Alloy Wheel Insurance

[Tim bo]

Anyone taken out specific alloy wheel insurance on their pride n joy?

I've got turbo 911 wheels on my 718 CS, which I think are diamond-cut ??

Repair, refurb or replacement of these would be v expensive I'd imagine.

In my long history of car ownership, most have had scuffs and scrapes to their alloys.

Though I'm going to be a ultra careful with the 718 CS, because I know I'm going to break down and cry if I scuff these alloys, I also know that my parking skillz are D- See Me After Class at best.

So am looking at getting them insured.

ALA, who I'm insured with for Gap, don't cover diamond-cut alloys. My OPC doesn't offer alloy insurance either. So interested to know if anyone here has found a good insurance product?

[Sparkyhd]

I wouldn't get diamond cut for this reason.

I scuffed my alloy on a Honda and for £75 repair it's impossible to see where it was damaged. For me I'd rather repair, chuck, replace some items than burden myself with a never ending stream of insurance policies.

[neilf]

The timing is impeccable. *sigh

Scuffed one of my Carrera Sport wheels (first time I've done it in years) a couple of weeks ago.

I did take alloy/tyre insurance with my OPC. Glad I did.

I didn't know this previously but Diamond polished alloys cannot be 'refurbished' they have to be 'repaired'.

The insurance isn't actually with Porsche but a 'Premier Auto Management Co' or some such waffle.The whole process was very simple... online claim form attaching a couple of pics of the damage. Informed me 24hrs later their recommended repairer was... you guessed it, my OPC.

Apparently, they usually lend you a set of 'courtesy wheels' while yours is being repaired (repairing a diamond polished wheel takes 3-5 days) but they didn't have a set to fit a 982 so I picked up a very yellow Cayman courtesy car this morning.

I can't remember the cost of the insurance but do remember my OPC saying I was pretty lucky I got my car when I did as Porsche were about to increase the cost by a fairly hefty amount (this was last November). A 981 Cayman owning mate is also an advocate. He had 5 tyres replaced with 6 weeks due to punctures (suspected vandalism) without hassle.

[bcr5784]

Sparkyhd said:

I wouldn't get diamond cut for this reason.

I scuffed my alloy on a Honda and for £75 repair it's impossible to see where it was damaged. For me I'd rather repair, chuck, replace some items than burden myself with a never ending stream of insurance policies.

+1 The usual low cost repair places exclude diamond cut, so I would factor it into your choice of wheel.

[huytonman]

I had diamond cuts on my 987, the cost to repair damaged rims was around £115/corner but as mentioned they have to be re-machined and there is a limit to how many times this can be done. In my case, one wheel had been done previously and it was made very clear to me that any more damage after refurb would result in a scrapped wheel. I have to say that since then I have avoided any wheels like this except my newly acquired E350 AMG came with diamond cuts and Mercedes have agreed today that surface corrosion warrants replacement of all four at their cost, after 2.5 years. I really dont think this type of wheel sits well with the UK climate, salty roads etc..
Be careful though with after market insurance, all of the ones that I looked at excluded diamond cuts.
Keith

[tcs0tm]

excuse my lack of knowledge but which wheels on the current models are diamond cut?

I'm guessing the 911 Turbo ones are which are the ones i've currently picked but I could decide on any others to go with carmine but now i'm wondering if it's a bad choice

[Tim bo]

tcs0tm said:

excuse my lack of knowledge but which wheels on the current models are diamond cut?

I'm guessing the 911 Turbo ones are which are the ones i've currently picked but I could decide on any others to go with carmine but now i'm wondering if it's a bad choice

Not sure which of the Porsche selection of alloys are diamond cut, but the Turbo 911 ones are.

Have no regrets about choosing them. They look spectacular, moreso in the flesh.

Think they suit red Caymans especially well too.

[alanshaw]

Tim bo,

Now taken delivery of my car, I have contacted totallossgap.co.uk & they were excellent + are underwritten & don't work out of farm bldgs !
GAP £239 to man list @ time of claim, 4yrs deferred to start 2018 & is transferable if you change car, Alloy & Tyre Ins combined 3yrs £299, scratch/dent 3yrs £200 & can be sold on with car.
I spoke to Tom Luetchford who was extremely helpful
Hope that assists..................

Edited by alanshaw on Thursday 30th March 08:29

[Tim bo]

Thanks Alan.

I did have a close look at totallossgap. Interestingly their online quote (alloys only) came out at £169 for 3 year cover for me.

Only possible sting in the tail is that they have their own approved repairers, whereas I'd prefer the option to specify - as I'd take it to the Porsche wheel repairer that my OPC uses themselves.

I will email totallossgap about this possibility. If they will allow that, then I think it's probably worth it.

[tcs0tm]

Tim bo said:

Thanks Alan.

I did have a close look at totallossgap. Interestingly their online quote (alloys only) came out at £169 for 3 year cover for me.

Only possible sting in the tail is that they have their own approved repairers, whereas I'd prefer the option to specify - as I'd take it to the Porsche wheel repairer that my OPC uses themselves.

I will email totallossgap about this possibility. If they will allow that, then I think it's probably worth it.

Did you go with this? Looks like they cover diamond cut on their policy and £189 for 3 years with £10 excess.

[ishay]

I like my diamond cuts because they are much easier to keep clean. Clean the pale surface and don't worry (too) much about the dark areas as they don't show brake dust so much.

I just park a long way from curbs, if I park on the street at all...

[Tim bo]

tcs0tm said:

Did you go with this? Looks like they cover diamond cut on their policy and £189 for 3 years with £10 excess.

I called them up.

They state on their website that they will insure you if you bought the car new in the last 30 days, but to give them a call if you bought it in the last 90.

I was well beyond 30 but within 90 days when I called.

On the phone however they stated that they are changing their policy to only insuring those bought within 30 days, and nothing more.

So mine are not covered.

[AW10]

And in the fine print it states "£150 contribution to a replacement if the alloy is beyond repair." So is the policy really worth the bother?

[tcs0tm]

hmmm didn't notice that, I can actually get the alloys fixed for £65 so I think ill just drive carefully and go with that

[Coups86]

Has anyone actually used total loss gap for tyre insurance and if so managed to claim the money back for a tyre replaced at an OPC?

[AW10]

Can't see the point of tyre insurance. IMHO insurance is meant to cover major losses and liability towards others. In some 35 years of driving I have never had to replace a tyre due to damage - self insuring that risk has saved me a packet!

[red997]

I have;
panamera turbo
ran over some metallic road furniture, unlit road at night.

Slashed OSF & OSR tyres.
insurance paid out (no excess)
I paid for the other side so the car was balanced.

Have it on my GT3 - not used it yet tho.