What makes a winter tire a winter tire? This is what insurance companies are looking for

The driver of a pickup appears to have swapped out his general use tires (in the truck's bed) in favor of snow tires just in time to deal with the snow-covered streets if Auburn, Maine, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016. (Robert F. Bukaty/The Associated Press)

Temperatures are dropping across Canada and that means it’s time to prep the vehicle with winter tires.

In Ontario, doing so could result in a discount on insurance rates.

However, with the recent introduction of the all-weather tire which is designed to be left on the car all year long, there can be some confusion on whether or not they qualify for a discount.

By law, insurance companies must offer a discount if you use snow or winter tires, but not every company does so for all-weathers, despite the fact they also come with the winter tire symbol on them.

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Consumer Reports tests tires and says the all-weather tire has many advantages, including the ability to leave them on your vehicle all year with no switching necessary in the spring or fall.

“They can be driven year-round, and they have enhanced snow traction and now you don’t have to switch between your old all-season and your winter tires,” said tire expert Ryan Pszczolkowski, with Consumer Reports.

James South, with Aviva Canada, told CTV News that when it comes to all-weather tires, “they are not the same level as snow tires are.”

Aviva offers a two per cent discount to customers who use dedicated winter tires, but not to customers using all-weather tires.

“We only provide the discount for the snow tires, not the all-weather tires,” said South.

CTV News also reached out to CAA and a spokesperson said under its guidelines, all-weather tires are eligible for their five per cent discount.

“CAA Insurance Company Tire Eligibility Guidelines state that vehicles equipped with four winter tires that meet the Winter Tire designation are eligible for the Winter Tire discount,” a spokesperson said. “The Winter Tire designation is assigned to tires that display the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, which is printed directly on the tire’s sidewall.”

“CAA Insurance Company follows the guidance provided by Transport Canada. According to their standards, the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol signifies that a tire meets specific snow traction performance requirements and is designed for use in severe snow conditions.”

CTV News reached out to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC), which said all-season tires are considered good, all-weather tires better, and dedicated winter tires the best.

But as for whether or not all-weather tires should qualify for insurance discounts?

“This would be for the insurance companies to comment how they recognize winter tires,” TRAC said.

“As for the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) Symbol, the tires marked with 3PMSF symbol must pass the ASTM F-1805 Driving Traction Test on a medium packed snow surface.”

“The Government of Canada’s Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations also define a winter tire as a tire that passed this test and carries the 3PMSF symbol,” said TRAC.

If you have all-weather tires you should check with your insurance company to see if they qualify as winter tires under their standards before listing them as such on your policy because in the event of an accident, it could void your claim.

As well, most insurance companies require that you have your snow tires on by a certain date to get a discount. Some companies want them on by November 20th, while others say December 1st.

You also must typically leave them on until a certain date and with some companies it’s until March 31st while others are April 15.