I'm a US citizen and planning on renting a car in Ireland through EasyTourIreland.com. After reading a good tip, I found them much cheaper once you factored in CDW, Theft Protection, etc which are often hidden additional charge with other companies.
On the EasyTourIreland site, they state
Please note: Tire and wheel damage is not covered by any Irish auto insurance policy. None of the car rental companies in Ireland cover tire damage and wheel damage. Even Irish personal auto insurance policies exclude that coverage
I'd like to cover myself just in case and get additional insurance to cover Tire and wheels. I'm a very capable driver but never driven in Ireland and never in a right-hand drive car.
These companies offer both Daily Coverage AND Annual Policies that cover the 'Excess' (or SCDW) AND tires and wheels. There MAY be others, as well. I currently have an Annual Policy from Questor, which is good through Late June, 2015, but it APPEARS that they are NOT currently writing New Policies to NA Citizens. I went with Questor, after Insurance4CarHire stopped selling Annual Policies, about two years ago.
Haven't had a claim, so can't speak to their Service Quality. I started buying this coverage after buying my THIRD tire (and paying to have an Alloy Wheel Rim Straightened!) due to striking a pot-hole. I generally waive ALL Car Hire offered coverage, using a valid MasterCard-provided MasterRental coverage. It EXCLUDES tires and wheels, though, Hence, the Third-Party Cover, which does not APPEAR to violate MasterCard's restrictions.
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Bob
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