I've worked for about six years as an independent contractor inspector for several extended warranty companies. They like the fact that an old retired geezer with 50+ years of experience as a line mechanic and 22 active ASE certifications is available to travel around the southeastern USA on short notice and verify claims. It's interesting work, and fairly profitable.
Some warranty outfits are fair and reasonable, and others are obviously out to collect premiums and nitpick claims to avoid paying any more than absolutely necessary. When a keyboard jockey in a cubicle with a canned script to read starts telling me how to do my job, things get testy in a hurry. It's obvious when I'm talking to an adjuster who has some shop experience, and the inspection report usually gets accomplished quickly. Some rude, obnoxious jerk from Noo Yawk, Noo Joisey, Chicago, Detroit, etc. is going to have a really bad day! Closing the hunting season on those guys in 1865 was a mistake!
Yes, overheating is a real issue, and if those heat indicator tabs are missing, it's pretty much a given that the claim is going to be disallowed. Other concerns are "Did the operator try to protect the vehicle?" Somebody who drives one until it won't move another yard while listening to a rod knock isn't trying to minimize damage, and a good inspector can tell when that has happened, in most cases. For instance, I inspected a job recently where the engine was still running (with a big hole in the block) when the guy drove the car into the shop complaining about the noise!
Bottom line- - - -when an item under warranty starts giving trouble, STOP DRIVING AND CONTACT THE SHOP THAT INSTALLED IT! If you happen to be the installer, make sure you jump through the hoops the seller presents, with a minimum of controversy if at all possible. If they send somebody like me to investigate the claim, remember that I don't have a dog in the fight- - - -I'm there to try to verify what went wrong, and find out why if possible. Then I make my report to the folks with money in their pockets. Once that's done, I'm out of the loop. Giving an inspector a ration of grief is a surefire way to get a really bad report to the adjuster!
About 80% of the assignments I get are legitimate claims, and the warranty folks pay up pretty promptly. However, I do see some outright fraud, and/or people too dumb to be driving a skateboard, let alone a car! It's interesting!
Jerry
