Hello folks

Do any of you have a warranty with a company such as Warranty Direct? I've been sent an offer by them - £311.65 for a year. Considering I've just shelled out nearly £400 on a car repair, I'm wondering if this is a good idea? Any thoughts?

Thanks.

I myself wouldnt bother , youd be amazed how much they wont cover when it comes to a claim.
Not speaking about that company just in general.

Wriggle Warrenties

I've only ever had one about 20 years ago and was bitterly disappointed. I re-visited the idea about three years ago and came to a screeching halt, when it was evident that nothing had improved in two decades. My conclusion :

- they will wriggle out of everything
- they have their own rates regardless of the garage rate you pay
- many things like DMF for example are excluded on ""standard"" cover
- many ""local garages"" are unacceptable regarding their policy

In short [ like JTDman says ] keep your cash under the bed. If they can find a way in their small print to avoid your claim they will, and there is nothing you can do about it.

Personally I think you're better off having a good level of breakdown cover and building a relationship with a mechanic you trust.

Warranties generally are not worth the paper they're written on.

I had a Warranty Direct policy on my old Seat Alhambra. I had to make a claim once in four years, and it was an entirely hassle-free experience. When I discovered I had to have work carried out, they authorised it almost immediately (I seem to recall they just spoke directly to the dealer) and payment was made similarly quickly. I didn't get the feeling at any point that they were trying to wriggle out of anything.

Over the whole period I had the policy (about 4 years I think), it probably cost me more in monthly premiums than the value of the claim I made, but you have no way of knowing that when you take the policy out and it least it's a 'fixed cost'.

The only thing I'd be careful of is what exactly is covered. If your car has over 60,000 / 100,000 miles (I can't remember the threshold mileage now) and is over five years old, the level of cover reduces drastically. Check the small print!

But its all the wear and tear items they wont cover that give the biggest headaches , i know a few people in the car trade and the mark up on the warrenties is silly .

I have recently ended my Warranty Direct contract.

- it must be stated here that when I first talked to them about taking up their offer of insurance, I had to insist on the clutch being part of the items included, they reluctantly agreed, my car had done almost 98000mls and cover is derisery - I had the insurance for approximately 10 months when I required the clutch to be looked at (it started shuddering on take off) and WD wanted the records of the dervices the car had had.
I do all my own work and unfortunately don't normally keep receipts, so after a lot of phone calls they agreed to refund all the money I had paid in so far.

Good points in favour of Warranty Direct:

If your car is regularly garage serviced (with proof) and is not a 100,000 mile car, you will do ok, they spoke to my garage and they were really professional.
When negotiating your premiums - bargain hard - it's worth it, my premiums went from £345 down to £240 and the clutch was included - not normal because its a wear n tear item.
Bad points:

Take extra care what is covered and what is not covered - you will be surprised what is not covered.
Their garage list is very limited but they are willing to talk to your garage - I cannot comment on rates.

Conclusion:

Put those premiums in an account of their own, DD about £20 a month into that account - at the end of each year you will have a nice bit toward any bits you might need

George
02 1.6 ELX Ugly Bug

Thanks folks - guess I won't be taking out the cover!