Alloy Wheel and Tyre Insurance

[Ant]

Feeling somewhat vindicated about the decision to buy alloy wheel and tyre insurance offered when I bought the car. I've just been notified that my claim for costs for a new tyre following a puncture has been approved! Replacement tyre at the dealers (the insurance company's approved repairer, other than ATS Euromaster) was a shade over £200 for an identical Toyo.

[Willpower]

How much did you purchase the insurance cover for in the first place ?

[xtrailman]

£200 pound is a little expensive £146 plus fitting, say £20? so price should be under £170 and that's without shopping around.

https://www.camskill.co.uk/order.php

I've never heard of tyre insurance to be honest.

[ColinX-5]

£200 pound is a little expensive £146 plus fitting, say £20? so price should be under £170 and that's without shopping around.

https://www.camskill.co.uk/order.php

I've never heard of tyre insurance to be honest.

You can get tyre insurance same place as Gap insurance.  Yes that £200 tyre is very expensive, at 2000 miles I ran over rubbish on a motorway that flicked up and slashed the side of tyre, identical new Toyo was £135 all in !   

[Ant]

It's a RAC policy and it was £300 for 3 years cover. That covers up to 10 alloy wheel repairs (of up to £150 each) and up to 5 new tyres (up to £300 each) but obviously doesn't include wear and tear. I bought it primarily for the alloy repair cover - having managed to scuff alloys on many of my previous cars. (Managed to avoid that so far with this one though!)

Yes, I fully accept that £200 for the tyre is expensive and if I hadn't had the cover, I'd have gone elsewhere - probably Event Tyres. But when I rang the insurance company they said the only places they woul accept was the main dealer or ATS Euromaster. The dealership happens to be close to where I work so was the most convenient. Also, I wanted the same tyre make of tyre fitted, which I was sure the dealer would do but didn't know about ATS, having never used them.

It wasn't too much of a problem on this occasion but this has made me think more about whether to buy a spare wheel and jack etc. Full list price for those at my dealers is around £420 though!!! ?

[Willpower]

I'd say at £300 for 3 years that was pretty good value considering the cost of replacing a damaged alloy, especially as it also covers incidents like yours.

[xtrailman]

I would disagree.

Compared to Gap insurance available at around £150 for around £15000 cover for 3 years.

[Willpower]

I would disagree.

Compared to Gap insurance available at around £150 for around £15000 cover for 3 years.

Your choice. Never bothered with Gap insurance.  Never had finance.

[Ant]

Very different level of risk though surely? Total loss write off as against a puncture or wheel scrape which happen much more commonly.

I agree with Will - it seemed good value to me and looks even better now!

[xtrailman]

I would disagree.

Compared to Gap insurance available at around £150 for around £15000 cover for 3 years.

Your choice. Never bothered with Gap insurance.  Never had finance.

Nor me I always pay in cash.

[Gmsal]

Very different level of risk though surely? Total loss write off as against a puncture or wheel scrape which happen much more commonly.

I agree with Will - it seemed good value to me and looks even better now!

I have to agree wholeheartedly.

I managed to get the alloy and tyre insurance thrown into the deal when buying the car and negotiated that we'd both pay half the cost of the gap insurance with the dealer.
It really pays to haggle if you're that type, I know not everyone feels comfortable doing so.
With no spare wheel or jack I thought the insurance was a no brainer, especially with the alloys on my sports nav.

With regards Gap insurance, never taken it out before but will continue to do so in the future, as you just never know.

I too have paid for my last few vehicles without using finance. The point of Gap insurance is that any pay-out covers the difference between the valuation and the cost of buying a brand new car, even if that price has risen, so depreciation of the vehicle is covered.

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/do-you-need-gap-insurance

I got wacked from behind the other week, the right speed and right angle can cause a right off.
Thankfully in this case it wasn't. I believe the towbar played a great part in that.

His ended up a wreck and deservedly so.

[MikeTB]

There was a previous post about alloy wheel damage.
This is a common problem with low profile tyres especially when the tyre is no wider than the rim (I know from experience).
The CX5 tyres, even at 19 inch, are hardly a low profile, and are wider than the rims. Normal kerbs are never going to give problems.

[Caldean]

The CX5 tyres, even at 19 inch, are hardly a low profile, and are wider than the rims. Normal kerbs are never going to give problems.

You've not seen some of the kerbs up our way.... I've seen 4x4s kerb their alloys a few times... though the drivers think they can drive any old how.

[howardsathome]

There is a good answer to the problem of Alloy Wheel kerbing damage. Ignoring of course those who do not care about such things.
If the rim and tyre are designed as a unit. This was common in Germany in the 1990's when low profile tyres became much more popular, AMG etc.
Tyres had to have a Kerbing Rib (called MFS) to protect the rim flange or you could not supply to OE.
When the Lexus IS200 was launched on 17'' low profile tyres with fancy wheels Toyota did not listen to Tyre Manufacturers advice and went for only a small Kerbing Rib. It cost them a lot of money due to wheel damage and the Lexus Total Customer Satisfaction Policy.
My wife has a 2014 Mazda 2 with nice 16'' rims. The 45 series Toyo Tyres have some of the best Kerbing Ribs I have seen in recent times which give good protection.
My neighbour has just bought a 2014 Mercedes E Class with lovely Chromed/sculpted 19'' AMG wheels but minimal Kerbing Ribs which will have little effect if he is unfortunate enough to catch a high granite kerb as found in some parts.
Something else to consider when you buy replacement tyres, how good are the Kerbing Ribs, and insist on seeing them before they are fitted as designs can vary a lot between tyres of the same make and nominal pattern.

[Deeps]

And you can always buy Alloy Wheel Protectors and fit them yourself. Halfords and other motoring accessory outlets have them although how effective they really are I've no idea.

https://youtu.be/3knQ7DMA9WI