ATS Euromaster has issued the following comment in response to reports of insurance companies charging drivers a premium for fitting cold weather tyres to their cars / vans:

"We are in agreement with Tyresafe's criticism of insurance companies charging higher premiums for drivers with cold weather tyres," says Huw Williams, group marketing director of ATS Euromaster. "It highlights the widespread confusion surrounding their fitment and proven suitability for the UK market.

"As an industry we should be working together to encourage their use, not penalising early-adopters by raising premiums. Independent research has clearly demonstrated that it doesn't matter whether a road is dry, wet, or covered in ice, slush or snow, if the temperature is at or below seven degrees Celsius – as it typically is in the UK from mid-November until late-March – you'll be safer on cold weather tyres."