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Still looking for the "peace of mind" that an extended warranty is supposed to bring.
To the best of my knowledge, WG does not offer this anymore.
Our Diamond 'Bumper to Bumper Plus' plan provides coverage to repair or replace ANY FAILURE OR BREAKDOWN of all PARTS AND LABOR of your vehicle EXCEPT, but not limited to, the following few items:
Carburetor; battery; shock absorbers; manual transmission clutch assembly; friction clutch disc and pressure plate; throwout bearing; manual and hydraulic linkages; distributor cap and rotor; safety restraining systems (including air bags); glass; lenses; sealed beams; light bulbs; brake rotors and drums; brake pads; exhaust and emission systems; weather strips; trim; moldings; bright metal; chrome; upholstery and carpet; paint; outside ornamentation; bumpers; body sheet metal and panels; tires; and wheels/rims.
Our New 'BUMPER TO BUMPER PLUS' (Diamond) Plan provides coverage you won't find with other Bumper to Bumper plans:
Factory Installed Navigation Systems
Factory Installed Televisions
Factory Installed Bumper Radar
Factory Installed Infrared Heat Sensor
CV Boots (Protects your CV joints)
Heater Blend Box (Ford Vehicles)
The coverage explained here reflects those of our Diamond plan, which covers wear and tear as well as mechanical breakdown repairs. If you are interested in additional coverages through our Gold and Platinum plans, please call our Sales Consultants for details.
Read my posts since July. I did get most of my claims paid, but it took 6 weeks and a ton of aggravation to make it happen. I repeat: Hours on the phone and page after page of faxes and broken promises and empty excuses culminating in an under satisfied claim is NOT my idea of good customer service.
how your dealings with your local dealers have gone? Were they able to discount 25%
from list price? Thanks.
Erik
http://www.gmwarrantycentral.com/
http://www.team-chevy.com/warranties.htm
The first one sells factory extended warranties on GM, Ford, and Chrysler.
No claims to report of lately..
Not too bad.
Campo57
While getting some warranty work done on the car (the factory warranty is 500 miles away from expiring), I asked the senior service writer at Cavender Buick on I-10 in San Antonio about aftermarket warranties in general, and Warranty Gold in particular.
He said all he needed was for a company to pay directly and there would be no problem. As for the WG policy of paying by company credit card, he said that was perfectly acceptable, but he wouldn't deal with someone that wanted to be billed and then be forced to wait for a check.
As for some complaints I had heard about getting a phone authorization for repairs from companies like WG, he said he didn't fool with waiting on hold; he FAXED them the workorder, along with instructions to them on how they could return an answer. So much for waiting on hold; apparently those in the business with experience know how to get around certain roadblocks. He did say that he had not had any problems with WG, but that he WOULD NOT do business with a company called WarrantyUSA. Interesting that he said that because I never mentioned the name WarrantyUSA.
When I do use the WG policy, I'll let you know--good or bad-- how it turns out.
Joe
I have a WG Diamond policy which has been fine for the minor fixes on several occasions. However several weeks ago our Suburban broke down due to a burned out rear end and differential. The GM dealer who examined it said that it needs to be replaced. However Interstate (The Administrator for WG) has denied the claim because of "failure of lubrication". This is pure BS. A failure CAUSED the lack of fluid, and the dealer says it is evident that there are no leaks, and there was differential fluid present at the time of failure.
The bottom line is that we are getting summarily denied by Interstate, and WG is of no help because "we are not making the decision". Interstate states that "we do not have a contract with you." The cost to fix will be several thousand dollars. Talkinhg on the phone is useless as they simply repeat your claim was denied, because there was no lubrication, citing a contract clause that the vehicle has to be maintained regularly. I explained that I have documentation to prove that this vehicle has been maintained regularly, but they don't really care, they are contorting the contract to their benefit. (They fail to understand/acknowledge that the failure CAUSED the lack of lubrication).
If any WG personnel are out there, here is an opportunity to publicly demonstrate the worth of your policy by helping me attain satisfaction for a policy that was bought in good faith. If there is no response and assistance, I guess you have spoken the worth of your policy.
For fellow consumers, BEWARE. WG as a company may or not be OK, but they contract with a company (Interstate) that is not acting in good faith.
Star Life - Star Service Contract
Secure Value Program
333 Earl Ovington Blvd., #700
Uniondale, NY 11553
800-526-0929
516-222-1818
According to information in the Better Business Bureau's file:
Interstate National Dealer Services, Inc. was established in 1991. Mr. Luby is Chairman.
This firm is a warranty processing service.
The Bureau's file opened 01/95.
Complaints to the Bureau have alleged non-receipt of Vehicle Service Contract, inability to obtain required authorization for repairs, clarification of coverage, and/or refunds and reimbursements.
- The principals of this firm are also principals of Warranty Direct. The BBB has a separate report on that company.
This firm has received 62 complaint (s) in the last 36 months. 27 of those 62 complaint(s) were received in the last 12 months.
This company has responded to complaints brought to its attention by the Bureau. However, consumers were generally dissatisfied with the firm's response.
If you are skeptical... Go the the national BBB website (I am not going to give you a fake BS site to link to) and conduct a national search, and type in Interstate National Dealer Services. You will note on page 12 of your contract that Interstate is the Administrator. Warranty Gold is just the warm/fuzzy front end.
BUYER BEWARE
This, quite frankly, sounds like the kind of stuff that got the previous 1Source warranty message forum shut down. So what if Warranty Gold uses the same administrator as other companies? Don't you know that your auto insurance company uses the same adjusters as dozens of other companies? That doesn't mean that they are owned by, operated by or have the same provisions of coverage as the other companies.
However, I'd like to suggest the following steps:
1. Get your GM dealer to state what you listed in your message; specifically that there was lubricant present at the time of the failure and that the failure was not due to lack of lubricant.
2. Find any receipts for oil changes at the dealer or independent shops such as Jiffy Lube or Quick Lube. Virtually ALL of those shops include a check of the rear differential fluid as part of their service. If so, get a copy of their checklist or brochure that shows they checked the differential fluid level.
3. Get an attorney to write a demand letter to WG, stating the failure is within the boundaries of their covered items and provisions, and demand coverage for the affected parts and labor.
3. Have the attorney send those items to WG, not their administrator.
This shifts the burden of proof to WG and away from you and your dealer. If they still refuse, there's always court. Sounds like you don't have WG's attention, or at least have not pointed out to them the fact that their so-called administrator has just put them in a serious liablity position.
Good luck.
Joe
I have already been in the process of proceeding with those suggestions. So far interstate has ignored this. I've already sicked my attorney on them.
For other consumers, is this how you want a warranty company to serve you? If so get WG, and watch you dollars, time, and patience melt away. I will keep everyone posted about what happens.
srp1
In Feb. of 2001, the thermostat failed and the motor overheated. I immediately pulled over and had it towed. The garage fixed the thermostat and changed the fluid, but about 3 weeks later, the lifters started to fail. It took several calls and many faxes of maintenance info and about three weeks of aggravation, but Interstate finally paid for most of the lifter repairs, about $1000.
That is the good news.
On late September, my air conditioner compressor failed. I felt really lucky to have a warranty good til 3/17/02, until my garage informed me that Interstate said my warranty had expired on 9/12/2001. When I called to ask about the discrepancy, they stated that my actual "in service date" was 9/12/1996, and that the warranty was only good for 5 years from that date.
After many discussions with Warranty Gold and Interstate, it appears that I am out of luck. I can persue the arbitration clause, but that costs $500 up front, and Warranty Gold threatened to counter-sue for repairing the previous damage because they now say the "in service date" was REALLY 12/15/95. They never have explained why they offered me a contract showing my purchase date and not the "In Service Date", and they never have explained why the date changed from 9/12/96 to 12/15/95.
They have been misleading and difficult to deal with and I would NEVER recommend them.
You talk about "suspicious postings" about WG's lousy service. See postings by me that are backed up by names dates and claim numbers. I went thru Hell getting them to pay for repairs that were covered under my "Diamond policy". They never did pay the entire claim ( see my previous posts). In all my 53 years this has been the worst consumer related experience I've ever had.
For those contemplating a WG contract, think about this: If you do get denied, what recourse do you have? WG is in Texas. If you live in another state as I do, bringing action against them is very costly. The only recourse we, as consumers have is to post our experiences, good or bad on forums such as this. A free public exchange will hopefully enable us all to make wise and informed choices of who to deal with.
Any questions may be directed to NWIG, or WG 888-550-9361.
Perhaps this change will raise WG's customer service and proformance level.
The bottom line is that any Administrator that WG uses will rationalize a way to deny a claim.
SAVE YOUR MONEY AND ENERGY-----DON'T BUY WG
my 2cents.
I had an intake manifold replaced among other things just a couple of days before my contract was to expire. The only issue I had with WG was that they asked me to take my car to a Firestone repair shop rather than a dealership because the dealer was much more expensive ... I know a few people who also use WG and they have never complained. My car was covered by WG for 5 years, and I had never had any problems with them. I would definitely go with them again.
I brought my car (97 M3 Coupe) in for a state inspection/emissions test yesterday. As an aside, I also asked the shop to do an oil change, install some aftermarket tranny mounts, and check my shift linkage for wear (the shifter was really sloppy).
My car needed the following to pass state inspection:
- Front brake pads
- Rear shock mounts
- Trailing arm bushings
- 1 rear muffler mount
Plus, the shop recommended replacing the shifter cup and a bushing.
Now, my WG policy is an exclusionary policy, which means that if it's not listed as an exception, it's covered. Exhaust systems and wear and tear items like brake pads are not covered. So, the muffler mount and brake pads were out. But, WG didn't hesitate to pay for the shock mounts (E46 M3 mounts, no less), trailing arm bushings, and the shifter stuff. The parts + labor on those things came to $469.44. All I had to pay was state sales tax ($28.67). Not bad! They even paid the shop directly, so I didn't have to pay out of pocket and then get reimbursed.
I paid around $1680 for the policy (I haggled for the price, the original price was ~$2300). I still have over 5-1/2 years or 52,000 miles left on the policy. I figure if I have to use it again (especially for something a little more pricey) it will definitely have paid for itself.
The only snag was that when my shop called them, they got tired of waiting on hold to speak to an adjuster, so the mechanic left his contact info with a receptionist. By the time the adjuster called back and got the work approved, it was too late for the shop to start the work. So, I had to wait until this morning for the car to be finished. No biggie
All-in-all, I feel confident that I made the right choice in going with Warranty Gold. Anyone else have as good of luck as I did?
-Josh
No, I don't work for WG or any insurance company
1)diagnostics= $189
2)motor= $450
3)labor= $150
All covered,i am very satisfied with there coverage and will definetly recommend there service, AAAAAAAAhhhh but theres a catch. there is one thing they didn't cover and that is the taxes. SO WHAT i had to pay $54 dollars but they saved me $800. I'll take that anytime
Art
J. Parker
For me, however, the plan paid for everything that I had made a claim to on my LS400 back in '97-98. It covered, including tax, for the A/C compressor, alternator, fuel sender and gauge, broken door handle and door lock, automatic climate control panel, and gaskets to seal up a leaking power steering pump, My mileage on the car at that time was between 60k-75k when WG honored its K.
Needless to say, I was horrified to have read all of the 400+ postings about WG on this board. After surviving the initial stages of shock, I continued further on the research, and concluded (as what others on this board has pointed out ) that Interstate really faulted here, not necessarily WG. but unfortunately Interstate is the admin who decided who/what gets covered, and is an agent to WG, (if memory serves me here w/ Business Law 101 & 102). It is now common knowledge that WG had to sue Interstate, and has a new admin.
And as such, the black eye also fell to other xtwarr. sellers such as 1stSource, warrantyDirect,etc.under the same admin(I could be completely wrong on these Co'sabove, so do your research to confirm). What's also really sad, is that through my research and calls to other competitors of WG, I found unprofessionalism and badmouthing coupled w/ pressure selling, and with phone calls (while at dinner table and while giving my kids baths in the evening). To WG's credit, they stood out to me as the ones who admitted over the phone their problems culminating over the past year or so and the direction they've taken to move out of their business relationship w/ the previous admin and into a new admin, and refrained from badmouthing their competitor. I felt pleased that they took the high rosd, amidst the overwhelming opposition here.
I sure as heck could be completely wrong about this down the road , but my gut instinct told me to go back to WG. And I'm looking forward to see how well WG's new admin will step up to the plate.
I will say that after talking to Tony in their cancellation department, the process has so far been a breeze. The forms were e-mailed to me the same day, and were very clear. When I get closer to the end of my factory warranty on my 2000 Chevy S-10, I will go back to WG.
Just so there is no mud slinging about whether I work for WG, my e-mail is in my profile, and I will tell you that I work for the U.S. Air Force, and have never had any affiliation with WG.
Joe
First, WG will probably negotiate the price of parts and labor. If you need a new $157 cam sensor and a new $350 power seat assembly, WG may insist on the same discount the dealer would offer if he were selling the parts to an independent garage or Ford ESP--at least 10-20% and sometimes more. If they want to charge you $80 an hour for labor and the Mitchell's On Demand system says the job takes 3.4 hours, but Ford Warranty only pays $67 per hour for 2.7 hours, then WG may want to only pay the lower rates. Wanna take a guess which rates they will charge you? Full price on parts and labor! They are obviously only looking at how much money they can get out of you.
Second, if they have had any problems with any outside warranty company, they may be trying to sterotype all of them. Shame on them! If they have had the same proceedure covered on other vehicles by Ford's ESP administrator, and they reject this one, they may feel they have a better chance of getting paid because of previous experiences with Ford.
By the way, I was stationed in the Pentagon a few years ago and remember well the lousy way most dealers delt with the military. If you have a base decal on your truck, they may not care what you think. To them, you are only going to be there about three years so why bother making a long-term customer.
Bottom line: the dealer doesn't care about YOU. There are tons of good Ford dealers in the Southern Maryland/DC/Northern Virginia area. Call the dealer's general manager and tell him that you are taking your $850+ worth of business elsewhere because of his staff's poor customer relations and poor business practices. Then call the WG NEW administrator, and ask them if there is a Ford dealer in the area that they have worked well with in the past. Voila! You have a new dealer that will gladly service your truck, the dealer will likely receive tons of great word-of-mouth advertising from you, and your claim will be easily taken care of by WG.
Good luck!
Joe
Therefore, who should I go with? The R&S rep told me GE Auto Warranty was one of the best but I just found out they no longer offer policies to individuals, just dealerships. Even though I see some satisfied customers that have WG, the postings overall seem to be very negative.
Who is a good one?
With some, if not many of the posts you see in this and other forums, the writer is ticked off, and almost nothing will make them happy.
For example, if they took a car in for a simple item like a broken switch, and the dealer offered them a new car and a check for $1000, some of them would complain that the check is printed on green paper and their favorite color is blue! In other words, they've made up their minds and they don't want to be confused with things like facts.
As for your situation, ask the service writer in the service department of your favorite dealer which aftermarket warranty companies he would recommend, and which he would hope to never have to deal with again. Chances are, he's had good experiences with Warranty Gold and one or two others, such as 1Source Auto Warranty.
Now, I will sit back and wait for some of those unhappy people to flame me in this forum as they once again share with the world their totally enlightened and perfect wisdom....
Good luck finding a warranty you like, Frank!
Joe
Last week, the engine of the Durango started acting up. Took it in Friday morning to local repair shop. Problem was bad injector and bad spark plug. WG was contacted and a claim started.
Couldn't get the new injector until Monday, no one had it in stock. Monday afternoon, the work is done but can't get vehicle because WG takes 4 hours to approve the claim and post payment. I hope to get Durango back Tuesday. Again, no rental coverage for this repair. I will not recommend Warranty Gold to anyone.
The service writer made a phone call to the 800# that was on the contract, he spoke with someone for a few minutes at WG, and then after that he said no problem we have permission to tear it down to make sure that the trany wasn't abused by me.
The next day, GMC called and said the trany was covered and it will be done in about 3 days.
The bill was about $2400 and all I had to pay was a $50 ded. and for the trany oil, filter and seal. I have no idea why I had to pay for the oil and filter. Total time down was about 5 days.
Like I said, this was about 13 months ago,and from what I have read looks like things might have changed!
Must make note to self, Stay away from Ford, Chrysler and GM products