In article
<BC285740.460B3%n3wsr3ad3r@re_move_THIS_sbcglobal. net.AND_THIS>, Gern
Blanston <n3wsr3ad3r@re_move_THIS_sbcglobal.net.AND_THIS> wrote:

> I am about to bring my 2001 Odyssey in for what is potentially a covered
> claim. (My ATC light comes on even when on dry pavement at highway speed; my
> check engine light is remaining on intermittently.)
>
> After an initial call to one of the local Honda dealers (I am in Dallas, TX)
> I started already to feel how much of a runaround I will be facing with my
> $963 addition to my vehicle purchase.
>
> Looking at the fine print on my contract, I notice text that basically
> states that if you did not change your oil "every 5000 miles or 6 months,
> whichever comes first," the warranty can be voided, I am prompted to ask
> several questions (not just related to this point):
>
> 1) It states that documentation must be provided of the oil change history.
> What if I did my own oil changes? Are they magically not valid? Can they
> really blow me off like that after having spent almost $1000?
>
> 2) If I am unhappy with how my first attempted claim on this coverage goes,
> can I demand a refund for this extended warranty, and default back to the
> factory coverage that I have not yet used up?
>
> 3) Does anyone here have any experience making a claim on this particular
> policy (mine has a $50/deductible) with their Honda vehicle? Does the
> company make it difficult to get a loaner car or a rental reimbursement? Do
> the symptoms I've described above look like something they will attempt not
> to cover?
>
> 4) I was told that I would have to commit to paying for a potentially
> non-refundable service check, to officially diagnose the problem. Why, if I
> was to bring the car in for a diagnosis of a problem that was not being
> presented for potential warranty coverage, would I (I assume) not have to
> pay for such analysis and with the warranty context I do?
>
> Any bad experiences out there regarding Olympicare by Ethos?
>
> Thanks,
>
> G

I will only add that some other companies that sell extended warranties
have some of these same rules. I have a friend that changes his oil in his
own garage so had no records of his oil changes. When he tried to get the
warranty company to cover the repair of something--the warranty company
refused to pay for it since he had no records related to the oil changes.
This is the reason that lots of people don't pay for extended warranties.
I have an extended warranty and have all of the oil changes done at the
Honda dealership and keep all of the records. I also have all of the
scheduled service for the same reason. This means they will have to repair
my car if it develops a major problem.