oversized tyres

Submitted: Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 13:03

ThreadID: 35512 Views:2539 Replies:6 FollowUps:11

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Wags

There are a lot of threads on this forum about 4wd's with oversize tyres (oversize according to their state regs). A lot of people point out that the car will be illegal and would not be insured.

I'd like to hear from anyone that has had these problems; ever been pinged by the police, ever had an insurance claim declined?

I have been considering a slight increase over my maximum allowable (less than 10mm more than the maximum allowable increase - not massive tyres). The police issue I am not worried about. There are enough people driving around on large tyres to demonstrate that they are not getting picked up. The insurance issue is more important. I expect a claims departments has a check list of get-out clauses that includes this one. However, I would have thought that the insurance company would have to demonstrate that the accident would not have happened with 'legal' tyres. Of course, the wrangling over that would be protracted...

I'd be interested in peoples experience. Does anyone reading this work for an insurance company and like to comment?

Thanks, Mark

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Reply By: Snowy 3.0iTD - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 13:19

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 13:19

Mark

As the state regs stand at the moment, anything up to 15mm increase in diameter is fine. If the federal government brings in new legislation which is currently in draft, if you drive an "off-road passenger vehicle" whatever that is, it will be 50mm increase in diameter. No issue with the police on it. I have talked hypothetically about it with my insurance company and they say it would depend on the nature of the claim, ie a rear-ender where you are at fault, you could be in trouble.

Kind Regards

Jay

AnswerID: 181761

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 14:03

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 14:03

Why not just get the car engineered and be legal?

AnswerID: 181770

Follow Up By: Wags - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 15:17

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 15:17

Truckster,

I have tried to go down this road. The engineer I was in touch with (in Melbourne) refused to consider any tyre that was over the 50mm proposed in the new NCOP LS.

This would be my first choice and you wouldn't think it would so difficult. I'd be grateful for the contact details of an engineer that has experience with this.

Regards,

Mark

FollowupID: 438096

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 22:14

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 22:14

There are engineers that will still deal.

Call some of the more competition orientated 4b stores, and ask who they use... there are still dudes being engineered with 35's.

FollowupID: 438186

Reply By: GoneTroppo Member (FNQ) - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 16:53

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 16:53

Mark

Glad you asked the question, saved me doing so as it's one that has been of much interest to me also
Very interesting too about the proposed changes to 50mm, as that would just about do me with the current vehicle. Is there any idea of the time frame when this may be implemented

Several years ago I had a modified Land Rover insured through a VAFWDC sourced broker in Adelaide. They were advised of the tyre size which was 3inches over stock OD. They confirmed the change in writing. I took that to be acceptance of the increase.

I noticed a recent add by the broker in 4x4 Aust mag still advertising that they insure "modifications". That may be worth checking for clarification.

The other point I have been looking into is this. in some instances different manufactuers quote differing diameter sizes for the same size tyre. Guess tread depth is an issue here, but what does that do to the 15mm rule?

I'm looking forward to seeing what this thread unearths.

regards:

AnswerID: 181785

Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Wednesday, Jul 05, 2006 at 10:44

Wednesday, Jul 05, 2006 at 10:44

Yeah, so a nice new tyre with good tread might be illegal but the same tyre clapped out and nearly bald 70,000kms later would be legal.... Go figure...

FollowupID: 438247

Reply By: Exploder - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 18:43

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 18:43

I will answer the question> No I have not nor do I know of anybody who has had insurance problems because of bigger tyres being fitted after a Crash.

I think as long as they look like they are stock size then nobody is going to look to hard, I.E My car came with 235/75R15’s as Stock but with the 2-inch lift a set of 31’s just look stock, My insurance Policy say’s, Modified suspension is fitted, That’s it.

If they are that much oversized then just remove them before the assessor sees it in the event of a crash and stick the stock tyres back on. LOL

AnswerID: 181810

Follow Up By: garthyguts - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 19:18

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 19:18

i go knocked back for insurance for too wide a tyre.
so it does happen

FollowupID: 438133

Follow Up By: Exploder - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 19:22

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 19:22

Out of interest how much wider were they than standard?

FollowupID: 438135

Follow Up By: garthyguts - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 19:25

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 19:25

about 2"

FollowupID: 438137

Follow Up By: Member - Nick (Kununurra) - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 19:51

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 19:51

I also got knocked back for tyres being to wide on a falcon we used to have(with AAMI),went round to RACT and was told no worries,insured on the spot and alot cheaper.

FollowupID: 438149

Follow Up By: GoneTroppo Member (FNQ) - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 20:29

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 20:29

The main issue here is height not width

FollowupID: 438158

Follow Up By: Exploder - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 21:25

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 21:25

Next question were they sticking outside of the guards. ?.

It’s look’s as if does happen sometimes, I personally don’t know anyone who has had a claim rejected due to tyre size, I guess it’s proceed with caution with this one.

FollowupID: 438175

Follow Up By: Member - Nick (Kununurra) - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 21:51

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 21:51

Ours were,about an inch and a half wider.The guy at RACT said something about poorly designed rims with so much offset but said theyd be ok.

FollowupID: 438181

Follow Up By: garthyguts - Wednesday, Jul 05, 2006 at 09:39

Wednesday, Jul 05, 2006 at 09:39

does not have to out side gaurds.
has to do with measurement of tyre centre.

FollowupID: 438238

Reply By: Plantman - Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 19:31

Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006 at 19:31

Does anyone have any experience with respect to 265/70-R16 tyres fitted to 04hilux which has 255/70-R15 as standard and whether they are considered illegal?

AnswerID: 181820