Truck Extended Warranty Information Request

[Bill.vannuys]

I have a Chevrolet 3500 that has 31,000 miles on it currently. I'm interested in getting an extended warranty before the Bumper to Bumper warranty expires at 36k. The power train warranty continues to 100K.

Looking for suggestions/opinions on:
- Where to look or purchase an Extended Service Plan without going back to my Chevrolet dealer and the associated sales commission?
- What warranty/warranty type to get or what not to get?
- Anything to avoid?

I know Good Sam has one and also possibly Wholesale Warranties.

I know some of the MOC members have extended warranty experience.

Any information is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Artemus Gordon]

Lots of secondary providers of insurance. My experience on trucks is use the Manufacturing Companies product. Shop your dealer and look on line for GM certified extended plans. Note. Sometimes buying them late cost more money. They actually start from car purchase and move along with warranty. I bought 120k plan from Ford. Made them discount selling cost at time of purchase. Some plans not by manufacturers make you pay for repairs then get reimbursed. Kinda defeats the idea in my opinion. Good luck!

[WeBeFulltime]

I purchased an authentic Ford plan at the time my original 36/36 expired. I purchased it on-line at about 1/3 the cost most dealers want when you purchase vehicle. Google is your friend!

[mazboy]

read consumers report on extended warranties. they say these warranties are not worth it. and with the 100K on the power train i would tend to agree. but...

[washley1]

I got my Ford ESP online, and saved a buck or two. Considering that some repairs to this truck require pulling the cab off the body, the complexity of that beast under the hood, and a few warranty problems I had prior, I took the plunge. It cost about $3K. I had some front end issues and AC issues, and a power side mirror that went bad under ESP. The mirror alone was $1900. Bottom line, the ESP paid for itself, and just before it expired last fall I renewed. We put these big toys through hell when we are having fun, and no matter how good they were built, they do not last forever. I'm out to make it last as long as possible!

[BB_TX]

I have a Ford, but service tech said buying a Ford ESP made life easier for everyone. There were other 3rd party plans that were OK, but with the Ford plan they could get repair authorization much faster and easier. Local dealer wanted something over $3,000 for 7yr/100,000 mile plan. I found a distant Ford dealer selling the same Ford ESP plans on line for about $2,100. Showed that to my dealer and he dropped his price to within about $100 of that price.

Don't know about GM plans, but definitely shop around.

[mlh]

Don't forget there are some things an ESP or even your basic warranty will not cover. If your high pressure fuel pump goes out your dealer will check for rust or dirt in it and if either is found your warranty will not cover it and that is an $8000+ repair.
Lynwood

[richfaa]

He Ford drive train warranty is 5 years 100K miles ask the question of yours. We shopped around online and purchased the Ford ESP for hundreds less that our dealer.

[mlh]

Rich I think the 5, 100000 is only on the engine.
Lynwood

[Eagleback]

I have come to the fact that we buy and have used the extended warranty on ALL high priced things, like campers and cars. I have done it twice on an SUV and camper and ended up using it. I probably and most likely will pass on most extended warranty's on things you buy from Walmart.

[richfaa]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

He Ford drive train warranty is 5 years 100K miles ask the question of yours. We shopped around online and purchased the Ford ESP for hundreds less that our dealer.

You are right Lynwood I had drive train on my mind. This Ford is a 2008 with not yet 80K miles but my 5 years Motor was up 3 years ago. We are renewing the drive train ESP for another 3 years.
Everyone needs to look and ask the question on that 100K powertrain warranty that may not be the case as Lynwood points out on the Ford it is 5 year 100K on the motor only.I picked up the ESP when mot original warranty was upas the rest of the drivetrain cost a few bucks.

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by mazboy

read consumers report on extended warranties. they say these warranties are not worth it...

Agree.

[mlh]

This is a peice of mind issue. No they aren't worth the money but that is not the issue for some people. Would I buy one? No but I like taking chanches some people don't.
Lynwood

[richfaa]

Google up consumer reports on extended warranties. The report are primarily on cars/trucks, appliances not something prone to failure like a RV. We only have the extended warranty on the truck and Montana both of which can suffer high dollar failures that would put us out of business. We never have a car long enough for the OEM warranty to expire.

We can cover the loss for example of our 700.00 smart phone but not a 12K motor repair or a 7K RV roof repair.

[Bill.vannuys]

I'm checking Google; hadn't thought of checking dealers in other locations for a discounted (not so greedy on their commission) Truck Warranty.

I thought maybe there was something like the Wholesale RV Warranty place that I just had not found. I'm going to check consumer reports and I think my bank/Insurance company (USAA) may even offer something.

As others have said, I want the peace of mind since the truck is worked hard with the towing and the cost of repair can be so high. I never get the insurance on anything (tools, TV, phone, etc.) but the RV and Truck and I usually win - but a loss doesn't break me.

I like a good value, but hate giving a car salesman perhaps $800 for the 5 minutes it takes copy my VIN # to sign me up. A reasonable commission I can support. That's why my last truck purchase was on the internet..."give me your best price based on invoice"... and they did.

Thanks for all the input; please send more if it's out there! Any specific warranties that have worked well for you?

[tim43]

When I still had my TV, I always got the warranty from the dealer when the 3/36K was near the end. It did pay of very well on one vehicle when they had to repair the AC. Use Google and then price match with the dealer. You will find a lot of dealers advertising extended warranties on the net and prices vary with all. Good luck on your search.

[richfaa]

We had the RV Shield on the 06 3400 and we had the GS ESP on the 3402 and now the cornerstone.Both the RV sield and the GS worked ok but we find the cornerstone is accepted at way more facilities that the GS. Do the homework.

[offroad71]

Make sure the policy includes seals. Had a extended warranty on a 82 Chevy truck once. Blew a axle seal, went to make a claim was told it didn't cover any seals. The policy turned out to be worthless.

[Bill.vannuys]

Offroad71 and Rich,

Thanks for the seal tip and specific policy information. I'm doing some research now. There is a lot of expensive stuff that can break on this truck. I think the information and navigation system baffles a lot of Chevrolet Mechanics, so I look forward to extending that coverage along with the myriad of things that can go wrong with the electrical components.

Spoke with the dealer service manager today, and he again told me the drive train warranty (100K)included anything that is lubricated and specifically the transmission, and differentials. On my previous 1500 they rebuilt my front differential totally free at around 70K; a bearing just went bad.

I'm checking out Cornerstone and several others. Giving myself just under 5K miles to make my decision.

See you at the Nebraska Rally , Rich.

Tim43, thanks for the internet info on dealer warranty competition. Working it! I like it when dealers compete!

Thanks again all.