Front hubcap functional?

[pnashdc]

Does anyone know if the front hubcaps (2015 Prism on 2014 chasis) serve any protective purpose?

My cap fell off (I was able to recover it) but the dealer has been non responsive about a repair (I'm not going back, but that's a different story). I think I can repair it myself and my question is whether I should. The hub seems to be protected and, to my eye, the wheel looks fine without the cap in place.

Any thoughts?

[Sandiegodoug]

Decoration
Ou friends have older model and all it had is a black ring over the lug nuts