RAC Car Warranty

[dc3ub247]

I joined RAC back in June this year. At a later date I heard about onward Travel and upgraded my membership. Now on Monday 27 jul 09, I had a breakdown (no compression in cylinder). Wednesday morning after findig out how long it will take to repair my car, I called RAC requesting a hired car. Was then told that I could only request it within 24 hours of breakdown:mad:. At the time I upgraded, I was told the terms and conditions would be sent out in the post including a new car (was never sent) therefore was unaware of 24 hour period. In the end I was refused the car and asked to file a complaint (though I would never get the car anyway). Really sent me up the wall. Read the terms and conditions online, doesn't say anything about 24 hrs- http://www.rac.co.uk/library/pdfs/UK-Breakdown-Terms-and-Conditions1.pdf

 

Can someone please advise me what action I can take.

 

Lee

[Conniff]

I joined RAC back in June this year. At a later date I heard about onward Travel and upgraded my membership. Now on Monday 27 jul 09, I had a breakdown (no compression in cylinder). Wednesday morning after findig out how long it will take to repair my car, I called RAC requesting a hired car. Was then told that I could only request it within 24 hours of breakdown:mad:. At the time I upgraded, I was told the terms and conditions would be sent out in the post including a new car (was never sent) therefore was unaware of 24 hour period. In the end I was refused the car and asked to file a complaint (though I would never get the car anyway). Really sent me up the wall. Read the terms and conditions online, doesn't say anything about 24 hrs- http://www.rac.co.uk/library/pdfs/UK-Breakdown-Terms-and-Conditions1.pdf

 

Can someone please advise me what action I can take.

 

Lee

 

You had that reply from them as their attitude is one of "we are always right, give us the money and we will give you nothing in return" and that attitude is backed up by the comment from someone in the warranty business

yeh...ok

in response to being caught out. They claim that bearing failure after just 10,000 miles is fair wear and tear but don't like it when they are shown to be wrong.

 

What can you do? As they have never sent you any terms and conditions and made you aware of the restrictions, you claim back all the premium you have paid.

Ask in a firm but polite letter at first explaining why you want the premiums reimbursed and if you don't get any joy from that then you threaten court and go all the way to court for a mis-sold policy.

[offitmassive]

You had that reply from them as their attitude is one of "we are always right, give us the money and we will give you nothing in return" and that attitude is backed up by the comment from someone in the warranty business in response to being caught out. They claim that bearing failure after just 10,000 miles is fair wear and tear but don't like it when they are shown to be wrong.

 

What can you do? As they have never sent you any terms and conditions and made you aware of the restrictions, you claim back all the premium you have paid.

Ask in a firm but polite letter at first explaining why you want the premiums reimbursed and if you don't get any joy from that then you threaten court and go all the way to court for a mis-sold policy.

 

Please be aware that that is the RAC break down assistance, NOT the RAC warranty, two different entities altogether,

 

10k is a little low mileage, but again, if its only noisey, it hasnt failed!!!

 

...

Edited August 21, 2009 by offitmassive
audited

[Conniff]

Please be aware that that is the RAC break down assistance, NOT the RAC warranty, two different entities altogether,

 

10k is a little low mileage, but again, if its only noisey, it hasnt failed!!!

 

LoL @ being "caught out" i havent been caught out, you're in the know, if i have letters AAE, MIMI, MIRTE, MSOE, IMIAEA and MFIEA after my name, how can I be wrong,

 

even 3rd party people say the same ..a worn bearing

What are the symptoms of a worn front wheel bearing? - Nissan Forums: Nissan Forum

 

A failed bearing

Rear wheel bearing.. - Hilux Surf Forum

 

Anyone can write any combination of letters, but they mean nothing and not one of those is a qualification, if they were, why have you had to surf around the net to try and find an answer.

If they had any genuine meaning other than handbag maker, why are you just a clerk in an office and not an engineer.

 

I actually administrate the RAC warranties

 

I am not getting into a personal slagging match with you. I have a degree in mechanical engineering and 40 years experience, I know that warranty companies use the excuse of 'wear and tear' to shirk their responsibilities and have successfully challenged them over it many times.

 

Now be a good little office boy and go and administer the complaint about no terms and conditions being sent and start his mis-sold claim ball rolling.

[offitmassive]

...

Edited August 21, 2009 by offitmassive
Adding further info

[iconoclash]

Hi - does anyone know what the approx. cost for a years cover should be - I paid almost £700 for a warranty set up by the car shop and only have a booklet - no insurance document - dont know what the term is either but im guessing a year only - this seems like a lot of money for one years cover but it is a five star warranty (allegedly). thanks. Has anyone got the tel nbr for tthese warranty guys in Sheffield?? please

[speedy2610]

In 2008 I bought a BMW X3 from The Car Shop and was given the hard sell on the RAC warranty. The back section of the electric sunroof has jammed and after taking it into the Nationwide Autocentre they have charged me £50 to do a diagnostic review of it and have contacted the warranty company who have said that they would have to send out an inspector to access it before any work can be done and decide if it is covered by the warranty. It looks like it is the track and not the electrics as the front section works but just gets stuck at the back. Can anyone give me any advise because if the garage strip it all off so that they can do the inspection and then they decide that it's not covered I will be left with a £300 labour bill to pay.:?

[iconoclash]

Hi Speedy - the warranty company keeps a list of the items covered in more detail - they should know if its covered or not in a given scenario - presume it will be something like associated electrical/mechanical rather than just sunroof. hope this helps in the decision whether to strip or not - my car went into garage under warranty for a presumed head gasket failure which would have been covered but as it turned out to be some over little spiggot ?? it was not covered and this issue came up as the details of the warranty coverage.

[speedy2610]

Thanks for the info, can I get a copy of this list or do I need to call them and ask. When I have called before they have not been that helpful and have just said that it would need to be assessed

[speedy2610]

Thanks for the advise, can I get a copy of this on line or do I need to call them to get this info. They were just a matter of fact when I called last time and said that it would need to be assessed:)

[Conniff]

You shouldn't call them but write by recorded letter. Ask for the full list of things covered and not cover that are not mentioned in the literature they have given you.

 

They cannot have one list for the customer and another for themselves or the assessor, they must give you full discolosure of what is and what isn't covered or the policy has been mis-sold.

[speedy2610]

Hi

I called them and they said that the list that I have is the full list.  They were not very helpful and said that I would have to have the investigative work done and if their person decided that it was wear and tear or corrosion then I would have to pay for the garage's labour.  I contacted the Car Shop and they didn't want to know either, so I am now stuck with a sunroof that doesn't work and an RAC warranty that is worthless!!

[jnjnliverpool]

Hi all,

 

Been reading the above with interest as I'm a first-time car buyer new to all the lingo. Am currently considering a Suzuki Swift from a used car dealership who are offering a choice between GBP 100 off or a 6 month Gold RAC warranty which covers claims up to GBP 1000 and covers all electrical and mechanical components, excluding the below:

 

'cracked cylinder heads and/or failure to valves as a result of carbon buildup, body paint, glass, interior/exterior trim, in car entertainment, communication system, catalytic converters, wheels, airbags and system, electrical wiring, wiring looms and cables.'

 

From what I've read on the forum, RAC cover may not be the best idea? Would appreciate feedback as to whether I should just take the 100 pounds off and go with AA (for example) or is it worth going with RAC?

 

cHeers for helping a newbie out!

[Conniff]

Hi all,

 

Been reading the above with interest as I'm a first-time car buyer new to all the lingo. Am currently considering a Suzuki Swift from a used car dealership who are offering a choice between GBP 100 off or a 6 month Gold RAC warranty which covers claims up to GBP 1000 and covers all electrical and mechanical components, excluding the below:

 

'cracked cylinder heads and/or failure to valves as a result of carbon buildup, body paint, glass, interior/exterior trim, in car entertainment, communication system, catalytic converters, wheels, airbags and system, electrical wiring, wiring looms and cables.'

 

From what I've read on the forum, RAC cover may not be the best idea? Would appreciate feedback as to whether I should just take the 100 pounds off and go with AA (for example) or is it worth going with RAC?

 

cHeers for helping a newbie out!

 

 

No warranty cover is any good, they are all a rip-off. Anything that breaks will be classed as 'wear and tear' and you won't get a penny out of them.

 

Go for the discount.

[jnjnliverpool]

Thanks for the quick replies -

 

does this mean you recommend I go around looking at warranties after purchasing the car?

 

My worry is part failure which I suppose is expected from a used car, however as it has a mileage of roughly 33000, and is a 05 reg, is it not worth considering getting some form of breakdown warranty cover?

[dogwurzel]

The RAC sells you a warranty then off loads it to a third party company called the warranty group. Had to claim for suspension springs as one broke whiost driving, RAC wouldn't entertain it as it wasn't theirs, warranty group wouldn't entertain it as I hadn't called out an RAC brakedown van. The car was on the ramp in the SAAB dealership getting a defect repaired that the RAC had caused by dropping it off a towing cradle. Complained to The warranty group, dismissed claim, and said to go to the ombudseman. I said no, we'll go to court instead. I won, they had to cough up. All this had done is tarnished the RAC's credibility, will change to the AA at renewal.

[carwarranty]

I know its a bit of a plug, but there is a car warranty forum designed to help you in situations like these... it's carwarranty .co.uk

 

If you comment then you may get a solution?

[dancol2k]

Similar story to just about everyone on here... Bought Bmw 320D 07 from car shop in June 2010, 68k on clock with 1 previous owner, full service history. Sounds like the perfect used car to buy.. Given the hard sell from salesman for my RAC Gold 3 year warranty (£700) that is eligable for any car up to 10 years old and 100k miles. He told me for piece of mind i needed the cover, explained all these expensive parts that are covered. Mentioned nothing of "Wear and Tear".

 

Now the bearings are heavily worn causing a terrible noise on gearbox. checked my policy gearbox and bearings both on the list (Yippee i was thinking to myself)

here are the sequence of events since.

Taken car to local garage - inspection fee (when RAC contacted, told that the car needs to go to transmission specialist to be stripped)

Taken car to transmission specialist - fault found - contacted RAC -(insisted on sending out an independant engineer)

Independant engineer visits - claiming fault caused by wear and tear. (How is he independant if he is on there payroll?) surely the only independent engineer is the one at the garage because hes gettin paid either way.

I call RAC, they tell me im not covered and to check my policy for T&C for "wear and tear exclusion)

 

Now this has left me with a total bill of £2500 and no car for 9 days, all i have is a reconditioned gear box with a 3 month "warranty" from the garage. Sickening.

 

Question for anyone on here trying to defend the RAC warranty.

 

Providing warranties on cars up to 10 years of age, up to 100k miles on.. can you tell me what parts will not have some signs of wear and tear..?

Surely as soon as you take the car off the drive the wear and tear starts..

Covering only instant mechanical failure, covers nothing.. without wear somewhere how would it fail.. it would still be new?!?

 

Not sure who to pursue... Car shop for miss selling me the product, or for selling me the warranty that is not fit for its purpose.

Should i pursue the RAC for providind such a useless warranty??

 

Any advice or arguement welcome...?

Dan

[borderman]

what the rac dont get and others is when they except a warranty on a car that done say 70000 miles they are also agreeing to the terms and should except that a car is going to have wear and tear there is no risk to them and the law should be changed they aways use wear and tear to get out out of paying its wrong these companys are makeing a fortune wear and tear should not be used when they take money on a car that as done this sort of milege they should be regulated better you could always use there book for bog paper and wipe your a in it . :wink:or do one better don't buy the warranty in the first place .

[borderman]

in order for warrantys to get better don't buy them its simple in the end they lose out and then things get better its easy .

[peterh2012]

Not a mechanic or a shark from the industry as one other poster appears to be.

 

I bought a renault scenic - high mileage, 3 years old - 4 star cover supposedly covering everything under the sun with the proviso of ..wear and tear. A few months later a knocking on maneuver revealed the steering rack needed replacing. VGS (of Warranty Management Services) initially seemed OK - send it to the garage, have them check, we'll sign it off etc etc. Later though this changed and they started talking about 'potentially needing' to send someone to inspect once the rack was stripped out (inconvenient as I use a small local garage who cannot have a car lying in parts for days on the off chance that an inspection is required).

 

When we actually got the car to the garage everything just fell apart - the best price or the rack was for renault but they wanted the old one in exchange to keep the price down by £100 - OK but VGS now decided that they want the rack shipped to an 'independent' assessor who would strip it down and decide if it had failed or was broken due to wear and tear.

 

This leaves me in the situation whereby I either pay out my self or take a gamble that the assessor may decide the rack of a 100k car has broken due to failure as opposed to wear and tear - assuming they said yes it failed I would still need to pay carriage and the fee for checking the rack, if they say it was wear and tear I would not only loose this money but also the £100 for the renault trade in.

 

Is this a gamble I can take - course not - looking at it rationally - how likely is it that the warranty company would retain the services of assessing company that found in favour with the claimants over their client? and (though I know this is in support of the sharks) how likely is it that you could successfully argue pretty much any component failure in a 100k car was down to part failure not induced by wear and tear - realistically it wont happen unless you have just had a new part fitted at a relatively recent time period/mileage and can prove that.

 

In summary then - myself and my mechanic have no doubt that there would not be a payout and in fairness to the warranty company I can understand why this might, even legitimately be the case. The action - I may try and get the warranty fee back as I have a warranty for a car that in theory exceeds the required maximum mileage but in future I would not bother to obtain one of these as realistically it is unlikely (at least in my mind) that you would ever obtain a simple and stress free resolution by way of a private warranty service on a high (or even low reading these posts) mileage car.

 

I should also add that when dealing with these people on the telephone I have heard nothing that would disway me from this view - it may be harsh to judge a character from a few words on the end of a phone line but to me the term 'Arthur Dailies with attitude' would be a good summary.

[fruitbat1]

Just wondering if anyone out there can help me with an issue I had with RAC Warranty back in 2007 and if it is still possible to make a claim against them for being misold this policy for my car. It was a BMW 330d and had done 120,000 when i bought it, when the turbo went a couple of months later, they turned my claim down for wear and tear, albeit the car had been regularly serviced etc and should have a lifespan of over 400,000 miles if serviced regularly.

When i entered my details on their website a few weeks later after the claim, it would not accept my car as the mileage was too high, albeit they had accepted it via a dealer. After contacting them this week they said I should take this 'miselling' claim to the dealer, however the policy is with RAC via Motorway direct.

Could i still make a claim against them now and has anyone had experience/ success in a similar matter.I'm still peeded off 5 years later by these crooks who are up there with the bankers for being the most revolting, underhanded thieves in society.

[iconoclash]

hi fruitbat1 - yes i think you are in time to make a claim and anyway it might be considered mis-sold, i think you have to prove that they knew the details at the time of entering into the contract. The site that now says no to cover you might be the current position rather than what they would cover when you bought the warranty but either way the claim would be against the broker/intermediary/seller of the cover to you. It is up to them to get all the info and offer you the right deal, however, warranties are notorious for not covering what you think they will - can you get the list of items and parts specific to your warranty from the company? could be tricky trying to prove that you expected the turbo to be covered, is this standard stuff? - sorry i dont know much about cars etc but do think its worth you checking out all angles as warranties sold through others can cost three times as much - good luck Oops, I see that you checked at the time, did you print that out?