What is Rim Damage Cover in Car Insurance?
If any damage or loss is caused to an insured vehicle's wheel rims, a rim damage cover in car insurance will offer reimbursement for their replacement. This can be caused as a result of a blowout or due to driving over kerbs, potholes or road debris. Many insurers have started offering this add-on to ensure the safety of a vehicle's wheel rims.
The rim damage cover includes coverage for the cost of replacing the damaged wheel rim of the insured's vehicle.. While the tyre protection cover provides coverage to vehicle owners for damages to the insured vehicle's tyres, it does not cover damages. As a result, policyholders need to opt for the rim damage cover for protection against such an event. The rim protection cover or wheel insurance can be utilised up to a specific number of times, as specified in the policy terms.
Does Car Insurance Cover Rim Damage?
Rim damage from accidents or is usually not covered under most car insurance policies. Vehicles are prone to damaged rims due to the impact of road debris or driving over potholes so it is recommended to buy car insurance with rim damage cover for an additional premium.
Depending on the insurer, there may be a few special conditions that should be kept in mind before purchasing the rim damage cover:
- Many insurers offer the rim damage cover only for vehicles fitted with Run Flat Tyres or Tubeless Tyres.
- The number of times one may avail of the rim damage cover's benefits is usually restricted to 4 wheel rims during a policy period.
- In case the insured replaces the wheel rim on their own, they must inform their insurer about the necessary details, including the identification number of the wheel rims
Coverage Under Rim Damage Cover in Car Insurance
The type of protection offered by a rim damage cover varies from one car insurance company to another. Given below are some general inclusions and exclusions under this add-on cover:
What is Covered in Rim Damage Cover?
The following are the general inclusions under the rim damage add on cover in a car insurance policy:
- The rim damage cover in car insurance covers the cost of replacing the damaged wheel rims with a near equivalent make
- Under the rim damage cover, several insurers also include the cost of consumables and service/ labour charges incurred during the wheel replacement
What is Not Covered in Rim Damage Cover?
The rim damage cover does not include coverage for the following situations:
- Any loss or damage occurring before the inception of the policy
- If the damage caused to tyres are of another type than tubeless tyres or run flat tyres
- Cost of non-damaged rims to match them
- Loss due to manufacturing defects that are covered under the manufacturer's warranty
- Damage caused due to modification or due to operating or periodic negligence
- Loss arising out of illegal activities
- Expenses incurred due to routine maintenance such as wheel balancing, tyre rotation, alignment etc.
- If the vehicle is not repaired at an authorized network garage
- Damages resulting from poor workmanship during repair
- Minor damages that don't affect the functioning
Should You Make a Claim For Rim Damage Cover in Car Insurance?
Whether you should make a claim for rim damage cover against your car insurance policy depends on the cost of new rims and type of wheel rims you have in your car. This is because every time you make a claim, there is a compulsory deductible you need to pay. And the deductible amount can be almost the same as the cost of repairing or replacing wheel rims. Moreover, raising a claim may also impact your No Claim Bonus (NCB) in car insurance. Hence, if you make a claim under the rim protection cover, it will reset your accumulated NCB.
