 |
I have a Volvo S80 that we purchased a extended warranty on through Guardian Warranty. We thought this plan would protect us if we ever ran into repairs. We paid $3500.00 for the best plan that had no max and no deductible and covered from bumper to bumper. We are 'very organized' and kept every receipt for maintence on our vehicle. We never went over the manufactures recommend maintance schedule and always had it done at a dealership.
I was drive my car on day and the oil pressure light came on. I pulled over and called the dealership. They recommended I have it looked at immediatly. I did not want to drive the vehicle to prevent further damage. I called Guardian Warranty and asked about having the vehicle towed and to have the dealership look at it. They ok'd it but I would have to cover the extra milage on the tow as the dealership was out of town. I agreed to that.
At the dealership they discovered a major problem with the engine that was going to require and completly new engine be installed. The dealership contacted Guardian Warranty and explained this to them. The Warranty company said that they would need to send out an inspector and need to "see" the engine parts that were damaged. They would not rely on the computer analysis. This tear down of the engine would cost me $400, as diagnostic is not covered by the warranty even though they would not approve any work until this was done. I was also not authorized a rental car during this time because rental reimbersement is only during the repair process. The inspector could not get to the dealership for 4 days.
After the inspection was done it took them 1 day to deny my claim, stating failure to properly maintain maintenance on the vehicle is what caused the problem. This was before they even called me to ask for maintenace records. I then had to send in my maintenance records only to have them deny it again stating I did not have my oil changed every 3000 miles. Volvo recommends every 7500 miles, which was followed. The guy at Guardian pretty much told me that everyone knows the correct oil change interval is 3000 not 7500 miles.
I finally got fed up with him and started asking for his boss. He would not tell me who his boss was, so I got sneaky and started leaving message on every voice mail the directory had listed. I got a call back from a supervisor and had to fax him all my maintenance records. Also included the Volvo S80 manual that stated ol change schedule and the part on my Guardian Contract that stated I had to have oil changes done every 3000 miles or as recommend by auto manufaturer and a letter from my attorney. He finally approved my claim.
This entire process took two months. They only covered 3 days of rental car. They also did not cover oil and seals for the used engine that was replacing the damaged one.
This experience was a nightmare.
$3500 for the original warranty.
$1100 for rental car for 2 months
$400 for the tear down of the engine at their request.
$100 add'l towing
$200 for oil and seals
$300 for the labor they did not cover.
Plus all the phone calls, faxes and headaches.
You tell me if this is worth buying their warranty plan.
An engine on my own with out the warrany would have cost me between $4500 and $6500. installed per my dealership. With the warranty cost me $5600. I will never buy another plan from this company or it affiliates. By the way I got no help from the original dealer that sold me the plan.
According to my current dealer, which only sells Volvo extended warranties, ealership get incentives to sell this warranty plans.
Please learn from my experience, Guardian Warranty is a rip off. It has nothing to do with being an informed consure or being organized. I was all of that and still |
RV and bus conversion info since 1996.
email Tina Hill
reply to message
search forums