Company car: who pays for kerbed alloys?

Company car with damaged alloy wheels: knowing who covers the costs avoids nasty surprises at the point of return.

An employee returns their company car after two years on a long-term lease. The leasing company flags four scratched alloy wheels. The refurbishment bill comes to £320, deducted directly from the security deposit. A common scenario — yet an entirely avoidable one. Between the car policy, return condition clauses, and fleet insurance, responsibilities are rarely clear-cut for the driver on a day-to-day basis.

What the car policy says about kerbed alloy wheels

The car policy is the internal document that sets out the rules for using a company vehicle. It typically specifies:

• the acceptable fair wear and tear threshold (whether minor surface scuffs are tolerated or not);
• incidents that must be reported without exception, including alloy wheel damage;
• the excess amounts applicable in the event of a recognised claim;
• possible deductions from salary or expense claims at the end of the contract.

In the majority of car policies reviewed by fleet managers, an alloy wheel scratch deeper than 5 mm is classified as a damage attributable to the driver. As such, it may result in a deduction, even if the fleet insurance covers declared accidents. Kerbing a wheel while parking is not a declared incident — it is considered negligence.

Who actually pays at the end of a long-term lease?

The lessor (long-term leasing company) commissions an inspection at the point of return. The pricing grids applied vary, but the figures typically observed are as follows:

These costs are borne by the driver, the company, or shared between them in accordance with the car policy in force. Under long-term lease contracts with no purchase option, the company frequently passes the bill on to the employee identified as responsible — a legally permissible practice provided it is stated in the vehicle use agreement.

Leasing alloy wheel protection is not an option offered as standard by leasing companies: it is up to the driver or the company to plan ahead.

Prevention rather than dispute: the financial case

A A set of four AlloyGator alloy wheel protectors fitted from the moment the vehicle is collected costs approximately £99 for fitting at an approved approved network fitter, including parts. Fitting takes approximately one hour. Spread over a 36-month lease contract, that works out to less than €3 per month.

Against a refurbishment charge of €300 to €550, the maths speaks for itself. The case is equally compelling for employers: incorporating AlloyGator fitting into the vehicle handover process reduces end-of-lease disputes and the administrative costs associated with independent damage assessments.

The company vehicles most affected are those fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels and above — the dominant segment in the Audi, BMW and DS Automobiles ranges, which are widely represented in French corporate fleets.

FAQ

Does the company's fleet insurance cover kerb-damaged alloy wheels?

No, in virtually all policies. Fleet insurance covers declared incidents (collision, vandalism with a report). A kerb scrape, with no identified third party, is not a claimable incident: the cost falls to the driver or the company, depending on the car policy.

Can my employer deduct the cost of damaged alloy wheels from my salary?

Yes, under strict conditions: the deduction must be provided for in the vehicle provision contract, capped at the actual cost of the damage, and may not exceed one tenth of the net monthly salary per instalment (French Labour Code, Article L. 3251-3). Any deduction not contractually stipulated is unlawful.

Can alloy wheel protectors be fitted to a vehicle on a long-term lease without the lessor's agreement?

AlloyGator is a removable accessory that does not alter the structure of the alloy wheel. It causes no damage to the vehicle and can be removed without trace. The majority of lessors have no objection, but it is advisable to check the "accessories and modifications" clause in your contract. If in doubt, a written request to the fleet manager is generally sufficient to obtain approval.