Comare and shop for warranties. How reliable are guardian and aftermarket extended car warranties ?
Best Auto Extended Warranty
Peace of mind or a waste of money?
Article By TOM MORR
http://www.automedia.com/
Buying a new car involves making several decisions, some of which can be expensive. But just when you think you've picked the right make, model, color, and options and researched pricing, a prominent decision still remains: whether to buy an extended warranty or not. (Chrysler helped make the decision for its customers, unveiling a new 7-Year/70,000-Mile Limited Powertrain Warranty to motivate buyers to its dealerships.)
Extended warranties are available for both new and sometimes late-model used vehicles. These policies' value depends on numerous variables. We'll briefly sort through some of the major concerns here.
Beyond Basic
Anyone who buys a new vehicle will likely be offered an extended warranty during the paperwork portion of the purchase process. Ideally, your new-car research should anticipate this so you'll know 1) whether you want the warranty and 2) if so, the type of coverage and from whom.
Extended warranties aren't for everyone. First, consider how long you'll likely own the vehicle. If you're doing a 3-year lease, the regular manufacturer's warranty will likely cover the major parts, so the extended warranty might be a waste of money. Similarly, if you get a new car every three to five years, balance the cost of an out-of-warranty repair against the price of the extended coverage.
Which leads to the next topic: Research the reliability record of the vehicle you intend to purchase. For example, if the car has a history of transmission problems, then a single beyond-warranty major repair could exceed the cost of the extended coverage. On the other hand, models that have good reputations for enduring reliability might not need the extended coverage if they'll be traded in on a new car shortly after their basic warranty period expires. Several web sites list recall and service-bulletin information to help assess a given model's reliability.
OEM or Independent
If you plan to keep the new vehicle for a number of years and are seriously considering the peace of mind provided by an extended warranty, realize that the coverage doesn't have to be purchased from the same dealer where you buy your car -- or even at the same time you sign the papers. Remember, this coverage kicks in after the manufacturer's warranty expires, so don't feel pressured into buying something that you wouldn't use for three or more years anyway. In fact, extended warranties can often be purchased within 24 months or 24,000 miles at no additional surcharge.
Also, dealers set their own prices on everything, including extended warranties. Although the dealer might push an "aftermarket" warranty that's underwritten by an independent company (because the dealership likely makes the highest commission on this policy), it should also offer a factory-backed warranty. If the dealership claims to have no knowledge of the automaker's "extended service plan," remember that the only advantage to buying the coverage at the same time as the car is that the price can be added into the financing. Another dealership will probably be happy to sell you the automaker's extended coverage
Generally, the factory-backed extended warranty has fewer restrictions than an aftermarket one. For example, the factory policy might allow service at any of its dealerships while the aftermarket one might stipulate that repairs can only be done at the dealership who sold you the car (or the extended-coverage policy). Also, the factory and its dealers already have business relationships that include reimbursement for warranty work. An aftermarket policy might require that the failure be inspected and approved before service can be authorized. Or, the customer might have to front the entire repair bill, then get reimbursed by the insurer (less the deductible) once it's satisfied that the claim meets all of the policy's criteria. Incidentally, independent insurers can be researched at A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. Companies that have less than an "A" rating often have inferior claims-resolution records. Internet research will also provide an idea of the cost of various extended-warranty policies.
In a nutshell, an extended warranty shares many similar components with a car-insurance policy. Make sure to read all of the fine print. For example, deductibles might either be applied per visit or per repair. This means that if multiple problems are solved in one session, you pay the deductible only once under per-visit coverage; if air conditioning and the transmission are fixed during the same visit, you still pay two deductibles under a per-repair policy.
Know what parts are covered and under what conditions. Competent home mechanics may want to save a few dollars by buying extended coverage for major powertrain components only and fixing any minor problems themselves. Extended-coverage policies might also address the circumstances under which the problem occurred. "Breakdown" failures might be covered but not problems that resulted from normal wear and tear. Some policies might also stipulate that manufacturer-recommended service intervals be documented for the claim to be honored. If this is the case, save all service records and even parts-store receipts if you decide to change your own oil or perform other routine maintenance yourself.
But wait, there's still more: For one, the terms of the policy might differ based on time and mileage. If you figuratively live in your car, opt for a policy that covers fewer months but more miles. Other features can include emergency towing, reimbursement for some costs if stranded away from home, transferability should you decide to sell the car and even partial or full reimbursement if you never use the coverage. In general, the better the coverage and lower the deductible, the more expensive the policy.
So forewarned is forearmed, both when buying a new vehicle and an extended warranty. Just remember that everything is negotiable at a car dealership. If you want extended coverage and identify the policy that suits your projected needs, haggle the actual cost of the premium -- don't be smoke-and-mirrored by the "few extra bucks" it'll add to the monthly payment. Also remember that the dealership is trying to make as much money as possible. Its first offer is seldom its best. As the consumer, you should ultimately control what best suits your needs.
Resources:
A.M. Best, www.ambest.com
Standard & Poor's, www.standardpoor.com
Extended Used car Warranty
Dealer Services Warranty from
What is a dealership service and warranty?
I suppose to begin with we should look at the service.
When you buy a car it's not long before you recieve a letter stating that it is time for your service and can you please arrange for an appointment. Now regardless of what service it is, whether it is your first one or third one the main concern is the cost. As any car driver will know the cost can be quite excessive to say the least.
I personally have always had my car serviced at a reliable garage, although there aren't many about. When you purchase a car the dealer always states that you must bring it back to them for a service or it will negate your warranty, is this so!
I recently purchased a new car from a Rover dealer and it was a Hyundai Accent. I decided to put it in for a service with my normal garage as the service is usually cheaper by about £50 compared to dealer prices. Unfortunatly two weeks after the service there was a major problem and the car wouldn't start. I contacted my garage and they said "it would't be from the service contact the dealer".
So I contact the Rover dealer they check out the engine and change a couple of parts and send me on my merry way. One week later the car broke down again and then the Rover dealer organised for the car to go into the Hyundai dealer. Hyundai put the car on their computer and found that it has a problem with the chip in the key and informed me that it must be changed.
So next we look at the warranty and has the service affected it?
Hyundai informed me that my warranty would not cover the repairs as I had not had my car serviced with them. I contacted my usual garage and they informed me about an E.U. legislation called 'Know your rights', it states that the dealer can not negate my warranty as long as the garage that I use is V.A.T registered and uses equal or equivalent standard of parts to the main dealer.
On speaking to Hyundai they commented that my warranty was negated, so I brought up the subject of the E.U legislation and told them that they were in breach of the law, a short silence followed by we will call you back. When they called back they said my warranty was not negated and they would repair the damage as the parts that had been changed in the service did not affect the damaged part,(trying to save face).
So the moral of this story is first find a trustworthy garage who will charge you a proper price for your service and you must check they use equivalent standard parts so it doesn't negate your warranty and you are not then blackmailed into using a dealership service which is very costly. If you do service your car at a regular garage and you have checked with them that it won't negate your warranty (if they service your car) and you then have a problem just throw the E.U legislation 'Know your rights' at them and threaten to sue them for breach of the law, you may find they will back down and repair your car under the warranty.
XBOX 360 Warranty
Microsoft announced today it is improving the warranty for the Xbox 360 as well as adding new customer services.
"We recently announced that we changed the Xbox 360™ warranty in the United States and Canada from 90 days to one year from the date of purchase. Now we're adding additional service enhancements, taking Xbox 360 customer service one step further."
The enhancements include Free Shipping, so when your console needs to be returned to Microsoft for repair your shipping costs are free; and Post-Service Warranty:
"If we repair your Xbox 360 within the original warranty period, you will receive either the balance of your original warranty, or 90 days, whichever is longer. In addition, we will now pay for the shipping both ways.
If we repair your Xbox 360 after the warranty period has expired, while you will be responsible for the repair costs, your repaired console will be returned to you with a new, one year repair warranty." original warranty, or 90 days, whichever is longer. In addition, we will now pay for the shipping both ways.
Additionally, Microsoft is implementing an expedited repair process that guarantees that upon receipt of the console, they will repair it and ship it to you within five business days. The company is also increasing the number of Xbox customer care representatives
By: César A. Berardini - "Cesar" 
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RV Warranty For An Added Peace Of Mind
Julie Jacobs
Is it worth the extra money spent to purchase an RV Warranty or extended RV Warranty? People buy RVs every day, and many do not always put in the extra time, care, and consideration of what a RV Warranty can do for them. Buyers spend hours upon hours searching through newspaper and across the internet in search for the recreational vehicle fulfilling their image of perfection. Buyers take the time to burrow through the steps of finding the lowest RV finance rate, and then the time filled with wise decision making during the loan application. Why don't RVers also take the needed time to research and analyze the positives vs. negatives of purchasing a warranty for their new motor home? The buyer might have chosen a Holiday Rambler to satisfy the tailgate traveling needs that come about each fall, or the buyer might be about to embark on the fulltime RVing experiences and travel across the United States. One might wonder why the RVer did not realize that without an RV, there can be no cherished RV dream come true. A warranty to protect and cover all your traveling needs is available. And whether or not a buyer decides to pay extra to have one, purchasing a warranty should be taken into serious consideration. If a newly purchased RV has been previously owned and is bought new, the RV Warranty will most likely be held under the state of purchase's implied warranty law. This type of RV Warranty is limited to how the used RV is at the moment of purchase. Oftentimes when purchasing or financing a used RV, an inspector is sent to assess the RV. This assessment will determine the cost of the RV Warranty. Otherwise, when a new RV is being bought the RV Warranty will be decided upon pre-sale by the actual recreational vehicle manufacturer. The manufacturer of each type, design, and style of motor home (Class A, B, or C, Holiday Rambler, Fifth Wheel) will have its own rules and regulations of warranty. An RV by definition is a “motorized or towable vehicle that combines transportation and temporary living quarters for travel, recreation, and camping” (Websters Online Dictionary). An RV is generally purchased for those living in it to travel and experience life out on the road among fellow RVers. A warranty is a safety measure, and a reassurance to those traveling or living in the recreational vehicle that their time will not be spent in on the side of the road or even in a road side shop. When the buyer chooses to buy the RV Warranty, he/she should take some quiet time and read through the guide book carefully. Oftentimes, an RV Warranty will require the buyer to conduct routine maintenance check-ups at an accredited location (although this should be done anyhow for obvious safety reasons). There will be specific maintenance issues the buyer will be in charge of servicing (i.e. oil changes at an appropriate mileage point), and specific maintenance issues the manufacturer is responsible for (i.e. free tire changes for the first three years). The most common reason RVers depend on a warranty for their recreational vehicle is that it can also provide services of safety and comfort in this home away from home. For example, in the event of a mechanical breakdown, if the RV is under warranty, there might be rental car reimbursement, or highway assistance, or even travel expenses. Outside of the warranty for the recreational vehicle itself, there will be amenity warranties to be read as well. Just as the appliances in one's home can malfunction and breakdown, so can those built cozily into a motor home. The bottom line regarding a motor home warranty is they are offered to the buyer for a reason. A home owner will buy home insurance, maybe fire insurance, maybe even flood insurance with no questions asked. Therefore, an RVer should pay attention, asses the budget, and make the safest, wisest decision for everyone involved.
http://www.ezinearticles.com/?RV-Warranty-For-An-Added-Peace-Of-Mind&id=142990
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