I just purchased an '04 Tahoe w/ 66k miles that is out of mfg warranty. I was offered 3 yr / 38,500 mile warranty through Guardian, who is owned by Global and received A ratings on AM Best. I have searched around and haven't found much on this company, mainly just Warranty Direct. The cost for me w/ no deductible is $1095 or an extra $20/month on my credit union's financing. I typically refuse to buy extended warranties on anything, but I am really caught up on this one. I have read through the contract and like anything, there are your typical clauses. I do know the owner of the dealership, which may mean some leverage in the event that I need to file a claim. One thing the finance guy told me was that the warranty needed to be purchased the same or next day as the vehicle purchase. I don't believe this is true, but maybe it is in their contract w/ Guardian. Anyways, I am caught up on this warranty, one from Warranty Direct (they cover wear and tear, Guardian is only Mechanical breakdown) or no warranty at all since I am very mechanically inclined and usually do all the little stuff myself, except for transmission and major engine work. I have already read the FW auto warranty thread, but it didn't really answer any of my questions about Guardian. Any opinions would be appreciated. I need to decide today so the credit union can cut me a check. Also, how long do you have to sign up for a 3rd party not pushed by the dealer, like Warranty Direct?

Did you search Usenet?

One opinion:

have/had an extended warranty with Warranty Direct, had because I am
stopping all monthly payments to them because of shoddy treatment from
them. I wont go into specifics, but I put my car into the shop for A/C
repairs, before work was done I personally contacted WD to insure they
would cover it. After the work was done they decided they didnt cover it
after all and I am stuck with a $200 bill!
I of course was disgruntled so I personally write a letter to Warranty
Direct as well as their underwriter company called Interstate. Just to
again show the shoddiness of the outfit they could not find the courtesy
to even acknowlege my letter. The letter was written professionally to
resolve the dispute. But again they didnt even get back to me, I would say
a good month is adequate time to acknowlege a letter.

So anyone considering doing business with this company I would think
twice.

Another opinion:

Warranty Direct not worth the paper its written on, we've had dealings with
them in the past, its come down now to the customer paying us for the
warranty work and for them having the hassle of getting the money back, they
certainly don't pay the going labour rate and try and screw us down on
I.C.M.E times, not the customers fault I know, but still a pain


Here is another quote in the same thread, but about a different company:

My story is about a badly leaking power steering rack. The warranty
company insisted I use their repairer which was some ten miles away. The
rack was leaking so badly the car couldn't be driven. So I had to pay for
a low loader - not covered. Their repairer insisted the pump and one hose
had to be replaced too - although no signs of leaks from those earlier.
Not covered - only one claim at a time. Then there was the cost of the
consumables. Bolts gaskets fluid etc. They knew how to pile it on.

All in all, it would have been much cheaper paying for a local place to
just replace the rack. Ignoring the cost of the 'warranty'.

Warners or their insurers refused to pay for all the ancillary work like
testing the head for flatness/cracks after the gasket went due to a sludged
up radiator. Of course they did the work first *then* told me it wasn't
covered

Thanks for the 2 replies, but I have found plenty of info on Warranty Direct. My original inquiry pertained to Guardian Warranty Corp., a seperate company.