[s-cars] warranty GP?

Fri Oct 11 14:51:54 EDT 2002

Most extended warranties, and also most original manufacturer's warranties
for that matter, exclude coverage for modifications like the type most
enthusiasts typically do to their cars.

In court, precedents have been set such that the provider of the warranty
can only avoid payment if the part in question (custom chip, aftermarket
exhaust, etc.) directly contributed to the breakdown for which a claim is
being submitted. In other words, if your power seat motor dies, they can't
deny a claim because you put a K&N air filter in your car.

So by the letter of the law, if you have made powertrain modifications to
your car, you are excluded from powertrain coverage on every warranty known
to me. Court precedent aside, who wants to sue their provider each time they
have a claim???

Of course, most mods are so stealthy and/or removable that this may not be
an issue assuming you are astute when it comes to this stuff, and do not
have any moral qualms about it. But Ken is right in that this exclusion
kills it at the surface level.

Bruce
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kenneth Hayes" <abiglizard at worldnet.att.net>
To: "'s-car-list'" <s-car-list at audifans.com>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2002 1:19 PM
Subject: Re: [s-cars] warranty GP?

> Warranty groupies,
> More info on the Accel Warranty.  I was sent a sample contract and I'll
send
> it to anyone who wants the whole document (it's in pdf format).  Anyhow,
> page 5 is the 'what's not included' page and I don't believe my chipped
car
> would be covered.
>
> Check out sections E, F, J, and N.  From what I understand you can still
> back out even if they are sending you the 'packet', unless you've already
> signed and returned the contract.  Then you can cancel the contract at a
> prorated rate and you might get most of your money back if you did this
> quickly.
>
> KeHa
> 97s6
>
> <quote from page 5>
> VII. WHAT IS NOT COVERED
> This Contract does not provide Coverage for any of the following:
> A. REPAIRS TO ANY PART OR PARTS OF THE DESCRIBED VEHICLE NOT SPECIFICALLY
> LISTED IN THE SCHEDULE OF COVERAGES SECTION OF THIS CONTRACT.
>
> B. ANY OF THE FOLLOWING PARTS: CARBURETOR, BATTERY, BATTERY CABLES, SHOCK
> ABSORBERS, MANUAL TRANSMISSION CLUTCH ASSEMBLY (FRICTION CLUTCH DISC,
> PRESSURE PLATE, AND THROW OUT BEARING), MANUAL AND HYDRAULIC LINKAGES,
> DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND ROTOR, SAFETY RESTRAINT
> SYSTEMS (INCLUDING AIR BAGS), GLASS, LENSES, HEADLAMPS AND PROJECTION LAMP
> ASSEMBLIES, SEALED BEAMS, LIGHT BULBS, FUSES, CIRCUIT BREAKERS, PHONES,
> TELEVISION/VCR, ELECTRONIC TRANSMITTING DEVICES, BRAKE ROTORS AND DRUMS,
> EXHAUST PIPES, EMISSION COMPONENTS, WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS, WEATHER STRIPS,
> TRIM, MOLDINGS, BRIGHT METAL, CHROME, UPHOLSTERY AND CARPET, ZIPPERS,
NUTS,
> BOLTS AND FASTENERS, CUP HOLDERS, ASH TRAYS, DASH PAD, SQUEAKS AND
RATTLES,
> WATER LEAKS, WIND NOISE, SEAT FRAMES, PAINT, OUTSIDE ORNAMENTATION, INSIDE
> AND OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES, HINGES, MIRRORS, MIRROR HINGES, MIRROR HOUSINGS,
> HUBCAPS, BUMPERS, BODY SHEET METAL
> AND PANELS, BODY PARTS, FRAME, BRACKETS, AND STRUCTURAL BODY PARTS, VINYL
> AND CONVERTIBLE TOPS, TIRES AND WHEELS/RIMS/STUDS AND ONLY THE SEALS AND
> GASKETS NOT SPECIFICALLY LISTED IN THE SCHEDULE OF COVERAGES ARE COVERED.
>
> C. MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND PARTS DESCRIBED IN YOUR VEHICLE'S OWNER'S
MANUAL
> AS SUPPLIED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND OTHER NORMAL MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND
> PARTS WHICH INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: ALIGNMENTS, ADJUSTMENTS,
> CLEANING, WHEEL BALANCING, TUNE-UPS,
> SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG WIRES, GLOW PLUGS, HOSES, DRIVE BELTS, BRAKE PADS,
> BRAKE LINING/SHOES, WIPER BLADES, FILTERS, LUBRICANTS, COOLANTS, SHOP
> SUPPLIES, ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE CHARGES.
>
> D. ANY DAMAGE AND/OR BREAKDOWN RESULTING FROM COLLISION, ROAD HAZARD,
FIRE,
> THEFT, VANDALISM, RIOT, EXPLOSION, LIGHTNING, EARTHQUAKE, FREEZING,
> ELECTROLYSIS, RUST OR CORROSION, WINDSTORM, HAIL, WATER OR FLOOD, ACT OF
> GOD, SALT, ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE, CHEMICALS &
> CONTAMINATION OF FLUIDS, FUELS, COOLANTS OR LUBRICANTS.
>
> E. ANY BREAKDOWN CAUSED BY MISUSE, ABUSE, NEGLIGENCE, AND LACK OF
SCHEDULED
> MAINTENANCE AS REQUIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF YOUR VEHICLE, OR IMPROPER
> SERVICING OR REPAIRS PERFORMED BY YOU OR A REPAIR FACILITY. FOR ANY
> BREAKDOWN CAUSED BY SLUDGE BUILD-UP, LUBRICANT BLOCKAGE, OR THE FAILURE TO
> MAINTAIN PROPER LEVELS OF LUBRICANTS AND/OR COOLANTS, OR ANY BREAKDOWN
> RESULTING FROM FAILURE TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE FROM FURTHER DAMAGE WHEN A
> BREAKDOWN HAS OCCURRED.
>
> F. ANY REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF ANY COVERED PART IF A BREAKDOWN HAS NOT
> OCCURRED OR IF A COVERED PART DOES NOT EXCEED THE PUBLISHED FIELD
TOLERANCES
> ALLOWED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
> G. IF ANY ALTERATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO YOUR VEHICLE OR YOU ARE USING OR
> HAVE USED YOUR VEHICLE IN A MANNER NOT RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER,
> INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FAILURE OF ANY CUSTOM OR ADD-ON PART,
ALL
> FRAME OR SUSPENSION MODIFICATIONS, LIFT KITS,
> OVERSIZED/UNDERSIZED TIRES, TRAILER HITCHES, EMISSIONS AND/OR EXHAUST
SYSTEM
> MODIFICATIONS, ENGINE MODIFICATIONS, TRANSMISSION MODIFICATIONS, AND/OR
> DRIVE AXLE MODIFICATIONS. (UNLESS THE LIFT KIT OPTION HAS BEEN SELECTED
AND
> AN ADDITIONAL SURCHARGE HAS BEEN PAID.)
>
> H. ANY VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT HAVE A VALID MANUFACTURER VIN AND/OR ARE
> TITLE-BRANDED AS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: SALVAGE, JUNK, REBUILT, TOTALED,
> FLOOD DAMAGED, OR TMU (TRUE MILEAGE UNKNOWN).
>
> I. BREAKDOWNS IF THE VEHICLE'S ODOMETER IS BROKEN, HAS BEEN ALTERED AND/OR
> CEASED TO OPERATE SO THE ACTUAL VEHICLE MILEAGE CANNOT BE DETERMINED.
>
> J. TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS, CLAIM OR SERVICE OBLIGATION WHICH ARISES FROM OR
IS
> IN ANY MANNER RELATED TO THE FAILURE OF ANY COMPUTER, COMPUTER CHIP,
> COMPUTERIZED COMPONENT, COMPUTER SOFTWARE, OR OTHER MACHINE OR PRODUCT TO
> RECOGNIZE DATA, PERFORM OPERATIONS
> OR CALCULATIONS, OPERATE PROPERLY OR PERFORM AS EXPECTED BECAUSE OF
PROBLEMS
> RECOGNIZING, PROCESSING, CALCULATING OR MANIPULATING ANY DATE RELATED DATA
> EITHER BEFORE, DURING, OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2000 (THE "YEAR 2000" PROBLEM),
> INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY LOSS, CLAIM, OR SERVICE OBLIGATION
> INVOLVING MISCALCULATIONS, INTERFERENCE WITH OR DAMAGE TO EXISTING DATA,
> LOSS OF DATA, INABILITY TO OPERATE PROPERLY OR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL OR
ENSUING
> LOSS FROM THE YEAR 2000 PROBLEM, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH FAILURE OCCURS
> IN EQUIPMENT OWNED OR USED BY YOU, OR BY OTHERS.
>
> K. ANY LIABILITY FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR FOR INJURY TO OR DEATH OF ANY
> PERSON ARISING OUT OF THE OPERATION, MAINTENANCE OR USE OF YOUR VEHICLE,
> DESCRIBED IN THIS CONTRACT, WHETHER OR NOT RELATED TO THE PARTS COVERED.
FOR
> LOSS OF USE, TIME, SHOP DELAYS, PROFIT, INCONVENIENCE, OR ANY OTHER LOSS
OR
> INCIDENTAL OF CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (EXCEPT AS MAY OTHERWISE BE PROVIDED
> UNDER THE SCHEDULE OF COVERAGES) INCLUDING ANY CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE TO A
> NON-COVERED PART, THAT RESULTS FROM A BREAKDOWN.
>
> L. WHEN THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR IS COVERED BY AN INSURANCE
POLICY,
> SUPPLIER OR REPAIRER GUARANTEE/WARRANTY, MANUFACTURER AND/OR DEALER
CUSTOMER
> ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, OR ANY WARRANTY FROM THE MANUFACTURER, SUCH AS
EXTENDED
> DRIVE TRAIN, MAJOR
> COMPONENT, OR FULL COVERAGE WARRANTIES (REGARDLESS OF THE REMAINING
> MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY WHEN YOU PUCHASED THIS CONTRACT).  FURTHER,
COVERAGE
> UNDER THIS CONTRACT IS SIMILARLY LIMITED IN THE EVENT OF A BREAKDOWN IF
THE
> MANUFACTURER HAS ANNOUNCED ITS
> RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH ANY MEANS, INCLUDING RECALLS AND FACTORY SERVICE
BULL
> ETINS.
> M. IF YOUR VEHICLE IS USED FOR TOWING A TRAILER OR ANOTHER VEHICLE OR
OBJECT
> UNLESS YOUR VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A FACTORY-INSTALLED OR
> FACTORY-AUTHORIZED TOW PACKAGE, AND DOES NOT EXCEED MANUFACTURER TOWING
> LIMITS.
>
> N. IF YOUR VEHICLE IS USED FOR RENTAL, TAXI, LIMOUSINE OR SHUTTLE,
DELIVERY,
> TOWING OR ROAD REPAIR OPERATIONS, SECURITY SERVICES, CABLE OR LINE
> INSTALLATION OR REMOVAL, POLICE OR EMERGENCY SERVICE, PRINCIPALLY OFF-ROAD
> USE, RACING OR COMPETITIVE DRIVING, SNOW REMOVAL OR
> PLOWING, HAULING, HAULING FOR HIRE. VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FLAT BEDS, DUMP
> BEDS, COMMERCIAL TOWING EQUIPMENT, LIFTING OR HOISTING EQUIPMENT, STEP
VANS,
> HIGH CUBE VANS AND BOX BODIES ARE INELIGIBLE.
>
> O. IF YOUR VEHICLE IS USED AS A COMMERCIAL UNIT FOR CONSTRUCTION AND/OR
JOB
> SITE ACTIVITIES, SERVICE OR REPAIR OR ROUTE SALES AND/OR ROUTE SERVICE,
> FARMING AND RANCHING (UNLESS THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE OPTION HAS BEEN
SELECTED
> AND APPLICABLE SURCHARGE HAS BEEN
> PAID.)
>
> P. IF YOUR VEHICLE IS CLASSIFIED AS A ONE-TON VEHICLE BY THE MANUFACTURER
> (UNLESS THE ONE-TON VEHICLE OPTION HAS BEEN SELECTED AND APPLICABLE
> SURCHARGE HAS BEEN PAID).
>
> PAGE 5
> OPA.V1.HWAR 1201
>
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