Aftermarket Warranty Reference Thread

I had bad experience with CNA, but now I'm dealing with Zurich for my W8, and so far I have no claims (knock on wood:) ), full coverage-bumper to bumper 5yr/100,000 miles with $200 deductible, I paid around $2,300.00, just for peace of mind since this W8 is a new ball game for me (I used to deal with 1.8T and V6, on my B5.5 and Audi). Just shop around and read the reviews, but again I think no matter what company you choose, it ispeace of mind to get one.

I did a search earlier on a Saab forum I frequent and there were a few threads specific to WD. Many of the posters from US members were positive while the UK members were almost universally negative.

I also found this site that supposedly reviewed extended warranty companies. I really have no idea about the site and it smells of an advertisement but at least are some tips and advice that may be helpful.

I've had experience with an after-market warranty (can't for the life of me remember who the company was - this was several years ago) but it was not positive. The one claim I made they made several attempts and excuses not to pay. They ultimately paid but it was far more hassle than it was worth so my view of after-market warranties is a bit negative. Obviously this would be much more helpful if I could remember the company.

One suggestion I would give is to talk to your service advisor at your dealer(s) and independent service center. Talk to as many as you can; your VW dealer and other makes and indys you may have had contact with. Ask them their take on extended warranties and who they might suggest, who pays claims promptly and without much hassle and who is difficult to work with. If you know your service advisor well (hey, we drive VWs, of course we know our service people pretty well!) they should be pretty forthcoming with information like this.

Edited by sptsdn - 28-Nov-2007 at 12:30

What you are buying is not _really_ a warranty, but an insurance policy. Whatever you choose to do, check how the policy (aka "warranty") is funded. It should be backed by a REAL insurance company. There are MANY out there backed by risk retention goups (RRG). I'll let you do the research on that (I'm surprised it's legal).

I'd, personally, beware of anything not backed by an actual insurance company; at least check A.M. Best (not for the company selling it, but by the company that will fund it).

On second thought, I'd rather spend the $$$ on a Bentley, VAG-COM and tools...

Edited by borakid - 30-Nov-2007 at 23:53

More links for clicks:

http://www.w8forum.dk/forum_posts.asp?TID=674

I went with warrantydirect.com...hopefully I will never need them.