Warranty Direct
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (June 2017) |
 | |
| Company type | Private company, limited shares |
|---|---|
| Industry | Insurance |
| Founded | June 1997 |
| Founders | David McClure Fisher Duncan McClure Fisher |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Services | Warranty (car, van, bike) Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) Breakdown Repair Insurance |
| Parent | Cardif Pinnacle BNP Paribas |
| Website | WarrantyDirect.co.uk |
Warranty Direct is a provider of direct consumer warranties based in the United Kingdom. They specialise in used car warranty, new car warranty and extended warranty. They also provide GAP Insurance and products for breakdown recovery.
History
Extended warranties were the norm in North America[1] and were growing in popularity at the time of Warranty Direct’s launch in 1997, due in part to changes in the Sale of Goods Act in 1979.[2] With the typical manufacturer's warranty lasting only three years,[3] a large number of cars did not hold any form of extended mechanical and electrical repair insurance.[4]
Warranty Direct was founded by father and son David McClure Fisher and Duncan McClure Fisher in June 1997, its sole service was vehicle warranties, primarily for second hand cars and private sales,[5] until 1999, when Household Appliance warranties were launched.
In April 2008, David and Duncan McClure Fisher sold a majority stake was sold to BNP Paribas' Assurance arm in the United Kingdom; Cardif Pinnacle, who purchased the remaining shares in July 2013.[6]
Underwriters
Since the launch of Warranty Direct, underwriters have varied. Originally with Lloyd's of London, the majority of current policies are now underwritten by Cardif Pinnacle and administered by Warranty Direct.[7]
Warranty Direct is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority[8] (FCA Register Number 309075) and as such, customers can seek help from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) and Financial Services Compensation Scheme where necessary.[9][deprecated source]
Affiliated websites
The Reliability Index has been running since 2000. Data from Warranty Direct's paid claims is used to establish the reliability of cars. This information is used to rank the car manufacturers and models by reliability, and allocate a "Warranty Direct Rating". The results are released in association with What Car?.[10][11][12]
Potholes.co.uk allows the public to report potholes and highlights problem areas to local authorities.[13][14][15][16]
References
- ^ "Extended direct warranties in North America since 1980". Canadian Warranty Direct. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ "Sale of Goods Act 1979". UK government. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ "Manufacturer warranty comparison". Kia. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ "Car repairs 'get more expensive'". BBC. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ Lyndon, Neil (28 November 2011). "Find a second hand bargain". London: The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ "Sale of Warranty Direct". Cardif Pinnacle. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ "New policy to keep Rollers rolling". Lloyd's of London. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ "FCA". Financial Conduct Authority. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ Boyce, Lee (1 December 2011). "Will I lose warranty Saab GB gone administration". London: Daily Mail. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ Knapman, Chris (26 July 2012). "And the most reliable used car is." London: The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ "Top 10 most reliable cars". Aol. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ "Honda's amazing story of success". Sunday World. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
- ^ "English councils get £100 million to fix potholes". Channel 4 News. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ "£1 million a day - the cost of UK potholes". The Express. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ "North-South Pothole Divide". BBC. 7 April 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ "Motorists take on England's pothole fight". BBC. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2012.