Alloy wheels come in all shapes and sizes. They’re more stylish than other options and in some cases, can improve your car’s performance too. Many luxury cars, or higher-end vehicles these days are fitted with alloys right off the production line. Alloy wheel insurance works to keep your wheels in good nick.
Because these wheels are lighter, and come in many more sizes and styles than other wheels, they’re more desirable too. In short, alloy wheels are a little like a pair of Miu Miu’s for your car. They can express your sense of style and improve your car’s value dramatically.
That’s if you take care of your alloys. A battered, scratched and scraped set of alloy wheels are more likely to take value from your motor. A little like a battered pair of Louboutin’s – they’ll turn heads for all the wrong reasons.
Getting alloy wheels into a scrape is a little easier than damaging a nice pair of boots or heels. Rubbing up against the curb as you park your car could set you back a cool £200 to fix. Possibly more if you opt for diamond cutting. That’s why alloy wheel insurance is worth considering.
What is alloy wheel insurance?
In a nutshell, alloy wheel insurance will let you see through any scratches or damage to your wheels. It lets you keep your snazzy accessories in tip-top condition without being out of pocket.
Depending on the policy you choose, the insurance may only cover the wheels or it could cover your tyres too. Tyre care and wheel care are slightly different though, so you may only wish to cover your alloys. Generally speaking, there’s a limit to the number of times a year that you can have alloys repaired and the kinds of damage that is covered.
Most policies will cover you for kerbing, damage caused by potholes or debris on the road. Because alloys are lighter than stainless steel wheels, they are easier to damage.
The cost of alloy wheel insurance depends on a couple of factors. How big your wheels are and how much your car, and the alloys you’ve put on it, cost. If you cover a lot of miles each week or your car is still under a PCP contract, alloy wheel insurance may be a good idea. It’s easy to get a quote for alloy wheel insurance.
The pros and cons of alloys
There is no denying that alloy wheels look better than plastic wheel caps or stainless steel wheels. The lighter metal mix can come in a range of colours and styles. The right choice can dramatically improve the look and value of your car.
The fact that they are lighter than steel wheels is also a benefit. Lighter wheels can improve your car’s performance. You’ll accelerate faster, brake more efficiently and put less strain and weight on your suspension. Better performance, safety and style are all great reasons to get alloy wheels – and take good care of them too.
Sounds good, right? But there is a downside. Because alloys are a mix of metals that tends to be softer than steel, they scratch more easily. They also show damage faster from potholes, corrosion and daily wear and tear. The coating on alloys can also get a bit shabby and dirty if not taken care of.
Getting alloys fixed – even if you have been careful with them can set you back hundreds of pounds. If you are planning on selling your car, you’ll definitely want to make sure the alloy wheels are in good nick. If not, they’ll rob you instead of adding to your car’s value.
The benefits of alloy wheel insurance
Typically, when your car is damaged in some way, there is an excess to pay before insurance will pick up the rest of the tab. If you were to claim for repairing your alloys on your car insurance – if your policy even covered the wheels – the excess would likely negate the benefit of claiming. What’s more your premium would increase when it was time to renew your policy.
Alloy wheel insurance is designed differently to general car insurance. Although there is usually a maximum payout of around £150 per wheel, you are expected to claim. Because of this expectation, the excess tends to be incredibly low or sometimes free.
Most alloy wheel policies have a limit to the number of claims you can make in a year. With MotorEasy’s alloy wheel insurance, that’s up to four times every 12 months. They also let you have the repairs done at your work or home, and they insure both new and used cars. Some insurers only cover new vehicles.
If you’ve bought your car with a PCP agreement, you could end up being responsible for the tiniest scratches to the alloys when the contract ends. And if you care about your car’s appearance, alloy insurance can also be beneficial. Even if you’re great at parking and rarely hit the kerb, potholes and debris on the road can cause damage to your alloy wheels.
Keeping your car in great condition improves its resale value. But more than that, it improves the enjoyment of driving. Just like having a clean car on the inside makes driving more of a pleasure, knowing your car looks gorgeous on the outside does too. Alloy wheel insurance helps you keep your cars value and your driving enjoyment intact.
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