Western General Fireman's Fund insurance ripoff deceptive company Calabasas California

Western General & Fireman's FundWestern General Insurance Co. ripoff deceptive company Calabasas California .....

On 9 June I purchased a very pristine 1986 Lincoln Town Car one-owner from my local Arlington "Texan Ford" dealer. During the closing I was offered a Mechanical Breakdown Protection (MBP) policy. Intending to use the vehicle for long weekend commutes, I purchased the dealer offered Western General Mileage Plus Plan with Level II coverage (maximum) costing $815 for 12,000 miles or 12 months.

Three days later called Western Generals'customer service number to better understand the claim process only to find the dealer had not sent them my No. 1403-105971 service contract. No problem, the dealer expedited the paper work four days later. I then brought my auto to the dealer on 19 June with a list of five defective items I believed to be covered under the terms of my MBP policy. The dealership requested that I sign a work order quaranteeing them payment of $210 in diagnostic fees should they not be covered by Western General.

Five hours after dropping my car off I was contacted by a representative from Western General wanting to go over the five claimed service issues(gas struts-2, a defective power window motor, a stuck door latch, computer center operation and brake related items). One hour later I received a call from my Texan Ford service representative who politely informed me she had been working with Western General most of the day on my reapir claim (too bad as they are on commission). She then told me Western General had canceled my MBP policy because (get this)....they don't do 1986 Lincolns!!!! Even real nice ones!!

What, after ten days they just found this out? No, most likely it was because the estimated repairs from Texan Ford were about $600 more than what I had already paid for the MBP policy 10 days earlier! I was then told I could collect my $815 policy payment and my '86 Lincoln at the dealer the next day (20 June). The dealer's used car department kindly agreed to pick up the tab on the $210 in diagnostic fees I committed to!

So what's the beaf? Deception Plus by Western General. What a waste of time. There are good MBP firms out there but Western General isn't one of them and they like to play jerk the neck!!! It's a good thing I found out about their operational methods early on. PHEW!!! The dealer's Finace Manager could stand more MBP training!

Recommendation: do your own due diligence on MBP firms before even visiting a dealer...being offered MBP by an established new car dealer doesn't mean anything!! Above all, don't do Western General!!!

Thomas
Arlington, Texas
U.S.A.