Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with the Tesco Car Warranty, or similar plans which cover the cost of repairs (not breakdown) for an annual premium, and what the experts on here think about these types of insurance.

I drive an Alfa Romeo, and although very reliable, when parts have to be replaced it is very expensive - Tesco charge a premium because it is an Alfa. I have had a quote (£339) and looked at the policy document/summary and it sounds reasonable - the payment can also be spread over 10 months without interest also. The 'Standard' (actually the mid-range cover) includes Wear and Tear cover, but all levels of cover specifically exclude exhausts and tyres - unfortunate given that I've just been quoted £800 for necessary exhaust repairs!

Are there any similar policies known that include wear and tear and exhaust cover?

Thanks in advance!

Paul

Hi -- Also get a quote from Warranty direct they provide extended mechanical warranty, I found them to be good in the past as long as the car is serviced in accordance with the maufacturers schedule they pay with minimal delays or problems. This can be any registered garage as long as they use genuine parts.

I don't think any warranty will cover what they class as consumables like exhausts, brake discs and pads or things of that nature, as they are known to deteriorate with normal age, wear and tear.

http://www.warrantydirect.co.uk/

Thanks! I'll get a quote from them and then think about it.

Paul

IMHO no car warranty is worth purchasing. I've just looked back at my "repair" history on cars going back to 1999.

During this period we have run 2 cars. The costs have all been standard "wear & tear" items ie tyres,brakes,exhausts,wiper blades other than regular servicing and a small accident damage repair. If we had bought warranties then I would have spent approx £5k for nothing. I actually save £300 per month in an ISA specifically to prepare for major car/household repairs.Now have a balance on this account of over £16k since I started it!!

Thanks again - I was just thinking of having it for a year - my last year as a poor student with an expensive Alfa to run. I agree about the wear and tear, but the Tesco plan I was quoted for did cover wear and tear on many components - just not exhausts.

Paul

BrewerDave1 - so you don't bother with Contents or Buildings insurance then?

On your basis all insurance is a waste of money as you rarely claim. I don't "need" contents insurance as I haven't claimed in 15 years.

That is a dangerous position to take - especially if, in the one year you don't take cover, your house burns down.

Advice to anyone thinking of warranty cover on their car - 1) How reliable is your car? 2) what are the major failure points for your make and model (you can search for that online) and finally 3) can you afford to replace major parts in cash at the point of failure.

I drive a SEAT with no major failure items although the Cat converter has been thrown up as a potential issue. Even if I pay Tesco (or SEAT themselves) £199 or £332 for three years (at which point the car will be sold) I'll be covered for a £3000+ bill. Well worth the money as this is cover for peace of mind.

One thing to bear in mind - check the policy wording very carefully. Warranty Direct, for one, don't cover Cat converters.

Insurance is always a biased product - if it weren't the insurance companies would go bust. It depends on your attitude to risk and ability to readily stump up for major failure or loss at the point of loss or failure.

Not many people can - that's why there is insurance out there.

Yes I do take out house/contents insurance - but I shop around - I pay a relatively small amount to cover a house worth in excess of £300k and contents as well. If you look at the premium as a proportion of the potential cost its well worth it .I also take out travel insurance.

Not so for extended warranties of any sort , particularly electrical goods or cars.

Also I have had problems about 15 years ago when trying to claim under an extended car warranty - you mention catalytic converters not being included - I had a problem with a gearbox which the warranty company refused to pay up for as the particular cause of failure they decided was, "wear and tear" !!!

hi I have had dealings with this company well not Tesco they act as a broker the actual company who administer the cover is car care warranty ltd I took this out with Tesco and they never paid out my power steering pump on my astra is only 3.5 years old and 13000 miles on the clock broke down so I took it to the garage and they sent a engineer to inspect my car. car care warranty said they will not pay out because I had only done 30 miles since taking the cover out and the fault could have been their when I took the cover out and the garage said the pump could go at any time with it being a electric pump car care warranty then said it must have shown signs of braking before the cover was taken out as these pumps tend to show signs of failing way before they stop all together the garage said rubbish I phoned them again at the cost of 25p per min they asked about service history which is always done at Vauxhall dealer ship and is up to date so they lost again their they then came up with that there engineer said the pump had broken down due to poor maintaince by me our poor servicing by the dealer ship because the power steering fluid level was less than the recommended level Vauxhall said the fluid level was perfect were it was and was not the cause of the failure and just a mechanical brake down car care warenty said they dont care they will not pay because of this and that is it and put the phone down the bottom line is they will use every excuse they can just not to pay out and take your money every month for nothing put the money in the bank every month that you pay them and you will be better off in the long run becuas if anything goes rong you have some money in the bank to cover it