Tire Hazard Replacement Insurance - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

bigcritter · 03-08-2009, 09:19 PM

I'm wondering if anyone purchased the Tire Hazard Replacement Insurance that the smartcenters are offering? I think they quoted something like $340 for 5 yrs. Seems 'kinda pricey until you break it down, and then it's only around $5.65 a month. I'm just wondering if anyone that purchased it has had to use it! It seems that these alloy wheels tend to break apart fairly easily with any kind of impact (pothole at freeway speed?), etc. I'm looking for opinions on who feels it's worth it..........who feels AAA would be a better option, and who feels you're better off setting up a "spare tire kit" ala Dunerunner and some others!

I think the spare tire is a good idea, but with my size, as you might imagine, there's NOT a lot of extra space in the car!

Even though my wife's seat could be pulled forward, I guess, I like having it all the way back so that I can see better! So.....any opinions on the insurance coverage for tires & wheels???

jetfuel · 03-08-2009, 09:29 PM

...within a few month of ownership my wife picked up a bolt that rendered the tire and the fix a flat from the kit useless...the flat bed ride + new tire + new emergency kit = worth it....my 1c crittter

jetfuel

mvaldes · 03-08-2009, 09:29 PM

I used mine when I bent a rim on one of our NJ potholes. The tire sill held air but the dealership offered to pick it the car and flatbed it to them anyway. But, since I'd have to pick it up, I drove there. They replaced it, no hassles at all and sent me on my way. (They even took care of all the paperwork.) FWIW, I'd get it again if I had to do all over.

chieftmc · 03-08-2009, 09:59 PM

Haven't used it, but DID purchase it! It was $395 for 5 years. I figure if I have to use it once, it's probably worth it

Jeff C. · 03-09-2009, 01:06 PM

bigcritter,
Thanks for asking this question.I am soon to be accepting delivery of our baby and I have been wondering the same thing.Are the wheels/tires any more prone to damage that would leave a person stranded than any other car's wheels/tires?At the present time I am adamantly opposed to the additional extended service contract that is frequently addressed on the site here.While reasonable and rational views seem to feel that the wheel/tire coverage is a worthwhile expense,I have to admit that I am surprised that the coverage seems to be a relatively popular item.I would encourage further persuasion or explanation becouse based on the seeming popularity,there may be something that I am not grasping.Please share your viewpoint or experience

misscatears · 03-09-2009, 01:43 PM

I am also interested in this. I have 10 days from Saturday to decide to add the tire plan.

There was a mistake in calculating the taxes - mine should be lower than the Dallas taxes so I'll be getting a refund. I'm considering using that refund for the tire plan.

SylenThunder · 03-09-2009, 01:49 PM

I live in Michiga. LOTs of potholes. Almost every car with low-profile tires I have had has busted a rim. Considering that a new wheel is gonna run around $600 or so, and a refurb would be about $300 if you could even find one, the $340 was well worth the extra expenditure. Plus I got Nitrogen in the tires instead of oxygen. haven't had to fill the tires yet. Other smart dosen't have warranty (or Nitrogen) because it's just to hold us till the second we ordered gets here and I have had to fill the tires twice this winter.

(Maybe it's not Nitrogen... can't remember precicely it's the othre gas they fill tires with now and charge you a lot for.)

Sylen

Big Panda · 03-09-2009, 02:16 PM

I got the 'insurance' as well. I took into consideration 'where' I lived and 'what' kind of roads I drive on.While I do alot of interstate driving, there's quite a few places even there that make me cringe when I pass over them, like some of the seams in the concrete sections. When one section rises, you don't necessarily see it until WHAM!!!....and then you're thinking 'probably bent THAT rim'. ya know what I mean?Anyway, here in Indiana, it appeared to be a good deal for 5 years for ME.