car warranty insurance

A question about : car warranty insurance

We took out warranty insurance when the dealer warranty expired. Several months later, the car broke down. The insurance company sent out an assessor who confirmed there had been a failure of the flywheel, however they disagreed with the garage who recommended the clutch pressure plate, slave cylinder and release bearing be replaced at a further cost of Ј1,100.

They did agree that they would contribute towards part of the clutch kit as grease had gone on it when the flywheel failed, but would not pay for the other parts as they were 'good practise'.

As the garage were insistent they could not guarantee the car would operate in its original manner if all parts were not replaced, we wrote to the insurance company asking for their guarantee they would re-repair the car should it fail and if the slave failed later (as suspected by the garage) would we still be insured.

Their response was - no!

The reason being we would invalidate our warranty if we did not repair the car as recommended by the garage.

Surely they cannot say parts are not faulty and therefore do not require replacing but on the other hand say they will not insure the car as we are aware there could be damage?

Going to the ombudsman tomorrow. Advice please.

Best answers:

• They wont replace servicible parts. 99% of garages will tell you its worth replacing the whole lot whilst the gearbox is removed. Labour costs to do the job again bumps the bill up.
  Grease had gone onto it? from where? The DMF shouldn't have grease they run dry.
  Brake fluid from a failed slave or engine/gearbox oil from a failed seal but not grease.
  The clutch plate/cover and bearing/CSC should not cost an extra Ј1100. Extra few hundred probably but not Ј1100.
  Ford replaced my sisters DMF, complete clutch and a reconditioned starter motor for Ј1200.
  What car is it? Engine/year/mileage?
  I would contribute to the new clutch myself, Knowing its got plenty of life left in it.
  But i wouldnt have bothered with the rubbish warranty and got the job done for less elsewhere anyway.
• The garage have said 'The fly wheel has shed its oil and formed deposits in the bell housing'.
  The independent assessor referred to grease on the lining.
  I don't mind paying towards the clutch plate as this is obviously considered to be a wear and tear item - they have said they are willing to pay for the percentage not worn and we contribute the remainder.
  The assessor has recommended the clutch and flywheel are replaced but this is where I get confused - not being mechanically minded!
  Is the pressure plate, release bearing and slave part of the clutch/flywheel or are they separate items? If I have understood the garage correctly pressure plate and release bearing are part of the clutch?
  Feeling really frustrated with the whole thing. Received a copy of the assessors report today after initially being refused and it quite clearly states replace clutch and flywheel but their initial offer was for the flywheel only. They have only agreed to pay towards the clutch plate because we argued that the grease would cause it to slip. Looks as though they were hoping we wouldn't ask about the clutch and now I've seen the report stating replaced feel like they've behaved unprofessionally!
  And I still cannot understand that if I repair the car to their recommendations, if it doesn't work, I am liable not them.
  Will never buy one of these policies again!
• They are all separate items.
  Flywheel, Clutch plate, Clutch cover (diaphram), Release bearing, Slave cylinder. Although in some cars the bearing and slave are one unit (CSC).
  So a clutch and flywheel is 4 or 5 parts.
  Whats the car? Ј1100 is expensive if thats not with the flywheel.