The cost of not protecting your wheels often goes far beyond just the price of replacing them.
As a company in the wheel lock industry, we frequently hear stories from car owners who’ve been victims of wheel theft. One such case involved the owner of a Mercedes GLE who found their car on bricks, stripped of its wheels. The financial and emotional impact of the theft was significant.
In addition to losing the wheels (rims and tires), which cost around 8,000 SEK each, the owner faced these additional expenses:
- Tires and rims: 32,000 SEK
- Brake discs (damaged during the theft): 12,000 SEK
- Side skirt (damaged by the bricks): 10,000 SEK
- Workshop costs: 10,000 SEK
- Total repair cost: 64,000 SEK
The Hidden Costs: Value Depreciation
Thankfully, the owner had a comprehensive car insurance policy, and their insurance company covered most of the repair costs. However, the owner still had to pay the deductible and deal with the inconvenience of using public transport and rental cars during the repair period.
Even more troubling is that insurance doesn’t cover the full cost of new parts. Most policies factor in value depreciation, meaning they only reimburse for what the stolen or damaged parts were worth at the time of the theft—not their replacement cost. In this case, while the insurance helped with a large portion of the expenses, the owner still had to pay a significant amount out of pocket to bridge the gap between the depreciated value and the cost of new parts.
It’s Not Just About the Money
Beyond the financial burden, wheel thefts often leave car owners dealing with stress, frustration, and loss of time. And while this example focuses on direct costs, there are other potential indirect costs:
- Time lost handling insurance claims and repair appointments
- Higher insurance premiums in the future
- Decreased resale value due to repairs
Why Invest in Rimgard?
The safest solution is to protect your car before theft happens. Rimgard locks provide a superior defense against wheel theft, ensuring you avoid the extensive costs, inconvenience, and stress associated with replacing stolen wheels and repairing the resulting damage.
With Rimgard, you don’t just keep your wheels—you keep your peace of mind.
