Essential Guide to Tyre Cover in Car Insurance: What You Need to Know

Tyres are one of the most critical components of any vehicle, responsible for stability, safety, and ride comfort. They endure constant pressure, friction, and exposure to varying road and weather conditions, making tyre maintenance an essential aspect of car ownership. However, under most car insurance policies, tyre damage is often not included.

Therefore, choosing a tyre cover add-on can help car owners manage unexpected expenses related to tyre repairs or replacements. This guide explains what tyre cover includes, its benefits, exclusions, effect on premium, and the key regulatory aspects in India.

What is tyre protection cover?

Tyre protection cover, also known as tyre insurance, is an optional add-on available with a comprehensive or standalone own damage car insurance policy. It covers expenses arising from accidental tyre damage during normal driving conditions. This includes issues such as punctures, cuts, bulges, and cracks caused by unforeseen incidents.

Often referred to as Tyre Secure in car insurance, this add-on specifically protects tyres and tubes, which are usually excluded under standard policies. Since tyre replacement can be expensive, this cover helps reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Adding tyre protection slightly increases your car insurance premium. The cost depends on factors such as the vehicle type, tyre size, and the risk profile of your location. For instance, if you regularly drive on pothole-prone roads or in rural or hilly areas, the likelihood of tyre damage is higher, making this add-on more useful.

What does tyre protection cover include?

Tyre protection cover provides financial support if your car tyres are damaged due to unexpected incidents during regular use. It covers replacement costs for tyres damaged beyond repair due to bulges, cracks, cuts, punctures, or accidental impact, and usually includes related labour charges as per policy terms.

Some plans also reimburse minor repair costs, excluding routine puncture patchwork. Tyre damage resulting from road accidents, such as bursts or blowouts, is generally covered under this add-on.

Typical tyre protection cover inclusions

What is not covered under the tyre protection cover?

While tyre protection cover offers valuable financial support, it does not apply in certain situations or to exclusions defined in the policy terms.

• Wear & Tear: Normal tyre degradation over time is excluded under IRDAI regulations (latest 2025 guidelines).

• Minor Puncture Repairs: Minor punctures regularly fixed at service centres are typically excluded.

• Tyre Theft: Theft or loss of tyres is generally not covered under comprehensive or tyre cover add-ons.

• Commercial Use Damage: Tyre damage from overloading or commercial transportation usage is excluded.

• Damage Due to Racing or Stunt Driving: Damages incurred while participating in competitive racing or rallies are not covered.

• Non-Declared Tyres: Damage to tyres not declared in the insurance policy may be excluded.

Who should consider tyre protection coverage?

Tyre protection coverage is suitable for car owners who want added financial security against unexpected tyre damage and related repair or replacement costs.

• Owners of new or high-value vehicles, where tyre replacement costs can be high.

• Drivers in areas with poor road infrastructure or frequent tyre damage incidents.

• Daily commuters rely heavily on personal vehicles for their daily commute.

• Those driving in hilly, mountainous, or accident-prone terrains where tyre damage risks are elevated.

• Commercial vehicle operators who want to protect against unexpected tyre repair costs should consider this add-on. However, the availability and terms of tyre protection under commercial vehicle insurance may vary depending on the policy type.

How does tyre protection cover affect your car insurance premium?

Adding tyre insurance as an add-on increases your overall premium because the insurer assumes additional risk. The increase depends on:

• Car Manufacturer & Tyre Size: Vehicles with larger, premium tyres incur higher replacement costs, influencing the premium.

• Vehicle Usage: Heavy, commercial, or frequent use affects risk rating.

• Geographical Location: Roads with high accident or tyre-damage incidence rates increase the premium.

• Policy Coverage Type: Comprehensive policies with multiple add-ons naturally have higher premiums.

• Insured Declared Value (IDV): Since IDV represents the vehicle’s current market value (after depreciation), it influences premium rates

Premium calculation follows IRDAI’s latest regulatory framework (effective 2025), including GST (currently 18%) on the total premium and tariff guidelines for third-party and own-damage cover.

Understanding car insurance premium calculation with tyre cover (2026)

Adding a tyre cover to your car insurance policy can affect the overall premium, so it's important to understand how the calculation works in 2026.

Key car insurance premium factors covered by IRDAI:

For example: If your car’s IDV is INR 5,00,000 and you opt for a tyre cover add-on priced at INR 1,500, your total premium will include this add-on plus applicable GST.

Conclusion

Tyre insurance, offered as a tyre cover add-on, provides focused financial protection against costly tyre repairs and replacements that are usually not covered under standard car insurance policies. It is especially useful for owners of high-value vehicles, drivers who regularly travel on rough or uneven roads, and frequent commuters who prefer added financial certainty. However, before opting for this add-on, it is important to review the policy terms, inclusions, exclusions, and the impact on premium, as routine wear and tear and theft are generally not covered.

FAQs

1: What is tyre secure in car insurance?

Tyre Secure is an add-on or standalone insurance cover that protects your car’s tyres against accidental damage, such as punctures or bursts, and reimburses for tyre repair or replacement not included in standard car insurance.

2: Is the tyre covered under insurance by default?

Standard comprehensive car insurance policies do not cover tyre damage; a separate tyre cover add-on or standalone tyre insurance is required for this protection.

3: Does tyre insurance cover labour charges?

Many tyre cover policies include labour costs for replacing tyres, but charges for tyre balancing or fitting may be excluded depending on the insurer’s terms.

4: How is a car insurance premium calculated with add-ons like tyre protection?

Premium is calculated based on your vehicle’s IDV, age, usage, location, engine capacity, chosen add-ons, including tyre cover, and includes applicable GST as per IRDAI norms.

5: Are puncture repairs covered under the tyre cover?

Minor puncture repairs or patching are generally excluded; only severe accidental damage requiring tyre replacement or major repair is covered.

6: Can I calculate the car insurance premium, including tyre cover, online?

Use the Zurich Kotak car insurance premium calculator available on the website to input vehicle details, coverage, and add-ons for an indicative premium estimate.

7: Who should opt for tyre protection cover in car insurance?

A7: Owners of expensive, new cars, frequent travellers, and residents of rough terrain or accident-prone areas are candidates to consider this add-on.

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