Is RAC Tyre Replace worth it?

Crabman

I'm considering the add-on to RAC cover called 'Tyre Replace':

https://www.rac.co.uk/breakdown-cover/breakdown-extras

Has anyone had experience of how this works? I have premium tyres fitted but can't find anything on whether they'd replace an existing tyre with one of the same brand and model? They say cover per tyre is £150 which is more than appropriate, but it would be good to know if others have used this and if you think this is a good add-on to have.

Their battery cover I don't think is worth it - the cost of a new battery (for my vehicle) is not far above their annual fee for battery replace, so better to just put that towards the new battery when it eventually needs replacing.

Grey_Critic

How often do you replace these items? Probably cheaper just to put the money in a savings accout.for that proverbial rainy day

HillStreetBlues

£79pa  for them to replace a tyre(s) that can't be repaired, seems a lot to me.
Although it's called "tyre replace"   it's not, as they will repair it if they can.

EssexExile

How often do you replace tyres other than because they've worn out? I can't remember the last time for me.

Crabman

Good points to consider, thanks all. I guess no one here has actually had direct experience of this service then.

Only once have I had a puncture that was not repairable and that cost me more as the garage knew I wasn't in a position to shop around so I'm leaning towards not selecting this add on.

retiringtoosoon

Crabman said:

Good points to consider, thanks all. I guess no one here has actually had direct experience of this service then.

From your sample size of 2 responses 🤔

Grey_Critic

retiringtoosoon said:

From your sample size of 2 responses 🤔

So what do you expect?

**We asked 100 people........ and they said***

CliveOfIndia

HillStreetBlues said:

£79pa  for them to replace a tyre(s) that can't be repaired, seems a lot to me.

Depends on what car you drive i suppose.  I drive an "ordinary" family car, and a new tyre is usually in the region of £50 - £60 or so.  I'm sure that a posher car with bigger wheels or whatever could cost a lot more for a replacement tyre.

EssexExile said:

How often do you replace tyres other than because they've worn out? I can't remember the last time for me.

I was going to say the same thing - can't remember the last time I had to replace a tyre due to a puncture.

Having said that, a friend of mine is a delivery driver on a round that's very rural, full of farm tracks and little back roads, he's forever getting punctures.

I guess it's just like any insurance - well worth it if you need it.  For £78 a year, if you get 2 punctures a year (that can't be repaired) then it's well worth it.

I've been paying buildings/contents insurance for nigh on 40 years, never had a claim, must have paid thousands in premiums over that time.  Waste of money?  Maybe.  But if my house burned to the ground I'd be bloomin' glad I'd got it.

OK, that's a bit different to the relatively small cost of a few tyres, but the principle is exactly the same.

And the RAC aren't daft - they'll have priced the insurance to ensure they make money overall, just like any form of insurance.

Car_54

CliveOfIndia said:

Depends on what car you drive i suppose.  I drive an "ordinary" family car, and a new tyre is usually in the region of £50 - £60 or so.  I'm sure that a posher car with bigger wheels or whatever could cost a lot more for a replacement tyre.

Mine isn't remotely posh - Honda CRV - but I had a puncture recently and paid £195 for a new tyre.

Luckily I could get to a tyre depot that time. If it had happened out in the sticks or late at night it would certainly have cost a lot more, so the RAC product is worth a look.

CliveOfIndia

Car_54 said:

CliveOfIndia said:

Depends on what car you drive i suppose.  I drive an "ordinary" family car, and a new tyre is usually in the region of £50 - £60 or so.  I'm sure that a posher car with bigger wheels or whatever could cost a lot more for a replacement tyre.

Mine isn't remotely posh - Honda CRV - but I had a puncture recently and paid £195 for a new tyre.

Ouch !!!

I agree with you, on that basis the RAC insurance may be a gamble worth taking (although you'd need the "upgraded" cover).

It doesn't help answer the OP's main question though - what sort of tyre will they fit?  There's nothing in the T&Cs to say whether it's a like-for-like (so top-of-the-range if that's what was punctured), mid-range or the cheapest available.

PMB1975

Membership is definitely worth it...

I've been RAC breakdown member for 2 years. Didn't realise I had tyre cover until recently when i called up to discuss my renewal. I'd had slow rear punctures - had been pumping up monthly for ages!  RAC attended and authorised 2 x 195 45 18 Pirelli P7 rear tyres (£149.99 each) 

Had them fitted 3 days later. 

The following week a front spring snapped and damaged one of front tyres. Rac attended, recovered car to my preferred garage for spring repair and authorised front tyre replacement, again Pirelli P7 (£149.99).

3 days later 2 flat tyres. screw in side wall of other front tyre and a similar screw in one of new rears. Patrol attended again and authorised 2 more Pirelli tyres as they couldnt be repaired!

That's my 5 tyres for the years membership used up... 2 weeks later membership renewed so I have 5 more tyre replacements available in next 12 months should I require it!

£750 worth of tyres in space ofn4 weeks.

Definitely think the membership and extra tyre cover is worth paying for!