Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Kate]

Hi  all.

Has anyone ever had this sort of insurance?

http://www.timing-belt-failure-insurance.co.uk/index.php

Is it a waste of money? I was considering it but don't want to throw money away. In my car's service record the belt was done at 121000 and the mileage is now 156000.

They stated that the omega belt change interval is 80000 but I thought it was 30000?

What's your opinion on this?

[ronnyd]

Yours will need a new belt at 161k, as for the policy, it seems to good to be true, so-----?

[05omegav6]

Advised interval is 40k or four years

Vauxhall did change it to 80k or eight years, but soon revised it back down to 40k after pulleys started failing left, right and centre...

I personally get mine done every 80k, but that equated to every 2 years or so, and pulleys are replaced at the same time. Last two belts still looked as good as new, with no obvious wear

You should really be looking to get it done by 160k, especially as the car is new to you, but that should give you 3/4 months grace

That said, what date was it last changed at?

[Taxi_Driver]

Advised interval is 40k or four years

Vauxhall did change it to 80k or eight years, but soon revised it back down to 40k after pulleys started failing left, right and centre...

I personally get mine done every 80k, but that equated to every 2 years or so, and pulleys are replaced at the same time. Last two belts still looked as good as new, with no obvious wear

You should really be looking to get it done by 160k, especially as the car is new to you, but that should give you 3/4 months grace

That said, what date was it last changed at?

Really 

[05omegav6]

I figured if it was good enough for TVP, it was good enough for me

Obviously I can't recommend that approach, but it's my car, on my head besides you know the mileages we do...

[Nick W]

I wouldn't be too worried about being a few months over on the time. But the mileage isn't really worth the gamble. Yours is due soon.

[Kevin Wood]

I have the best timing belt insurance policy available. I change the belt when it's due.

Seems like insurance companies cashing in on peoples' irrational fears again, to me.

[Vamps]

I would have thought that as part of the terms and conditions the belt should be changed in line with manufacturers recommendations, in which case failure is unlikely.........

[Seth]

I would have thought that as part of the terms and conditions the belt should be changed in line with manufacturers recommendations, in which case failure is unlikely.........

Which could well mean that it's gotta be changed by a Vx dealer too

[05omegav6]

I would have thought that as part of the terms and conditions the belt should be changed in line with manufacturers recommendations, in which case failure is unlikely.........

Which could well mean that it's gotta be changed by a Vx dealer too

In which case, insurance not such a bad idea, given they're unlikely to change the pulleys

[Seth]

In which case, insurance not such a bad idea, given they're unlikely to change the pulleys

Exactly Al

[Marks DTM Calib]

Key items to note from the policy doc:

Look after the vehicle and have your timing belt checked and/or changed as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer

Pretty standard but open to plenty of get outs!

None of the parts outside the engine block or cylinder head are covered, and neither is the cost of a replacement timing belt, timing chain or tensioners.

So if it does go, your already being fingered for a new belt/chain and tensioner idlers and other aux parts (e.g. water pump on some engines)

You must look after the vehicle and have your timing belt checked and / or replaced as recommended by the manufacturer's servicing handbook. To prove this, you should make sure the garage fills in and stamps the handbook. You should also keep the invoices from services as you must provide proof of the timing belt being checked and / or changed if you make a claim.

So you cant do it yourself

None of the parts within the engine block or cylinder head are covered unless the damage has been caused directly by the failure of the timing belt or timing chain.

So its questionable if its covered as a result of a failed tensioner/idler/water-pump (as appropriate) or as a result of say a shredded aux belt being ingested.

Hence to me, its bloody expensive for questionable cover which is still going to cost you some if you could push a claim through

[Kate]

So too many get out clauses to make it worthwhile I think.

Thanks for the advice.

[r1]

one part says if it breaks because its worn out you covered ,then goes on to say belt must be changed at recomended intervals to be covered. so if you do the 2nd you wont get the first ,and if you don't do the 2nd you not covered anyway and as you need a garage bill you cant do it yourself.

SNAKEOIL

[Taxi_Driver]

I figured if it was good enough for TVP, it was good enough for me

Obviously I can't recommend that approach, but it's my car, on my head besides you know the mileages we do...

Yep, but i still used to get the 2.2 done every 40k ish + water pump ... Mr JamesV6cdx,  used to do mine at a very reasonable rate