Posted by Ben on January 12, 02 at 12:13:03:
In Reply to: Never Buy an Aftermarket Warranty posted by cheyenne on January 12, 02 at 10:39:13:
Warranty is by manufacturer or seller that parts and workmenship is up to spec and will perform as spec'ed for the intended usage & time frame.
Insurance is over and above a warranty, in that if it should fail, they would fix/replace within agreed contract specs.
Example I'd use is my brand new laptop. Sony VAIO $1799.00 plus tax/etc. Comes with manufacturer's 1 year warranty. All parts and labor. BUT if I should drop it, or somehow mess it up outside of normal usage, I'm hosed on the manufacturers warranty. Bought the extended "warranty", really insurance that if I should drop it or have it stolen, full replacement of current model. Even the battery is covered and is the main reason extended warranty was purchased for $180 (new battery is $250) and the folks at work found that these batteries lasted about 2 years, max.
Normally don't buy extended warranty unless I'm not comfortable with doing the work myself or the cost would be more than. Modified my decision on these after dropping both my cell phone and Palm Pilot (no extended warranty on either). Had to purchase new Palm for several hundred dollars and ditto cell phone. Bought extended warranty on both and Nokia just came back from repair because I sat on it while it was in my pocket (fixed under extended warranty).
Haven't purchased extended warranty on the Sub because I felt I could handle any possible repair needed. They did send letter asking when warranty was about to expire (date wise, was already way out on milage). Ditto on refrigerator, washer, dryer, stove, etc. I can handle those repairs myself.
A very personal decision these.