Your tires are in constant contact with the road, making them the most exposed part of your vehicle or RV. They put up with a lot–from general wear-and-tear to unexpected road hazards like potholes–and it’s easy to take for granted our tires’ longevity, until it’s too late.
When you suffer a flat tire, there’s more at stake than just the inconvenience of being stuck on the side of the road. A flat tire can be expensive: the average cost of an RV tire is $500. For cars, $200. And you’ll pay even more if the wheel or other components are damaged.
So what would a flat tire cost you? Do you know if the tire needs to be replaced or repaired? Or if damage has been done? There are a lot of questions in the event of a flat, but you’ll be better off if you have an answer before there’s a problem. Here we’ll look at why a tire and wheel protection plan is worth the investment to give you peace of mind.
What is a road hazard?
Most are familiar with the risk of hitting a pothole–especially after winter. They’re careful to look for dips in the road that could be hiding deeper ruts. But what about when debris falls from a truck, impacts your tire, and causes a flat? There’s little-to-no preparation for that scenario, and now you’re left to cover the cost of a flat tire on your own.
Road hazards include any foreign items that are unexpectedly run over while driving that could potentially damage your tires, wheel, or vehicle. From road damage like potholes to debris from other vehicles or construction–nails, screws, branches, building materials–road hazards can cause significant damage to your tires and wheels.
Not all insurance plans will cover road hazards, even though they cause similar damage to your vehicle as other incidents like weather or collisions. And if you happen to damage multiple tires and wheels from one instance with a road hazard, you still have to repair or replace each tire and wheel–which can be a hefty sum.
What is tire and wheel protection?
Roughly 220 million flat tires occur each year. Given that there are only 230 million drivers, the odds of you experiencing a flat tire are high. Tire and wheel protection plans exist to act as umbrella coverage for tires and wheels that are damaged by road hazards.
With the prevalence of flat tires each year caused by road hazards, a protection plan for tires and wheels ensures you don’t have to pay for repeat flats or damages. For example, the Good Sam Tire & Wheel Protection Plan essentially pays for itself after the first incident.
Paired with a roadside assistance plan, a tire and wheel protection plan can ensure you don’t pay anything for full-service tire and wheel repair or replacement. Plus, with the right roadside assistance plan, you have 24/7 coverage and will never be left stranded due to a flat.
“But doesn’t my vehicle’s spare tire cover me in the event of a flat?” Note that the spare tire on most vehicles is not a standard, full-capacity tire. Instead, these “donut” tires are only meant to suffice for approximately fifty miles–enough to get you to the nearest service center–and you can’t drive at full speed. With a tire and wheel protection plan and a roadside assistance plan, you could avert any replacement on your own and get back on the road at full capacity.
What does the Good Sam Tire & Wheel Protection Plan cover?
The Good Sam Tire & Wheel Protection Plan exists to protect you from the high costs of paying for a flat tire or tire repair. For as little as $59.99 a year1, you could get coverage for your vehicle, no matter how many incidents occur. Not only does this cover flats and repairs, but your wheels are safe, too.
This comprehensive service gives peace of mind, year after year. Here’s how:
- Extended coverage for your auto, towing vehicle, motorhome, trailer, or any vehicle you are towing.
- Flat tire repair should a road hazard cause damage to your tire, up to $75 per RV tire, per occurrence–and $30 per auto tire.
- Tire replacement if a puncture, bruise, or impact from a road hazard is irreparable.
- Wheel replacement and repair if your wheel is damaged by a road hazard and can’t maintain an airtight seal or be rebalanced.
- Mounting, balancing, valve stem and disposal fees covered up to $75 coverage for your RV or $30 for autos.
With the Good Sam Tire & Wheel Protection Plan , you don't have to guess your next step, and you don’t have to pay. Learn more today to see how you can get the coverage you need.