When you buy new tires from a reputable dealer such as Tire Rack or Discount Tires, do you buy the road hazard coverage if it is offered? If you have, would you do it again?

 

It depends on the dealer. If I order something from Tire Rack, no I don't buy the coverage. Seems like to much of a hassle to deal with since they're not local. But since Discount Tires have a couple of shops within 15 minutes of me, I do buy their coverage, and have used it to get tires replaced a couple of times over the years. Never had a problem with getting repairs or replacements under the coverage. I also take my vehicles to them for free rotations and free rebalanceing every 3-5 thousand miles.

When I bought my MINI a few months ago, I was offered the wheel and tire road hazard coverage. I elected not to purchase it. In less than two weeks time I picked up a gutter spike in the sidewall of one of the run flats that couldn't be repaired. If I would have had the MINI coverage I would have gotten a free replacement. Since it was coming out of my pocket, I went the non-runflat route and replaced them all with tires from Discount Tire.

 

It really depends on how you feel about insurance, which it basically what it is.

as WSCRUISER can attest... it is great when you need it, but feels like a waste when you don't need it.

 

Yep buy it every time.
I've had 2 tires replaced on my wifes car since she drove on the tire flat because she wasn't in a safe place to pull over.

I haven't had to use if for any of my vehicles but I figure at some point in time it could be used...especially with the price of RF or performance tires.

 

They wouldn't offer it if it didn't make them money

 

there is tons of $$ in it... but again, look at insurance companies....

 

Yes.

Granted, its a money maker for the tire dealer, but it's cheap insurance.

 

i didn't... there's like a 2 week grace period (if i can remember correctly)
from the date of purchase where you can enroll for road hazard even
after you start using them.

on my 15th day, my GSD3 picked up a HUGE pin from a tractor trailer
container setpin, and punctured it. lol i was laughing the entire
time home.

 

I'm not a big believer in things like extended warranties and suchlike, but road hazard insurance is something I buy routinely. IMO if you're running low profile tires and you live where the roads aren't velvety smooth, you're likely to find yourself using that road hazard coverage.

I've picked up punctures from all sorts of road debris and even broken sidewall belts from poorly done road work. Every one has been replaced for nothing or next to nothing.

I'm a believer.

 

No. I always buy from Tire Rack, and although have picked up my share of
nails over the years, I usually plug them myself. None of the local tire dealers
carry the tires I want anyway (except special order at much higher price
than Tire Rack) and sending tires back and forth to T.R. would get old quick.

 

Never have and I have never needed it in 30 years. Could be good luck but I am glad I did not spend the money.
I plug my own tires to only a total failure would be an issue for me.

 

No! I go through tires so fast they aren’t on the MCS long enough to even worry about it.

 

I never have, but I did this time with the set that I got from Discount Tire. I've plugged my own tires in the past. Just figure if I pickup something in the sidewall or a blowout, that it'd be nice to get a new tire for free (or prorated to the remaining amount of the tire). It was $13 additional per tire, and I was getting a good deal on the tires anyway (price match), so I figured it was worth it this time.

 

Thanks everyone for all the input. I normally don't go for extra warranties either but think I'll spring for the coverage for my soon to be first set of non-runflats.

 

I've done it on every set of tires I've purchased over the past few years. And I've used that coverage more times than I'd care to admit

 

Since they are going to be non-runflats, I think you're making a good decision. Hey, I did the same thing and glad I did.

 

To you folks who think you're likely to get back more in benefits than you pay for the insurance, do you think the companies that sell this insurance do it to lose money? Of course not. On average, they make money which means it is impossible to justify the coverage on the basis that it is a good value. The odds are that you'll pay more than you get back.

It's insurance and buys peace of mind. That's worth something, but if don't have sufficient financial reserves to be able to buy a new tire or wheel in the unlikely event of a problem, then you probably shouldn't be driving a $25K car.

Insurance is a great thing for catastrophic events like your house burning down, being involved in a major accident with big medical bills, or someone getting very sick. But to cover minor loses in the day-to-day usage of minor consumer goods? Not a good use of one's money.

- Mark

 

You're certainly entitled to your opinion. I've spent a total of about $75 in road hazard insurance and had three tires replaced with no charge, each worth somewhere around $150. So an outlay of $75 has saved me $450.

Clearly a foolish waste of my money.

If I was buying giant doughnuts for a truck or van I wouldn't even think about road hazard coverage, but with 40 series tires in an area with a lot of ongoing road construction it makes a lot of sense.

And your arbitrary backhanded swipe about what people can/can't/should/shouldn't be able to afford is totally out of line. Check your Wheaties. I think maybe somebody peed in them.

 

Not meaning to start anything, but I sure do find your post from a few days ago to be a bit ironic.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=109600

 

I don't on my summer tires, but they only last 4-5 months anyway with track days anyway.

When I replace my All-season runflats for the winter I might, because there is a bigger chance of something happening to them.