AA Warranty to the rescue
Discussion
Just thought I'd drop a 'well done' to the AA Warranty cover which recently turned an extortionate OPC bill into a merely expensive one.
My 996 C4S developed a split in the coolant hose that runs from the front-to-rear hard pipe to the water pump. I checked what was involved in replacing the hose and, while it wasn't going to be too much hardship, it meant sourcing and fitting the 997 up-rev'd part along with a new flange, gasket etc. and then the hassle of spilling coolant everywhere, filling and bleeding the system on the drive in the rain. No great shakes, I have the AA warranty cover, so I called them out to the house and (after a failed temporary fix) they recovered the car to my local OPC.
I assumed the new parts would cost around £100, with some coolant and an hours labour bringing an estimated (by me.... perhaps somewhat naively) total to around £300 tops. Imagine my shock when I was presented with the following:
To replace a rubber hose!!!!
Thankfully the work was pre-auth'd by the AA so I only had to stump up the £219 over and above the £500 claim limit.
This isn't an ad and I've nothing to gain, but I thought I'd recommend the AA cover as it's potentially worth £2500/yr, the claim process was effortless and costs about the same as a tank of fuel. For us folks driving the older cars, it's a no-brainer!
FWIW - although the labour rates at the OPC were exorbitant, the service from the CSA was fantastic. I won't be back in a hurry though!
My 996 C4S developed a split in the coolant hose that runs from the front-to-rear hard pipe to the water pump. I checked what was involved in replacing the hose and, while it wasn't going to be too much hardship, it meant sourcing and fitting the 997 up-rev'd part along with a new flange, gasket etc. and then the hassle of spilling coolant everywhere, filling and bleeding the system on the drive in the rain. No great shakes, I have the AA warranty cover, so I called them out to the house and (after a failed temporary fix) they recovered the car to my local OPC.
I assumed the new parts would cost around £100, with some coolant and an hours labour bringing an estimated (by me.... perhaps somewhat naively) total to around £300 tops. Imagine my shock when I was presented with the following:
To replace a rubber hose!!!!
Thankfully the work was pre-auth'd by the AA so I only had to stump up the £219 over and above the £500 claim limit.
This isn't an ad and I've nothing to gain, but I thought I'd recommend the AA cover as it's potentially worth £2500/yr, the claim process was effortless and costs about the same as a tank of fuel. For us folks driving the older cars, it's a no-brainer!
FWIW - although the labour rates at the OPC were exorbitant, the service from the CSA was fantastic. I won't be back in a hurry though!
nimmo12 said:
Is the warranty linked to AA Breakdown and what costs and restrictions apply? Eg Porsche have 111 point check before warranty cover.
Thanks
Yep, it is linked to the breakdown cover. You need to have the cover and they need to have attended the breakdown and attempted to fix the issue. If they can't fix it they'll either take it to their nominated garage or one of your choice. If it goes to a garage of your choice, the garage phone the AA with a quote, for authorisation prior to commencing the repair. Once auth'd and the repair carried out, you pay the cost and then receive a cheque for the value, up to £500. If I'd went to my indie I'm certain it would have been under £500, so I wouldn't have paid a penny for the work.Thanks
I didn't have either of my cars inspected prior to cover being offered. FSH is required but I was not asked for proof during my claim.
As I said, I'm not trying to sell this! It's not a full warranty and nothing like the OPC cover, but for £90/yr I think it's great for likes of the above - burst/split hoses, radiators, gearbox issues, dead battery, starter motor failure etc. which could help out those of us who can't quite stretch to the running costs associated with newer cars.
dank said:
AA warranty is great, well worth the monthly cost!
Quite true. I have it on all 3 of our cars. Basically it is linked to your AA membership. It is around £70 a car & gives 5 claims max of £500 each less a £35 excess. However it has to be recovered by the AA to a VAT registered garage.Mine has paid for 2 x callipers for the Jeep & brake hoses (£400), water pump for the Boxster (£465) & a battery for the wife's MX5 at the side of the road (£50).
Boxbrownie said:
So I am assuming this would only apply to a breakdown incident? For example if you found the A/C was suddenly not working due to a condensor fault but car still driveable then there is no warranty cover?
No won't pay out. Has to be a breakdown which disables the car, recovered by the AA to a VAT reg garage.Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff