Some good (free) advertising there, Duncan. But let me give you my experience with one of the major warrantee companies.
I bought my BMW 5-Series from a non-franchise dealer and he 'gave' me a warrantee (i.e. it was not charged as an extra, though of course I paid for it indirectly). A short while later the water pump failed due to a broken impeller. By immediately stopping, I saved any further damage.
I received the go-ahead from the warrantee company so a garage completely drained the cooling system and flushed it to wash out the bits of the broken impeller. They then fitted a new BMW water pump and the specified quantity of BMW antifreeze. So I claimed for the pump, the antifreeze and the garage's labour charge. Simple, eh? Well, no actually.
The warrantee company said they would only pay for a pattern pump, not a BMW item. They would also only pay for a top-up of the cheapest antifreeze, not the full amount, and would pay only for the cheapest make, not BMW's own brand. Also, they would pay no more than £25 per hour whereas BMW's labour rates were around twice that.
I got my money eventually, but only after many phone calls to the warrantee company's area manager from the garage to explain the work they had done and to press hard for payment. Also, I complained very strongly to the car-supplying dealer and he eventually made it clear to the warrantee company that if they didn't pay up in full he would place no further business with them.
So warrantees are worth having, and they protect at least 90% of the car? I'm sorry, but that's absolute nonsense and I hope no-one is misled by it.
|
Just to clarify for those that don't know, when a UK dealer offered a car with 1 years manufacturers warranty plus a further 2 years, more often than not, the second and third year warranty was supplied \ covered by Car Care Warranties ie the same people who now offer warranties to the general public.
So in effect, your after market warranties ARE provided by the same people who gave you a warranty on previous cars only you didn't know it.
|
|
|
|
Sorry to hear about your experience but I don't suppose it's uncommon. Can we name the offending companies in this forum a) for our own guidance & benefit and b) as a means by which we might exert some small pressure on the industry to improve its standards ?.
|
|
Unfortunately it can be a bit dodgy naming an offending company without concrete written proof, which I don't have. However, the garage that carried out the work said that there is little to choose between any of the warrantee companies.
|
|
As stated above, the one year warranty on a used car is well worth having. I bought a 5 year old Micra from a dealer, and made two claims, one for a replacement speedo, and the other for a replacement valve on a rear wheel. Nissan parts were used, and Nissan mechanics did the work. Mind you, getting a free courtesy car was impossible. However, if you feel sure you can check out how good a used car is, then buy private, and pocket the difference. Is a warranty worth having on a new car? Well I reckon it protects you from a potential dog.
|
|
|
|
Until you understand that there is no standard - one dealer can offer you a warranty with a limit of £250 and another a limit of £2,500. Motorists are blinded by the car purchase and will sign anything to get the car on the road as quickly as poosible.
Why dont you sepcify the criteria you expect and see hoe the different warranties compare.
I know that you would not have been disappointed if you has one of our warranties - see for yourself at www.warrantydirect.co.uk
|
Without wishing to encourage further advertising, would an expert care to comment on the level of cover provided by warrantydirect, as I've just had a look and to me, a layman, it seems to provide pretty comprehensive cover, albeit at a price...
It quoted me Gold cover at about £750 for 3 years.
|
Smokie,
Was the 'small print' fully published? And did it say something like: "The insured will take all steps to limit the cost of repair"? If so, you can be sure that you would be obliged to use a back-street repairer and pirate parts, rather than bona fide, and there will be all sorts of other excuses for not paying up (wear and tear, etc).
|
Dizzy I didn't find "small print" on the website, I guess that comes with the policy itself (or maybe I just didn't look hard enough).
You seem to have your own choice of repairer, although if you use their own recommended (Unipart or some other) then they settle bills directly. Replacement cars, hotels etc, plus Green Flag roadside assistance.
Max single claim was, I think, £5k. no limit on claims per year.
I know insurance companies are not in the charity business, but this one seems to have pretty full cover. And running a relatively expensive-to-maintain car, and planning on keeping it 3 years, I'm wondering if I might manage to get value from the policy...
OK, I'm gullible too!! LOL
|
|
|
|
My warrantee had a limit more than £250 - I think it was four figures - but the claim that the company refused to accept was for under £100 !!
Warrantee companies are not charities - they are out for profit so there is no way they are going to pay out what they take in, not by a long chalk.
I agree with others who say that insurance is sensible only where the risk of loss is substantial, as in buildings and road risks for example.
|
The problem with warranties is that dealers sell or give with the car a warranty with a limit of £250 pounds with a £50 excess.
By my calcs - £50 per hour on a 5 hour job and you have blown the limit. And then there is the cost of the parts.
You need to read the policy check out the limits - does it have a wear and tear exclusion does it have a comsequential loss exclusion.
Does it cover more than the engine a gearbox.
Aircon
Electrics
ECU
Shocks
Cooling system
etc.........
3 years cover for between £550 - £750 is a bargain !!
The only wat to buy a decent warranty is either from a maim agent ie Network Q (never a small dealer) or Warranty Direct - Fact !
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
