Car accident insurance replacing one tyre?

[Deleted User]

Just a quick question.I had a non fault accident where a car hit the side of me on a motorway.

Anyway, their insurance company has agreed to replace one tyre and refurb the same alloy wheel due to the impact.

My question is should they replace both rear tyres on a fast real wheel drive sports car rather than just one?

The reason I ask is that one brand new rear tyre replaced with the other on 4mm(plenty of life left) presumably does not have the same grip?(all my tyres were on exactly 4mm)

Also my 'insurance approved' garage is charging £290 for a tyre that is normally £145.

I presume the answer is no they only need to replace the damaged tyre?

Just hacked off with 'insurance garages' that are just a rip off racket.

Any advice appreciated.

Chris

dacouch

Would you be happier if the Insurers replaced the damaged tyre with a second hand tyre with 4mm of life left on it?

[Deleted User]

dacouch wrote: »

Would you be happier if the Insurers replaced the damaged tyre with a second hand tyre with 4mm of life left on it?

I would prefer due to grip that they all had the same mm.

So to the answer to you're question is no I would like a new one with 4mm tread lol.

Driving a fast rear wheel drive with uneven tyres by experience is not particularly fun and prefer not to end up in a ditch and not confidence inspiring.

straighttalker

I don't understand why you think they're a "rip off racket". One tyre was damaged. One tyre was replaced. If they replaced both, it would be deemed betterment. If you want the other tyre replaced, pay for it to be replaced yourself.

[Deleted User]

straighttalker wrote: »

I don't understand why you think they're a "rip off racket". One tyre was damaged. One tyre was replaced. If they replaced both, it would be deemed betterment. If you want the other tyre replaced, pay for it to be replaced yourself.

LOL I new I would get some sympathy round here!The reason I said rip-off merchants was that the garage is charging my insurance company £290 for one tyre where I can get two for that price.

straighttalker

You have to see it from the point of view of the third party insurance and their assessor. If their assessor has said one tyre was damaged, they can't justify the other tyre being replaced as well. It's like having one damaged wing replaced with a new one. The undamaged one on the other side of the car won't be touched even if it's more worn and less shiny than the new one.

Spicy_McHaggis

If it worries you that much replace the other one.

[Deleted User]

straighttalker wrote: »

You have to see it from the point of view of the third party insurance and their assessor. If their assessor has said one tyre was damaged, they can't justify the other tyre being replaced as well. It's like having one damaged wing replaced with a new one. The undamaged one on the other side of the car won't be touched even if it's more worn and less shiny than the new one.

I'm talking about rear wheel drive sports cars.They don't go round corners well with uneven tyres!
A wing that is different on the other side has nought to do with safety.:)

[Deleted User]

Spicy_McHaggis wrote: »

If it worries you that much replace the other one.

Looks like I'll replace the tyre myself.:)

SteveJW

Maybe what you don't want to hear, but I don't think you have a chance. They basically have to put you in the position you were in prior to the accident, they are putting you in a better position by providing a new tyre.
Make sure it is the same make
With some insurers they go down the betterment route, one of our fleet insurers used that route eg
£145 tyre, 8mm when new, 1.6mm worn out, 4mm remaining on damaged tyre
8mm - 1.6mm = 6.4mm usable tread
£145 / 6.4mm = £22.65 per usable mm
4mm remaining - 1.6mm unusable = 2.4mm usable remaining
2.4mm x £22.65 = £54.37
I doubt if the "insurance approved garage" will replace the tyre, but outsource it to one of the national chains, who will discount the price, the garage will then charge the insurers the book price
Why not approach the insurers and tell them you would accept the £290 in lieu of a new tyre as you want to try a different brand

Spicy_McHaggis

Deleted_User wrote: »

Looks like I'll replace the tyre myself.:)

Panic over, back to normal service. :beer::money: