Quote:
Originally Posted by jsf721
My car is due in sometime in early June. I got the 664M 19" wheels with the run flats (tire brand not specified). I see the new wheels sell for $ 450-500 + tax and I am not sure of the tire cost. The roads do stink around my area and I have had this type of insurance and used it before so am leaning toward getting it but I have paid 750.00 in the past on an Infiniti w/20" sport rims. This is substantially more. BMW Dealer quoted $1850 for wheel and tire insurance w/ cosmetic (unlimited claims) for 3 years (my lease term).
I think that is a bit high. After discussions with the finance guy he went to $ 1,800 said bottom line. Suggested I look around and see that's a fair price for a top vendor NSD (Nation Safe Driver out of Boca Raton Fla).
I have 2 specific multi part questions if you would not mind sharing your experiences so I can make a decision:
1. Who had gotten this type of insurance from a dealer at less of a cost. who was the provider? who was he dealer?
2. Who has gotten the insurance outside of the dealer and what was the cost and vendor? Have you made any claims? if so how did it go?
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I suggest you Google search NSD Group, LLC and read up on them and reviews from consumers. They claim they've been around since 1962, FWIW.
I prefer dealer sold policies simply because their service department will handle all claims and be your advocate. We'll, at least better dealers will....
The problem with most tire/wheel policies is in the fine print. What it takes for them to replace a wheel for new as opposed to using a used wheel that's "like new". Most policies give them the right. These policies typically only cover a cracked wheel or bent wheel that creates a safety concern. If you have a cosmetically damaged wheel sometimes the insurance will try to blame your carelessness on the cause of the damage, depending on the damage.... Just beware.
The reason these policies are so pricey is due to the cost of run flat tires and the potential to damage wheels more easily with BMW sport tire low profile setups. Then there's the fraud issues that have always plagued these policies. People who magically get self induced tire damage when they have 30% tread life remaining. The fraudsters have ruined it for the rest of us honest people.
BTW, run flat tires can be repaired same as non run flat. It's misinformation out there that claims you cannot patch a nail puncture in a run flat. It all started from tire manufacturers who ask tire dealers not to repair because a run flat driven on flat is only good for xx miles. Since they don't know how many miles you drove, they err on the cautious side and just say no. Most of us are smarter than that and don't drive on tires with little to no inflation. So, take it to a shop with a good tire mounting machine, that can handle the BMW bead and stiff sidewall, and get it fixed.
Finally, I don't know of any 19" BMW wheel that's $500 ish retail. Probably more like $750+ unless you have a trade discount.
Good luck.