Hey everybody,

I was just wondering if anyone has picked up an Extended Warranty from a 3rd party rather than the ESP plan? (i.e. 1source, Warranty Direct, Warranty Gold)

I am currently in the process of researching this subject as I just bought a used Lightning ('99 Black 13K/miles w/ all factory options for 25K - I think I got a good deal ) I have been conversing with several of the top warranty companies and some former Ford service techs about this subject but I want to get your take on it as all the material I have seen covered here is very useful.

 

01Bolt,
Here is a website I found that rates the companies http://www.autowarrantyreviews.org/top_ten.htm
only problem is they dont seem to tell you why they rated them the way they did. I also look at the comments posted on www.webassured.com to see what other people think. I am currently compiling a rundown of what each company will not cover. I have already spoken to several of them about their take on aftermarket performance mods. I jumped on one at the dealer I bought my Lightning from but cancelled it in 3 days after reading all the gotchas that were in it. I started this topic because all of the searches I ran on this board referred to the ESP plan.

 

If you buy one from a 3rd party, just make sure you read all of the fine print. A few weeks after my dad bought his F350 Power Stroke, he got an offer from a company (can't remember the name of the company right now). The letter started out "Congratulations on your recen purchase of the Ford F350 Power Stroke Diesel" yadda yadda yadda.... Then on the back in the fine print it states "This warranty not valid on DIESEL engine equipped vehicles"! Bunch 'O idiots! Just be careful!
Later,
Roger

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The early bird gets the worm, but the 2nd mouse gets the cheese.

2001 Black Lightning
Stock, but not for long...

1996 White Mustang Cobra
Offroad H-Pipe, MAC Mufflers, and a K&N

,
This PIC provided so that Chevy
and Dodge owners can see what
the front of a Lightning looks like.

 

Stay away from Warranty Gold! I purchased their Diamond plan when I had 35K on my Explorer. Three months after purchasing the contract I submitted a claim to replace a broken seat tilt lever. Ford issued a TSB on it so WG denied my claim since one of their exclussions was for anything the manufacturer has issued a TSB on. I figured fine, I would just cancel my contract and get my money back. When you cancel your contract they go back to the date you purchased your vehicle and 0 miles, not when you purchased your contract. Since I now had about 38K on it, they were only going to give me 62% of what I paid for my 3 month old, unused contract. I decided to keep it rather than give them over $500 for something I never used. Things started looking up later when I had several claims over the last year. I've gotten about 70% of my money back through claims now. HOWEVER, when I went to make a claim last week for a rear wheel bearing ($140), before they would authorize the claim, they want me to send in all of my service reports from the day I bought my contract proving I have been keeping up with the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. I told them I do all of my own oil changes. They said that is fine, just send in all of my receipts for my oil as well as all of my other receipts. They now want to cancel my contract since my fuel filter wasn't replaced at 60K miles. I now have 68K on it. I argued that the fuel filter doesn't have anything to do with my rear wheel bearings going out, but it doesn't matter. They saw I was getting close to breaking even, so they found a way to void my contract. I know it is in my contract that they may from time to time request this type of information, but the way it is worded it led me to believe that the information requested would pertain to the claim being made. In other words if I was trying to make a fuel related claim I could see them denying coverage based on the fuel filter. However using it to void the entire contract is going overboard.

Robert

 

Ok guys one benefit of getting old is more time to learn, hopefully. If you want a warranty your dealer will honor, get a Ford warranty, period. Call the service mngr and ask what "other" warranties he'll take, see what kind of response you get. Fine print, oh you bet. One bottom line is you get what you pay for, so a $300-400 ext warranty is NOT going to get what 1200.00 will from Ford. Shop dealers, they want the warranty business, negotiate. I heard as low as $800 and i was quoted 1400 for the extended on our L's. Warranties, dont leave home without one, not on a G2. IMHO.



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Silver '00 Lightning.
#3962/4966 6/16/00
PSP filter kit.
JL 300/4 amp, JL-XR's, VR's and 10WO, Crossfire 75.2 amp.
Ligted Logos.
Xenon bulbs X 4.
Clear corners, Altezza tails on order.

 

Thanks for the responses guys. I get a feeling the consensus opinion is to go with the Ford ESP plan correct?

 

WARNING! WARNING!! DO NOT BUY AFTERMARKET WARRANTY! yes I am using caplocks...let me explain what will occur the first time and everytime you take the vehicle in for repair...for example..if you take it to the Ford dealership...the service advisor will call the insurance company...and if your lucky after delays..an independant insurance agent will arrive at your chosen repair facility to photograph and document every modification to your vehicle! I am writing from experience! Talk to your service advisors and get their opinion...99 percent of them will tell you to buy factory warranty...the car manufacturers have a vested interest in your vehicle after you bring it in for repair considering you buy factory warranty service! I had a 1998 Z28 who I sold to the head installer at Nitrous Express in Wichita Falls, TX (factory) and I have a problem with the 3rd member...the adjuster who does not work for...but contracts to the 3rd party warranty company...arrived while I was there and photographed every modification to the vehicle as well as written documentation! I asked him why he was photographing cross drilled brake rotors..and B&M Deep Pan Automatic Tranny Pan..etc..he had ZERO ANSWER...the game here is to dis allow any and all claims if at all possible..they do not make a profit repairing your vehicle..they make a profile sticking you...I called the State Attorney General's office in Austin, Texas...and lodged a complaint...they have had numerous complaints from all of them...so good luck to you...and please do not WHINE here at this board if you choose to do so...stay with the manufacturers warranty as they have a vested interest in your product....Logic is just that...