Scott
Fairview Heights,#2Consumer Comment
Tue, April 12, 2005
whats a warranty ? its something that is covered when buying a house or in out case a car, we buy these to know we are protected, what happens when you get a claim like this: we donot cover pre-exsisting conditons, thats crap why did I buy the warranty then, please if we knew that or vehicle was damaged when we bought it we would have made a new purchase with the dealer, but wow to our surprise this company has numorus complaints, there fore those who have been victumized by HERRITAGE WARRANTY need to start a class action lawsuit to be heard, its a shame that they cannot offer settlement to help those who have been "TAKEN" a calm and curtious way of helping out, like puttign a new engine in these vehicles.....
Shellie
Mountain House,#3Consumer Comment
Sun, April 03, 2005
This sounds sooooo familiar! This same thing just happened to us. I heard a small ticking noise and told my husband. We made an appointment and took it into Ford. We were told it would cost $300.00 for a diagnosis. They couldn't find anything with just the diagnosis so they said they had to tear it down at a cost of another $1,000.00. We were then told that the engine needed replacing. We bought this used and added the warranty thinking this would protect us. We have had it since 11-7-03. If there was an existing problem why am I responsible for it???? Why does Heritage give warranty's with out checking for themselves? Shouldn't they get the money from the dealer that sold us these cars? We have had all oil changes when the book required. I have reciepts. I was not told it was preexisting but I'm sure that would be their next excuse to not pay. They are saying we used the vehicle while it had this problem and caused the oil pump to cease. We had NO idea there was any problem until we heard the tick. It was taken in immediately. No indicator lights, no funny smells, etc. Are we supposed to be psychic? I believe Robert when he says they are just one big rip off!!!! We aren't going to let this go without a fight either Robert!
Robert
Bronx,#4Consumer Suggestion
Fri, November 12, 2004
My engine wasn't truly blown. There was tapping. Heritage would not cover any work until the engine was "torn down" by Chevrolet, to see what was wrong. Once torn down, Heritage would not honor the warranty because of sludge, leaving my engine in pieces, and me holding the bag for payment in full. Chevrolet said that attempting to put the engine back together would leave me with any engine that was in peril. They said that I had to replace the engine at my own expense. Heritage said the engine was basically blown due to sludge buildup. After paying $2,000 for a warranty, I had to pay $6,000 to replace my engine. Bad business.
Robert
Bronx,#5Consumer Suggestion
Thu, November 11, 2004
I have shared my experience with Heritage Warranty Insurance of Lincoln, Nebraska (domiciled in South Carolina), and posted my problem with Heritage Warranty Insurance on the Internet. If three people decide not to go with a Heritage Warranty Auto Insurance Package based on their findings from the posting on my site, then Heritage will have lost approximately the same amount of money ($6,000) in dealing with me that I have lost from dealing with Heritage. Folks can visit my site, observe the details of my loss, and make their own decisions. I have had many, many visitors, 2,533 to date. My site will stay up at least until Heritage Warranty Insurance rights their wrong. The choice is theirs. My site comes up near the top of the list in a Google search for "Heritage Warranty Insurance." Heritage may have won their battle by stiffing me, but not the war. Through the power of the internet in a Free Country, let the people decide. http://www.networkdimension.com/heritagewarrantinsurance.htm
Heritage
Lincoln,#6UPDATE Employee
Wed, November 10, 2004
As readers are aware, the truth is the absolute defense to any claim. Heritage Warranty Insurance, RRG would further explain specific facts of a situation, but doing so raises certain privacy issues. Heritage can only respond directly to customers and cannot discuss personal account or claim information with third parties. This is important for readers to understand since they will only have the opportunity to hear part of the story. Heritage readily addresses customer concerns. We have a fully staffed and trained customer service department dedicated exclusively to researching and answering customer questions, as well as, a claims department responsible for adjudicating claims according to the service contracts. Heritage further protects its customers by utilizing independent inspection companies throughout the United States to verify the vehicle failure(s). In the event a customer disputes a claim, Heritage fully explains the claim and/or re-examines it to assure it was properly adjudicated according to the service contract verbiage and state regulations. It is important for a customer to contact us directly with their questions, as we cannot address what a customer fails to bring to our attention.
Heritage
Lincoln,#7UPDATE Employee
Wed, November 10, 2004
As readers are aware, the truth is the absolute defense to any claim. Heritage Warranty Insurance, RRG would further explain specific facts of a situation, but doing so raises certain privacy issues. Heritage can only respond directly to customers and cannot discuss personal account or claim information with third parties. This is important for readers to understand since they will only have the opportunity to hear part of the story. Heritage readily addresses customer concerns. We have a fully staffed and trained customer service department dedicated exclusively to researching and answering customer questions, as well as, a claims department responsible for adjudicating claims according to the service contracts. Heritage further protects its customers by utilizing independent inspection companies throughout the United States to verify the vehicle failure(s). In the event a customer disputes a claim, Heritage fully explains the claim and/or re-examines it to assure it was properly adjudicated according to the service contract verbiage and state regulations. It is important for a customer to contact us directly with their questions, as we cannot address what a customer fails to bring to our attention.
Heritage
Lincoln,#8UPDATE Employee
Wed, November 10, 2004
As readers are aware, the truth is the absolute defense to any claim. Heritage Warranty Insurance, RRG would further explain specific facts of a situation, but doing so raises certain privacy issues. Heritage can only respond directly to customers and cannot discuss personal account or claim information with third parties. This is important for readers to understand since they will only have the opportunity to hear part of the story. Heritage readily addresses customer concerns. We have a fully staffed and trained customer service department dedicated exclusively to researching and answering customer questions, as well as, a claims department responsible for adjudicating claims according to the service contracts. Heritage further protects its customers by utilizing independent inspection companies throughout the United States to verify the vehicle failure(s). In the event a customer disputes a claim, Heritage fully explains the claim and/or re-examines it to assure it was properly adjudicated according to the service contract verbiage and state regulations. It is important for a customer to contact us directly with their questions, as we cannot address what a customer fails to bring to our attention.
Heritage
Lincoln,#9UPDATE Employee
Wed, November 10, 2004
As readers are aware, the truth is the absolute defense to any claim. Heritage Warranty Insurance, RRG would further explain specific facts of a situation, but doing so raises certain privacy issues. Heritage can only respond directly to customers and cannot discuss personal account or claim information with third parties. This is important for readers to understand since they will only have the opportunity to hear part of the story. Heritage readily addresses customer concerns. We have a fully staffed and trained customer service department dedicated exclusively to researching and answering customer questions, as well as, a claims department responsible for adjudicating claims according to the service contracts. Heritage further protects its customers by utilizing independent inspection companies throughout the United States to verify the vehicle failure(s). In the event a customer disputes a claim, Heritage fully explains the claim and/or re-examines it to assure it was properly adjudicated according to the service contract verbiage and state regulations. It is important for a customer to contact us directly with their questions, as we cannot address what a customer fails to bring to our attention.
Brandon
Marietta,#10Consumer Suggestion
Wed, June 30, 2004
i also work for a veh service company and would have to agree with the findings of heritage. this is only because i know what the terms and conditions of your vechicle service contract is. their is a big diff between a contract and a warr. or insurance, however, i do not dough that you were told it was a bumper to bumper and everything is covered. my advise is to ready the entire contract from top to bottom before signing and make sure you understand all. if not ask someone to help you, perferable a freind that does not work the company selling it. sorry for all your trouble, hope this helps in future. unfortantly the only recorse you have is arbriation (sp) -- but you will lose. if you do wish to go this way, read this portion of the t@c of the vsc to find out how to start this process
Steve
Tampa,#11Consumer Suggestion
Wed, June 30, 2004
Your Second response should have been your initial post it provides important information to your claim. However you are right I do smell a skunk I suspect you're not telling the entire truth regarding your maintenance. You stated you have proof of eleven LOF "Let me guess you did the oil changes yourself?" that averages 3181 mileage then you stated you found more receipts... lowering the average mileage to 2500 per LOF maybe not unusually but in your case I am suspect for this reason. If you did preform all these oil changes it is very unlikely you would have sludge build up. Second as you stated in your initial post you have a "blown engine". It takes alot to blow a engine... maybe you did/didn't see the engine light come on... maybe you did/didn't take all the necessary precautions to protect your vehicle after you realized it failing. There are several factors that may contribute to the your failure taking the high side here may be the culprit. "Sludge that broke loose caused by the LOF's did in fact block the oil filter causing the engine to seize". Now on the low side...with eleven or more LOF it is unlikely not impossible but unlikely for sludge to have built up. Sludge failure in most cases "not all" will happen within the first 200 to 8000 miles of the first LOF by the second owner. By the Way you never did answer what you were doing when the failure occured? I am not sticking up for Heritage I am attempting to offer third party advice in an attempt to help you get an valid claim paid. FFI: No extended service contract or even the factory warranty does not cover failure due to sludge or abuse.
Robert
Bronx,#12Author of original report
Mon, June 28, 2004
I very strongly disagree with Steve - Tampa, Florida, here's why. I purchased my vehicle in April 2002 with 47,000 miles on it. At the end of May 2004 with 82,000 miles on vehicle (both 15,000 miles & 2 years under warranty limit) I heard an engine tapping when I started the vehicle after sitting overnight. The tapping subsided after a minute or so. This is no Pre-Existing condition, and Heritage only says it is because it is the only way out of honoring its full, bumper-to-bumper warranty. Since I (supposedly) have a bumper-to-bumper warranty, I took the vehicle right to Chevrolet and instructed them not begin repairs until Heritage approved the work. The only way to get Heritage to approve was to have the engine "Torn down." Once the engine was torn down, Heritage rejected my claim because of sludge in engine, sticking me with all engine labor costs to that point, as well as any cost to repair or replace the engine henceforthe. Heritage said my claim was rejected because I did not perform oil changes. I faxed Heritage proof of 11 oil changes performed (and have found other receipts showing I did even more than that). Heritage then agreed I did properly maintain my engine. That is when Heritage conveniently changed its position to Pre-Existing condition. Hard to believe the tapping that started 2-years & 35,000 miles after purchase is a Pre-Existing condition. I have proven my maintenance. Let's see Heritage's report at time of sale showing there was a pre-existing condition. My dealer gave me a 90-day warranty. After that I must deal with Heritage Warranty Insurance. Heritage agreed to warranty my vehicle at time of sale, & took my $2,000. If Heritage did not inspect the vehicle before issuing the warranty, shame on them. That should be their problem, not mine. I paid $20,000 for a good, safe, "Near-New" vehicle, plus $2,000 for a warranty to give me peace of mind in case anything MAJOR went wrong, not to merely cover the cost of a starter or alternator. I did not tell Heritage that the vehicle being sold to me was problem free, its sales partner the dealer did. If Heritage has a beef, is should not be with me. I did my part. I paid Heritage, I paid the dealer & I maintained my engine. Heritage should play squarely with me, as I have with them. If heritage feels the dealer had them warranty a car with a pre-existing condition, Heritage should take its beef to the dealer. Heritage should cut that dealer off, or sue the dealer or something, that's their business; they're working together on the sale. I am the Heritage's customer, and Heritage is supposed to be protecting me. They are supposed to be on my side; instead, they position themselves as my adversary. Too bad for Heritage, I will battle with them for however long it takes. Sorry Steve, you are too quick to side with the warranty folks, and I smell a skunk with you too. From here on in, I will be extremely suspicious of any rebuttals filed by you.
Steve
Tampa,#13Consumer Suggestion
Sun, June 27, 2004
Robert in order to offer you advice we need more information. Date of purchase Mileage at time of purchase Date of breakdown Mileage at time of breakdown Exact cause or nature of breakdown What were doing when the failure occurred FYI: Pre-existing conditions are not cover by any extended service contract company. Based on your described failure I have to agree with Heritage's response.