Reviewing Tyre and Alloy Wheel Insurance Policies – Find the Best One
Your car’s wheels take more wear than almost any other part of your vehicle. From scraping a kerb to hitting an unexpected pothole, damage to tyres and alloys is fairly common and expensive to fix. While standard car insurance often excludes cosmetic damage or wheel repairs, dedicated Tyre and Alloy Wheel Insurance can help protect you from costly surprises.
But with so many providers offering different levels of cover, how do you know which policy is right for you? In this guide, we’ll break down what tyre and alloy insurance includes, when it’s worth considering, and how to compare providers based on claim limits, excess fees, repair options, and coverage features.
Most car insurers do not cover cosmetic damage or damage to wheels, tyres or alloys. This can leave you significantly out of pocket when you need to repair or replace them. Keeping your diamond-cut alloys looking pristine can also be particularly expensive.
Accidental damage to alloys can occur during everyday driving, from potholes, high kerbs or uneven or narrow roads. But no matter how carefully you drive, there’s little to protect you from malicious damage by a third party, such as slashed tyres. You could face a significant repair bill for an incident that wasn’t your fault.
Tyre and Alloy Wheel Insurance is significantly more affordable than the cost of replacing all your tyres or alloys, and what’s more, the policies can often be used several times per year. It’s a good idea if you park your car on the street or if your area has high kerbs or uneven road surfaces. Ultimately, the decision largely depends on the value of your alloys and the cost of replacing your tyres, but it can be a good idea to protect against unforeseen costs and keep your car’s wheels looking like new.
What Should You Look For When Insuring Wheels?
You’ll need to think about whether you want to cover just the tyres or the tyres and alloys. Value-for-money, variable claim limits, optional extras or fast repairs or zero excess can influence which provider would be best suited to your needs. Explore the features of a good tyre insurance policy:
Zero excess to pay when you make a claim
Covers both accidental and malicious damage
Uses a mobile repair network
Includes multiple claims per year
Flexible eligibility requirements (age or mileage requirements)
Broad coverage scope for both cosmetic and structural damage of the tyres and the alloys (additional peace of mind if the policy covers inner wheel structures and misalignment)
A reputable provider with a track record of arranging repairs and paying claims quickly
The more coverage you add to your policy, such as higher individual claim limits or the annual number of claims, the more your premium will increase, so it’s important to weigh up your priorities and budget.
Accidental or malicious damage to tyres and alloys including diamond cut alloys. Mobile SMART repairs
Mobile repair services, offers large discounts on multi-year policies, 1-4 year
Direct Gap
~£250
5 tyre and 5 alloy
£250 per tyre, £150 per alloy
Zero
Cars ≤7 yrs / 100k miles
Tyres, cosmetic, replacement, diamond-cut, mobile repairs
Mobile repairs, 1-3 yr plans, wide eligibility
Total Loss Gap
~£280
5 tyre and 5 alloy
£350 per tyre, £150 per alloy
Zero
Cars ≤7 yrs (no mileage limit)
Tyres, alloys, replacement if irreparable
No mileage limit, 30-day cooling-off
Tidy Alloys
~£200–£280
4 or 5
£100-200 oer tyre, £150 per alloy
Zero
Newer vehicles only
Cosmetic repair, replacement contribution, various tiers available
Three tiers; direct payment
Car2Cover
~£240
5 tyre and 5 alloy
£250 oer tyre, £150 per alloy
Zero
Cars ≤7 yrs / 70k miles, dealer-bought, pre-approval video needed
Cosmetic repair, replacement contribution
Pre-approval video, age/mileage limits
Why Choose ALA Tyre and Alloy Wheel Insurance
ALA Tyre and Alloy Wheel Insurance offers comprehensive, cost-effective protection against accidental and malicious damage. With generous claim limits, zero excess, and coverage for diamond-cut alloys, ALA stands out as a trusted provider. Their mobile repair network makes fixing damage quick and hassle-free, and multi-year policy discounts provide excellent value. Whether you’re protecting a leased car or your own, ALA offers flexibility, convenience, and peace of mind. Explore the benefits below:
Affordable yearly policies with multi-year discounts.
Choose from either 2 or 4 claims per year – there’s no need to pay for claims you won’t use.
Zero excess to pay.
No mileage requirements.
Get cover for up to 4 years to cover most lease or finance agreements
Cover both accidental and malicious damage to tyres or alloys.
Get the most generous claim limits (up to £250 per alloy and £300 per tyre).
Benefit from a trusted Insurance provider, regulated by the FCA.
Mobile repair network helps you get on the road in no time.
Tyre theft is not typically covered under comprehensive auto insurance unless the vehicle has been stolen at the same time, in which case you can claim a total loss payout. Third-party tyre and alloy insurance protects you if wheel parts are stolen or damaged.
How long does alloy wheel protection last?
You can buy tyre and alloy wheel protection for up to four years with ALA, which is ideal if you plan on keeping your car for longer and for saving money with multi-year discounts.
What are the benefits of alloy wheel repair service?
You’re covered for repair or replacement (up to a generous claim limit) if your tyres or alloys get damaged or are stolen. Since most car insurance providers don’t cover this, you can avoid a significant out-of-pocket repair bill. Also, you can make several claims per year, with zero excess, making it much simpler to keep your wheels looking pristine.
Alloy wheel upgrade – do you declare or not?
Your alloy wheel insurance policy isn’t determined by the value of your alloys, so even if you upgrade, your policy should remain valid as long as the new alloys are manufacturer standard. However, you should bear in mind that your per-alloy claim limit is £250, regardless of your alloy’s value, so if they’re significantly more expensive than this, you may want a policy with higher claim allowances.
How to make a claim through tyre and alloy wheel insurance?
Contact us as soon as possible after your wheels get damaged; you have 14 days to get in touch about your claim. Call our claims handler on 0161 3939907 or send an email via: valid8admin@davies-group.com. You should have your policy number, personal and vehicle details to hand, and a police incident number, if applicable.
Is tyre and alloy wheel insurance compulsory when leasing a vehicle with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts?
Protecting your alloys is particularly important for leased vehicles because you could be charged for damage. However, it’s not mandatory for your lease agreement. Alloy wheel insurance is a practical way to avoid a significant cost when you return your lease.
Is tyre and alloy wheel cover best for a used or new car?
Most drivers prefer to protect their new cars from cosmetic damage to keep them looking brand-new. However, even older cars with higher mileage can get damaged from everyday usage. ALA covers vehicles up to 7 years old as long as you’ve purchased from a VAT-registered dealership or leased it within 30 days.
What doesn’t tyre and alloy wheel cover?
The main exclusions are pre-existing damage, a low tread depth from wear & tear or manufacturer defects. Read the IPID and the policy wording for a full list of exclusions and restrictions.