Winter Tyres - The Motor Insurance Commitment
Last updated:
19/03/2012 16:15
WINTER TYRES – THE MOTOR INSURANCE COMMITMENT
Motor insurers recognise that some motorists may wish to fit winter tyres to their car during cold weather. Motor insurers recognise that, whilst no substitute for common sense driving, winter tyres can have a positive impact on improving road safety. In the past there has been some uncertainty for insured customers about the insurance premium implications of fitting winter tyres to their cars. To assist in reducing this potential uncertainty, the ABI has produced the Commitment set out below which sets out the position of those named motor insurers in respect of the impact on the insurance premiums of their insured customers if a customer wishes to fit winter tyres to their car.
As can be seen, often motor insurers will not charge an additional premium when their insured customers use winter tyres, provided that they meet, and are fitted in accordance with, the vehicle manufacturers’ specifications and are in a roadworthy condition.
However, some motor insurers may require you to contact them to let them know if you do choose to fit winter tyres. The name of your insurer and their contact information can be found on your insurance policy documentation (summary details are provided below). It is important to remember that sometimes your motor insurer may be different from the company that sold you your insurance policy.
This Confirmation will apply from 22 November 2011 until 31 August 2012 at which time it will be reviewed.
Please note that this Commitment only applies to cars used for personal use that are insured under a private or personal use car insurance policy.
The commitment of insurers:
The insurers named below do not require the payment of any additional premium if customers decide to fit winter tyres to their cars, provided that the tyres meet, and are fitted in accordance with, the relevant vehicle manufacturers’ specifications and are in a roadworthy condition whilst in use.
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Insurer
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Do customers need to inform the insurer when fitting winter tyres to their cars?
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Does the fitting of winter tyres affect the amount of cover provided to customers?
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Contact details
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1st Central Insurance
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No
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No
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ABC Insurance
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No
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No
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Admiral
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No
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No
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Adrian Flux
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No
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No
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|
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Advantage Insurance Company Limited (Gibraltar)
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No
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No
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|
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Age UK
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No
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No
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|
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Ageas Insurance Ltd
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No
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No
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|
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Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance
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No
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No
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|
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Allianz
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No
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No
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|
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Allianz (Northern Ireland)
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No
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No
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Allianz Your Cover
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No
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No
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Aviva Insurance Ltd
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No
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No
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AXA
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Yes
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No
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As per policy documentation (varies by distribution channel)
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Bell
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No
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No
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Chaucer Direct
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No
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No
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Chaucer Insurance
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No
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No
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Churchill
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Yes, via telephone
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None outside of general market exceptions relating to keeping the vehicle roadworthy etc.
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0845 603 3551
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Citroen
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Yes, via telephone
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None outside of general market exceptions relating to keeping the vehicle roadworthy etc.
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0870 0242 730/ 0870 125 6616
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Co-operative Insurance Car Insurance
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No
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No, provided the winter tyres/wheels fitted are of no greater size value than the tyres/wheels being replaced
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Co-operative Insurance Eco Insurance
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No
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No, provided the winter tyres/wheels fitted are of no greater size value than the tyres/wheels being replaced
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Co-operative Insurance Young Driver Insurance
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No
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No, provided the winter tyres/wheels fitted are of no greater size value than the tyres/wheels being replaced
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Cornish Mutual
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No
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No
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Diamond
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No
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No
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Direct Line
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Yes, via telephone
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None outside of general market exceptions relating to keeping the vehicle roadworthy etc.
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0845 246 8706/ 0845 246 8811
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eCar
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Yes, by phone or email
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No
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enquiries@ecarinsurance.co.uk
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Echoice
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No
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No
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Egg
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Yes, via telephone
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None outside of general market exceptions relating to keeping the vehicle roadworthy etc.
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0870 024 0095/ 0870 024 0097
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Elephant
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No
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No
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Equity Red Star
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No
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No
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Esure Car Insurance
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No - unless the customer has or is fitting alloy wheels
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No
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Phone: 0845 603 7874
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First Alternative Car Insurance
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No - unless the customer has or is fitting alloy wheels
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No
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Phone: 0845 607 0417
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General Motors (Vauxhall & Chevrolet)
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No
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No
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GoodGirl
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No
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No change to cover provided
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Groupama Insurances
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No - unless the dimensions of the tyres fitted are contrary to manufacturer specifications i.e. wider
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No
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Highway Insurance
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No
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No
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Hiscox Insurance Company
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No
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No
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Insure2Drive
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No
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No change to cover provided
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Lexus Motor Insurance
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No
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No
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LV =
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No
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No
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Markerstudy
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No
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No
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Mint/MBNA
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Yes, via telephone
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None outside of general market exceptions relating to keeping the vehicle roadworthy etc.
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0870 024 0138
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MORE TH>N
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No
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No
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Natwest
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Yes, via telephone
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None outside of general market exceptions relating to keeping the vehicle roadworthy etc.
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0800 051 0289/ 0800 051 5405
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NFU Mutual
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No
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No
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Octagon Insurance Company Limited
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Yes, by phone
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No
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Customer services, 0844 561 4615
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Peugeot
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Yes, via telephone
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None outside of general market exceptions relating to keeping the vehicle roadworthy etc.
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0870 0240 807/ 0870 024 1107
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Premier Insurance
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No
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No
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Provident
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Yes
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No
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Privilege
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Yes, via telephone
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None outside of general market exceptions relating to keeping the vehicle roadworthy etc.
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0800 061 6990/ 0800 051 6990
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Prudential
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Yes, via telephone
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None outside of general market exceptions relating to keeping the vehicle roadworthy etc.
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0800 300 300/ 0845 605 9260
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QBE
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No
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No
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RBS
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Yes, via telephone
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None outside of general market exceptions relating to keeping the vehicle roadworthy etc.
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0800 158 2493/ 0845 246 0453
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Royal London
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Yes, via telephone
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None outside of general market exceptions relating to keeping the vehicle roadworthy etc.
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0800 032 9455
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RSA
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No
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No
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Sabre Insurance Co Ltd
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No
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No change to cover provided
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Sainsburys Car Insurance
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No - unless the customer has or is fitting alloy wheels
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No
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Phone: 0845 608 6034
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Service Underwriting
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No
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No
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Shearwater Insurance
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No
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No
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Sheilas' Wheels Car Insurance
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No - unless the customer has or is fitting alloy wheels
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No
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Phone: 0845 604 3550
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Swiftcover
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Yes
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No
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As per policy documentation (varies by distribution channel)
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Tesco Underwriting Limited
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No – Providing that the winter tyres/wheels are no larger than the original tyres/wheels
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No – Providing that the winter tyres/wheels are no larger than the original tyres/wheels.
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If customers wish to contact Tesco Car Insurance they can call Customer Service on 0845 673 0000
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Toyota Motor Insurance
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No
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No
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UKI
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Yes, via telephone
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None outside of general market exceptions relating to keeping the vehicle roadworthy etc.
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Contact details can be found via the intermediary
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USAA Limited
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No
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No
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Zenith
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No
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No
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Zurich Car Solutions
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No
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No
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