Photograph Credit: MorgueFile (Kenn W. Kiser)
What is it with me and tires this year? If you can answer this question, then I’m all ears. Prior to this year, the only issue I have had with tires is replacing them from wear and tear.
Then along came this year.
First Incident:
I have already shared my dealing with the pothole incident that took about 3 weeks to resolve (although I am still awaiting reimbursement from the State for those damages), and then this summer I had a flat tire.
Second Incident:
I went out grocery shopping. When I returned home, I parked in the garage (like normal). As I walked around the front of the car, I noticed that the tire seemed low on air. I mentioned it to Paul that afternoon and forgot about it. Later that evening, the family piled into the car on our way to go swimming. As Paul backed out of the garage, the thumping began.
Oh, the tire.
We unloaded the car, and Paul began putting the spare tire back on the car. In using our time wisely, the kids and I walked down to the swimming pool where Paul met us after changing the tire.
Resolution:
The next day, I had a sick child, so we stayed home. The following day, the kids and I took the car back down to Discount Tire. Though I am glad these guys are here to help, I am getting tired of seeing them so often.
While sitting in the waiting area, the kids and I read books, and my two older kids enjoyed coffee. (Yes, my older two like coffee. This is even more humorous when I tell you that neither Paul nor I drink coffee. They picked up this habit from their Grandmother. Thanks, Mom. :-)) Thankfully, this visit was rather short, about half an hour, but the best part, . . . the visit was free.
Discount Tire employees were able to plug the hole, refill the air, and swap out the spare for the repaired tire. How did we get this service for free? By purchasing the additional coverage on our new tires, which has been worth every penny of the approximately $17.95 charge per tire, I did not incur a charge for the repair.
Lesson Learned:
I will never doubt paying for the additional coverage again. The extra $80 for the coverage has saved our family at least $100 this year. Since the warranty time limit covers the life of the tire up to the mileage parameters, these tires should last until the next tire purchase.
Now we are back on the straight and narrow. Hopefully, our tires will last us for another few years, but if not, I will be visiting Discount Tire with my warranty in hand.
Question: Do you purchase the additional coverage on tires for your vehicles? If so, have you had to use the warranty?