Archived Copies of Warranty Week

December 2002 to Today

Warranty in the Biden Administration: A new president from a different party brings with him not only a radically new set of policies, but also a completely new batch of policymakers. Though barely a week old, the new administration has already filled many of those job openings, and has already signaled some of its top priorities.
January 28, 2021
Automotive Supplier Recoveries: A decade ago, the largest OEMs devised new warranty policies that helped to shift more of their expenses back to their suppliers. But then in 2014, an increasing number of safety recalls raised their warranty cost back up, leaving both them and their suppliers at higher expense levels.
June 22, 2017
Mobile Phone Insurance: While most service contract providers have been able to expand service contracts to cover certain types of damage, only the wireless carriers have been able to bundle insurance policies that cover loss and theft with service contracts that cover defects and malfunctions.
October 31, 2013
Top Auto Insurance Companies: One would expect a high correlation between those offering auto insurance policies and those offering vehicle service contracts or mechanical breakdown insurance to consumers. But Zurich is the only one with a major presence in both.
June 25, 2010
Motorcycle Service Contracts: As with passenger cars, the policies exclude consumables, accidental damage, and routine maintenance. And as is done with RVs, they are starting to cover perils such as being stranded far from home. But some say that takes them dangerously close to the line between service contracts and insurance. Others wonder if these new bells and whistles are all that necessary.
May 6, 2010
Home Warranties & Foreclosures: As the industry looks for a way up from the bottom, home warranties may become a valuable selling tool. Buyers, worried about the damage done by departing owners, vandals, and the weather, might appreciate the coverage of a home warranty. Industry insiders, meanwhile, report that claims costs on foreclosures aren't that different from their other policies.
December 3, 2009