Buying new tires for your car is a necessary investment every so often. You’re likely to spend upwards of $50 per tire, or from $250 to $500, to maintain your car’s safe, smooth ride. At the dealer or tire shop, the salesperson is likely to offer you a road hazard warranty. Before you decide, learning about a road hazard warranty can help you save money.

While you’re thinking about your car insurance, request fast, free online car insurance quotes by providing your zip code now! Then keep reading about road hazard warranty insurance to learn whether this coverage can help you save money!

According to author Richard Newton of “The Wheel and Tire Performance Handbook” (2007), the insurance company selling the road hazard warranty is betting that you won’t have any problems with the new tires. If you decide to purchase the road hazard warranty, you’re betting that construction sites, broken glass, random nails, and debris will ruin one tire or several during the warranty period.

What exactly is a road hazard warranty?

Depending upon the state of the roads you routinely traverse, a road hazard warranty protects you from the “What if’s” of road conditions. When the local government decides to rip up the only road between your home and the commuter train station, the road crew’s repairs can create the potential for tire and car damage.

For the average cost of $20 to $40 per new tire (depending upon the purchase price of each tire, and on the road hazard warranty underwriter), the consumer insures his car tires against potential damage that’s largely out of his control.

Most new tires also come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Unlike the road hazard warranty however, the manufacturer’s warranty protects the purchaser from defects of workmanship. Proving that a new tire is defective if the manufacturer hasn’t already identified the problem can be challenging, too.

If you’re driving through a construction site that causes punctures or piercings, road hazard warranty coverage can save you money. Like all insurance coverage, read the fine print of your carrier’s policy.

The decision to purchase optional road hazard warranty coverage on your tires can be a smart financial move. Know yourself, and the roads you travel, before making a decision to purchase a road hazard warranty.

How does a road hazard warranty work?

Most road hazard warranty policies help protect the pro-rata cost of your tires. If you’re nearly new tires are destroyed, you’ll receive a pro-rated cost of the tire from the insurance company after making a claim. The insurance policy evaluates the tire’s tread. If your tire has used only about 10% of the tread, your road hazard warranty policy should return about 90% of the tire’s price.

Make sure to understand the cost basis specifics used by the insurance company. For example, if you paid $50 for each tire at a store, your insurance company may use a higher or lower cost basis for each tire. The best way to learn if your insurance company uses the same cost basis is to ask a representative prior to purchase of the road hazard warranty.

Some road hazard warranty policies offer 100% of your cost basis if a tire malfunctions within up to 25% of its “useable tread life.” Some, but not all, road hazard warranty policies offer national coverage. That can benefit the driver taking a long drive on unfamiliar roads. National road hazard warranties may also offer a larger number of potential tire repair facilities or emergency road service assistance.

Does a driver carrying optional road hazard warranty insurance save money on traditional car insurance rates?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is “No.” Keep in mind that your car insurance rates depend on your driving and claims submission history. Purchasing an optional road hazard warranty for your tires can help you maintain a safe vehicle. If you do need to replace one tire or several because of the road hazards you’ve encountered, you’ll appreciate receiving the pro-rated value of your tire or tires!

What other benefits are conveyed by a road hazard warranty?

Depending on your road hazard warranty insurance carrier, the warranty may also pay for flat tire repairs, tire changing assistance, and tire re-balancing services.

Most road hazard warranties outline requirements for keeping the warranty in force. Read any road hazard warranty with care, and keep properly executed paperwork in a safe place for future use. Always read the Terms and Conditions carefully before purchasing a road hazard warranty agreement.

Comparing your car insurance rates with competitive car insurance quotes can save you money–provide your zip code now!