Extending the Warranty

[Guest]

My 997 has its 2nd birthday on 6 Dec 06 and as such the original warranty will expire. I'm assuming that given some of the expensive parts in the car, its worth buying the extended warranty cover? I looked at the list of parts covered but am a little worried about those that aren't. Having said that they do have a section in the literature which (for the avoidance of doubt) mentions some exclusions such as exhaust, PCM but even with those stated items, its a bit difficult to believe that the list is sufficiently comprehensive enough to function like the original Porsche manufacturers warranty. I also note that the cover is actually provided by a third party insurance company (XL) and wonder whether Porsche really are motivated to act in the interests of the owner or whether they just enjoy the commissions they receive from XL for distributing their policy? Seems to me that Porsche are off the hook and only have an interest in profiting from additional policy sales.

What are (996?) members experience of purchasing the extended warranty? Is it a life saver or just too narrow in cover to really pick up real world malfunctions and failures?

I have also noticed that the premiums are set to increase on 1st Nov. It is possible to buy the cover now and only have it incept (for a 12 month period) once the original manufacturers warranty expires.

Any feedback appreciated.

 

[THX911]

ORIGINAL: henkus
...

I have also noticed that the premiums are set to increase on 1st Nov. It is possible to buy the cover now and only have it incept (for a 12 month period) once the original manufacturers warranty expires.

Any feedback appreciated.

You can definitely extend it 30days before the start of the policy but that still falls short of the price increase date. Try this, it might work: book in the service towards the end of October for a date in mid-November or end of November (gives them enough time to sort you out with a good courtesy car too) and say you want to extend the warranty too and would like to pay for it now, so you don't get hit by the whole sum in one go...[8|]

Warranty is a peace of mind, covers RMS, engine failures, etc and good when selling too as you can pass it on to the new owner...

 

[pwebb]

Yes, agree on the booking in of your car. I've filled in the forms for mine and will pay nearer the date at the old price, but the warranty will run from the second anniversary (mid November).

Peter

 

[Ronnie C]

This is something that I will have to deal with early next year.

I had correspondance with my OPC (Swindon) in late August about this as I heard about an imminent price rise.

This is the response I got which suggests its different to the XL policy you mention henkus?? Which OPC are you dealing with?:

xxx has asked me to email you back as I deal with the Porsche Approved Warranty.

I have called our warranty department this morning and the have confirmed that the price is going up but they cannot confirm by how much or when. You can only extend the policy from 1 month before the expiry date but not one day after. In which case if the cost has gone up on the day of the purchase then you will have to pay the new price, for example... if you renew on the 1st Jan, the price goes up on the 10th and your new policy starts on the 13th then you would pay £725.00 as you bought the policy before the increase.

The warranty is from Porsche AG (Germany) themselves and not though third party. I can send you a policy booklet to read through if you like but you will receive one 40 days before the warranty expires as we send it out with an option to extend letter. The Extended policy isn't like your manufacturers warranty there are some exclusions, for example wear and tear items are not covered i.e.. Clutch, Wheel bearings and so on.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

The new warranty will cost £895 as of the 1st Nov.
It is provided by XL insurance Company Limited (London) (Source: My 2006 Warranty booklet)
Apparently u cannot take out the new warranty greater than 8 weeks before the original is due to expire.(From a thread on Pistonheads).

My understanding is that OPCs are happy to undertake any warranty work on your car as long as it is covered, as they will charge the 3rd party insurer to do the job at their hourly rates.

However, don't always take their word for it that a part is covered or not, ask around, they are sometimes ignorant of the terms and conditions. As you can see from the response by OPC Swindon to Ronnie C's enquiries, they aren't even aware that the policy is provided by a 3rd party, don't yet know when the price is going up, or to how much, even though that information has been available on the net at least since 5th October.

My experience of the warranty is that it is absolutely worth it. It only take a few things to go wrong for it to pay for itself, and you get Europewide Porsche Assistance included (although I've heard that assistance in mainland Europe is poor).

 

[Rob Edwards]

Hi Henkus
I have just taken out the extended warranty as of 2 weeks ago and booked the car in for an annual service/inspection at the same time (thus negating the cost of the warranty inspection).
I agree completely with Rodney - it's just peace of mind - just read some of the (admittedly rare) incidents on the 996 forum where engines have sprung leaks or even worse - their owners rue the day they passed up on warranty.
Plus of course, you do get the roadside assistance which for me is a boon as I do a fair bit of mileage in France each year.
Try and get it brought forward to the £725 payment date if you can - maybe a friendly service manager might help you out there. If not, even at £895 it's still not bad value, especially if you campare it with the likes of TVR (£1500 pa I heard) and like marques.
I certainly feel better knowing that warranty is still there (proves you can buy peace of mind after all!) and if I ever sell the car privately, that would be a no-doubt attaractive bonus for any would be purchaser.
Cheers
Rob

 

[Guest]

Thanks everyone. That's all very helpful. Seems we've had 78 hits on this thread and no real cynics ranting about rip off insurance. I think I'll take out the cover.For the record I talked to West London OPC. They got their facts straight on timing / price increases but didn't mention XL as insurer. I'll do some final due diligence.

 

[THX911]

ORIGINAL: henkus

Thanks everyone. That's all very helpful. Seems we've had 78 hits on this thread and no real cynics ranting about rip off insurance. I think I'll take out the cover.For the record I talked to West London OPC. They got their facts straight on timing / price increases but didn't mention XL as insurer. I'll do some final due diligence.

78 hits are not 78 unique hits, it would increment every time you visit your own thread or the same person looks at it again...[8|]