This incident was fairly complicated. It was the first time we had ever dealt with a tire splitting open on the highway. Our insurance had partially expired, and because we were in the middle of moving with the car packed full of stuff, we were anxious to get to our destination as soon as possible. So we chose to call 911 for help and asked the police to call a towing company for us.

What Happened

At first, the car showed a low tire pressure warning. Since we had seen that warning a few times before and it had gone away after pulling over and doing a reset, and since we had also added air to the tires about 1 month earlier, we did not think too much of it. But after driving for about 5 minutes, it became clear this time was very different: the car had started bouncing. We pulled over immediately. As soon as we opened the door, we smelled something burning; then when we walked around to the side of the car, we saw that the tire had gone flat.

It was our first time dealing with something like this, so our first instinct was basically, “Call the police.” We called 911 right away. 911 answered quickly, and after understanding the situation, they immediately dispatched Washington State police. The state trooper arrived and parked behind our car after about half an hour. After hearing what happened, the officer told us to drive a little farther to a gas station about 10 miles ahead to add air.

In hindsight, we really should have insisted on calling a tow truck at that point. In this kind of situation, towing the car right away might have saved the tire, as it may have been enough just to add air once we got to a tire shop. But while following the police car, the tire completely split open, so we had to pull over again with our hazard lights on to signal the officer to stop.

After stopping, the officer took one look and said that now we had no choice but to call a tow truck. Because LD was going back to their home country, part of the car insurance had already expired, including roadside assistance. We had no choice but to ask the officer for help again. He said he happened to know a decent towing company nearby, so he called them for us. While we waited, the officer asked for our driver’s license and vehicle information.

The tow truck arrived in about 40 minutes. Then it was the usual process: the driver loaded our car onto the truck. After the officer recorded the tow truck owner’s and vehicle’s information, he left, and the tow truck headed out.

After driving for a little over 20 minutes, we arrived at the nearest small-town tire shop. Then another problem came up: the shop did not have the correct tire size in stock, and they said we would need to replace all four tires ($1,300 or so for snow tire; or about $1,600 for full-season tire). The price was really high.

During that time, the tow truck driver helped us call several nearby tire companies. Most were either closed or did not have the right size either, so they also would have required replacing all four tires. While we were stuck deciding what to do, the tow truck driver kindly offered what he said would be a cheaper option—though of course he also hoped to make a bit more money. He suggested towing us to the BMW dealership in Seattle and then waiting until Monday, when they reopened, to replace the tire, in which case we might not have had to replace all 4.

We thanked him, but because we were moving and the car was packed with too many belongings, and because we still needed to make several stops after arriving at the new home, we had no choice but to replace the tires there. Fortunately, it was a chain tire store, so when we later went to the Seattle location for a second inspection, it was a little easier to communicate.

Challenges

  1. It was the first time we had ever experienced a tire splitting open on the highway, so our first thought was simply to call the police.
  2. We later contacted knowledgeable friends and our insurance company right away, but because we were in a remote area, the signal was terrible and we could barely hear anything.
  3. After contacting our insurance agent, we found out that our roadside assistance coverage had already expired.
  4. We were moving to Seattle, and the car was completely packed with stuff.
  5. It was a Saturday, and by the time the tow truck got us to the tire shop it was close to evening and the shop was about to close, so there was not much time to think through the options.
  6. During the pandemic, many tire shops were closed or operating with reduced hours, and inventory was limited.

What Happened Afterward

The $200+ towing fee was paid with my CSR card, and in theory it can cover $50. During the pandemic, it was basically impossible to get through by phone, so I sent a secure message to see how they would respond and what the next step should be. I received a secure message reply the same day, but they still told me to call the Roadside Assistance department at 1-866-860-7978. I called today, and they clearly said that because the police had called the tow truck for us, and we did not use CSR’s own roadside assistance service, this expense was not eligible for reimbursement.

As for the tire replacement cost, no insurance would cover replacing the tires; it would only cover tire repair. After contacting our insurance agent, we were clearly told that we would definitely have to pay this cost ourselves. Let this also be a reminder: even if you are planning to leave the country, make sure your insurance remains fully covered.

Because all four tires were replaced, we also went in on Tuesday for an alignment and a series of free check services. It took a little over 1 hour and cost $120+.

What We Should Have Done

Setting aside factors we could not control, such as moving and limited inventory during the pandemic, this experience was really a textbook example of what not to do.

  • Make sure your insurance coverage is complete.
  • If a tire goes flat, do not keep driving. Call roadside assistance right away and have the car towed somewhere to add air; if you break down on the road, you can also contact the police and ask for documentation.
  • If you do not have the relevant insurance, contact your insurance company or the bank behind a credit card that includes this service and ask them to send help. Many credit cards include or offer roadside assistance coverage

As for situations where you must replace the tire, I still do not know what the best way is to minimize the loss. If any of you have experience with this, I would love to hear your suggestions!