a distinction between "alloys" and "alloys-aftermarket" when declaring them.

[SRGTD]

With 20 years as a senior manager for a very large UK insurer managing motor claims, I've waited years for a post I'm qualified to comment on and SRGTD has beaten me to it (and annoyingly pretty much hitting the nail on the head LOL!)

@Gee40; apologies for stealing your thunder! With you having the ‘insider knowledge’, it’s good to know that my advice is consistent with your view .

[J_hutchison]

Also, it might be handy to have winter tyres on these old 15" rims for winter use, and again advise your insurance company that you will be swopping wheels over every year.

I thought about that but I'm selling my 15s as I use a work van monday to Friday.

Thanks everyone else, I'll phone the quotes I have to see and tell them that they are VW alloys just different to the ones I bought the car with

[J_hutchison]

I know this will seem daft but am i correct in selecting YES and then NO as my alloys were £600?

[SRGTD]

I know this will seem daft but am i correct in selecting YES and then NO as my alloys were £600?

If the only modifications to your car is the alloy wheels, then I’d say you’re correct in answering ‘Yes’ to the first of those two questions (your alloy wheels worth less than £1,000 is an acceptable mod to the insurers you’re getting your quotes from) and ‘No’ to the second.

[J_hutchison]

I know this will seem daft but am i correct in selecting YES and then NO as my alloys were £600?

If the only modifications to your car is the alloy wheels, then I’d say you’re correct in answering ‘Yes’ to the first of those two questions (your alloy wheels worth less than £1,000 is an acceptable mod to the insurers you’re getting your quotes from) and ‘No’ to the second.

Thought so thanks doesn't change the price at all that way