Car modification, such as changing wheel size, doesn’t always affect only aesthetics or simply performance. For SUVs in particular, wheel size modifications can have notable implications for insurance premiums. An insurer will assess wheel size in light of vehicle performance changes and safety modification. Large, custom wheels typically signify that repair costs or replacement will run higher, while the small, or stock, wheels can usually fit into the low-risk category.

In this article, we talk about how the size of wheels influences auto insurance costs with real-life examples, especially SUVs.

Why does the size of wheels affect insurance premiums?

Impact on Repair Costs

Wheels or rims with larger diameters generally mean higher costs of the material. These are made expensively with lighter, stronger metals and alloys which are not found on cheaper steel wheels. Additionally, having a custom wheel may require specialized workforce or working tools needed to repair it. This goes to the bottom line as insurers increase premiums to accommodate the likely expenses.

The larger wheels also can stress other components, such as the suspension, axles, and tires. For instance, a 20-inch wheel might damage the drivetrain or brake system if not properly calibrated, leading to cascading repair costs. These interrelating risks drive insurers to make appropriate changes in their coverage rates.

Safety and Handling Issues

The size of the wheels determines mechanical handling and safety of a particular vehicle. The wheels are proportional with the tires; the bigger wheels mean small tire sidewalls due to the low-profile tires that result in little shock absorption on an irregular surface. Where such is the case, this may increase chances of impacting either the wheel or suspension during routine operations. In addition, accidents are more likely to occur when larger wheels cause inferior braking and steering control during winter and wet road conditions.

Increased Possibility of Theft

Custom or after-market wheels-especially larger ones and those designed by name-brand companies-are also bigger targets. It’s usually fairly quick to steal these high-value parts, which are then resold on the black market. SUVs with high-dollar wheels sometimes require additional theft coverage, or higher deductibles on these parts, so insurers hike premiums based on this factor.

Given that, a fully loaded SUV with 22-inch customized wheels will have higher premiums because it is perceived to be a higher risk to steal for the insurance companies than a similar model with ordinary wheels.

Fuel Efficiency Implications

Changes to wheels of a vehicle affect weight and, therefore, aerodynamics, which affects fuel rates. Heavy wheels come with bigger sizes, and heavier wheels put greater stress on the engine, increasing fuel consumption. This is more important in the case of SUVs because SUVs consume more fuel compared to smaller cars. Modifications in wheel size by drivers may result in losing eligibility for eco-friendly driving discounts offered by some insurers and hence resulting in higher premiums.

Perceived Off-road Use

On SUVs, larger wheels often imply that the vehicle is headed for off-road duty. Insurers view off-road driving as inherently more dangerous due to the risk of accidents, tire punctures, or suspension damage. Besides that, off-road tires, combined necessarily with bigger wheels, become less effective on asphalt — what increases safety risks again. All these dual-purpose factors lead to increased insurance costs.

Examples of the Effects of Wheel Size on Insurance Costs

Subaru Forester 2024

The current trim models of a Subaru Forester have standard wheels, which range from 17 to 18 inches. With larger wheels, such as up to 20-inch after-market wheels, you will experience a 10–15% increase in your Subaru insurance. Largely, this is because drivers who have larger aftermarket wheels are more able to drive their vehicle off-road or in inclement weather, which increases the possibility of wear or damage to the suspension. Having wheels the same size as factory standard ensures that the reputation of the Forester remains a very affordable and reliable model, usually keeping the cost of insurance low.

Toyota RAV4

Another popular SUV, the Toyota RAV4, has default wheels of either 17 or 18 inches in size. Replacing one of these with a set of custom wheels measuring 20 inches in diameter raises repair costs and may inflate premiums an additional 8–12%. The annual costs stay close to the average of $1,438 when the car is fitted with factory wheels, whereas with aftermarket modifications, the price goes up accordingly.

Jeep Wrangler

With its platform being so open to modification, the Jeep Wrangler very often sees upgraded wheels for off-road use. At stock, 17-inch wheels return premiums of approximately $1,433 per year, whereas upgrading to wheels as large as 35 inches sees premiums increase upwards of 15–20%. This is because larger wheels on the Wrangler increase suspension and drivetrain stress levels, raising repair costs while simultaneously increasing one’s insurance risk level.

Mazda CX-30

Although technically a compact SUV, the Mazda CX-30 serves well to show what might be expected from wheel upgrades in general. Provided the vehicle stays on its base wheels at either 16 or 18 inches, annual premiums stay at $1,430; however, anything larger than 19-inch wheels can increase this premium upwards of 5–10%. Part of the reason behind increased insurance costs is due to additional weight and lower fuel efficiency.

BMW X5

Luxury SUV wheels could start at larger stock wheels, like 19 inches, and upgrade to 21 or even 22 inches. These upgrades come at a cost: insurance is up 12–15% due to higher replacement costs and greater cosmetic damage risk. The base cost for X5 insurance is already high at $2,424 annual, so any wheel-size changes will be serious factor.

Practical Advice to SUV Owners

Factory wheels ensure the best performance and safety features of the vehicle. Keeping them intact minimizes risks and ensures fairly lower insurance premiums. Also, in case you want to change the size of your wheels, it is best you notify your insurance provider to help determine if that would affect your premium.

The better look or functionality those after-market custom wheels may give to your SUV will always be outweighed by the long-term increase in repair and insurance costs. Lastly, any changes in wheel sizes are done by the manufacturer’s safety recommendations. As discussed earlier, ensuring that your modifications are both road-legal and safe is important to avoid premium surcharges.

Key Takeaways

Although it might seem like a minute detail, wheel size becomes an important factor when considering insurance premiums for vehicles. While larger wheels may be associated with improved aesthetics or performance, they generally tend to be much more costly to maintain, repair, and insure. For the thriftier drivers, sticking to the factory standard wheels is usually the safest route economically. Your insurance provider should always be consulted in advance of making any modification to your vehicle, as this will help you to understand how your premiums are likely to be affected.