I searched and search and found little solid info on the success and failures of aftermarket warranties on this site and others like it. Most reports were pre-purchase. I went for one because I very concerned about driving my 04 S4 without a warranty because of the 1/2 inch thick book of labor and parts that were repaired before 50k (I am sure Audi loses money on 1/2 of these S cars). I did some heavy research on all the forums and there was little to be found. I decided to go with Universal Underwriters/Zurich and their most comprehensive 3 year 50k mile plan. My original dealer resold this package and I bought it through them. Price was around $3k. For the first year I didn't really need it. I had a small claim and paid my $100 deductable. They covered the rest. Earlier this year my AC went and I had it repaired. I paid $100 and the warranty covered the remaining $360. My A/C has failed in this car every spring that I have owned the car. It is a spring ritual at this point. Audi covered all the a/c repairs up to 50k including one at 49,995! I'm not sure they ever really repaired the problem since it kept happening but that is a different story. This was the first a/c repair for the warranty policy(a/c pressure switch). About 2 weeks later the AC went warm again and I brought the car in. I also sugested they actually fix it this time instead of recharging it since it seems that is what 3 different dealers did in 04,05,06, 07 and ,08.
Diagnosis is that I have a slight leak in my radiator and the compressor, condenser are shot. Zurich sends a rep to Audi to inspect my parts and confirm they were not abused, crashed etc. They pass the test and they agree to fund the entire repair including labor per the Mitchell book, which Audi apparently uses for estimates. Then the dealer calls me and asks me to pay an extra $1,000 for additional labor. I questioned how we could be 9 hours over the book. They explained that the book, "doesn't take into consideration the difficulties of the V8". Whatever the reason I asked them to please call Zurich and justify the cost. If they justifed the cost Zurich would pay it. My dealer did not seem to make much of an effort to do this initially and a second call was required to both parties by me. Thankfully they were able to come to agreement and Zurich/Universal felt the costs were justified and covered the entire repair. I was concerend midway through this process that we would not be able to come to an agreement and this was going to get messy. In the end Audi made the extra effort to explain why they required 18.5 hours for a radiator and A/C repair, Zurich made the effort to listen and understand the claim and I am satisfied with the repair. My AC works again! The best part was when I picked up the car in front of a crowded waiting room and the receptionist asked me for $4,290 and then said oh wait you have an aftermarket warranty, thats smart. $461 was the total (Oil Change, Fog light, deductable, tax, and a $50 diagnostic charge for a clanging tie rod which the dealer said they couldnt hear).
So in the end things are working out so far on my end. I will not keep this care once my warranty expires but I will enjoy it while it lasts.
Hopefully this helps those considering a warranty. It was no fun paying out $3k as an insurance policy but in the end that pain was less than the pain of a seemingly simple A/C repair.
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