Extended Service plans

[Uber Subaruber]

Good day, everyone!

 

I am looking at an extended warranty from a company called Endurance. It covers most mechanical components, but excludes things like brakes, oil changes, alignments, clutch, tires, exhaust etc. It is 5 years, 100,000 miles. 5-year total accumulated benefits are $3300 for engine repairs (including timing belt, but excluding head gasket), $2200 tranny, $1500 differential, $2000 A/C and heating, $1200 in electrical and Luxury electrical (power windows, locks, seats, etc.), $1000 cooling system, $1000 fuel system, and $300 roadside assistance. Total cost of coverage is almost $2800 for the 5 years, paid in 18 monthly installments. The coverage is transferable to a new owner should I sell the car. Besides paying for it, all I have to do is maintain the vehicle according to manufacturer specifications, you know, change the oil and stuff. 

 

Has anyone purchased something like this, or even better, has anyone used Endurance before? Part of me thinks it is a great deal for peace of mind, and part of me thinks I am going to get screwed by a technicality any time I try to file a claim.

 

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks

 

Kurt

[matt167]

Extended warranties like that are hook, line and sinker ripoff's. Except normally they are offered by shady used car dealers for an extra $20 per month on your payment, they usually equate to between $800-1k totaled cost, and exclude almost everything in the fine print..

Think about it, they will do $3,300 in engine repairs EXCEPT a head gasket. This means that they will not cover an engine replacement ( easily cost $3,300 installed ) because the cylinder heads are not included. Then they make everything contingent on maintenance. Do you do your own maintenance?.. Likely everything is excluded in that warranty if you read the fine print.

Edited July 30, 2013 by matt167

[Uber Subaruber]

Extended warranties like that are hook, line and sinker ripoff's. Except normally they are offered by shady used car dealers for an extra $20 per month on your payment, they usually equate to between $800-1k totaled cost, and exclude almost everything in the fine print..

Think about it, they will do $3,300 in engine repairs EXCEPT a head gasket. This means that they will not cover an engine replacement ( easily cost $3,300 installed ) because the cylinder heads are not included. Then they make everything contingent on maintenance. Do you do your own maintenance?.. Likely everything is excluded in that warranty if you read the fine print.

I would normally would do much of my own work, within reason, like fluid changes, brakes, exhaust, but nothing too major - I don't have the time, skill, or facilities to do such things. I wouldn't go to a dealership to do these things, but to an approved repair shop, such as Firestone, and they normally will let you know when you are due for service. The warranty I am looking at does cover heads, engine block, etc. Also, as it was described to me over the phone, if the cost of a needed repair exceeds the value of the car, they have the option of "totaling" the car and buying it from me. I also believe they stated that if the cost to repair an engine is greater than the cost to replace it, they will replace the engine, unless the failure is caused by a non-covered part, such as a head gasket. Here is what is covered:

 

ENGINE:

a) The following lubricated internal parts: pistons, pins & rings, connecting rods &

bearings; crankshaft & main bearings; camshaft, followers & cam bearings;

push rods, valves, springs, replaceable guides, seats & lifters; rocker arms,

shafts & bushings; timing gear, chain, tensioners & retainers; eccentric shaft;

and oil pump.

Timing belt; serpentine belt; water pump: Impeller shaft, bearings, bushings &

housing; intake & exhaust manifolds; engine mounts & cushions; engine

torque strut; harmonic balancer; flywheel (flexplate) & flywheel ring gear;

mechanical fuel pump; dipstick & tube; and all pulleys.

c) All lubricated internal parts of the Vehicle manufacturer-installed turbocharger

or supercharger. The housing is covered ONLY if damaged by the Failure of a

lubricated internal part.

c) Engine head(s); engine block; cylinder barrels; timing cover; valve cover(s); oil

pan; dipstick & tube, ONLY if damaged by the Failure of a lubricated internal

part.

(If Diesel Engine, Turbo, or Supercharger has not been stated on the Administrator

copy of the Application Page, along with the corresponding surcharge being

received by Administrator, NO Coverage will apply for these components/parts

under this Contract.)

TRANSMISSION:

a) All lubricated internal parts contained within the case(s).

Computer modules & solenoids; filler tube & dipstick; vacuum modulator; and

internal linkage.

c) Transmission case, transfer case & torque converter case, ONLY if damaged by

the Failure of a lubricated internal part.

TRANSFER CASE: Transfer case and all internally lubricated parts. (If 4WD/AWD

has not been stated on the Administrator copy of the Application Page, along with

the corresponding surcharge being received by Administrator, NO transfer case

Coverage will apply under this Contract.)

DRIVE AXLE(S):

a) All lubricated internal parts contained within the housing(s).

Axle shafts; constant velocity joints; universal joints; drive shafts; locking hubs;

locking rings; and supports, retainer & bearings.

c) Differential housing, transaxle housing & final drive housing, ONLY if damaged by

the Failure of a lubricated internal part.

AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING: Accumulator; condenser; condenser fan;

condenser fan motor; compressor; compressor clutch, dryer, evaporator and

expansion valve.

ELECTRICAL: Alternator / generator; air conditioner blower motor; starter motor;

starter solenoid and starter drive; horns; windshield wiper motors; windshield

washer pump.

LUXURY ELECTRICAL: Power window motors; window regulators; power door lock

actuators; power trunk release; power antenna motor; and all manually operated

switches.

COOLING SYSTEM: Cooling fan; cooling fan motor; and fan clutch.

FUEL SYSTEM: Fuel delivery pump; fuel injection pump; metal fuel lines; fuel pressure

regulator; fuel sending unit; and fuel gauge.

SEALS AND GASKETS: Seals and gaskets related to the covered parts listed above

are covered, but only when required as a part of the authorized repair or

replacement of those covered parts. Leaking and/or failed seals and gaskets by

themselves are not covered parts.

 

What is NOT covered:

 

 

Parts not listed are not covered. This Vehicle Service Contract Provides NO

Coverage or Benefits for the following:

A. FAILURE OF A COVERED COMPONENT OCCURRING WITHIN THE FIRST

NINETY (90) DAYS AND 1,000 MILES AFTER THE START DATE WILL NOT BE

COVERED.

B. OIL CONSUMPTION, WORN OUT PARTS,  (This part scares me - isn't a part getting "worn out" what causes it to fail?)

 AND DIMINISHED PERFORMANCE

INCLUDING THAT RESULTING FROM A GRADUAL REDUCTION IN OPERATING

PERFORMANCE DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR SUCH AS TO GUIDES,

VALVES, RINGS, AND TRANSMISSION CLUTCH PACK, DISCS AND BANDS IS

NOT COVERED.

C. DIESEL ENGINES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO 1990, ROTARY ENGINES, 4100

GM ENGINES OR ENGINES USED IN COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.

D. THE FOLLOWING PARTS: CARBURETOR; BATTERY; BATTERY/BATTERY PACK

ON HYBRID/ELECTRIC VEHICLES; SHOCK ABSORBERS; MANUAL

TRANSMISSION CLUTCH ASSEMBLY; FRICTION CLUTCH DISC AND PRESSURE

PLATE; THROWOUT BEARING; MANUAL AND HYDRAULIC LINKAGES;

DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND ROTOR; SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEMS (INCLUDING

AIR BAGS); GLASS; LENSES; SEALED BEAMS; LIGHT BULBS; BRAKE

HARDWARE; ALL EXHAUST AND EMISSION COMPONENTS EXCEPT THOSE

SPECIFICALLY LISTED UNDER THE COVERAGE SECTION OF THIS CONTRACT;

WEATHER STRIPS; ALL TRIM, MOLDINGS, HANDLES, KNOBS OR DIALS;

BRIGHT METAL; CHROME; UPHOLSTERY AND CARPET; PAINT; OUTSIDE

ORNAMENTATION; BUMPERS; BODY SHEET METAL AND PANELS; TIRES AND

WHEELS/RIMS; GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEMS; PHONE SYSTEMS;

TV/VIDEO/ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS AND INTERNET ACCESS SYSTEMS.

E. MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND PARTS DESCRIBED IN YOUR VEHICLE’S

OWNER’S MANUAL AS SUPPLIED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND OTHER

NORMAL MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND PARTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT

LIMITED TO: ALIGNMENTS; WHEEL BALANCING; TUNEUPS; SPARK PLUGS

AND SPARK PLUG WIRES; GLOW PLUGS; HOSES; DRIVE BELTS; BRAKE PADS,

LININGS, SHOES, DRUMS AND ROTORS; WIPER BLADES.

F. SHOP SUPPLY CHARGES; EPA DISPOSAL FEES; SPECIAL ORDER PARTS

SHIPPING COST; PARTS LOCATOR RESEARCH FEE; STORAGE FEES; FILTERS,

LUBRICANTS, COOLANTS, FLUIDS AND REFRIGERANTS EXCEPT WHEN

REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED DUE TO A COVERED FAILURE.

G. ANY COMPONENT NOT COVERED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER FOR THE

FULL TERM OF THE VEHICLE WARRANTY IS EXCLUDED.

H. ANY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM OVERHEATING.

I. ANY FAILURE RESULTING FROM COLLISION; INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL FIRE;

THEFT; VANDALISM; RIOT; EXPLOSION; LIGHTNING; EARTHQUAKE;

FREEZING; RUST OR CORROSION; WINDSTORM; HAIL; WATER OR FLOOD;

ACTS OF GOD; ACTS OF WAR; ACTS OF TERRORISM; SALT; ENVIRONMENTAL

DAMAGE; CONTAMINATION OR LOSS OF FLUIDS, FUELS, COOLANTS OR

LUBRICANTS; ABUSE; NEGLIGENCE; LACK OF NORMAL MAINTENANCE

REQUIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER’S MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR YOUR

VEHICLE; IMPROPER SERVICING AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS

CONTRACT; SLUDGE BUILD-UP OR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER LEVELS OF

LUBRICANTS AND/OR COOLANTS; NOT PROTECTING THE VEHICLE FROM

FURTHER DAMAGE WHEN A FAILURE HAS OCCURRED.

J. ANY REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF A COVERED PART IF NO FAILURE HAS

OCCURRED REGARDLESS OF REPAIR FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS; OR IF

THE WEAR ON THAT PART HAS NOT EXCEEDED THE FIELD TOLERANCES

PERMITTED BY THE MANUFACTURER; ANY REPAIR NOT SPECIFICALLY

AUTHORIZED BY US.

K. IF ANY ALTERATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO YOUR VEHICLE OR YOU ARE

USING, OR HAVE USED, YOUR VEHICLE IN A MANNER NOT RECOMMENDED

BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS WILL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO: THE

FAILURE OF ANY CUSTOM OR ADD-ON/AFTERMARKET PART REGARDLESS IF

SUPPLIED BY A FRANCHISED DEALER OR NOT; ANY FRAME OR SUSPENSION

MODIFICATIONS; LIFT KITS; OVERSIZED/UNDERSIZED TIRES OR WHEELS;

TRAILER HITCHES; UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS TO ANY SYSTEM

L. IF YOUR ODOMETER HAS CEASED TO WORK AND REPAIRS HAVE NT BEEN

IMMEDIATELY MADE; THE ODOMETER HAS BEEN ALTERED IN ANYWAY

SUBSEQUENT TO PURCHASE; OR IF VEHICLE’S TRUE MILEAGE CANOT BE

DETERMINED.

M. ANY LIABILITY FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR FOR INJURY TO OR DEATH OF

ANY PERSONS ARISING OUT OF THE OPERATION, MAINTENANCE OR USE OF

YOUR VEHICLE, WHETHER OR NOT RELATED TO THE PARTS COVERED. LOSS

OF TIME, PROFIT, INCONVENIENCE, OR ANY OTHER LOSS THAT RESULTS

FROM A FAILURE (EXCEPT AS PROVIDED UNDER THE BENEFITS OR

COVERAGES HEREIN.)

N. REPAIRS TO SEIZED OR DAMAGED ENGINES DUE TO CONTINUED OPERATION

REGARDLESS OF CAUSE OR WITHOUT SUFFICIENT LUBRICANTS OR COOLANT.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING CERTAIN THAT THE OIL AND

TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHTS/GAUGES ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY.

YOU MUST PULL OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY AND DISCONTINUE VEHICLE

OPERATION WHEN EITHER OF THESE LIGHTS/GAUGES INDICATES

INADEQUATE PROTECTION OR PERFORMANCE OR WHEN OVERHEATING

OCCURS.

O. SALVAGED TITLE VEHICLES; WHEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR A REPAIR IS

COVERED BY AN INSURANCE POLICY; WARRANTY FROM THE

MANUFACTURER INCLUDING EXTENDED DRIVE TRAIN, MAJOR COMPONENT

OR FULL COVERAGE WARRANTIES; A REPAIRER’S GUARANTEE/WARRANTY;

OR FAILURES FOR WHICH THE MANUFACTURER HAS ANNOUNCED ITS

RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH ANY MEANS, INCLUDING RECALL CAMPAIGNS

AND FACTORY SERVICE BULLETINS.

P. IF YOUR VEHICLE IS USED FOR TOWING A TRAILER OR OTHER OBJECT OR

VEHICLE WITHOUT BEING EQUIPPED WITH A FACTORY INSTALLED OR

AUTHORIZED TOW PACKAGE; OR IS USED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES,

INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RENTAL, TAXI, LIMOUSINE, LIVERY OR

SHUTTLE, TOWING OR ROAD REPAIR, CONSTRUCTION, FARMING OR

AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES, JOB SITE ACTIVITIES, HAULING, POLICE OR

EMERGENCY SERVICES, PRINCIPAL OFF ROAD USE, RACING, COMPETITIVE

DRIVING, SNOW REMOVAL, ROUTE-WORK, SERVICE OR REPAIR UNLESS

COMMERCIAL USE OPTION HAS BEEN PURCHASED AND ACCEPTED BY US.

Q. ANY FAILURE OCCURRING PRIOR TO THE CONTRACT PURCHASE DATE, OR IF

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY YOU OR A REPAIR FACILITY CANNOT BE

VERIFIED AS ACCURATE OR IS FOUND TO BE DECEPTIVELY INACCURATE.

R. ANY FAILURE OCCURRING OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR

CANADA.

S. DAMAGE CAUSED BY PRE-IGNITION DETONATION, PINGING,

IMPROPER/CONTAMINATED FUEL OR IMPROP

 

 

 

 

 

[Donp]

I have had two cars with ESP the first one was a third party company the  head was bad the dealership could not fix it so they put in a used engine did not work right was all gummed up had to swap out parts andit never worked right. Traded it in on a jeep jk like the jeep but has a lot of  electrical problems they can not fix it so now its going through lemon law.The jeep has the chrysler maximum care lifetime extended warranty and its not worth anything it was $3080

[idosubaru]

generally not cost effective on a Subaru.  it's more marketing - make you feel better personally or to help used car sales.

 

i have never done $2,800 worth of repairs in 5 years/100k on my cars, so it would be a total waste. but i'm practical and know Subaru's...like many others on this board.  you are asking a rather practical subaru community, so you'll likely get a lot of replies to that extent.

 

comes down to personality more than anything else.  how do you view risk, costs, finances, repairs...we certainly can't answer that.

if you buy a good car and properly maintain it you won't have $2,800 of incidental repairs. so practically it's a waste. 

but - if you're more emotional and worrisome, don't make purchases based on actual reliability (not what some limited consumer group/magazine/internet article ranks it as) than practical then get it.

 

in general those extended warranties are not a good financial move at all.  so only you know your purchasing habits, how good you are asking/listening to others that know how to buy a reliable Subaru, keep it maintained (to 100k reliability - not just to dealer marks), or emotional/worrisome you are.  we can't answer any of that which is mostly who these types of coverages are available for.

 

you'll get cheaper and more reliable service by asking questions in order to make a good purchase, good maintenance, and good repairs.  if you can do that you're way better off financially and reliably than any warranty.

 

if you asked "how do i get the most reliable 5 years 100,000 miles out of this YEAR, MODEL Subaru?" - we can help you do that for far less than $2,800.

basically it means a proper timing belt job and that's about it. 

[Uber Subaruber]

Thanks for the advice. I did call the dealer that did some work on it. The head gasket and t-belt were replaced at 66K, so I will need it again sometime in the next 5 years.

 

I am not all that worried about the car, but I need it every day for my job, and don't have a second car to drive should it break down and need major work. And of course cars never break down when it is convenient, especially financially. But a friend told me, "Take the money you would be paying them every month and save it. Then you will have enough to fix it whenever it breaks".

 

Sure, there is some peace of mind in knowing it is there if I need it. But as I use forums and message boards more, I am sure I will find a friendly fellow owner more than willing to help out in a bind. There is always one shade-tree mechanic that does great work cheap. And I don't need to worry about voiding my warranty.

 

Thanks again, every one, for your opinions. I think I might take a pass on this contract. It only makes sense if I use it, and like it has been said, if you properly maintain the car the way the warranty company requires, it won't break down often enough (or catastrophically enough) to justify the cost of the plan. Good stuff.

[Donp]

Its better just dyi maintenance and not get the esp my 1998 Ford Expedition I got new has  got 279000 on it and till recently I only  have done maintenance to it. Dont know how bad Subaru is if you have a problem but getting Chrysler to fix anything is like pulling teeth!

[matt167]

I would pass.. It reads like all the other extended warranty sham's. Read the exclusions, and everything is excluded by that contract including 100% of it within the first 90 days or 1,000 miles.. excluding 'Worn Out Parts".  and in the means of that warranty, is their way out and ability to exclude just about everything at their will just by saying it was worn out. Don't think they won't try, they will...