Written by Tim Marsh
Tyres and rims can be expensive these days, especially if you want the best. Tyres can cost up to $1100 a piece, and high-end rims can be just as pricey. Since you probably spent a considerable amount of money on your tyres and rims, purchasing insurance for them makes a lot of sense. Read on and we’ll tell you why.
Flat Tyres Occur Often
If you’ve never had a flat tyre that needed to be replaced, count yourself lucky. Statistically, the average person will experience about
Tyre and Rim Insurance – Is It Really Worth It?
5 flat tyres in their lifetime. The culprits of flats are often nails or screws, but tyres can also be blown out by other road debris or even potholes. We’ve found that drivers have sustained flat tyres from things you would never expect, like allen wrenches, pieces of wood, and even keys. Rims are exposed to damage from debris and potholes as well, and driving over kerbs can also damage rims.
Expensive to Replace
People often mistakenly believe that because they bought comprehensive insurance, their tyres and rims are automatically covered. This is rarely the case, though–a lesson that many car owners have learned the hard way. Considering that with parts and labour, a tire replacement can cost $1,000 or more, tyre and rim insurance is a good investment. It may not pay off right away, but eventually you will be glad you have it when you see the bill for the replacement.
How Will You Get Around?
While you can still drive from place to place when you have been in a minor accident like a fender-bender, a blown tyre or badly damaged rim will put your car out of commission while it’s being fixed. So if you find yourself in a spot where you can’t afford the replacement cost, you’ll have to rely on friends or public transportation to get around, which can be quite inconvenient. However, if you have tyre and rim insurance, you don’t have to worry about coming up with the money for that unexpected bill to get your car back on the road.
Straightforward Cover
Tyre and rim insurance is fairly straightforward and is easier to understand than comprehensive insurance. Typical tyre and rim insurance plans offer cover for anywhere from 1-3 years. Companies may also have different levels of cover, with the better plans offering services like towing to the nearest repair shop, no excess on claims, or emergency accommodation if you’re far away from your home.
What Is Covered?
Depending on the insurance plan, you will have different payout limits. All plans limit the amount paid out per repair, while others give you a total limit for how ever many years your contract is for. Typical limits for a single repair or replacement are around $1400 for a tyre and $1,100 for a rim, while a typical total limit is usually around $7,500 for 03 years. As long as the flat or rim damage was caused by a pothole, blow-out, kerb, nail, screw, glass, metal, or other road debris, you’re covered.
What Isn’t Covered?
You should be aware that tyre and rim insurance usually won’t cover certain tyre and rim damage that is the result of things like vehicle collisions, negligence (failing to check tyre pressure, below a certain tread depth, etc.), or tire modifications. There are usually other exceptions as well, so make sure to read your policy to find out what exactly is and isn’t covered.
Talk to an Expert
If you’re wondering what tyre and rim plan is right for you, talk to a car professional from a reputable car insurance company. This is an important part of getting cover that fits your specific situation.
