Is the Discount Tire Certificate Worth It? Answered

Short Answer — Discount Tire’s Certificate for Repair, Refund or Replacement — which costs anywhere from $10 to $100 per tire — is worth it for those who purchase expensive tires and want to protect them or for those who drive often and/or on roads that are in poor condition. For more details about what the certificate covers and how it works, see below.

How the Discount Tire Certificate Works

With a standard tire warranty, whenever you need to replace your tires, you typically apply a prorated amount toward your new tires based on the tread remaining on the old tires.

Discount Tire’s Certificate for Repair, Refund or Replacement works differently.

With the Certificate, if your tires fail due to a defect or non-repairable road hazard within the first three years after purchase (and they’re within the legal tread limit of 3/32 inches), Discount Tire will fully refund your purchase price and offer new tires at the refund price plus tax.^[1]

The Certificate also applies to tire purchases from Discount Tire Direct.^[2]

Certificate Cost

The cost of the Certificate varies depending on the tires you choose. It usually ranges from around $10 to $100 per tire.^[3] Generally, the more expensive the tire, the more the Certificate will cost.

You can either purchase it when you purchase your tires or within 30 days of purchasing them.^[1]

While some auto shops patch tires for free (as previously reported), a patch for a punctured tire will usually cost around $10 to $30, depending on the severity of the puncture and whether you choose to patch the tire yourself or have the repair done at a shop.^[4][5][6]

Luxury tires will cost more to repair. However, some shops may patch your tire for free if you purchased your tires from that shop.

Purchasing inexpensive tires and the Certificate at the minimum amount per tire will pay for itself rather quickly, especially if you frequently drive on poorly maintained roads.

More severe damage or a more expensive tire means higher repair costs and more potential savings with the Certificate.

Using the Certificate

When you need to use the Certificate, you can validate it at any Discount Tire location. You’ll receive a refund after validating the Certificate and can then purchase replacement tires.^[1]

If you’re no longer near a Discount Tire location, you can call Discount Tire at (800) 385-3322 to get assistance redeeming the Certificate in your area.^[1]

Certificate Limitations

It’s important to note that the Certificate is not valid for some forms of commercial driving, and it doesn’t cover tire damage resulting from fire, vandalism, improper inflation, or improper use of the wheels.^[1]

If any of the damage to your tires was avoidable, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to use the Certificate.

Discount Tire Certificates expire after three years from the date of purchase or when the tire’s tread depth goes below 3/32″, whichever comes first.^[1]

Is the Discount Tire Certificate Worth It?

To determine whether or not to purchase a Certificate, you’ll first want to consider your driving habits and the condition of the roads you frequent the most.

If you have long daily commutes or often drive on brick roads or roads with lots of potholes, you’re more likely to face tire damage in the next three years.

If you’ve had at least one case of a non-repairable flat tire or other tire damage in the last few years, the Certificate might be worth it.

However, paying for the Certificate may not be worth it if you don’t drive much or typically drive on smoother roads. You’re not as likely to face severe tire damage.

The Certificate is often affordable, with prices starting at around $10 per tire for the cheapest tires.

With the highest-end tires available, the Certificate can cost $100 per tire, saving you close to 90% of the price of replacing them. The more expensive the tire, the higher the potential savings with the Certificate.

The Certificate is a good business for Discount Tire because many people won’t end up needing to use it in the three-year period. On the other hand, for those who actually end up using the Certificate or those who desire the peace of mind of knowing that their tires are covered, it’s typically worth the cost.