Choosing the Right Tyres to Keep Car Insurance Costs Low

How to Buy Car Tyres

Most people are not aware of how to choose the right tyres for their cars. Buying the correct tyres can save you from having to file a claim on your car insurance, and protect you and those travelling with you. Here are the salient points to keep in mind when buying tyres.

Tube vs Tube-less

Opt for tubeless tyres, since these are a lot safer than those with tubes. Tubeless ones are less prone to bursting, and also provide more cushion in case there is a puncture while the car is being driven. Tubeless tyres are more expensive than ones with tubes, but make up for it in terms of safety, which is important in terms of vehicle insurance.

Size

You can go for the same size as your original tyres, or you can decide to upsize your tyres. There are two decisions to make here.

a) The size will depend on the size of the rim. A larger rim will give you more maneuverability, but at the cost of ride quality and comfort.
b) The size of the tread can also be widened. Don’t go for an increase of more than 20mm in the width of the tread. A wider tread is appropriate if your car has a lot of horsepower, if you want to be able to drive fast or take fast corners. Don’t opt for a wider tread if you want to keep your steering light, you don’t want to disturb your fuel economy, and you frequently drive in peak traffic.

Rubber Compound Used in the Tire

The rubber compound determines the traction and tread life. The quality (or softness) of the rubber is directly proportional to the speed rating of your tyre and the amount of traction you will get, and inversely proportional to the tread life. The higher the speed rating, the better the grip provided by the tyre. The quality of the rubber also determines whether your car will screech when approaching the limits of traction, or just let out a faint sound. Having good traction can help protect against accidents and keep your motor insurance cost low.

Tire Load and Tread

Always buy a tire that can carry your car’s load. Make sure that the tread is appropriate for the kind of roads and weather you frequently encounter. Having a summer tread for driving in the snow can cause dangerous accidents and high car insurance costs.