Tesco Warranty v MB Tier 1 - A warning !!!!

[travelininstyle]

Just to let you know,I enroled into the Tesco 'finest' warranty shortly after my last annual service,based on the positive remarks from people on this forum,as well as BMW & Porsche sites and 'Which' review.
Today I had to take my car in for a suspension problem - The MB service manager sighed when I mentioned I was covered with the Tesco warranty. He said that his experiences were bad - one previous customer had to wait two weeks for an administrator to agree a date to assess the repair and 4 weeks later,its still rumbling on ! - worse still,when you log onto Tesco Motoring site,it now states that the Warranties are closed to new,or re-newal business - it sounds like they have lost a packet,or struggling to get an insurer to back the scheme up - so I am feeling distinctly exposed at the moment and do not expect them to honour my claim - The MB service manager said as my car is only 4.5 years old and only has 25k on the clock,he will try to pursued MB to make some goodwill contribution - here's hoping eh ! - never really trusted Tesco's - just a gut feeling - why get involved in this,and internet,telephone,banking etc - then not commit long term - they are all in it for a quick buck,then pull out leaving you high and dry - to me Tesco have a responsibility to see that they deliver their promises - God,I hope they never move into Pensions !!!!
Tier 1 everytime !

 

[Satch]

I thought the Tesco Warranty was just a white label product provided by this lot:

Motors Insurance Company Limited

http://www.carcareplan.co.uk/home_micl/products_micl/products.htm

Now they are owned by GMAC Financial Services, which of course was bust and had to be bailed by the US Government. They are "restructuring" which involves job losses and cutbacks.

 

[buccal]

TBH i've heard lots of good feedback re Tesco's warranties.

The fact that they pulled out of the market at the end of last year doesn't necessarily mean they won't honour your claim?

This is just the service managers opinion at the moment, when do you find out from tesco?

 

[Matt32AMG]

IMHO there is no subsitute in having a few £K put away as the in case the car dies fund. I make a habit of tucking away maybe £150 a month into the car slush fund, that way if something arises it's not the end of the world.

 

[travelininstyle]

TBH i've heard lots of good feedback re Tesco's warranties.

The fact that they pulled out of the market at the end of last year doesn't necessarily mean they won't honour your claim?

This is just the service managers opinion at the moment, when do you find out from tesco?

Agreed,I have considered that - no MB service manager is comfortable dealing with externally provided warranties,such as warranty wise,or warranties direct,he is more at home dealing with MB warranty and its a lot less hassle for them and they are more in their comfort zone - so I will certainly let you know the final outcome - things to consider though are this - ie) I had a 42 mile round trip to the dealership and came away with no answer from the visit and now must go back - I think if it had of been tier 1 - the repair would of likely have been carried out according to the service manager straight away,as he had carried out similar work before,with mb authorisation - I suppose I expected at least an answer back the same day,perhaps that is unreasonable.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

I'm surprised.

Of course tier 1 would be best as it cuts out the middleman.

BUT, I reckon that your MB service manager is inexperienced. The claims assessor will be contracted out and a good service manager will know the claims guys well and should be able to guess their decisions.

 

[travelininstyle]

Tesco Warranty v MB Tier 1 - an update.

Agreed,I have considered that - no MB service manager is comfortable dealing with externally provided warranties,such as warranty wise,or warranties direct,he is more at home dealing with MB warranty and its a lot less hassle for them and they are more in their comfort zone - so I will certainly let you know the final outcome - things to consider though are this - ie) I had a 42 mile round trip to the dealership and came away with no answer from the visit and now must go back - I think if it had of been tier 1 - the repair would of likely have been carried out according to the service manager straight away,as he had carried out similar work before,with mb authorisation - I suppose I expected at least an answer back the same day,perhaps that is unreasonable.

Well,I promised an update and I have to say that I must eat humble pie.
Firstly,the delay in processing the claim was entirely down to the Dealer Service Manager's lack of urgency - and general lacks approach ,but on this occasion Tesco's approved the repair in full - approx £336 to put a figure in it - like most Warranty claims its a pay first,submit the bill for a refund. - after June,I must find another Warranty provider,or put money to one side.