Getting Kia tire and wheel protection plan after leasing the car

[Chris W]

Well, with under 140 miles on my 2 days old 2019 GT2 and I just blew out a tire on a pothole. My dealership doesn't carry the "Kia tire and wheel protection plan" but something else (Portfolio Express 5). Is it possible to get it from another dealer and how much does it cost?

 

[PHL Mike]

You may be able to put an auto insurance claim in for this damage and only be out of pocket for your deductible. I have Geico and they offer that. Good luck

 

[PHL Mike]

You may be able to put an auto insurance claim in for this damage and only be out of pocket for your deductible. I have Geico and they offer that. Good luck

 

[JVsGT]

Well, with under 140 miles on my 2 days old 2019 GT2 and I just blew out a tire on a pothole. My dealership doesn't carry the "Kia tire and wheel protection plan" but something else (Portfolio Express 5). Is it possible to get it from another dealer and how much does it cost?

On my previous Stinger Lease, I didn't purchase the wheel/tire protection up front. Regretted it 3 months after when I ended up hitting a pot hole and incurring damage to the rim and tire. When I took my Stinger in for the first oil change, the dealership noticed the damage and inquired if I had purchased the coverage. When I told them I didn't, they told me I could still purchase the coverage, wait 30 days and then have the wheel repaired and tire replaced under the warranty. Apparently the warranty is thru a 3rd party so the dealership incurs no loss in the process.

 

[Rob M]

It is possible in some states to get reimbursed for damage cause by potholes. I was thinking about making a claim for the right front tire that I had to replace due to the MOAP - Mother of all Potholes. OEM 18" Potenza RE97 AS-2 is not stocked in most stores (slightly different models are) and was $183 from Tirerack. Unfortunately for you, MA law prohibits claims for road hazards like potholes. MOAP also damaged my right rear tire (deep 2 inch long cut near the rim, but not quite into the plies) which I am still driving on. Might get a cheap used Potenza as a backup until I replace the OEMs with something different when they're worn. First time I've had an unrepairable flat tire in decades - so tire and wheel insurance plans are a waste of money in most cases, and in most conditions. Tirerack these days is providing road hazard warranty on tires at no additional cost.

 

[Chris W]

You may be able to put an auto insurance claim in for this damage and only be out of pocket for your deductible. I have Geico and they offer that. Good luck

I have Geico, they pay for tire replacement? Is that an additional item on the policy?

 

[Chris W]

It is possible in some states to get reimbursed for damage cause by potholes. I was thinking about making a claim for the right front tire that I had to replace due to the MOAP - Mother of all Potholes. OEM 18" Potenza RE97 AS-2 is not stocked in most stores (slightly different models are) and was $183 from Tirerack. Unfortunately for you, MA law prohibits claims for road hazards like potholes. MOAP also damaged my right rear tire (deep 2 inch long cut near the rim, but not quite into the plies) which I am still driving on. Might get a cheap used Potenza as a backup until I replace the OEMs with something different when they're worn. First time I've had an unrepairable flat tire in decades - so tire and wheel insurance plans are a waste of money in most cases, and in most conditions. Tirerack these days is providing road hazard warranty on tires at no additional cost.

I work in Fall River, ma and they will reimburse you for the damage (I know that rare for a city to pay) but it could take 3 months to a year to get it. Better late than never.

 

[Rob M]

You can typically file a claim with your insurer for road hazard damage. But the question is whether it is worth it for something like a single tire when deductible is considered and whether you even want the Gecko to know. Even though the insurer won't count it as an accident, the claim still goes against your collision coverage. After I hit the MOAP here in MD, I was mad at the state for the road conditions, but was just as mad at myself for not seeing it. I also have Geico but wouldn't have made an claim with them even if my deductible was low enough (I'm at $1K).

Interesting that Fall River covers such things. That might be your best route - putting the blame on the city, and hoping they eventually pay you back. You have a nice phot of the offending pothole. I've stayed up there in Fall River a couple times during the powerboat races.

 

[Johnni]

My after market rims got bent and the lip all beat up by the damn pot hole where I live. I now go with 275/40/19 rear and 245/40/19 front...the tire protect the lip from the rims from getting beat and carb rash. it look like its on a wide slick tire from the back view...

 

[MerlintheMad]

I was mad at the state for the road conditions, but was just as mad at myself for not seeing it

Amen. Two things will save you: paying full attention to the road and your driving; and maintaining distance such that, when the pothole appears from under the vehicle in front of you, you have reaction time sufficient to brake and/or maneuver.

 

[mhal8876]

My after market rims got bent and the lip all beat up by the damn pot hole where I live. I now go with 275/40/19 rear and 245/40/19 front...the tire protect the lip from the rims from getting beat and carb rash. it look like its on a wide slick tire from the back view...

Got a pics of your tire set up?

 

[Johnni]

Sorry for the later reply, I still looking for a good camera to take the picture and will post it up soon enough..

 

[GenesisG70]

If you live in Cali, Michigan etc where pot holes are prevalent yes it could make sense to buy the plan I live in Florida and regret I paid for the plan rarely there is a pothole.

 

[Rob M]

If you live in Cali, Michigan etc where pot holes are prevalent yes it could make sense to buy the plan I live in Florida and regret I paid for the plan rarely there is a pothole.

In Florida, you need the plan for sinkholes

 

[GenesisG70]

In Florida, you need the plan for sinkholes

In Florida you need then life insurance not just tire insurance

 

[GenesisG70]

Well, with under 140 miles on my 2 days old 2019 GT2 and I just blew out a tire on a pothole. My dealership doesn't carry the "Kia tire and wheel protection plan" but something else (Portfolio Express 5). Is it possible to get it from another dealer and how much does it cost?

But seriously if you have the picture could you take the city to court to repair damages? Just asking cuz its insane the amount of taxes we pay and these people have no decency in fixing the roads and streets.

 

[Beach Lover]

Well, with under 140 miles on my 2 days old 2019 GT2 and I just blew out a tire on a pothole. My dealership doesn't carry the "Kia tire and wheel protection plan" but something else (Portfolio Express 5). Is it possible to get it from another dealer and how much does it cost?

 

[Beach Lover]

I purchased the Express 5 (Portfolio) last July for my new Stinger. I got two nails in a tire and the tire must be replaced. I paid $800 for 4 years of protection covering tires, wheels, flats, dents and dings, windshield and roadside assistance. When I called Portfolio to file a claim for the tire replacement, I was told they had never heard of my car's VIN number or the policy contract number which I received from the Kia dealer. I've been calling the Kia dealer but, so far, no one is available to talk to me. I looked at complaints against Portfolio on the internet and was not pleased. Several people advised not to purchase this insurance and to buy from a company more reliable. I don't know who's at fault here but it's not been a good experience. I now wonder if the other warranties I purchased are real. Thank God, it's only a tire.

 

[Beach Lover]

I purchased the Express 5 (Portfolio) last July for my new Stinger. I got two nails in a tire and the tire must be replaced. I paid $800 for 4 years of protection covering tires, wheels, flats, dents and dings, windshield and roadside assistance. When I called Portfolio to file a claim for the tire replacement, I was told they had never heard of my car's VIN number or the policy contract number which I received from the Kia dealer. I've been calling the Kia dealer but, so far, no one is available to talk to me. I looked at complaints against Portfolio on the internet and was not pleased. Several people advised not to purchase this insurance and to buy from a company more reliable. I don't know who's at fault here but it's not been a good experience. I now wonder if the other warranties I purchased are real. Thank God, it's only a tire.

Update: I got an email from Portfolio telling me that my policy became active. They wouldn't tell me why I was initially denied or if the dealer was at fault. Portfolio told me to have the tire store call them to start the claim. If I had already replaced the tire (it went flat on a weekend when Portfolio wasn't open), I wonder if the claim would be voided. However, I had the tire holes plugged temporarily (one hole was in the sidewall) until the insurance was straightened out. I spoke to the tire guy and he used to work for a couple of dealers in their service departments. He said that a dealer has 60 days to submit the insurance contract (and premium?) to Portfolio and that Kia must not have done this if Portfolio never heard of me. He said it was all about money but didn't clarify that point. I never heard from anyone at Kia even though I left messages for the Finance Manager and the Sales Manager.

The tire guy called Portfolio, started the claim and ordered a new tire. Portfolio wanted him to measure the damaged tire so I had to bring the car to the tire guy to take a Dept. of Transportation number off it (he already had the serial number) and to measure the tread. Portfolio didn't want the photos I took of the nails in the tire. I wonder now if I'm not going to get my replacement tire without paying for some use on the old tire although that condition isn't in the brochure I was given. The brochure says that I will be reimbursed for the cost to replace the tire. There's no requirement that I have the tire guy file the claim or that certain other conditions must be met. I wonder if I was out of town and the tire blew out completely whether I'd have to take the tire with me to file the claim when I got home or leave the tire with the tire guy.

I was never given a copy of the actual policy contract so I don't know the terms. I read online that you should never buy a car warranty without getting the actual policy to review. Interestingly, the vast majority of warranties are never used by owners. In the future, I'll ask for copies of the policies but I won't buy the insurance at the time I buy or lease the car. After I've reviewed the policies at home, I can decide to purchase.

 

[JVsGT]

Update: I got an email from Portfolio telling me that my policy became active. They wouldn't tell me why I was initially denied or if the dealer was at fault. Portfolio told me to have the tire store call them to start the claim. If I had already replaced the tire (it went flat on a weekend when Portfolio wasn't open), I wonder if the claim would be voided. However, I had the tire holes plugged temporarily (one hole was in the sidewall) until the insurance was straightened out. I spoke to the tire guy and he used to work for a couple of dealers in their service departments. He said that a dealer has 60 days to submit the insurance contract (and premium?) to Portfolio and that Kia must not have done this if Portfolio never heard of me. He said it was all about money but didn't clarify that point. I never heard from anyone at Kia even though I left messages for the Finance Manager and the Sales Manager.

The tire guy called Portfolio, started the claim and ordered a new tire. Portfolio wanted him to measure the damaged tire so I had to bring the car to the tire guy to take a Dept. of Transportation number off it (he already had the serial number) and to measure the tread. Portfolio didn't want the photos I took of the nails in the tire. I wonder now if I'm not going to get my replacement tire without paying for some use on the old tire although that condition isn't in the brochure I was given. The brochure says that I will be reimbursed for the cost to replace the tire. There's no requirement that I have the tire guy file the claim or that certain other conditions must be met. I wonder if I was out of town and the tire blew out completely whether I'd have to take the tire with me to file the claim when I got home or leave the tire with the tire guy.

I was never given a copy of the actual policy contract so I don't know the terms. I read online that you should never buy a car warranty without getting the actual policy to review. Interestingly, the vast majority of warranties are never used by owners. In the future, I'll ask for copies of the policies but I won't buy the insurance at the time I buy or lease the car. After I've reviewed the policies at home, I can decide to purchase.

The reason they want the measurements was to confirm the tread wear. This is only done to confirm the tire is still replaceable under warranty. In other words, if the tire was considered "out of warranty" due to tread wear, they might deny the claim. You should have no problem getting a brand new tire.