Update On Extended Warranty

[Ross]

You may recall that I was checking into an extended warranty since I now have 33K on the odo. In addition to the Ford warranty, I checked with Allstate. I can get 4 years, from the date of purchase of the warranty, or 60K from the same date, for $1,088.00. About the same number of miles, and more time than the Ford extended warranty, for about $700.00 less money. I got the brochure and it looks like it's almost bumper to bumper covering engine, tranny, rear end, AC, brakes, electrical, plus flat tire and "run out of gas" road service. The only language I'm unsure about is that the repairs must be done at a "licensed commercial repair shop."
I know that there are things like ASE certifications for mechanics, but I've never heard of a "licensed" shop. I asked the Allstate lady that I spoke with about this and she said "We just want to make sure that you go to a real, professional shop." Yeah, but that's not what the policy says, and being a lawyer I'm skeptical when something reads a certain way in print, but someone says something else orally.
I'm leaning toward this policy, but I still have some concerns if I take my car to a shop and Allstate says, "Before we pay, let's see their license." Where I live, there ain't no such thing as a "licensed" repair shop.

[rookie1]

my mother has an extended warranty from Allstate and i believe that all they mean by licensed is a real shop with a business license. So you don't do the repair yourself in bubba's garage down the street and try to turn in the bill.
I know she took the car in to a service station/repair garage combo that she's been going to for 20 years for a tranny and had no problem with Allstate paying.

[SouLRioT]

I have allstate and what they mean is that they have a list of shops they have a contract with. When I was in an accident a local L/M dealer was one of the recomended shops, so I was lucky. I dont think you should have any problems though, unless you mod the car.

[reddog69]

Is this the same allstate that does car ins. ? I'm wondering because I have a few different policies with them already and I'm satisfied. Getting an extended warranty for the ride would be cool also. Thanks, reddog.

[Ross]

Yes, this is the same "good hands" Allstate. Further update: Went in for an oil change at the dealer yesterday, and mentioned the warranty to my service advisor. He took me to a lady at the dealership who tried to sell me a warranty from a different company, NOT the Ford warranty. It's called the Motorists Assistance Plan (MAP) from Enterprise Financial Group located in Irving, Texas. Looked almost identical to the Allstate warranty, but cost about $2,100.00, almost $1,000.00 more than Allstate! I talked again to an agent at Allstate about the "licensed" shop requirement. He, too, told me what I thought he would say. "We just don't want you going to some shade tree mechanic, or doing the work yourself." While all of that sounds reasonable, I've had enough legal fights in court over insurance policies to know a couple of things:
1. an insurance policy is a contract
2. the written contract language supercedes any oral representations concerning the contract
3. in many cases, a court won't even allow evidence of oral conversations about what a contract is supposed to mean, because the contract is supposed to speak for itself.

Yes, there are always exceptions to all kinds of legal rules, but I'm not trying to give a law school lecture on contracts. Just trying to explain my hesitation to go with a policy which has some language which might come back to bite me in the butt later.

[SouLRioT]

you should ask for a list of the local shops then, that way you have a written record.

[Ross]

I'm not just interested in local shops, though. What if I'm way out in the middle of nowhere, and blow a water pump? I need to know that I can go to Joe's Friendly Garage in East Longneck, Texas and get the work done. Not that I want Joe working on a MM, when he probably has never seen one before...

[SouLRioT]

i hear you, but it would at lest give you an idea of what they mean.

[SHERIFF]

Based on my past experiences with ALLSTATE, I wouldn't buy anything from them. IMHO, they will spend $5,000 to prevent paying a $3,500 repair bill should your transmission or engine fail and have to be replaced.

One of their drivers backed into my wife's NEW car a few years ago. The damages, including a NEW fender were $700. ALLSTATE's estimate was $450, using bondo in the fender. I had the fender replaced myself and sued them. Three lawyers showed up in court dressed in $1,000 three piece suits to represent ALLSTATE. The entire case revolved around ALLSTATE refused to pay the $700 and wanted to bondo the fender, right?? But the judge ruled I could NOT mention ALLSTATE or insurance coverage. Their driver wasn't even in court, so I couldn't question him.

I got satisfaction later, but would rather not say how. :baaa:

[hitchhiker]

Yes, this is the same "good hands" Allstate. Further update: Went in for an oil change at the dealer yesterday, and mentioned the warranty to my service advisor. He took me to a lady at the dealership who tried to sell me a warranty from a different company, NOT the Ford warranty. It's called the Motorists Assistance Plan (MAP) from Enterprise Financial Group located in Irving, Texas. Looked almost identical to the Allstate warranty, but cost about $2,100.00, almost $1,000.00 more than Allstate! I talked again to an agent at Allstate about the "licensed" shop requirement. He, too, told me what I thought he would say. "We just don't want you going to some shade tree mechanic, or doing the work yourself." While all of that sounds reasonable, I've had enough legal fights in court over insurance policies to know a couple of things:
1. an insurance policy is a contract
2. the written contract language supercedes any oral representations concerning the contract
3. in many cases, a court won't even allow evidence of oral conversations about what a contract is supposed to mean, because the contract is supposed to speak for itself.

Yes, there are always exceptions to all kinds of legal rules, but I'm not trying to give a law school lecture on contracts. Just trying to explain my hesitation to go with a policy which has some language which might come back to bite me in the butt later.

Lawyers try so hard to impress people!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[carfixer]

Here's my $.02
I prefer the Ford ESP. You don't ever have to call anyone for approval, just bring it to any of the 5,000 (+ or -) Ford, Lincoln, Mercury dealerships in the USA and Canada.

Most aftermarket warranties require you to call them first and all must have the repair shop call for approval. Then you may be required to pay the bill up front and wait for reimbursment. Some also won't cover related damage. Extreme example: water pump fails and leaks out all the coolant. Car overheats and damages engine. They may pay for the water pump but not the engine damage. I've seen some pretty bad aftermarket insurance companies do that. I haven't personally dealt with Allstate so I don't know if any of the above applies to them, but I have dealt with Ford ESP and think they are worth the extra expense.

[hitchhiker]

Here's my $.02
I prefer the Ford ESP. You don't ever have to call anyone for approval, just bring it to any of the 5,000 (+ or -) Ford, Lincoln, Mercury dealerships in the USA and Canada.

Most aftermarket warranties require you to call them first and all must have the repair shop call for approval. Then you may be required to pay the bill up front and wait for reimbursment. Some also won't cover related damage. Extreme example: water pump fails and leaks out all the coolant. Car overheats and damages engine. They may pay for the water pump but not the engine damage. I've seen some pretty bad aftermarket insurance companies do that. I haven't personally dealt with Allstate so I don't know if any of the above applies to them, but I have dealt with Ford ESP and think they are worth the extra expense.

I simply don't like insurance companies.

They make their money by betting on our misfortunes.

Best Regards,

David

[jgc61sr2002]

IMO the answer is you get what you pay for.

[JamesHecker]

I simply don't like insurance companies.

They make their money by betting on our misfortunes.

Best Regards,

David

They make their money betting AGAINST your misfortunes! The nice thing about it is that you don't have to contribute to their profits. Don't buy insurance and bear the risk yourself. That's showing 'em!

[TAF]

They make their money betting AGAINST your misfortunes! The nice thing about it is that you don't have to contribute to their profits. Don't buy insurance and bear the risk yourself. That's showing 'em!
:lol::lol::lol:

Nice one James :up:

[Ross]

They make their money betting AGAINST your misfortunes! The nice thing about it is that you don't have to contribute to their profits. Don't buy insurance and bear the risk yourself. That's showing 'em!

Aaahhh, someone who understands how insurance works! If the company thought I was going to really need the coverage, they wouldn't provide it, or it would be so expensive that no one could afford it.