Is RAC Tyre Replace worth it?

Crabman
Crabman Posts: 9,942 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
I'm considering the add-on to RAC cover called 'Tyre Replace':


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.


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Comments

  • Grey_Critic
    Grey_Critic Posts: 1,413 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    How often do you replace these items? Probably cheaper just to put the money in a savings accout.for that proverbial rainy day
  • HillStreetBlues
    HillStreetBlues Posts: 5,797 Forumite
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    £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.

    Let's Be Careful Out There
  • EssexExile
    EssexExile Posts: 6,424 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    How often do you replace tyres other than because they've worn out? I can't remember the last time for me.
    Tall, dark & handsome. Well two out of three ain't bad.
  • Crabman
    Crabman Posts: 9,942 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    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 :s so I'm leaning towards not selecting this add on.
  • retiringtoosoon
    retiringtoosoon Posts: 315 Forumite
    100 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 21 June 2023 at 7:00AM
    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
    Grey_Critic Posts: 1,413 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker

    From your sample size of 2 responses 🤔
    So what do you expect?

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

  • CliveOfIndia
    CliveOfIndia Posts: 2,447 Forumite
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    £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.
    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
    Car_54 Posts: 8,784 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper

    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
    CliveOfIndia Posts: 2,447 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Car_54 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.

  • 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!
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