Gilkar wrote:
BACKGROUND
After a lot of research, we decided to purchase extended coverage for our 7-year-old RAV4. We decided to go with Consumer Reports recommended provider ENDURANCE. After lengthy discussion with the company representative on the phone we decided on a plan that fit our needs, paid the down payment, and set up a monthly payment schedule. We were told we could not make any claims for a specified period of time, (one month), the company would not pay for any problems that existed before coverage, and that a certain amount of milage had to be covered before a claim could be made, (1000 miles). These restrictions were all well and good. Since signing up several months have passed and the mileage requirement has been met.
WHAT HAPPENED
We plan to take a trip to Washington DC in a few days, so I took the car to a local shop for and oil change and to diagnose a rattle coming from the engine compartment. Good thing I did. The mechanic discovered a belt tensioner had cracked and was causing the belt to loosen. The cost to remove and replace the belt tensioner, (and a new belt), came to $640. Yikes! Still, I was glad it was discovered before we embarked on our trip to DC. When I returned home, I got out my contract with ENDURANCE and ascertained that belt tensioners were a covered item. So, I called ENDURANCE to make a claim. I was advised they do not pay claims that have not been pre-approved. HUH? How can I get something pre-approved that I did not know existed? I was told the proper procedure is to have the repair facility call them for pre-approval. They determine if the repair is covered. Then after the work is completed, they pay the repair facility directly. Since I had not done that, it was tough luck. I reread the contract, and it was all there in black and white, so I only had myself to blame. I will certainly be more knowledgeable in the future. If any of you are considering this type of service READ YOUR CONTRACT CAREFULLY. Just a word to the wise
Gilkar
BACKGROUND br After a lot of research, we decided ... (
show quote)
The person you should be pissed with is the dealer. the OEM tensioner is $160 and the OEM belt is $40. Chenging it requires removing the driver’s side wheel and one of the engine plastic covers, the coolant reservoir (leave the hoses attached) and the tensioner is held on with one bolt. Put the new one in, tighten the single bolt, bolt down the coolant reservoir (2 bolts), put the plastic cover on, thread the belt on and replace the wheel. I think most mechanics could do that in an hour or less. Transverse mounted engines are a PIA to work on, but they’re not THAT bad. Find an honest Indy todo your work going forward.