Road Hazard Warranties – A Good Investment?

Most likely, when you buy tires, you’re given the option of buying a road hazard warranty that will deduct something off the price of a tire, should it be damaged.

Of course, any damage that is caused by the result of a defect in a tire is already covered by the product warranty from the manufacturer, and the additional cost may seem reasonable – If you’ve driven for some time, it’s not unlikely that stray item or a pothole in the road has already damaged a tire at one time or another.

For example, a tire that is slashed by a jagged scrap of metal or flattened by going over an unavoidable pothole won’t be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, but will if you’ve paid extra for road hazard protection.

What’s Actually Covered
A road hazard warranty doesn’t mean you’ll get an automatic free replacement during the coverage time frame, although, through a proration schedule, you will get less compensation as you get more use from the tire. Read the terms of the warranty carefully: It may be the case that certain damage only qualifies for a repair or partial credit.

Consider any limitations that may be indicated, such as coverage that is valid only at certain stores or locations. See if you can be reimbursed if you have to pay for a tire replacement while traveling or in an emergency. And be sure to maintain your tires as stipulated in the warranty, and to keep a record of any tire service like checking and filling to the proper air pressure and tire rotation that you have done.

Making a Decision
Depending on how much the road hazard warranty costs, for how long and how many miles it applies to, and the nature of your driving and environment, it can be a good idea to choose to buy it. If, for example, you drive on crowded, often repaired or in worn condition roads frequently, there’s a higher chance that you will suffer tire damage from a road borne hazard at some point, so a road hazard warranty might be a good idea. If, on the other hand, you drive on mostly secondary roads, or don’t travel all that frequently, you might not benefit from the added expense.

Disclaimer: The contents of this and all articles provided by Insuredirect.com are for informational use only, as the specifics of any situation will vary with the circumstances. Do not consider the information provided in this article as a recommendation on purchasing any specific auto insurance, homeowners insurance or other type of insurance product, or to provide financial or legal advice. Without exception, all information is presented for information purposes only.

InsureDirect.com articles are copyrighted and my not be republished in any form without the express written consent of InsureDirect. Our RSS feed is available so long as you maintain an active link to InsureDirect.

Rev. V.1 - 11-14-2007