Can anyone recommend a good extended warranty company?
I would like to find one that will provide bumper-to-bumper coverage (including the air suspension) and that has good customer service (i.e. doesn't try to screw you on the claims). I have heard of Warranty Gold, Warranty Direct and North American Auto Warranty, but haven't heard any feedback about these companies.
Anyone have any good/bad experiences? Thanks!

LAST EDITED ON Feb-07-00 AT 09:07 PM (EST)

I am with Fidelity for my ’93. With platinum it covers about everything. I've used it twice and almost made back my money. They WILL underwrite, I had a front strut replaced, the dealer wanted to do both but Fidelity would only replace what was broken, not worn. It is like any of them I guess. They gave me hassle when I asked about the poor headlights. It is too late now, since I removed the front reflectors. They are fixing my leaking tranny, with the 1-2 shift problem. With taking the tranny down (for the front seal) there is a bit of labor there, they didn't underwrite so far. The car is in the shop still, however, so we will see. They are paying the rental.

I didn't shop around, it was provided when I bought the car: aprox. $1700 for 36,000 miles. $50 deductable. The crap shoot is about even so far. One more big trip and I will be on top for sure!

Good luck and happy hunting!

I have a 7yr/100,000 mile, $0 deductible from warranty direct on my '96. (about $1,000) Have not had a claim, but have called numerous times with questions. They are very good so far and I have no complaints. This platinum warranty covers almost everything including air suspension and they have good coverage descriptions on their website.

Good Luck,
Canuck

"We are sorry, Warranty Direct can only provide extended warranties on vehicles
with less than 60,000 miles on the odometer. Thank you for your inquiry."

I tried to get a quote for extending my warranty---this was what Warranty Direct told me online. What a joke!

Gee, I guess I must have really screwed warranty direct.... I fthey won't take a car with more that 60,000 on the ticker. I got mine at 57,800, 2 years or 24,00 cost $1,300. If you are close to 60,000 you could fudge it a bit (tell them it hab 58,000) but dont' make any claims for a couple of months. I think it is a good investment on a Mark VIII. Warranty direct has been nice to me but not as nice to the FLM dealer.
Matthew

Folks,

This may be old data, but it still a good lesson. Years ago I bought an Isuzu Trooper and bought a 5 yr, unlimited mileage warranty. In the first 2 years a couple of minor things happened and they were fixed at the dealer I bought it at, no problem.

Now the dealer goes under. Someone new owns it. I submit my next claim ( for a gasket between the carb and manifold). The warranty company wants proof that every bit of factory recommended maintenance has been done along with receipts for oil changes....

The result of this... this extended warranty company is nothing but a telephone call center that front ends the dealer. The dealer gets almost all the money and hopes to make some. As long as they are still around, no problem. The new owner "couldn't find any records" of the warranty.

Finally after 3 months of haggling they paid some of the claim.

Chuck in NC

I know of these horror stories of which you speak Chuck. My friend has a VW (I know, charity case) which had two months left on an extended. A heater hose assembly went, so he replaced it himself. Two days later he can't start the car, the battery died. I am out there with him and I noticed the Rad. overflow is full of Motor oil (say what!). This was the high-test stuff too, he spent $20 a quart! It turns out the oil cooler was screwed. The warranty co. only paid for the cooler. They refused to support the cleanup efforts on the cooling system. The $100 invested in the oil was gone, and my friend paid over 70% of the final bill. The worst part was he had all of the service records up to date and it was no help. Also this was his only claim on a $1400 investment. It relates to the phrase "we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone". This is true even when you paid for the warranty. After that you better have a lawyer, which is another high cost investment that can't guarantee the outcome.

It is a tough call. With most third party warranty's there is an amount they like to go with, if the dealer exceeds that amount in the estimate, they send in the bean counter to save money. The bottom line is what loss are they willing to absorb. Not weather they provide the best customer support. A large well to do company will write off >$500 without a blink, depending on the job performed of course. Thus giving the appearance of great customer support. I have been lucky so far with my warranty.



Michael______
1993 Mark VIII
Orlando, FL