Which Non-Manufacturer Car Mechanical Warranty?

[johnydeath]

It's a minefield as you would expect - different levels of cover depending on various criteria, and I'm finding that the smalll print is really really small but I'm slowly picking up items that you would think are covered but which are not.

For example not all policies cover worn items or items damaged by a worn item, for example the water pump which you would expect to wear, and perhaps the bearing to eventually fail - this may or may not be covered, or may have a sliding scale of cover depending on the mileage.

I am currently looking at Tesco http://www.tescofinance.com/personal/finance/motoring/car-warranty-plan/index.jsp

and Warranty Direct http://www.warrantydirect.co.uk/index.html?wd=1

I know that Warranty Direct will try and contact you and beat their on-line price and/or offer incentives like main dealer cover instead of independant garage labour capped at the current rate. They have a sliding worn cover, not sure about Tesco, can't find it. Tesco have no excess, WD is £50 I think.

Anyway, whatever cover I go for comes out for me between 30-40 a month. Like all insurance it's a 'peace of mind', you could save the £40 in a high interest account and hope nothing happens, but if it does happen garage bills are v expensive nowdays and my car is not yet an old banger or wreck (and I do not want to downgrade just yet).

Experiences, recommendations for these, any others, or just pros/cons welcomed.

[movilogo]

If you search on this forum, you'll get plenty of horror stories about Warranty Direct refusing to pay!

Open a savings account and put your premium money there. Even if you take any mechanical insurance, you're highly likely to find that they will refuse claim using some small print/way out clauses etc. So, you'll have no peace of mind anyway :)

[balsingh]

As its been said in the past, these warranties aren't worth the piece of paper they are written on. I'd save the money and hope for the best. In terms of high garage bills, avoid the main dealers and see if there are any local specialists for your car.

[AdrianHi]

If you search on this forum, you'll get plenty of horror stories about Warranty Direct refusing to pay!

Open a savings account and put your premium money there. Even if you take any mechanical insurance, you're highly likely to find that they will refuse claim using some small print/way out clauses etc. So, you'll have no peace of mind anyway :)

... and on another motoring forum I'm a member of I can find cases where when the proper procedure was followed Warranty Direct did pay up claims in about 2 to 3 weeks.

I would probably take my chances on a non-turbo petrol car with a good reliability reputation, on a young (4 to 6 year old) turbo diesel I'd take the warranty at least until 70/80K+ miles starts reducing the cover due to the wear and tear policy. I don't like the idea of still paying for highish levels of depreciation and having to possibly pay out for an expensive repair at the same time. Selling up for a nearly new car under warranty would have been the cheaper option if you got caught out like this.

[nullogik]

Amongst the motor trade (my father is in it), Warranty Direct policies are known to be "worth less than the paper they are written on" - basically its just an insurance policy and its easier to get blood out of a stone than to get money off WD.

I think its just better to set some money aside every month in a high earning interest rate bank account for when you car does break down. Less hassle with no need for claims paperwork and phone calls to clueless idiots in a call centre and trying to find "approved" repair centres.