Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[BlueBimmer]

The reason for this thread:
I bought a set of PSSs - they are wonderful!
I got the additional insurance coverage - you never know right?

Well before I even got the rebate in the mail, 3 weeks into ownership I hit a pothole on the turnpike and a bubble formed on the sidewall. No problem right - I got the warranty. Apparently not!

First - the warranty program isn't handled by tirerack - there's a third party company - sonsio - that handles all claims.
While everyone I spoke to was professional, I am really getting the feeling that they are doing everything possible to not pay this claim. They first said I had to have a tire installer call them and report the damage, they gave me a claim number and said I had 90 days to give them the required info.
I went to the service center that installed the tires, had them take notes and pictures and the claim number. Ok we should be set right? WRONG! The said they need the service tech to dismount and inspect the inside of the tire and report back!

So I ordered a new tire, had it shipped and went to swap them out and had the service tech call them again. So far I believe this is all normal ANSI wasn't worried. They have a right to make sure they aren't paying for false claims and I can respect that.

Then they told me they'll send me a prepaid sticker to mail them the tire and if doesn't arrive in 10 business days - to give them a call! WHAT......??? 10 business days, can't you just email me the label - no they have no way of doing that even though they wanted me to send them the new tire info and old tire receipt via email!

Ok so I ask when to expect payment after they receive the tire - another 10 business days for a decision!! Then they may send a check if every thing checks out - well something feels fishy!!

[Gary@TireRack]

I'm sorry to hear you're having difficulties with the road hazard claim process. I can assure you that nothing fishy is going on and that the road hazard company is simply trying to verify that the claim is legitimate. We have worked with Sonio for many years and they are indeed an outstanding group of professionals that are not trying to avoid paying a claim.

If at any time you feel that they are not treating you fairly, please feel free to contact our customer service department. They can assist you in working with Sonsio.

[BlueBimmer]

Thank you Gary - I appreciate your feedback.
I do feel they were very professional, I just can't get over the length of the 10 step process that needs to be gone through to get the claim resolved.
BTW - I bought road hazard coverage on the replacement tire as well. I've never had to go through any type of insurance claims before; this will be my first. If it goes through OK, it'll be worth it.

[joe_planet]

This coverage would make sense if you only bought 1 certificate that covered any tire.
The odds of 1 tire blowing out are pretty slim, but more than 1 is almost 0.
They make you buy 4 certificates, which in cost approach the cost a new tire.
This is why I skip this coverage, because its complete bs.
I bought tires at costco without any warranty and one tire had a gash in the sidewall right after i got it. costco replaced it at no cost to me.

[BlueBimmer]

I got the return label in the mail on Saturday. I will be sending the tire out today or tomorrow at the latest. I will update this thread again when I receive payment.

Looking good so far I guess.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by BlueBimmer

I got the return label in the mail on Saturday. I will be sending the tire out today or tomorrow at the latest. I will update this thread again when I receive payment.

Looking good so far I guess.

Keep us updated ... I never buy tire ins because it's bs by the time you include your time and all costs but I always wondered if these companies are out there just to rip off consumers or are legit businesses. It seems you wasted enough time equivalent to the cost of 4 tires already.

[fazman]

It really depends on your luck, all insurance is a scam (Health insurance, auto insurance, home insurance, tire insurance...). They need to make money on most people who have little to no claims so they can off set the few who have large claims. At the end of the day it's a business and they need to make money on top of employing tons of folks.

If you can self insure your going to take on all the risk, but might end up ahead if you live in an area which has low cost services for nail repairs and have well maintained roads. However, if you live in the North Eastern area or in NJ/NY area with next to no road maintenance in almost 2 decades... wheel and tire insurance is a good bet! Just like if you live in an earthquake prone area or live in a flood zone... your probably going to do well hedging your bets to get insurance for things.

I've known people to total expensive vehicles or others who got into large pile ups, then I have myself who has never had an auto insurance claim in my life (20 years and 750k+ miles). i still pay auto insurance and they made tons of money on me over 20 years... you could self insure auto insurance... but it just doesn't make sense.

[melloww22]

I bought my current set from tirerack but I just read in this thread that Costco has a great replacement warranty...

[N 5 4]

I've always wondered about the "Certs" these tire places push with each purchase. Since tires on AWD vehicles must be replaced 4 at a time, what happens when a tire is not repairable? I need a set for the AWD before this winter.

[Gary@TireRack]

We actually don't push Road Hazard at all. Reps here are instructed not to even bring it up unless the customer asks about it. I can't speak for the "certs" that other places might push.

There is no need to trash a whole set of tires due to a failure of one on an AWD vehicle. Instead, just have the new tire shaved to match the tread depth of the other three good tires.

[fazman]

Originally Posted by BA335iS

I've always wondered about the "Certs" these tire places push with each purchase. Since tires on AWD vehicles must be replaced 4 at a time, what happens when a tire is not repairable? I need a set for the AWD before this winter.

I'm surprised Gary never answered this question... Tire rack actually has an awesome service where u can request them to shave down a brand new tire to the tread depth of the 3 remaining new tires that way u can just buy 1 tire instead of buying 4 new ones.

So i'm going to make another sonsio claim cuz of road hazard today. Lets see how it goes. Last time it was a little involved but they paid out in the end. The trade off is, costco has 5yr warranty an its prorated. Sonsio is a 3yr program but if anything happens in the first 12 months they give u 100% back and is only prorated for months 13-36. Not bad deal for me since i drive a lot.