So my MA called today and asked me if I wanted tire insurance. Basically this insurance covers tires and rims for five years due to damage. Its about 130 a year but you have to pay it all upfront.

What are your thoughts?

 

save your money.

 

I agree. You will want to exchange the run flats for all season soon to get a better ride and handling.

 

I have a very hard time thinking of a reason to buy this insurance. Unless you have super expensive wheels and tires that are prone to getting bent. I bought a whole new set up of 4 wheels with run-flats for $1K. I'd rather insure myself. If something happens, then pay for it. It's better than paying $600-700 and not every needing the insurance.

 

Wise point of view jyarrow!

 

Two weeks ago, I was coming off the freeway exit I take every day. They are doing some construction, but most of it is done. I hit an open manhole that had no indication that it was open [cones, etc] that shredded my tire. It cost me $125 for a new tire and I might need an alignment. I'm petitioning the city for all of my repairs.

Just another point of view.

 

That really stinks Ivygirl! You didn't mention being hurt, so I'll assume just your MINI took a beating? Best of luck getting the city to pay for your repairs. You're very fortunate that the damage wasn't far worse.

 

In a moment of idiocy, I bought this with my R53. Catch is, it covers replacement at the dealership only. I live in Austin, and the dealer is in San Antonio (about 80 miles away). So when a tire or wheel goes, I'd have to somehow get the MINI that distance to take advantage of the free replacement.

Suffice to say, I will not be purchasing tire/wheel insurance with my Clubman.

 

So what that means is tire insurance is a complete rip off. I can't figure out how that would benefit the customer since tire failure tends to happen when your as far away from home or dealership as possible.

 

Any time anyone pitches a specialty insurance the correct answer is NO. You buy car insurance, house insurance, life insurance and health insurance - stuff you could not afford to self insure. Self insure for the rest. That goes for extended warranties. The reason they pitch this stuff is that it is profitable - for them.

 

I would have to negate what Doogs said.

We purchased the tire/wheel warranty for my Wife's 330i. She popped a tire, and we call the ph# on the contract. They said as long as it was the same tire, it didnt matter. So a local firestone had one in stock, took the car there and they mounted it as well. Sent the Bill to the company and they sent a check back.

That was the good experience.

Bad experience with same company was another time. The catch to replacing your rim is that the TIRE MUST BE DEFLATED as well. We did not read the fine print. My wife has 18" wheels and thin tires, so a road we frequent has some bumps in it. Well, she bent her left front rim to a point where a wallup sound is heard when braking. So, we thought we were covered. WRONG, since the tire was still holding air, the rim was not covered.

So heed that warning. If you want a rim replaced, make sure you bring it with a tire that wont hold air on that rim.

In norther Va, traffic and plenty of pot holes. We will get this warranty with our new mini. It does make one rethink about getting the low profile tires and wheels though..

 

Thankfully, I wasn't hurt [scared s**tless! ] and Lucy didn't get damaged at all. I was worried about the rim, but it was not damaged either.

I have to submit a claim form [2 pages] plus copies of any receipts for repairs or "future" repairs due to the incident. I am going to go to 3 places for a quote for an alignment, average them and sent that amount in as well. The city then has 30 days to evaulate and decide. I'm not counting on it, but it would be nice!

 

I bought tire insurance with my MINI and I don't have to get to the dealer in case something bad happens to the tires. With the crappy Seattle roads, I was going to be on the safe side.