You can't put a price on safety, and that's why you should ensure your tires are in good shape. Tire warranties offer protection against defects in materials or workmanship that cause damage to your tires. But what exactly does a warranty cover? How do you file a claim? We'll cover everything from tire warranties and road hazard guarantees to how long they last.
What does your warranty cover?
If a defect in materials or workmanship causes a tire to fail prematurely, the tire warranty should cover the replacement cost of that tire. Your warranty may also cover damage caused by road hazards, improper installation, and underinflation.
Tire warranties generally do not cover normal wear and tear. Defects are not always easy to identify, but there are some indications that could help you determine if your tires have any problems:
- A noticeable difference in tread depth across one or more tires on an axle
- Uneven wear patterns on side walls (the part of the sidewall between tread shoulder and bead)
- Deformation or cracks at bead areas due to overinflation, underinflation, and pinching during mounting or dismounting
Who is covered under your warranty?
If you have a tire warranty, it usually covers the original owner and any additional registered drivers. It also covers one or more family members who live at the same address as the original owner.
The road hazard coverage typically applies to all tread damage caused by objects like nails and glass that pierce the tread of your tires, but it won't cover punctures caused by things like thorns or small rocks that may not penetrate completely through the sidewall (and thus cause internal damage).
How long does your warranty last?
The length of your warranty depends on the tire manufacturer. Some manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty, while others offer a one-year or two-year warranty. In general, tires with lower price tags tend to have shorter warranties, so be sure to check what's included before buying any new tires.
Your plan might include a road hazard guarantee.
Road hazard warranties are a type of extended service plan that covers damaged tires. If you have a road hazard warranty, you can file a claim if your tire becomes unserviceable because of damage caused by road hazards such as potholes and nails.
In some cases, the road hazard warranty might cover other types of damage to your car that aren't related to driving conditions. For example, some plans may include coverage for flat tires while others will not; it depends on the specific policy you bought and whether or not it includes this coverage.
What can void your warranty?
Unlike most car warranties, tire warranties have a list of things that can void your warranty. This means that if you do any of the following, your tires will no longer be covered by the manufacturer:
- Tires installed improperly (if they're not mounted correctly)
- Tires damaged by road hazards (like nails or other sharp objects on the road)
- Tires damaged by improper maintenance (not rotating them regularly, not keeping them at proper inflation levels)
- Tires damaged by normal wear and tear (tread on tires wears down over time)
How to file a claim under your warranty
You can file a claim under your warranty by:
- Contacting the dealer where you bought the tires. If you bought them online, contact the company that sold them to you; if they're from a tire store or shop, contact that shop.
When you buy tires, you should also purchase a tire protection plan, so you are prepared for the inevitable.
There is no such thing as a perfect car, and tires are no exception. Even the best tire can have issues with wear and tear, or even damage from accidents or road hazards like potholes. You might think that if the tire itself has an issue, it will just go flat, and you'll need to change it—but there's more to it than that!
There are two ways to protect yourself from this situation: buy a warranty for your tires or buy some extra protection for your new set of wheels. A warranty will cover replacement costs for a certain number of miles (or years) down the line if you do end up needing new tires due to defects in manufacturing; meanwhile, protection plans generally cover only one repair per year—and sometimes even less than one repair per year depending on who you're buying from.
We hope that this article has helped you understand the importance of purchasing a tire warranty when you buy tires. Not only does it protect your investment, it can also save you thousands in the event that something goes wrong with your tires and they need to be replaced. A good warranty plan will help ensure that your car’s wheels are safe and secure at all times, but not all plans are created equal—so we recommend doing some research before making a decision!
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