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Smart Shopper Auto Warranty Broker
109 messages, Last post on Nov 13, 2009 at 12:13 PM
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Folks, I have a 2003 VW Jetta with 35000 miles. The original factory warranty is due to expire in a week. The 2003 Jetta has documented Engine problems specifically the Mass Air Flow Sensor and the Water pump. To protect myself from other engine problems, I am researching extended warranties. I have researched several forums on extended warranty, read about WarrantyDirect, The Auto Club, Mercury Insurance Group, VolksWagen RealDriver extended warranty (administered by Fidelity Warranty Services) etc. My observation is: 1. Warranties backed by Good AMBest A rated Insurance companies donot cover Wear & Tear. They cover only Mechnical Breakdown defined as "failure due to faulty workmanship or materials" 2. Warranties that cover Wear & Tear are all backed by RRGs. I would like to ask if: 1. Anyone has used Volkswagen/Audi Warranty (administered by Fidelity Warranty Services) and do they honor the claims (especially on vehicles older than 5yrs/50k miles) 2. Has anyone used aftermartket warranty like WarrantyDirect, Warranty America etc for expensive repairs (repairs costing more than the premium) with good satisfaction ? 3. Does suggest any reliable auto warranty broker ? Regards, Bak
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Replying to: bakwas0 (Feb 14, 2007 10:53 pm) Reading the other stuff, it seems that a lot of people are lost in the warranty world and how it really works. I was a service manager for 10 years, a claims manager for 3 years and a sales rep for over 2. I can attest that there are some horror stories from aftermarket companies, but frankly, most dealer sold "Factory backed" policies are administered by the same companies that sell to the public. I can remember just as many issues with "factory" or dealer sold warranties as non dealer sold ones. Here is the skinny. The broker is not the one that has to do anything after the sale. Once sold they forward the money to the administrator and their responsibility is done. Brokers can get great deals on great coverage, but you as a consumer have to do some research yourself. ALWAYS get the actual contract up front, something most dealers cannot offer. NEVER give them ANY money until you have the contract and read it completely. Check the BBB and Webassured for both the broker and the warranty company. RRG's are not as bad as people think. Exxon and GM both have RRG insurance companies. A RRG is an insurance company with only 1 client. In the case of warranty companies, make sure that the RRG is not owned by the warranty company, as in the case of First Assured/OneSource that went under in 2005. Do not buy on price. Having said that, if the contracts are identical then don't over pay either. the bottom line, get the contracts form anyone you are looking at first. Anyone that wont give it to you, lose their number, it's like grocery shopping blindfolded. If you feel pressured to give them money, lose their number. You need to be comfortable in the process. The warranty is there to fill your need and it is your money. |
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Replying to: warranty101 (May 16, 2007 9:30 am) Are you still associated with the Auto Biz?
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Replying to: warranty101 (May 16, 2007 9:30 am) What factory esp's are backed by non-mfg based companies?
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Replying to: warranty101 (May 16, 2007 9:30 am) Not all dealer-sold service contracts are Mfr-backed. Have you had problems with Mfr-backed contracts? I've found GMPP claims to be as straightforward as Warranty claims.
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Replying to: joel0622 (May 17, 2007 8:55 am) |
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Replying to: audia8q (May 17, 2007 9:17 am)
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Replying to: mitzij (May 17, 2007 10:58 am) |
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Replying to: warranty101 (Jun 04, 2007 7:57 am) To a certain extent what you say is accurate. The differences being that depending on your service absorption a dealer is given a limit where they do not need prior approval on claims. Also the approval through the factory is automated and does not require a rep from the service company to come buy. Plus the fact that they are not a third party to the dealer or manufacture. In my case Ford Motor Company could care less if some fly by night warranty company is giving you the run around. They will tell you this is why the Manufacture offers a Service Contract. Where if you are getting the run around on a Manufactures plan they are obligated to assist you.
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Replying to: joel0622 (Jun 04, 2007 8:47 am) |
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