Uncover the Hidden Value of Tyre and Rim Insurance

You're reviewing your Car Insurance terms and conditions when you spot a line that makes you pause. While your comprehensive coverage protects you against loss, theft and damage, your tyres and rims are excluded. At first glance, this seems unfair. After all, why shouldn't your tyres and rims be covered? You may not know why separate insurance exists for these car parts. Discover more, as 1st for Women provides some understanding about this form of insurance and why you should consider Tyre and Rim Insurance from 1st For Women.

Types of damage affecting your tyres and rims

Your car's tyres and rims are among its hardest-working parts. It's easy to take them for granted until they give you issues. This means that issues go undetected until they're advanced or keep you from driving safely.

Here are a few common problems related to tyre damage[1] you may encounter with your tyres and rims:

1. Wear and tear—All tyres will develop wear and tear, no matter how good a driver you are. The most common sign of wear and tear is tyre tread smoothing over time. This can happen evenly or unevenly if you overload your car, brake and accelerate harshly, overinflate your tyres, fail to check your wheel alignment or avoid rotating your tyres when necessary.

2. Punctures or cuts — This can happen at any time and place and is a common form of tyre damage. Anything from a piece of glass to a nail can cause a puncture, and depending on how big or deep it is, your pressure will drop quickly or slowly. This can cause a flat tyre or a more dangerous blowout. Smaller punctures can often be fixed with a plug without replacing the entire tyre.

3. Bulges or cracks— Bulges can occur because of potholes, speeding, or colliding with objects. They indicate damage to the tyre's inner cords and plies (internal layers). Cracks in your tyre take place as the rubber ages and can also be caused by temperature extremes or sun and UV exposure.

Tyre insurance does not cover all types of tyre damage. General wear and tear, for instance, is not covered. However, some damage caused by South Africa's potholes, which have increased by over 67% over the past five years[2], would be covered. 

Who should take out Tyre and Rim Insurance?

If you regularly drive on South Africa's roads, you'll benefit from taking out Tyre Insurance. Car tyres come with a reasonable lifespan, but the more you drive, the faster you can expect them to wear out. This form of insurance may be less worthwhile if you only use your car for occasional errands and drive on very safe roads. 

What does Tyre and Rim Insurance cover and exclude?

Generally, Tyre Insurance protects you from several yearly tyre and rim incidents. You are also limited to a certain number of repairs per incident. It also won't cover you should your car get damaged in an accident or stolen if you have comprehensive insurance coverage. Like most forms of insurance, you can expect a claim to be rejected if it resulted from you breaking the law in any way, be it drinking and driving or partaking in drag racing.

What are the benefits of tyre insurance?

Having insurance to cover the cost of replacing a damaged tyre or rim is beneficial for obvious reasons — but what less obvious benefits could Car Tyre Insurance afford you?

●      Avoid emergency spending — When one tyre needs replacing due to a covered incident, like hitting a pothole, you will be covered. This saves you money as you won’t have to dip into your savings to pay out-of-pocket expenses for a new tyre. 

●      Keep your premiums low — While you could claim on your comprehensive insurance for tyre damage, you should be aware that this could affect your premiums and your eligibility for a cashback bonus as you must remain claim-free for a certain amount of time. Dedicated Care Tyre Insurance can solve this problem. This helps preserve your primary Car Insurance for serious and costly emergencies, helping keep your insurance premiums low.

●    Preserve your car's value and appearance — Without Tyre and Rim Insurance, you may ignore related issues to avoid the cost of fixing them immediately. This can create hidden damage in a car and shorten its overall lifespan. As a result, the resale value decreases, and your car may require costly parts and replacements.

Get a First for Women Insurance quote

Tyre and rim insurance offers peace of mind, safeguarding against unforeseen expenses from road hazards. Protect your investment and drive with confidence. Don't wait for a mishap to realise the importance of coverage. Get a quick and hassle-free Tyre and Rim Insurance quote from 1st for Women.  —-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sources:

[2] Continental: Tyre damage 

[2] The Citizen: Going potty? How to survive South Africa’s 25 million potholes…

Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or medical advice.