Discounted Toyota Prius Extended Warranty /Service Contracts

[cephas]

Are the HID bulbs covered under this warranty?
I am confused about the provider, is Toyota the provider or warranty Shack?

[LittleT]

Thank you all for your advise. I would have paid the premium my dealership was charging for the extra care plan on the day I bought my car if it were not for these posts. Instead, I ran some numbers and called some dealerships and found a better deal . I got a 6yr/100,000 platinum extra care plan with 0$ deductible for $825. I opted for the 6yr plan since I will have no trouble reaching 100,000/mi prior to that and why pay for 7yr when I won't use it?

The dealership I went through also offered the 7yr/100,00 for $980 (nearly the same as these posts, but hey, 10 bucks is 10 bucks). So if anyone wants the same deal, I worked with Bob Tierney at Shottenkirk Toyota in Quincy, IL (he said it was ok to post his name).

Thanks again!

[Boo]

Originally Posted by cephas

Are the HID bulbs covered under this warranty?
I am confused about the provider, is Toyota the provider or warranty Shack?

Hi cephas,

1. No, the HID bulbs are not covered under this extended warranty. There are express exclusions for light bulbs and lamps. I don't think any extended warranty covers bulbs.

2. Yes, "Toyota" is the provider of the extended warranty sold here by Troy of WarrantyShack.com/Toyota of Greenfield, MA, who are authorized sellers of the warranty.

This warranty is the Toyota Extra Care Platinum Plan extended warranty that Toyota Financial Services sells. I believe the actual warranty contract -- the Vehicle Service Agreement -- is with Toyota Motor Insurance Services, Inc. The ultimate parent company of these Toyota companies is Toyota Motor Corporation. And note that Toyota Motor Insurance Services, Inc. by itself is highly rated as an insurer -- it has a Best rating of A-:

Top Company Profiles - A.M. Best Affirms Rating of Toyota Motor Insurance Company - Toyota Motor Corporation ADS - Portfolio.com

[txtabby]

Have had my '07 Prius for 18 mos now with 21k miles. What's the general consensus on purchasing the EW now? Should I just go with my 'gut' ('you can't put a price on piece of mind') on deciding? Is it all worth it? Am starting to have a couple of problems with the CD display screen, and the 'fog lamps' will not come on (a fuse?), but it's been great so far.
Also, there's a 'japanese' site for aftermarket parts for Priuses, but when I reformatted my drive I lost it. Anyone know what it is?? It's a great site, selling that EV switch, among other cool stuff.

[Boo]

Originally Posted by txtabby

Have had my '07 Prius for 18 mos now with 21k miles. What's the general consensus on purchasing the EW now? Should I just go with my 'gut' ('you can't put a price on piece of mind') on deciding? Is it all worth it? Am starting to have a couple of problems with the CD display screen, and the 'fog lamps' will not come on (a fuse?), but it's been great so far.
Also, there's a 'japanese' site for aftermarket parts for Priuses, but when I reformatted my drive I lost it. Anyone know what it is?? It's a great site, selling that EV switch, among other cool stuff.

I think if I were in your situation (you've had at least two problems so far during the basic warranty period of 3 yrs/36k miles), I'd get the extended warranty before the basic warranty period runs out.

Are you talking about the Prius Portal/Page of SigmaAutomotive.com? (But for some reason, I'm unable to open that website now. Otherwise, I'd link it for you.)

[txtabby]

That's the site, Tom...Thanks! I can open it okay now.. Sigma Automotive – Toyota Hybrid Prius 2004 - 2009 OEM & JDM auto accessories

Okay, sounds logical to me. What I was really worried about was the battery pack, but it's under it's own warranty. One of these days I'm converting it to a Plug-In HV, if they ever open a shop in Austin... or even in Texas. Austin would be the perfect city for one.

[txtabby]

HA HA !! Well I guess it would help using the fog lamps... if I turned them ON! LOL

[Wayne]

I just bought the 7/100 Platinum extended warranty, and thought I did my homework, but I just got a nasty surprise: THE WARRANTY IS ONLY GOOD FOR 4 YEARS!!! Evidently they start the clock when you bought your Prius, even though it's covered bumper-to-bumper WITHOUT the contract or the first 3 years! I knew the mileage was total, but I thought the years were from the expiration of the old warranty. What else would make sense? Anyway, I stand corrected, and thought I would make sure others are aware.

This seems like fraud to me, but they say it's 'industry practice'. Methinks someone needs to start a class-action lawsuit to get this rather misleading practice stopped.

I have a little time to cancel for a full refund. I may do that and repurchase a 7 / 75,000 contract... After all, I only drive 9k or so a year.

Not happy...

[Boo]

Originally Posted by Wayne

I just bought the 7/100 Platinum extended warranty, and thought I did my homework, but I just got a nasty surprise: THE WARRANTY IS ONLY GOOD FOR 4 YEARS!!! Evidently they start the clock when you bought your Prius, even though it's covered bumper-to-bumper WITHOUT the contract or the first 3 years! I knew the mileage was total, but I thought the years were from the expiration of the old warranty. What else would make sense? Anyway, I stand corrected, and thought I would make sure others are aware.

This seems like fraud to me, but they say it's 'industry practice'. Methinks someone needs to start a class-action lawsuit to get this rather misleading practice stopped.

I have a little time to cancel for a full refund. I may do that and repurchase a 7 / 75,000 contract... After all, I only drive 9k or so a year.

Not happy...

Yes, that's the way it works. That's why there's debate on this forum as to the pros and cons of getting the extended warranty when you buy the car or waiting until you approach 3 years/36000 miles to decide.

I've always advocated waiting until you approach the time or miles when the basic warranty runs out to make the decision. That way, you'll be better informed as to (1) whether to get the extended warranty at all, and (2) if you decide to get it, you'll know which one you should get based on your past driving and more foreseeable future driving.

In this regard, you should know that the warranty offered here for $990 is for Toyota's longest and most comprehensive warranty - Toyota Extra Care Platinum Plan 7 years/100,000 miles/$0 deductible. And you'll pay hundreds less if you get a Platinum Plan with fewer maximum years or miles as may be appropriate for your driving.

I would also suggest that you go to your dealer to cancel the extended warranty in person. And I wouldn't leave the dealer without a written cancellation acknowledgment in your hands, and if you can get it, a check or credit card credit for the refund (if you can't get that, make sure the cancellation acknowledgment says the refund amount that will be paid).

Good luck.

[KAR IDEA]

I purchased our 08' on December 22, 2007 and opted to include the 7/100k Platinum Extra Care VSA, which was sold to us for around $1650. After reading most of this thread, on Saturday I started the process of canceling this VSA, and completed it today. The dealer is submitting my request and I expect by the end of the week it will be a done deal, and TFS told me the refund will be pro-rated and applied to the principal left on the car, which is exactly what I had in mind because I wanted to lower my monthly payments. The car has a little over 22k on it now. We do a lot of driving. Once we get close to 36k, I am probably going to explore re-purchasing a 6/100k VSA from Troy for the discounted price.

Now I am having some reservations about my decision, was this a wise thing to do?

Dave