Does insurance cover tire blowouts on highways?
2 Answers
Tire blowouts on highways are not covered by insurance. Partial component theft is excluded - insurers typically specify that theft of individual vehicle parts/accessories (rather than whole-vehicle theft) falls under policy exclusions. Tire blowouts aren't covered - standalone tire damage isn't compensable, though subsequent collision/rollover damage to other vehicle parts would be covered. Waiving subrogation voids claims - when collision liability lies with another party, policyholders cannot waive their right to claim from the at-fault party, as this simultaneously forfeits their insurance claim rights under both insurance laws and policy terms. High-temperature road conditions frequently cause blowouts. As tires are consumable items, standalone damage (including heat-induced blowouts) falls outside all insurers' coverage scope, with no supplemental policies available for this specific risk.
Generally, tire blowouts on highways are not covered by insurance. Last time I had a tire blowout on the highway, it was quite a scare. After pulling over to the emergency lane, I contacted my insurance company. The customer service explained that the auto damage insurance mainly covers damages caused by accidents to the vehicle body, while tires are considered wear-and-tear items, and their individual damage is not covered unless the blowout causes additional damage, such as hitting a guardrail and resulting in deformation. That time, I had to pay out of pocket to replace the tire, which cost me over 600 yuan. Later, I heard about an additional insurance called "wheel-specific loss coverage" designed for such scenarios, so I purchased it as a supplement. It's advisable to regularly check tire pressure and wear before driving, maintain a safe distance on highways to avoid running over debris, and reduce the risk of blowouts. In case of a blowout, the most important thing is to stay calm, turn on hazard lights, pull over safely, and wait for assistance without panicking. In the long run, while insurance terms can be complicated, proper vehicle maintenance is the real solution.
