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Tyre and Rim protection: a niche optional cover worth knowing
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Introduction
Tyre protection cover pays for tyre and rim damage caused by potholes, hitting a kerb, and road hazards, events that a standard Own Damage (OD) policy excludes when they do not also damage the rest of the car. On a new car with alloy wheels, a single pothole burst that requires a tyre replacement and a rim repair can cost ₹8,000 to ₹20,000 depending on the tyre specification and the alloy profile. This optional cover addresses that specific gap.
In this blog, we are going to cover what this cover is called and what all the names mean, why the standard OD policy excludes most tyre damage, exactly what tyre and rim protection pays for, what it does not cover, who benefits most from holding it, who can skip it, and how the claim works.
Keep in mind
This cover pays for tyre and rim damage from potholes, hitting a kerb, and road hazards, when no other part of the car is damaged
A standard Own Damage policy covers tyre damage only when it happens alongside a wider accident, not on its own
It is available for cars only, not for bikes or two-wheelers, under any insurer
The cover is most financially relevant on new cars with alloy wheels, run-flat tyres, or premium tyre specifications where a single tyre replacement costs ₹5,000 or more
Tyre Secure is simply another name insurers use for the same cover
Other names for this cover
This optional cover may appear under different names across insurers and policy documents, but they generally refer to the same type of cover.
Tyre protection cover
A common name for cover against eligible tyre and rim damage caused by specified road hazards.
Tyre Secure
A branded name used by some insurers for the same type of optional cover.
Tyre and rim cover
A name that makes it clear that both the tyre and the wheel rim are covered.
Tyre damage insurance
Another term used in some policy summaries and comparison platforms.
When comparing policies, check the actual coverage and exclusions rather than just relying on the name.
What the standard OD policy does with tyre damage, and why
Understanding why tyre damage is excluded by default makes it clear exactly what problem tyre protection cover solves.
A standard comprehensive Own Damage (OD) policy generally covers tyre damage when it happens as part of an accident that also damages other parts of the car.
For example, if a car hits a wall and damages its tyres and bumper, the tyre damage can form part of the accident claim. But if a pothole causes only a tyre to burst or a rim to bend, with no other damage to the car, the standard OD policy generally does not cover it.
This is because tyres are subject to normal wear and tear, and standalone damage from road hazards is treated differently from damage caused by a wider accident. Tyre and rim protection is an optional cover designed to address this gap.
What tyre and rim protection cover actually does
Tyre and rim protection cover pays for the cost of repairing or replacing tyres and rims when they are damaged by specific road hazard events, even when no other part of the car is damaged in the same incident.
The events typically covered include:
Pothole damage
Tyre bursts, bulges or sidewall tears caused by hitting a pothole.
Hitting a kerb
Tyre or rim damage caused by hitting a kerb, speed breaker at an angle or road edge.
Road debris impact
Damage caused by nails, stones or other sharp objects on the road. Slow punctures are generally excluded.
Rim damage
Bending or cracking of alloy or steel rims caused by covered road hazards.
Tyre replacement
Cost of an eligible replacement tyre and, where covered, related balancing and wheel alignment costs.
The cover typically specifies a maximum claim amount per tyre and a maximum number of tyres per policy year. Check your policy document, available at Kiwi Insurance, for the specific per-tyre limit and the annual claim limit on your plan.
What tyre protection cover does not cover
Tyre protection cover addresses specific road hazard events. It does not extend to all tyre-related costs.
Slow punctures
Gradual air loss caused by a nail, thorn or similar damage is generally excluded. Check your policy for specific exclusions.
Worn or ageing tyres
Bald, cracked or end-of-life tyres, including damage caused by normal wear, are not covered.
Racing and off-road use
Damage during racing, off-road driving or use on non-public roads is excluded.
Age-related rim damage
Corrosion, rust and other gradual deterioration of rims are not covered.
Bikes and two-wheelers
This optional cover is available for cars and is not offered for bikes or two-wheelers.
The compulsory deductible
For cars up to 1,500cc, such as a Honda City or a Hyundai Verna, the compulsory deductible on every Own Damage claim is ₹1,000. For cars above 1,500cc, such as a Hyundai Creta or a Kia Seltos, it is ₹2,000.
₹1,000
Who genuinely benefits from this cover
Tyre and rim protection cover delivers its most concrete financial value in these situations.
City drivers on poorly maintained roads
Frequent potholes, broken road edges and uneven surfaces increase the risk of tyre and rim damage, particularly for regular commuters.
New cars with premium alloy wheels
Wide or low-profile tyres and alloy wheels can be more expensive to repair or replace after pothole damage. A single tyre or rim replacement can therefore result in a high repair bill.
Cars with run-flat tyres
Run-flat tyres are generally more expensive to replace and may not always be repairable after impact damage. Tyre protection can help reduce the cost of an eligible replacement.
Cars with tyres that are not widely available
Specialised, wide or performance tyres may need to be ordered rather than bought locally. Cover can help with the replacement cost when the damage is eligible.
Who don’t really need this cover
For some car owners, the tyre protection cover premium adds cost without a proportional return.
Drivers on highways and well-maintained roads
They generally face fewer pothole and kerb-related risks. Standard OD cover still protects against tyre damage caused by covered accidents.
Older cars with standard steel rims and budget tyres
The cost of replacing a standard tyre may be relatively low, making the additional premium less worthwhile.
Owners who drive infrequently
Occasional short trips mean less exposure to potholes, road debris and other hazards covered by the add-on.
Owners who want to protect their NCB
A tyre protection claim may affect your NCB if it is raised as an OD claim. For a small repair, compare the claim amount with the potential NCB loss before deciding whether to claim.
How the claim works, and the NCB question
When a tyre or rim is damaged by a covered road hazard event, the claim process follows the standard OD claim path.
- Step 1
Document the damage
Photograph the damaged tyre and rim at the location, and photograph the road hazard that caused the damage if it is visible and safe to do so. This documentation supports the claim.
- Step 2
Notify the insurer
Call the insurer's claims line or raise the claim through the app as soon as possible after the event. Do not take the car to a tyre shop before notifying the insurer, some plans require pre-authorisation before replacement work begins.
- Step 3
Surveyor or garage assessment
The insurer may send a surveyor to assess the damage, or may accept the garage's assessment and invoice directly for smaller claims. On a cashless claim at a network garage, the insurer pays the garage directly.
network garage - Step 4
Settlement
The insurer pays the approved tyre and rim replacement cost, minus the compulsory deductible. If Zero Depreciation cover is also active on the policy, the depreciation deduction on the tyre may also be removed, check your policy document for whether Zero Dep applies to tyre claims.
The NCB question: A tyre protection claim can affect your NCB if it is raised as an OD claim. Before claiming, compare the repair cost with the NCB discount you could lose at renewal. For a small tyre repair, paying out of pocket may make more sense than losing your NCB discount.
What Kiwi Insurance does differently
Tyre and rim damage can be costly, but a small repair may not always justify raising an OD claim if it affects your NCB. Kiwi gives you another option for eligible minor damage.
Kiwi Flexi Repair
If the tyre or rim damage qualifies as a minor repair, you can have it repaired without raising a full OD claim. This means you can avoid the formal claim process and protect your NCB.
Kiwi’s Dedicated Claims Specialist
If the damage is extensive enough for a full claim, register your claim and a dedicated Claims Specialist will guide you through the process, from start to finish.
Choose based on the repair
For minor eligible damage, Flexi Repair can help you avoid an OD claim. For larger repair costs, the regular claim process remains available with support from your Claims Specialist.
The Claims Specialist is assigned after you register a claim, not when you buy the policy.
Conclusion
Tyre and rim protection covers eligible damage from potholes, hitting kerbs and other road hazards when no other part of the car is damaged. It can be useful for new cars with alloy wheels or expensive tyres, particularly in areas with poor roads. With Kiwi Insurance, Kiwi Flexi Repair offers an option for eligible minor damage without an OD claim, while a Dedicated Claims Specialist supports full claims.
Driving in a city with bad roads and worried about pothole damage to your tyres?
Head to Kiwi Insurance to add tyre and rim protection cover to your car insurance before the next monsoon season.
Frequently asked questions
Tyre protection cover is an optional cover that pays for tyre and rim damage from potholes, accidentally hitting a kerb, and road hazards, events a standard Own Damage policy excludes when no other part of the car is damaged in the same incident. Without it, this kind of standalone tyre damage is an out-of-pocket cost.