Complain about a product or service

Platinum Warranty Corp.

12600 Rockside Rd., Suite 230, Cleveland, OH

Vito of Bronx NY (07/02/08)
I Purchased a policy with this compny for a car warrenty for 84 months or 75,000 miles when I went to make a claim there number and anyway to contact them was gone. Then I found out on the internet that they were being sued by the state of Ohio. I spent $941.00 on a car warrenty that was never upheld.

They took money out of my familys mouths for food and shelter so we can have solid worry free transportation.  

Tracy of Austin TX (07/02/08)
I purchased an extended warranty for my porsche boxster and less than 6 months after my purchase, when i needed them, they were nowhere to be found. all numbers were disconnected and i could not find any information for them. my repairs cost me over $3000, which would have been covered under my warranty. about 45 days after the first repairs were made, more were needed. these repairs, too, would have been covered under my extended warranty.

i could not afford to make more costly repairs and ended up trading my car in. since i had only had my car for a short while and had barley paid off more than finance charges, i found myself $10,000 upsidedown in the new car i had to purchase. it has been 2 yrs since this incident and i am still $10,000 upsidedown and am paying about out the nose because of what platinum warranty/warranty wizard did to me. such a scam!

i had to trade my car in and dump over $10,000 on top of my new purchase. i am screwed and will pay close to $50,000 for a $30,000 car. where is the justice?

Chris of St. Louis MO (11/05/07)
I bought an extended warranty through Platinum Warranty, and they did not honor claims.

I have several claims totaling over $1000.00.

Kate of Summerfield GA (01/08/07)
I purchased an extended warranty through them 1/25/2005 and paid $999.00 Last month i thought that i was going to have some work needed on my vehicle and i tried to reach the company. All their phone numbers are disconnected and i have not been able to reach anyone.

Bill of Frisco TX (07/21/06)
I bought a car warranty from them and now i can not get in contact with them.

Bernard of Puyallup WA (07/05/06)
I have an extended warranty through Platinum. I brought my car in for repair, but when the mechanic tried to call them for authorization, he found the number was disconnected. I tried calling but to no avail. I have a refund agreement with the Signet group so I called them to get some information. They told me that Platinum is out of business and gave me the number of a lawyer handling Platinum business. I called and that number too was disconnected. I have 22,000 miles and 2 yrs left on a useless warranty!

I am out $831.00 for the original investment in the warranty, as well, as having to pay more than a $1000.00 in repair costs for a steering and air conditioning problem.

Ken of Hemet CA (05/23/06)
I made a claim for their extended warranty coverage and $2548.87 was approved for this claim. I had to pay the above amount out of pocket to get my van out of the service department. This was in February, 2005. I called them numerous times and received nothing from them. Then they declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy and I have received letters from the court, but I have not been reimbursed one cent for what I thought I had paid for in buying this aftermarket extended warranty coverage. I have been told they are still in business in Ohio. If so, where is my money?

I had to take money from my savings and investment account at work to pay the $2548.87 myself!

Mohanie of Orlando FL (2/6/03):
I bought an auto extended warranty based on a Website ad (warranty wizard.com). It said, "claims are paid by credit card insuring timely repair and no out of pocket costs up front". I had a claim in December but was shocked when I was told that they don't pay by credit card, so I had to pay the dealer up front to get my car. The check took 4 weeks to get to me. They claimed that they would pay directly to the repair shop, but no repair shop would wait for their check.

Glen of Los Banos CA (9/29/03):
I paid for the best warranty coverage they had. When it came time to have my car repaired I found that I was responsible for all the diagnosis fees even though the part that was needed was covered under this warranty. At no time while purchasing this warranty did they disclose this fact and no where in the contract does it say who is responsible for the diagnosis.

Victor of Vacaville CA (9/3/03):
I purchased this warranty online, pretty normal price, opted for the zero dollar deductible for 100,000 miles. Pretty good for $1350 right? Enter Platinum Warranty Corp. Suspecting this would be the end of the need for a warranty (Murphy’s Law), I give the 1997 Blazer over to my wife who puts 5000 miles on it, riding happy with supposed protection under Platinum Warranty Corp.

The first thing to go is the alternator. We tow it to a shop, have them do the work and they handle the details with Platinum. Now this was back when Platinum would call the shop with a credit card and pay; no longer happening in California because of fraud and theft issues. But, no problems, except the usual, we have to pay for belts hoses, fluids, etc. But that’s ok; the repairs totaled about $446.00. They paid $371.00. (Keep track of my total cost for warranty here; there is logic to the madness)

Enter the new problem. Another 5000 or so miles later, I am fed up with poor A/C output, a suspected water leak, and poor engine starting. I maintain my vehicles exquisitely, no missed tire rotations, oil changes, or any other minor maintenance. It’s a hobby, and something I take pride in. I take it to the dealership because I want it fixed by people who don’t have to “search” for the problem. The dealership may cost more, but in the long run, they don’t have to waste time searching for the issues or locating parts. So you actually break even (my 2 cents). Anyhow, they find that the A/C pump is shot and causing the water leak from the intake manifold ($850 with installation, gaskets, hoses, Freon, parts).

As they are working on my vehicle, the fuel pump goes out! Now herein lies the problem. Platinum Warranty Corp clearly covers the fuel pump. However, the dealership finds that although the fuel pump is not working, it is the fuel pump modulator that has caused the problem. Keep in mind the modulator is inside of the fuel pump! Solution? Dealership recommends replacing the fuel pump. Platinum’s solution: tell the customer it is the modulator and that the modulator isn’t covered. Replace the modulator, by taking out the fuel pump, dissecting it, replacing the modulator, and putting it back in the fuel pump.

Fuel pump and installation: $200. Fuel pump removal, dissection, installation of modulator: $700.00 that I HAVE TO PAY.

Talk about slipping out the back door, what a shady thing to do! I sat there with the Service Manager while he was on the phone explaining that the modulator and the fuel pump were one and the same. He said that dissecting the fuel pump to replace the modulator is like ripping the tread off a tire and replacing it, it’s just a waste of time and an expensive way to replace a tire! It is cheaper and easier to just replace the fuel pump, BUT, then Platinum would have to pay for that too!

Now here’s the kicker. Platinum only authorized $705.00 for the A/C repair, stating that hoses, Freon, etc were my problem; fine, I knew that. But isn’t it ironic that they ordered the dealership not to replace the fuel pump because (as it cost me) that would cost them additional $700? With honest fuel pump replacement and A/C repair: $1405 After refusing the fuel pump replacement: $705.00 Previous alternator repair: $371 Total Platinum investment at this point: $1076.00. Gee, they stopped just shy of what I actually paid for my warranty! Could that be an underlying company bylaw?

Now, since the very day I heard that conversation, I have been endlessly calling Platinum to no avail. I went ahead and forked over $1600.00 for all the repairs hoping Platinum would be honest and cut me a check for the whole thing, if not, at least the $705.00 they have authorized in writing. When they were answering the phones 4 months ago, the first thing they told me was I had no idea what I was talking about because the fuel-pump modulator was part of the gas gauge! (SAY WHAT?) The very rude Claims Rep said it was a part of the dashboard and I had no grounds to demand anything!

Then I began sending request letters for at least the $705.00 they authorized and kept begging that they research the modulator because it is indeed part of the fuel pump. I sent them certified letters and have the proof. Guess what I got in return? Nothing and I mean nothing at all! I finally got a hold of another extremely bitter-rude Claims Rep on August 5th after leaving numerous messages on their “you are the 3rd customer in line, please leave a message” obviously unchecked answering machine. He says “oh we never got the closed work order from you or the shop”.

OH MY GOD! So the hundreds of messages, numerous letters, and my caller ID showing on your system every single day never sparked anyone to say “hey what’s this guy want, what’s all the fuss about?” Were they hoping I would give up and forget? Were they hoping to stall forever? I suspect they were hoping I would take the vehicle over 100,000 miles and then they could cancel my contract. Guess what folks? It’s at 81,000 and staying that way until I get full reimbursement.

Mike of Wichita Falls TX (9/2/03):
I purchased an extended warranty 12/13/2001 for 36 months or 36,000 miles on my 1996 Chevrolet pickup for $799.00. Odometer reading was 74405. I saw their offer on the internet and paid for the contract with my American Express card. I was told by Platinum that they paid the car repair companies with an American Express card.

April 30, 2003 Patterson Auto repaired my air conditioner after receiving approval by fax from Platinum Warranty for $ 670.86. Platinum told Pattersons they paid only by corporate check so I had to pay $998.29 to get my truck out of the shop. Patterson's requested Platinum send their check to me. I've been told three times my payment was set up, just not paid. Their Accounts Payable Department will not return my calls even when I leave detailed messages.

I have had another claim with Platinum which they approved for $106.93 on 7/3/2003, but have not been paid for this either. In frustration, I have filed a complaint with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and also the Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection. I submitted these complaints July 31, 2003. Next step if I don't receive $ soon is to file a claim in Justice Court in Wichita County, Texas.

I'm out $779.79 in repairs I had to pay for and have not been reimbursed.

Kevin of Mesa AZ (8/20/03):
Company has completely misrepresented themselves. On their web site (www.warrantywizard.com), they say they are reinsured by a National "A" rated company. However, I have spoken to their sales department, claims, and customer service and not one person can name the reinsurer or provide me with details outlining how the reinsurer was rated. I finally got the potential name, NSIC (National Securities Investment Corporation) - however, I cannot find anything on this company. I checked all Internet sources, including Standard&Poor, AMBest, Dun and Bradstreet, etc. Either way, this company should be able to provide me with this simple request.

Their service is horrible. After having a radiator replaced, the shop would not agree to the way Platinum Warranty (Warranty Wizard) pays - and I don't blame them! Most warranty companies provide a Visa number so the shop can get paid immediately! This company sends a check, and claims it takes 15-30 business days to receive payment! This is insane - no shop is going to agree to those terms and take the risk of not getting paid! They completely mislead you in their advertisement (www.warrantywizard.com). I went ahead and paid, and am still awaiting payment. This has been over a month ago!

Customer service claims they are running behind. I am unable to speak with the AP department direct - they will not return my calls. The customer service is horrible - I asked to escalate to a manager so I can get a definitive answer as to when my check will be sent - they are unable to escalate, stating the manager is out helping other departments!

Gilda of Deptford NJ (8/7/00):
I purchased a warranty with Platinum for a 1987 GMC Jimmy I had just purchased. I took the car to ONeil Buick to get a few items checked out. One of the reasons I took it to get it checked was because the oil gauge goes low on idle and the check engine light comes on. From what I understand for this type problem the starting point in trying to figure out what is wrong is to change the oil level sensors. ONeil faxed this service work order to Platinum in addition to a request for the replacement of oil level sensors. I told O'Neil the oil sensors had already been replaced. After O'Neil determined the oil sensors were not the problem they cancelled the request and let Platinum know that this was not the problem.

Platinum would not approve anything else being done on the car concerning the oil pressure issue. I do not know what their reasoning was. But to them at this point the POSSIBILTY of a faulty oil pump or engine bearing wear was not enough to authorize anything being done. After all the other work was completed on my car I picked up my car and signed the visa authorization receipt and left. I do not know anything about cars. That is why I take my car to a mechanic and that is why I purchased the warranty to cover any problems which might assuredly arise in an older vehicle.

In Jul 00 I took my car to Oneil because it was making very loud noises. Oneil could not tell via a visual inspection the cause of the problem therefore when Platinum was contacted they told Oneil to get my authorization to delve deeper into the car by removing the oil screen and something else. I did not understand why Platinum had to get MY authoization but Oneil explained it to me this way. This authorization released Platinum from having to pay for the removal of the oil screen in the event that the problem found was not covered by the warranty. I understood and had no problems giving my authorization.

The outcome of the inspection was that the oil pump and the engine bearings needed to be replaced. Platinum obtained a copy of the invoice for the work done in Feb 00 in which the following statement had been typed: "Tested oil pressure sensors - operating as designed Tested mechanical oil pressure - pressure running low possible faulty oil pump or engine bearing wear Owner advised" The only thing I was advised of was where to sign for the visa authorization to pay the bill. I did not know any of the ramifications of an oil pressure problem but Platinum (Joel) knew and did not elect to do anything about it. By not doing anything about it in Feb 00 he feels that released him from ownership of the problem and that it reverted to me since I choose to drive my car knowing it needed an oil pump and/or engine bearings.

But why is it that it was alright in Feb for Platinum to elect not to do anything about my oil pressure prolem since all they had was only a guesstamate from Oneil and not a definite on what the problem could be with my vehicle. Platinum would not approve any work being done on the car in Feb but now that it suits them the POSSIBILITY of a faulty oil pump OR worn engine bearings is good enough to put the monkey on my back.

After getting a copy of the invoice and reading the statement Oneil typed on it Platinum says that because I took my car home knowing that it had an oil pressure problem that they are released from having to pay for the car to get fixed. Apparently the tables do not turn in this situation. It was perfectly alright for Platinum to know there was an oil pressure problem and not do anything about it. I have taken my car to Oneil on three occassions and it appears to me that Platinum attributes my cars problems to poor maintance and therefore can't do anything for me even though the problem is covered by the warranty.

I paid $900 for a warranty that has only dished $50 on any repairs to my vehicle. I had a radiator problem but they would not replace it because the radiator got messed up due to poor maintenance. It did not matter that I only owned the car for two months at the time and obviously I was not the one who maintained the car poorly.

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