Locking Wheel Nuts Again

[Bazile]

If i replace my locking wheel nuts with a different make to that on the car when it was manufactured ; would that be classed by the insurers , as a modification ?

[Canary42]

Probably. In my experience they'll do anything to avoid paying out. Ask them, and get a written answer.

[Hopkirk]

No. If it was, you would have to worry if your garage fitted any part that was from the original manufacturer.

[Hopkirk]

wasn't

[Hymie]

I recall a case from a number of years ago, where an insurance company refused a claim because the policy holder had modified their vehicle by putting a roof-rack on it.

The policy holder complained to the financial ombudsman, who castigated the insurance company for making up such a poor excuse for refusing to pay out.

Whenever your insurance claim is rejected for some spurious reason, you should go through the insurer’s complaints process, and if the matter is still not resolved to your satisfaction, complain to the financial ombudsman (the service is free).

[ToraToraTora]

Technically yes but in reality they are not interested in that sort of detail.

[Bazile]

I was going to buy a replacement set of locking nuts through a ford dealer , for my focus

Then I saw that places like Halfords / euro car parts sell locking nuts ,but would be different to a ford locking wheel nut .

I was wondering whether or not the insurer would need to be informed ?

[Hymie]

If buying non-original locking wheel nuts/bolts, you need to ensure that they have the same profile to mate with the wheel. Some have a mating V-shape, while others are partially domed in profile.

No insurance company is going to refuse a claim based on fitting different locking wheel nuts.

They might refuse my claim for stolen alloy-wheels, with the locking key kept in the centre console; but then it's no good safely locked away at home, when I get a flat.