Alloy insurance - diamond cut
 

The dealer has been pushing me to take their alloy insurance. As it's PCP it seems useful, but reading the brochure suggests that it doesn't cover diamond-cut wheels.

If I get it in writing from the salesman that it does, do you think that would be sufficient to get them (the dealer) to repair any damage to the wheels at the end of the lease even if the insurance doesn't in fact cover it?

I'd suggest getting it in writing from the Insurance Co. as they will be the ones paying out.

If the salesperson leaves or dealer changes ownership or 3 years on dealer changes it's mind, you will have problems. As far I know, the dealer can't amend insurance conditions even with a 'written letter' so get confirmation from Insurance provider.

If dealer's preferred company don't cover diamond cut wheels, maybe another firm might?

My salesman told me that Diamond Cut wheels are not covered.

Check out costs of repairs when the vehicle goes back end of term.

There are numerous examples I have seen where someones car is picked up at the end with a couple of scuffed wheels, a badly curbed wheel, a dink the door and a car park scuff on the corner of a bumper. That little lot may cost you over £600 to get sorted yourself, but using the acknowledged standards that companies should be sued to assess damage, charges on the pickup could be under £200. My mates Son-in-law just fell foul of this, spent £800 having a couple of panels repaired, one of which was a poor job so got charged for the panel again by the lease company, how much ? £125. so if he had left both scratches, would have been £250

My own last car went back after the PCP period, with usual bonnet stone chips, 2 lightly scuffed wheels, a few light scratches and a slight mark on the roof. Total charge... £0

I think most lease and finance companies will send you a copy of their acceptable defect list and associated charges

You can get Diamond Cut Wheels, Machined, sprayed and lacquered for around £80 inc VAT, If need just do it before you give it back.

360 Camera helps prevents kerbing rims, as does the tilting Wing Mirrors when reversing.

VWFS menu pricing puts wheel damage over a certain size at £25! No stipulation of type or size (we have a Tiguan on PCH)

My XC90 (BCH - non Volvo finance) has a £35 menu price on a wheel damaged beyond fair wear and tear, again no stipulation.

Now I’m trying to keep all wheels in spotless condition, but if they do get damaged I’ll just pay up and shut up!

As the percentage of diamond wheels goes up, I wonder if these agreements will get more cute. Though having said that, every diamond wheel I’ve seen is splashed at 3 years anyway due to corrosion getting in to lug hole wrench chips or stone chips, regardless of any impact damage (which only makes it worse)...they are awful things to live with!

(Ps I’ve always seen diamond wheel exclusions when browsing wheel insurance)

Doesn't the car's comprehensive insurance policy cover wheel damage. I can understand that there may be an excess charge and that if the cover doesn't have no-claims protection, then you might not want to use it. Also the excess probably is as much as the cost of repairing minor damage to one wheel anyhow. It certainly is in my case where I've opted for a £100 excess charge on each claim.

Be careful going down this route. Protected NCD only protects the discount not the base premium on which the discount is based. You make a claim and your premium WILL rise. This is a mistake many people make.

As above, I would never make a claim for a wheel, in fact I try to never claim for anything unless it is a lot of damage. but small marks, and dents wheels etc, easily and fairly cheaply repaired over the increase of of insurance premium over the years from a small claim