[Maineiac]

Just a heads up that Assurant Extended Warranty underwriters don't believe that the front suspension struts/dampers are a critical part of the suspension system and will not cover them if they fail due to leakage. Apparently, they feel that they are a consumable item similar to a shock absorber. Their warranty does specifically cover McPherson Struts so what's the difference? Probably the cost to them! With the nose lift option, I think that it would show that these are not a consumable item. I provided photos of the struts clearly showing that they were leaking and explained that when going slow over bumps they would emit a clunking sound. I paid $14K for a 4 year extended warranty and am not impressed. It took several phone calls and nearly 3 weeks to finally get an answer. Keep this in mind if you're considering purchasing an extended warranty through Assurant.

 

[Topcarbon]

The community thanks you

 

[dvandentop]

all these extended warranty not worth it imho with how many salvaged cars out there

 

[invisiblewave]

This is interesting. They're differentiating between a McPherson strut setup with a lower control arm, and a double wishbone arrangement where the shock absorber is merely providing spring and damper rather than being a structural/support part of the suspension?? Given the cost of a new McLaren shock, I would think a letter from a lawyer might be in order.

 

[rnixon]

Just a heads up that Assurant Extended Warranty underwriters don't believe that the front suspension struts/dampers are a critical part of the suspension system and will not cover them if they fail due to leakage. Apparently, they feel that they are a consumable item similar to a shock absorber. Their warranty does specifically cover McPherson Struts so what's the difference? Probably the cost to them! With the nose lift option, I think that it would show that these are not a consumable item.

Will McLaren put something in writing for you? Otherwise, I suspect that starting a claim against them might help. Good luck.

 

[Maineiac]

This is interesting. They're differentiating between a McPherson strut setup with a lower control arm, and a double wishbone arrangement where the shock absorber is merely providing spring and damper rather than being a structural/support part of the suspension?? Given the cost of a new McLaren shock, I would think a letter from a lawyer might be in order.

I absolutely agree.

When I called the number for the warranty company, I was told by the person answering the phone that they are just the administrator for the policies and don't have any control over the underwriters. He explained that there had been 4 requests from them for approval with no response from underwriting. It wasn't until I called and said that I wasn't happy with the delay that it was denied on the site the next day. Maybe I should have given them a sob story like my McLaren is my only means of transportation and I was going to be fired if I missed another day of work... I couldn't lie like that!

I'm not sure that it would be worth the effort to have my attorney send a letter. Insurance companies are well known for finding a reason to weasel out of a claim. And probably by the time I get an answer I will have already taken care of the problem.

My purpose for the post was to warn others of my experience with Assurant. I'm beginning to agree with @dvandentop that the expensive extended third-party warranties or even McLaren warranties may not be the best economical choice with the used parts availability and people like Kevin @ima2nr (McMedics) to work on our cars.

 

[Maineiac]

Will McLaren put something in writing for you? Otherwise, I suspect that starting a claim against them might help. Good luck.

I'm not sure, I haven't asked but that's a good thought!

I don't want to point any fingers at the dealership but with the degree that the dampers were leaking, I'm not convinced that they weren't leaking before I bought the car. I noticed the problem after only driving the car a few hundred miles. My 570s delivery was delayed by 2 months due to cam phaser replacement. When I called about damper availability I was told at that time that there was a worldwide backorder for them. That may have contributed to the dealership overlooking the problem and them knowing that I had an extended warranty I could take care of it later.

 

[ImHuntingWabbits]

What is this warranty? Some third party?

Mine was just replaced by McLaren under their extended warranty.

 

[Maineiac]

Yeah, Assurant is the company that the Mclaren dealership sold to me. My car is a 2016 so it didn’t qualify for the Mclaren warranty.

 

[ImHuntingWabbits]

Yeah, Assurant is the company that the Mclaren dealership sold to me. My car is a 2016 so it didn’t qualify for the Mclaren warranty.

It would be worth finding out why. McLaren offers extended warranties for cars up to 10 years old or 75k miles.

Why did your car fail the warranty inspection?

 

[invisiblewave]

It would be worth finding out why. McLaren offers extended warranties for cars up to 10 years old or 75k miles.

Why did your car fail the warranty inspection?

It would be ineligible if there are missing service records, or if it was modified.

 

[ima2nr (McMedics)]

It think it is important to remember the warranty he purchased cost 14,000 dollars and they found a loophole to deny a claim for a component that was listed as a covered part.

The lesson here is Keep your money and self insure!


Kevin P
Supercar Garage - The McLaren Specialist
770-284-0172
Kennesaw GA
* Home of the flying McMedics... The only mobile McLaren Specialist! -We come to you!

 

[rnixon]

Yeah, Assurant is the company that the Mclaren dealership sold to me. My car is a 2016 so it didn’t qualify for the Mclaren warranty.

If the McLaren dealer sold it you, are they helping with the claims process?

Why didn't your car qualify for the McLaren (authorised) ESC? I'm a little surprised that a McLaren dealer didn't offer you it, and that McLaren NA aren't.

 

[SRM Autosports]

Those pictures look like they have been leaking for way more than couple of 100 miles

 

[gareeb]

@Maineiac You should get your state insurance commissioner involved and file a complaint against them and see how quickly they change their tune since they could potentially not be able to do business in your state anymore.

I've had to do this with several insurance companies over the years and it's amazing what a little pressure from the state does. Suddenly the cost of the claim doesn't seem to compare with losing the ability to do business in your state.

Also get everything in writing from the insurance company!

This is the game they play and they bank on people just giving up while they reap record profits year after year.

 

[Maineiac]

If the McLaren dealer sold it you, are they helping with the claims process?

Why didn't your car qualify for the McLaren (authorised) ESC? I'm a little surprised that a McLaren dealer didn't offer you it, and that McLaren NA aren't.

I actually reached out to the dealer asking for a copy of the policy with signatures and didn't hear anything back. I won't be purchasing my next McLaren there.

As I remember back through the process, I think the McLaren dealer did say that I could go with the factory extended warranty plan but said that it was more expensive for less coverage and there may have been a difference in the number of years that I could purchase at one time. There was a lot going on while putting the deal put together. The engine needed cam phasers replaced, and the work was in process before I committed to buy. The work wasn't completed in the time frame that they thought it would take. Later when installing the Scrape Armor that I sent down, the shop doing the install noticed damage on the carbon fiber door sills that took more time to repair. Lots of lessons learned.

 

[Maineiac]

@Maineiac You should get your state insurance commissioner involved and file a complaint against them and see how quickly they change their tune since they could potentially not be able to do business in your state anymore.

I've had to do this with several insurance companies over the years and it's amazing what a little pressure from the state does. Suddenly the cost of the claim doesn't seem to compare with losing the ability to do business in your state.

Also get everything in writing from the insurance company!

This is the game they play and they bank on people just giving up while they reap record profits year after year.

Great idea! I'll make a call and let you know what happens.

The only information that I have is on the Assurance portal. The claim was denied without any explanation. The person who answers the phone when I call is just the administrator for the policy and explained that they are at the mercy of the underwriters. Whenever I spoke with them asking why the review of the claim was taking over 2 weeks they said that they had requested an answer from the underwriter 4 times without any response. The person said that they have no leverage to push the company.

 

[gareeb]

Great idea! I'll make a call and let you know what happens.

The only information that I have is on the Assurance portal. The claim was denied without any explanation. The person who answers the phone when I call is just the administrator for the policy and explained that they are at the mercy of the underwriters. Whenever I spoke with them asking why the review of the claim was taking over 2 weeks they said that they had requested an answer from the underwriter 4 times without any response. The person said that they have no leverage to push the company.

Excellent! Also, ask them for the specific language in the policy where that part in question is not covered.
A lot of times they like to play games over the phone with denial but when it comes to getting the denial in writing and they know they are breaking the contract thus the law things will swing in your favor. I really think you can win this!

Do you mind posting the policy portion about covered items?

 

[Lotus000]

Call an attorney about an insurance bad faith claim.

 

[Dreamin]

Ummm 14k and 3 weeks to then be denied? ?..I would cancel the warranty get ur dollars back (prob get all of them back if u just bought it) and call the dealer saying you noticed right away and have them pay for it..that’s BS if you bought from Mac dealer and it had preexisting issue..put some pressure on the dealer..btw what’s the cost for those struts?