Car Warranty

[Squeeler]

Hi All

Just wanted some opinion/advice, I haven't got a problem just yet but I have a sinking feeling I may have an argument on the horizon.

My car has just undergone a sudden mechanical breakdown (turbo charger). I have called my warranty company who initially wanted me to have it repaired by one of their affiliated workshops. The nearest one could not fit in the job for 6 days so they suggested an alternative but this was some distance away, the car cannot be used and the transport cost would have been more than the allowance, so I asked if I could use a local garage known to me. Up to this point they had been very considerate and very helpful, once I asked to use a local garage the atmosphere changed.

When I bought the warranty with this company (3 weeks ago) I did so for several reasons.

1. Max mileage was 150K, mine has done 100K.

2. Wear and Tear is covered (more on this later).

3. For around £10 extra the turbo charger is covered.

4. Their 5 star warranty seems to be very comprehensive.

5. Cover starts from day one.

6. There is a free (optional) vehicle check but since my car has been serviced very regularly by main BMW dealer from new this wasn't a big issue.

I was asked if I had taken up the offer of the vehicle check, I hadn't as I have been busy with work, ahhh says the warranty company, if you haven't had the free (optional) check then you may not be covered from day one, but says I, the check doesn't cover the turbo charger therefore your terms and conditions re the check don't apply, besides the T&C of the free check never mention that if you dont do it then it may invlidate any claim within the first 30 days.

There is mention (after a long read) within another T&C that failure to get the free (optional) check may invalidate any claims within the first 30 days.

I must stress, when you read the website the free check is stated as being optional, when you read the T&C of the free check there is no mention that failure to take up the free optional check may invalidate any claims within the first 30 days.

The website states that wear and tear is included and not until i wanted to use local garage did they happen to mention that i may only be covered for 50% of the work as my car has done 100K miles. Another long read of another T&C and there is a sliding scale comfirming this.

When buying the policy I clearly stated the mileage therefore how can this now be a limiting factor to any claim?

The cost of repair could be £2000, I am quite concerned that they will try to get out of paying for it in any way possible.

According to my BMW garage a failure of the turbo charger in my particular model is quite rare, they see about 2 a year, cars of the age of mine (6 years) regularly acheive over 100K miles (thats why many of us buy them) without failure and there must be thousands out there, so wear and tear doesn't seem to figure?

I am a great believer in being fore-armed, the quote for the work will be completed tomorrow lunch, the warranty company will then decide whether to pay all, some or nothing.

I think they will offer some (40-50%) initially but I wont accept anything less than 100%, otherwise why bother buying a warranty!

Anything I should be quoting to them when they call?

Thanks

[Chesterexpress]

Had you purchased the car at the same time as the warranty, or is this a stand alone warranty?

[Squeeler]

Hi

This was a standalone warranty, always previously ben with BMW but as soon as your mileage is over 100K the premium doubles/triples and the benefits are reduced.

Do you think it makes a difference either way?

[Squeeler]

The warranty company are now refusing to pay any of the claim!

They decided that I was only entitles to 60% of the claim so when I asked the reasons for this the guy in the call centre registered the claim as "in dispute", I didn't ask him to do this nor was I informed that it had been done.

As a disputed claim the authorisation was suspended (again unknown to me) I had informed the warranty company that I wanted the repair to go ahead at 60% (costs had actually been agreed) and called the garage to tell them to start.

When the repair was completed I had to pay for the work/parts and claim back from the warranty company but when I called with the bill that is when I found out that the authorisation was suspended and as such they would not pay the claim as it was not authorised.

They refer back to the notes made during the numerous calls but they are not complete (bullet points rather than transcripts) and don't make reference to my comments.

I have sent in a complaint detailing the lack of info, the confusion etc but I have little faith.

If there is any one out there with any suggestions I would really appreciate some help, currently £1400 out of pocket!