Introduction:
Repair Costs & Extended Warranties
Finding Providers & Types of Coverage
Extended
Warranties for
Range Rovers
Introduction:
Repair
Costs & Extended Warranties
Finding
Providers & Types of Coverage
Photo (RR 4.0 winching a Series III, by Gordon Kallio): Does that Rover have Roadside Assistance Coverage?
Rover Repair Costs and Extended Warranties
Range Rovers are complex, hi-tech, heavy duty vehicles, and the cost of maintaining them in good condition is high. Even basic replacement parts are expensive, and expert (i.e. expensive) labor is needed. In addition, the quality control problems we hear so much about in relation to Land Rover vehicles are unfortunately real, and result in additional expense. Range Rovers, especially 1993 and later models, are loaded with thousand-dollar parts, such as the ABS pump, windshield, air suspension valve block, power steering pump and BeCM. Even having a single air spring replaced costs about $600 including labor. Unless you do all work yourself and shop the aftermarket suppliers for the cheapest deal (often penny wise and pound foolish in my experience, and not an option for newer models due to the electronic sophistication), you need to budget a realistic, substantial sum annually for service. I find annual repair expenses, exclusive of scheduled service items, average at least $2,500 a year. That's if nothing major goes wrong.
So, if you are buying a used Range Rover, Discovery, Defender or Freelander, or if your factory warranty is ending, an extended warranty is well worth looking into. I have heard so many owners lament: "If only I had gotten that seemingly expensive extended warranty..." The other day (Sept 2003) one of my friends said just that when he received a quote for $2,800 for a single repair -- the leaking evaporator on the air conditioning system in his 4.6 Range Rover. This type of story is repeated over and over again.
Finding Providers &
Types of
Coverage
Finding
Providers Who Cover Range Rovers
Bumper-to-Bumper
Plans
Listed
Component Coverage
Powertrain-Only
Coverage
When to Buy Coverage
Companies
Finding Providers who Cover Rovers
Most warranty companies, including the most well known providers,
will not
insure a
Range Rover under any circumstances. I found this out to my cost
when my
Range Rover was just out of its factory warranty period. Since then, I
have filled in many applications for quotes on the internet and almost
without exception they come up with a message like "Sorry, we do not
provide coverage for this vehicle". Even harder to find are providers
who will give an extended warranty when the vehicle is past its factory
warranty period. To cap it off, some companies in the auto warranty
field
seem to
go in and out of
business regularly, leaving their existing customers in an uncertain
position -- witness the
recent controversy surrounding the most well known provider, Warranty
Gold (which did not insure Range Rovers anyway) and the problems of
another company that did insure them, VIP Warranty.
The sections below
provide basic information
on the type of coverage you can expect under the bumper to bumper,
listed component and power train only coverage plans used in the auto
extended warranty industry.
These
are the type of plans that dealers offer for a limited time on new
vehicles. Also called "Exclusionary Coverage", this type of plan covers
everything unless it is specifically "excluded" in the policy. Normally
this type of coverage is almost impossible to get on vehicles that are
already out of factory warranty, especially for Range Rovers. However,
the providers below have gone to considerable trouble to negotiate with
insurers to
provide such extended plans for Range Rovers, whether presently in or
out of factory warranty.
This type of plan is the most expensive, but offers the most comprehensive coverage. You will have to be the judge of whether the extra cost is worth it in your individual situation.
Listed
Component Coverage:
This type of
plan covers all components and systems listed in the policy. It is
slightly less comprehensive than the "bumper to bumper" type of
coverage, but is also significantly less expensive. Sometimes it can
closely approximates the bumper-to-bumper coverage once all the
exclusions are accounted for. In the case
of Range Rovers, it may sometimes be the best deal, because it often
covers the systems that
are
typically the big budget repair items on these vehicles, such as most
air suspension components, ABS components, power steering and air
conditioning system components.
Powertrain-Only
Coverage
This kind of plan is usually the least expensive
option for extended coverage. As the name suggests, it covers only the
power train (engine, transmission, etc) which are usually pretty
reliable in Range Rovers but when they do fail are very expensive to
fix. If you feel you cannot afford the more comprehensive plans, the
power train only coverage can at least protect you from the major,
expensive vehicle disabling problems.
When to Buy Extended Coverage
Land Rover dealers usually offer some form of extended coverage that
you can purchase before your factory warranty expires, but since
dealers source their coverage from outside companies it
may be less expensive to obtain a policy directly from one of the
outside extended warranty providers. No matter what the source, all
other things being equal, you will save
money if you buy your
extended warranty while
your vehicle is still under its original factory policy. If your
Range Rover's original
warranty has expired, however, do not loose hope. Even though, as
mentioned above, most of the
well known insurers will not cover Range Rovers at all, especially if
they are out of factory warranty, a few providers specialize in
affordable high quality
coverage for Range Rovers whether in or out of factory warranty.
Companies
Providing Range Rover Extended Warranties
The following companies are known to provide extended
warranty coverage for Range Rovers and other Land Rover models, and
help sponsor this site based on referrals. However no guarantees of
satisfaction can be made by RangeRovers.net -- as always please do your own
research and comparison shopping. If you find other companies providing these
services, please email us.
Auto
Advantage Inc
Company
Commitment and Philosophy
This company offers extended warranties for Range
Rovers
of almost any age and mileage. Because it has established
arrangements
with 11 different insurance companies (all A rated or better), Auto
Advantage is able to offer a range of warranty options for Range
Rovers,
and help find the lowest cost plan
that meets your needs. Coverage varies
from 3 months to 7 years and from 3000 miles to Unlimited mileage. Auto
Advantage offers Power train Only, Listed Component, and "Bumper to
Bumper"
plans. All are top of the line plans with unusually comprehensive
coverage and hassle free claim procedures.
Auto Advantage President, Hal Moses, has been in the auto warranty business
for almost 30 years, and is in it for the long run. He works
mainly with "dealer based" programs which are not telemarketed like the
typical hyped plans you will come across on the internet. He
supplies warranties to over 1,000 automobile dealers, so he has
established the buying power to get you the
lowest cost deal available.
In order to succeed with dealer type warranties, the programs have to
be unusually comprehensive, have simple, hassle free claim procedures
and be free of user complaints. Hal's business strategy is to deal only
in trouble free programs with solid companies. He does not want to
spend his days dealing with problems from customers instead of selling
auto warranties. He checks
out the insurer's reputation, record, financial strength and many other
factors before accepting business from them. He seems to have succeeded. In
eight years I have yet to hear a single complaint from any of the scores of
customers who have bought one of his warranties.
To find out about the various options and settle on a plan that suits your particular situation, Email Hal and tell him what Range Rover model and year you have, to get rapid quotes on the various plans available. Or, give Hal a call at (800) 933-9190 (please make sure you tell him you were referred by RangeRovers.net. Hal has kindly offered to help sponsor this website based on the number of referrals he receives from us).
Typical Listed Component Coverage
from Auto Advantage Inc
on Used Range Rovers:
ENGINE:
Cylinder Block Cylinder Head(s) and all internally-lubricated parts
contained
within the engine including: Pistons, Piston Rings, Connecting Rod
Bearings,
Crankshaft, Crankshaft Main Bearings, Camshaft Bearings, Cam Followers,
Timing Chain or Belt, Timing Gears/Guides, Tensioners, Rocker Arms,
Rocker
Shafts, Rocker Bushings, Cylinder Head Valves, Valve Guides, Valve
Lifters,
Valve Springs, Valve Seals, Valve Retainers, Valve Seats, Push Rods,
Water
Pump, Oil Pump and Oil Pump Housing, Harmonic Balancer, Oil Pan, Timing
Chain Cover, Intake and Exhaust Manifolds, Valve Covers, Engine Mounts,
Seals and Gaskets, Factory installed Turbochargers/Superchargers,
including
Housing, Internal Parts, Seals and Gaskets.
TRANSMISSION:
Transmission Case and all Internal Parts plus: Torque Converter,
Flywheel/Flex
Plate Vacuum Modulator, Eectronic Shift Control Unit, Transmission
Cooler,
Transmission Mounts, Oil Pan, Seals and Gaskets.
TRANSFER CASE:
Transfer Case and All Internal Parts, Seals and Gaskets.
DRIVE AXLE:
(Front and Rear) Drive Axle Case, All Internal Parts contained within
the
Drive Axle, Locking Hubs, Drive Shafts, Universal Joints,
Constant
Velocity
Joints, Axle Bearings, Four-Wheel Drive Actuator, Differential Cover
Seals
and Gaskets.
COOLING:
Engine Cooling Fan and Motor, Fan Clutch, Belt Tensioner, Radiator,
Heater
Core, Thermostat, Blower Motor, Hot Water Valve.
STEERING:
All Internal Parts contained within the Steering Box, Rack and Pinion
Gear,
Power Steering Pump, Power Steering Hoses, Steering Knuckles, Pitman
Arm,
Idler Arm, Tie Rod Ends and Drag Link, Upper and Lower Steering Column
Shafts and Couplings, including Internal Tilt-Wheel Mechanism, Steering
Box and Rack and Pinion Gear Housings, Seals and Gaskets, Rear Wheel
Steering:
Rear Steering Shaft and Couplings, Power Cylinder and Pump, Electronic
Control Unit solenoid, Phase Control Unit, Stepper Motor, Steering Box,
Control Valve, Rack, Tie Rod Ends, Seals and Gaskets.
BRAKES:
Master Cylinder, Power Brake Cylinder, Vacuum Assist Booster, Hydro
Boost,
Disc Brake Caliper, Wheel Cylinders, Compensating Valve, Brake
Hydraulic
Lines and Fittings, Hydraulic Control Unit, Seals and Gaskets. The
following
ABS Parts are also covered: Electronic Control Processor, Wheel Speed
Sensors,
Hydraulic Pump/Motor Assembly, Pressure Modulator Valve/Isolation Dump
Valve, Accumulator, Seals and Gaskets.
ELECTRICAL:
Alternator, Voltage Regulator, Starter Motor, Starter Solenoid and
Timing
Control Unit, Electronic Ignition Module, Crank Angle Sensor, Knock
Sensor,
Ignition Switch, Ignition Switch Lock Cylinder, Front and Rear Window
Wiper
Motor, Washer Pump and Switch, Stop Lamp Switch, Headlamp Switch, Turn
Signal Switch, Heater/A.C. Blower Speed Switch, Manual Heater/A.C.
Control
Assembly, and Horns.
FUEL SYSTEM:
Fuel Pump, Fuel Injection Pump and -Injectors, Vacuum Pump, Fuel Tank,
Fuel Tank Sending Unit, Metal Fuel Delivery Lines.
AIR CONDITIONER:
Condenser, Compressor, Compressor Clutch and Pulley, Air Conditioning
Lines
and Hoses, Evaporator, Idler Pulley and Idler Pulley Bearing, High/Low
Compressor Cutoff Switch, Expansion Valve, Pressure Cycling Switch,
Seals
and Gaskets. The following parts are also covered if they are required
in connection with the repair of a covered part listed above:
Accumulator/Receiver
Dryer, Orifice Tube, Oil and Refrigerant.
FRONT &
REAR SUSPENSION:
Front and Rear Suspension: Upper and Lower Control Arms, Control Arm
Shafts
and Bearings or Bushings, Upper and Lower Ball Joints, Radius Arm and
Bushings,
Torsion Bars and Mounts or Bushings, Stabilizer Bar, Links and
Bushings,
Struts, Spindle and Spindle Support, Wheel Bearings, and Seals and
Gaskets.
Variable Dampening Suspension: Compressor, Control Module,
Actuator,
Solenoid, Height Sensor, Mode Selector Switch,
Seals and Gaskets.
ENHANCED
ELECTRICAL:
Automatic Climate Control Programmer, Electronic Instrument
Cluster,
Mileage
Computer, Distributor, Ignition Coil, Electronic Combination Entry
System
(Does Not Include Transmitters and Receivers for Remote Locks), Cruise
Control Module, Transducer, Servo and Amplifier, Powertrain Control
Module,
Headlamp Motors, Power Window Motor, Power Seat Motor, Power Mirror
Motor,
Power Antenna Motor/Mast Assembly, Convertible Top Motor, Power Sunroof
Motor, Power Window Switch, Cruise Control Engagement Switch, Power
Seat
Switch, Power Mirror Motor Switch, Rear Defogger Switch, Power Door
Lock
Actuator and Switch.
Note: No guarantees can be made by RangeRovers.net regarding any product or service listed on this site, so please check out all vendors for yourself.
If you have corrections, comments or suggestions, email us.
Page revised February 7, 2012
Content Revised February 1, 2012