MERCEDES BENZ TIER 1 EXTENDED WARRANTY
Discussion
I've just been quoted £789 for another year's Tier 1 warranty. When the Tippex Tracy on the other end of the phone read out the list of 'Normal service replacement items and other components subject to routine maintenance or periodic repair or replacement that are excluded', this included 'Sunroof cables, convertible roofs and straps' - a significant change from last year which just referred to 'sunroof cables'.
My view is that the vario roof fitted to the SL and SLK is a 'factory fitted mechanical part' and not something 'subject to normal service replacement, routine maintenance or periodic repair' - which I queried.
This wasn't in her script, so I was transferred to some Kevin-in-a-suit who alleged that no, SL and SLK roof mechanisms are not covered under this expensive policy....
My dealer disagrees with 'Kevin-in-a-suit' and his interpretation - does anyone else have any experience of this topic?
Insurance companies invariably want to weasel out if they can find a way, but surely a reputable company such as Mercedes should have sufficient faith in the vario roof to include it in their extended warranty cover? Particularly as the vario roof is such a major part of the SL and SLK.
My view is that the vario roof fitted to the SL and SLK is a 'factory fitted mechanical part' and not something 'subject to normal service replacement, routine maintenance or periodic repair' - which I queried.
This wasn't in her script, so I was transferred to some Kevin-in-a-suit who alleged that no, SL and SLK roof mechanisms are not covered under this expensive policy....
My dealer disagrees with 'Kevin-in-a-suit' and his interpretation - does anyone else have any experience of this topic?
Insurance companies invariably want to weasel out if they can find a way, but surely a reputable company such as Mercedes should have sufficient faith in the vario roof to include it in their extended warranty cover? Particularly as the vario roof is such a major part of the SL and SLK.
It seems that my dealer had the same brush off from the same Kevin-in-a-suit.
So I've written as follows:
The vario roof system fitted to the Mercedes SL and SLK is a factory fitted mechanical part of the vehicle. Just as the boot, bonnet and doors are.
It is not a 'normal service replacement item or component subject to routine maintenance or periodic repair or replacement' such as a tyre or a spark plug.
Hitherto, the roof mechanism of the SL and SLK has been fully covered within your Tier 1 ( under 60000 miles at date of purchase) scheme. However, there is now some element of doubt as to whether the system is covered, due to changes in the wording of the policy introduced in June 2009.
Please confirm that Tier 1 cover for sub-60000 mile SL and SLK vehicles does include mechanical or electrical failure of the vario roof system. This is a significant component of such cars which has a high reliability index, so should certainly be covered under your extended warranty scheme for these cars.
In your Insurance Owner's Handbook, you state that there are certain qualities of Mercedes-Benz vehicles which owners are entitled to expect:
'Certain things you are entitled to expect from a Mercedes-Benz, regardless of its age. Ingenious engineering, unrivalled build quality, style, safety and reliability'.
And that must surely include the SL and SLK vario roof system - if not, then why not?
So I've written as follows:
The vario roof system fitted to the Mercedes SL and SLK is a factory fitted mechanical part of the vehicle. Just as the boot, bonnet and doors are.
It is not a 'normal service replacement item or component subject to routine maintenance or periodic repair or replacement' such as a tyre or a spark plug.
Hitherto, the roof mechanism of the SL and SLK has been fully covered within your Tier 1 ( under 60000 miles at date of purchase) scheme. However, there is now some element of doubt as to whether the system is covered, due to changes in the wording of the policy introduced in June 2009.
Please confirm that Tier 1 cover for sub-60000 mile SL and SLK vehicles does include mechanical or electrical failure of the vario roof system. This is a significant component of such cars which has a high reliability index, so should certainly be covered under your extended warranty scheme for these cars.
In your Insurance Owner's Handbook, you state that there are certain qualities of Mercedes-Benz vehicles which owners are entitled to expect:
'Certain things you are entitled to expect from a Mercedes-Benz, regardless of its age. Ingenious engineering, unrivalled build quality, style, safety and reliability'.
And that must surely include the SL and SLK vario roof system - if not, then why not?
Edited by nickwilcock on Monday 13th July 17:22
RESULT!!
I've now had a satisfactory outcome to my dispute with M-B regarding 'Tier 1' extended warranty cover of the vario roof.
Today I received a letter from the Quality Standards Team Leader stating:
"In view of your concerns I have spoken with the National Account Manager and can confirm that the mechanical and electrical components of the roof are covered under the policy. These would be specifically those components that carry out a mechanical or electrical function and would exclude therefore items such as (but not limited to) bodywork, trim, glass, convertible roof material and straps, (where the roof is not metal folding), fixings, fastenings, hinges and roof seals."
Sometimes it IS worth kicking up a fuss, it seems!
I've now had a satisfactory outcome to my dispute with M-B regarding 'Tier 1' extended warranty cover of the vario roof.
Today I received a letter from the Quality Standards Team Leader stating:
"In view of your concerns I have spoken with the National Account Manager and can confirm that the mechanical and electrical components of the roof are covered under the policy. These would be specifically those components that carry out a mechanical or electrical function and would exclude therefore items such as (but not limited to) bodywork, trim, glass, convertible roof material and straps, (where the roof is not metal folding), fixings, fastenings, hinges and roof seals."
Sometimes it IS worth kicking up a fuss, it seems!
Edited by nickwilcock on Wednesday 12th August 12:44
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