Insurance coverage if driving on Goodyear billboard tires?

[Unique427]

If tires were a contributing factor and found not to be DOT compliant by a
insurance claim investigator, the door is open for the underwriter to walk.

If you own (6) cars and it's only vehicle damage, you have not submitted
any claims in lets say, the past 5 years, underwriter may payout
and recoup on the back end with increased premium rates to keep the
money train rolling.

If there's bodily harm or death involved, expect to by on your own.

If tires were not a contributing factor, like a guy blew through a red light
and T-boned your car, probably will get paid.

[MKS427]

IDK, no guessing which way an insurance company will go. However, I've heard of a couple of things collector insurance covered that the owner was really worried about. You're rolling the dice.

[patrickt]

But how is driving on non-DOT tires any different than the lazy driver who drives on tires that have the steel belts literally fraying and sticking out of the bald, treadless tires? Would a carrier really say "because your tires were really old and shi**y we are withholding coverage." If I'm insuring myself against my own negligence and stupidity, shouldn't using non-DOT tires be at the top of that covered list?

[Unique427]

Originally Posted by patrickt

But how is driving on non-DOT tires any different than the lazy driver who drives on tires that have the steel belts literally fraying and sticking out of the bald, treadless tires? Would a carrier really say "because your tires were really old and shi**y we are withholding coverage." If I'm insuring myself against my own negligence and stupidity, shouldn't using non-DOT tires be at the top of that covered list?

Good point. Claims involving willful negligence are usually paid out.

For the most part, it all comes down to how a specific policy is written.
But insurance companies do weigh the perceived cost/benefit
of your continued business.