Increase in Premium for change to 18" wheels.

[Dingbat]

I have replaced my 17" Cascavel alloys (235 55 17 tyres) for 18" Palmerston alloys c/w 255 45 18 tyres. Appearance is better (IMO) but also proved out a theory that my California will remain flatter (less body roll) thro' R'abouts/corners..not sure whether a stiffer tyre wall, or wider tyre gives the lesser body roll.
I informed my Insurance company (Aviva) of the change (to ensure continued validation of cover).
Despite the OEM alloys being VW approved, with tyres as per VW California spec. the Insurance Co. increased payment by £48.87! I am not yet able to determine the the proportion for "Policy alteration" or increase because of "Vehicle modification" from factory build. .
I initially rejected the extra cost , but paid to expedite the change..will re-consider the Insurance Co. in January '23. (2.5 months of policy remaining)
I post the foregoing as a warning to members who are considering a change to 18" wheels for appearance/improvement in driveability. (Note: I have not lowered the springs).
I now need to check whether the "extended warranty" is still valid ongoing, or need to revert to original 17" wheels?

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

I have replaced my 17" Cascavel alloys (235 55 17 tyres) for 18" Palmerston alloys c/w 255 45 18 tyres. Appearance is better (IMO) but also proved out a theory that my California will remain flatter (less body roll) thro' R'abouts/corners..not sure whether a stiffer tyre wall, or wider tyre gives the lesser body roll.
I informed my Insurance company (Aviva) of the change (to ensure continued validation of cover).
Despite the OEM alloys being VW approved, with tyres as per VW California spec. the Insurance Co. increased payment by £48.87! I am not yet able to determine the the proportion for "Policy alteration" or increase because of "Vehicle modification" from factory build. .
I initially rejected the extra cost , but paid to expedite the change..will re-consider the Insurance Co. in January '23. (2.5 months of policy remaining)
I post the foregoing as a warning to members who are considering a change to 18" wheels for appearance/improvement in driveability. (Note: I have not lowered the springs).
I now need to check whether the "extended warranty" is still valid ongoing, or need to revert to original 17" wheels?

It’s a bit strange how they work @Dingbat . I wonder why your wheel change would affect the insurance risk profile?

When I had my Cali lowered I informed Comfort Insurance and there was no additional charge. Similarly when I added side bars, no additional premium. But when I added a front spoiler they added about £40 per annum. I’m guessing that lots of people damage a front spoiler on high kerbs and make a claim?

 

[WelshGas]

I have replaced my 17" Cascavel alloys (235 55 17 tyres) for 18" Palmerston alloys c/w 255 45 18 tyres. Appearance is better (IMO) but also proved out a theory that my California will remain flatter (less body roll) thro' R'abouts/corners..not sure whether a stiffer tyre wall, or wider tyre gives the lesser body roll.
I informed my Insurance company (Aviva) of the change (to ensure continued validation of cover).
Despite the OEM alloys being VW approved, with tyres as per VW California spec. the Insurance Co. increased payment by £48.87! I am not yet able to determine the the proportion for "Policy alteration" or increase because of "Vehicle modification" from factory build. .
I initially rejected the extra cost , but paid to expedite the change..will re-consider the Insurance Co. in January '23. (2.5 months of policy remaining)
I post the foregoing as a warning to members who are considering a change to 18" wheels for appearance/improvement in driveability. (Note: I have not lowered the springs).
I now need to check whether the "extended warranty" is still valid ongoing, or need to revert to original 17" wheels?

If I remember correctly 18" wheels are a Cost Option compared with the standard 17" alloys on a new vehicle so the vehicle will have a higher value per se. Hence a higher premium + the admin charge for a policy change.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

If I remember correctly 18" wheels are a Cost Option compared with the standard 17" alloys on a new vehicle so the vehicle will have a higher value per se. Hence a higher premium + the admin charge for a policy change.

That makes sense WG.

 

[Dingbat]

If I remember correctly 18" wheels are a Cost Option compared with the standard 17" alloys on a new vehicle so the vehicle will have a higher value per se. Hence a higher premium + the admin charge for a policy change.

Very likely..I was asked as to "value".(thro' AIB broker).
What is your opinion on the wheel change affecting the extended warranty? (It was part of the deal when I purchased this year). I do not wish to revert to the 17s, prefer the 18s,..difficult job on my drive.. weather is not helping!

 

[Dingbat]

That makes sense WG.

Yes I agree, GGD

 

[Dingbat]

Yes I agree, GGD

What do you think regarding the extended warranty being invalidated GGD?

 

[andyinluton]

What do you think regarding the extended warranty being invalidated GGD?

If they are Genuine VW there won't be any problem re warranty.

IF they are none vw they may try & refuse a warranty claim but only if they contributed to the fault ie extremely wide tyres different offset & a wheel bearing has failed.

 

[Dingbat]

If they are Genuine VW there won't be any problem re warranty.

IF they are none vw they may try & refuse a warranty claim but only if they contributed to the fault ie extremely wide tyres different offset & a wheel bearing has failed.

Thank you andyinluton:..yes they are genuine OEM VW Palmerston Alloys and tyres are VW California T6 Spec...so hopefully there will be no problem regarding warranty. I might enquire with the Sales Mgr. Tmrw.

 

[66tim99]

Vehicle modification" from factory build.

LV didn’t ask which wheels I had fitted when I insured my new Ocean, only if I had modified it.
I had 18” Springfields from the factory in the end, but the premium didn’t change from the seemed only related to the van’s total value, as long as it wasn’t modified

 

[WelshGas]

LV didn’t ask which wheels I had fitted when I insured my new Ocean, only if I had modified it.
I had 18” Springfields from the factory in the end, but the premium didn’t change from the seemed only related to the van’s total value, as long as it wasn’t modified

The Insurance company could have access to the VW Erwin system and so would know the exact build specification as it left the factory.

 

[IainB]

When we upgraded our 17" Davenports to 18" VW aftermarket alloys we advised our insurer (AIB) who said it was noted on our file and that there would be no additional cost. They did previously charge us for adding side bars though.

 

[dspuk]

In general you insure the car you have, not the car you bought. If you enhance that car, in any way, be it alloys or ironing boards on the boot, some insurance companies will charge you more money for it. Yours is clearly one of them.

I'd also not assume that the new alloys are warrantable. They did not come with the van you bought and VW will need to know where they came from and what warranty was on them beforehand, if any.

If from them, generally all good, but if second hand, trickier. They could argue that they may have been flawed when you bought them and as they did not deal with them cannot validate their fitting quality.

If they were brand new, under EU block exemption, warranty can transfer, but it's not a given.

In general OEMs will look for any reason to not pay out under warranty. In an extreme case if they could argue that something (else) broke because of the change of OEM wheels, they will.

 

[Dingbat]

LV didn’t ask which wheels I had fitted when I insured my new Ocean, only if I had modified it.
I had 18” Springfields from the factory in the end, but the premium didn’t change from the seemed only related to the van’s total value, as long as it wasn’t modified

Thank you 66tim99,
Originally when l insured, I was asked whether the Van had been modified..but it appears that the change to 18” is regarded as a Van “modification”..regardless of the wheels being VW OEM, and tyres VW spec!!!
Puzzling..particularly regarding GGD’s comments about lowering and side bars!..may be reasons for not insuring again with Aviva?

LV didn’t ask which wheels I had fitted when I insured my new Ocean, only if I had modified it.
I had 18” Springfields from the factory in the end, but the premium didn’t change from the seemed only related to the van’s total value, as long as it wasn’t modified

 

[Dingbat]

In general you insure the car you have, not the car you bought. If you enhance that car, in any way, be it alloys or ironing boards on the boot, some insurance companies will charge you more money for it. Yours is clearly one of them.

I'd also not assume that the new alloys are warrantable. They did not come with the van you bought and VW will need to know where they came from and what warranty was on them beforehand, if any.

If from them, generally all good, but if second hand, trickier. They could argue that they may have been flawed when you bought them and as they did not deal with them cannot validate their fitting quality.

If they were brand new, under EU block exemption, warranty can transfer, but it's not a given.

In general OEMs will look for any reason to not pay out under warranty. In an extreme case if they could argue that something (else) broke because of the change of OEM wheels, they will.

Thank you dspuk..Yes the alloys with tyres were second hand, so as you state l cannot take for granted that warranty will cover them.

 

[Dingbat]

When we upgraded our 17" Davenports to 18" VW aftermarket alloys we advised our insurer (AIB) who said it was noted on our file and that there would be no additional cost. They did previously charge us for adding side bars though.

Thank you lainB,
I wonder why I was charged for the wheel change? Interesting you mention side bars..l was considering fitting them..but perhaps better after end of warranty?

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Thank you 66tim99,
Originally when l insured, I was asked whether the Van had been modified..but it appears that the change to 18” is regarded as a Van “modification”..regardless of the wheels being VW OEM, and tyres VW spec!!!
Puzzling..particularly regarding GGD’s comments about lowering and side bars!..may be reasons for not insuring again with Aviva?

I’m with Comfort but I believe the policy is underwritten by Aviva. Strange.

 

[IainB]

Thank you lainB,
I wonder why I was charged for the wheel change? Interesting you mention side bars..l was considering fitting them..but perhaps better after end of warranty?

I don't think they were that familiar with what side bars were, think they had to classify them as side skirts or some other modification, and up popped a charge! Was a bit of a bonus that they didn't charge for the alloys though.

 

[Dingbat]

Good News (for me). MOT was Ok (only 12600 mls) on Tuesday 15th at my local dealer.. asked "front man" -Service Dept, later confirmed by Sales Mgr, whether warranty will be valid ongoing (was fortunate that a "21" California for sale was in the showroom with identical Palmerston Alloys + Bridgestone 255 45 18 tyres). Warranty will be Ok.
I will hold off on side bars until choice of Insurer in January "23".

 

[Dingbat]

I don't think they were that familiar with what side bars were, think they had to classify them as side skirts or some other modification, and up popped a charge! Was a bit of a bonus that they didn't charge for the alloys though.

Thank you, lainB..l think l can consider side bars now, in the light of warranty being Ok.

 

[Chris Ratay]

I'm getting my 2023 T6.1 next Friday - It comes with 18" Palmerston rims, direct from factory. I didn't order, it's the way the van was spec'd out by the dealer in Germany.