Warranty Direct

[Raj]

Hi all,

I know some have used/do use Warranty Direct.

They called yesterday and offered my full franchised dealer usage warranty covering pretty much everything (you know what I mean, so even wear and tear like wheel bearings, etc) with claim limit upto the value of the X and excess of £50, all for the princely sum of £620.

My question is, is it worth it? By this, I mean are Warranty Direct warranties worth the paper they're written on or at the first sign they'll try and not payout, etc?

Suppose I'm just trying to gauge whether people's experiences of Warranty Direct is a positive one or not and can I trust them to payout as and when required.

Thanks,

Raj

[pvr]

I had them for two years, and two claims were a battle and a disappointing settlement.

Also, remember they take off 10% of the claim per 10k over 60k or and more (so 70k is 20% off) and they don't cover the diagnoses costs that BMW insist on, nor do they cover of "getting to the part" that has gone. So in my case, the glow plug control box had gone - they did not cover diagnoses, nor the removal of the manifold to get to the box.

In effect, a repair costing about £500 or so, they paid £200 to £250 in the end or thereabouts.

The second claim was for a weeping gearbox sump oil seal. Gearbox is covered, but as it did not state that the oil seal of the sump was covered they tried to wriggle out of it. Was paid for in the end, but a major battle.

What is your current mileage?

[X5Sport]

Used them twice, first time was for the auto failure. They did not pay for the £60 BMW diagnostics bill nor the £50 excess. They did pay the £3k+ repair bill.

Second time was when the fuel pump relay failed and like pvr, we had a battle. I think they paid about half the £400 bill and that was only because the repairer helped us out with apportioning diagnostic costs creatively.

When the policy was cancelled because I sold the car, they had a 30% 'Admin Charge' so we got very little back. Unlikely to use them again for now as the X6 is under OEM Cover and the E46 is in storage. Their policy stops covering certain items like the ICE as the car gets older. It was fully covered by their 'Luxury Cover' in year one, but dropped in year two without a word!

I have seen ads for Warranty Wise by Quentin Wilson, but no idea what they might be like. My own feeling is that these are all run by insurers who will wriggle out of everything they can. WD were there for us when it counted the first time as the diagnosis was quick. Not so good the second time when it wasn't.

Whether they are better or worse than others I don't know. I have been told that if you play hard to get, WD may come down in price though...

[Raj]

I did question a lot of what the guy was saying. He insisted that the diagnosis would be covered if the part being replaced was covered by the warranty. I did tell him the X has now got 99k on the clock but he said that was fine.

I am a little dubious as to the actual worth of the policy, because he certainly never mentioned the sliding scale with relation to mileage. Hmmmm.

The other thing I did ask was in relation to when a claim can be put in as I have heard that you cannot claim within the first so many weeks, etc but again he stated everything would be covered from day 1.

He did also state that the level of cover he was offering was the best they do (so to speak) hence why it was so comprehensive but again very unsure.

[X5Sport]

Ask for everything in writing first

[pvr]

This is the scale:


Claim Mileage Parts Labour
Under 60,000 100% 100%
Under 70,000 90% 100%
Under 80,000 80% 100%
Under 90,000 70% 100%
Under 100,000 60% 100%
Over 100,000 50% 100%

[Raj]

Thanks both. Would definitely want the details/small print first to look over.

He's going to call me back tomorrow so will also question the scales pvr.

If he were willing to drop the price then I'd definitely go for it if it truly does cover wear and tear as I'm sure a bearing maybe on its way out and am suffering some sort of vibration. Hmmm

[brendy]

I signed up for two years but have decided not to bother this year as their support for Northern Ireland is pathetic, non existant so everything has to be paid up front then they decide if they will honour it. They wormed their way out of a gearbox refurb and for the cat sensors to be replaced it still cost me around 150 which I could have done 2nd hand, probably cheaper.
I have a trans fail safe message again though the actual box seems to be running fine (slight rubbing noise but dont feel that it is detrimental). I have a few things to check out and will probably repair myself as it will actually be cheaper. I dont mind getting my hands dirty so to me it is 600 quid plus excesses up the swanny.

[weirdfish]

If they want your business then screw them down on the price, get everything in writing, and I mean everything, before paying.
It would also help if you have a garage that deals with warranty companies, and basically knows how to word the claim,

[Raj]

Very true Steve. I am going to wait to see what he says when he calls tomorrow in the first instance. Then get the finer detail and check all the small print. We will see.

[graemeX5]

I agree with X5sport get it in writing and read carefully before signing. My car 2 previous had a warranty and it was uphill struggle on fog light damage as I rang up and garage I used was small independant and so didn't want to pay.

Then on egr valve because I was away and garage rang up the claim was agreed there and then as they didn't want to pay transport costs back about 100 miles and the repair as well but they wanted proof car had been serviced so you have to jump through hoops and as long as you know that it can be worth it.

[Raj]

I will see what he comes back with today. I will pose all these questions too which were obviously non forthcoming in the initial conversation.

[X5Driver]

Raj was there an outcome on this?

[Raj]

Still undecided. Friday agreed to drop it to £550 but left them hanging till Tuesday to see again what they do.

[X5Driver]

Did you ask anything about the mileage reducing the payment as I have 115k so would loose a large percentage of the claim

Never been a warrantee man before but think I might need it with this beauty