[BeachbumX3]

Unfortunately need a new engine for my 2015 BMW X3. Engine and timing chain covered by warranty. Warranty company is denying the claim stating the timing chain guides went out, which caused the engine damage and the guides are a non covered component. Any advice for this appeal I am ignorantly attempting to write?

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by BeachbumX3

Unfortunately need a new engine for my 2015 BMW X3. Engine and timing chain covered by warranty. Warranty company is denying the claim stating the timing chain guides went out, which caused the engine damage and the guides are a non covered component. Any advice for this appeal I am ignorantly attempting to write?

What does your warranty documentation say?

[KevinC]

Typical of these 3rd party warranty companies, they look for ANY reason to deny a claim. I had a co-worker who had a crankshaft snap in a Toyota he bought from Hertz. He wisely bought an extended warranty. They tried to deny the claim, claiming that the crankshaft was "not a lubricated part" as that would have excluded it. Baloney. Then when he pressed they demanded all maintenance receipts. Which he provided. Finally they paid up.

I would make one attempt to get them to pay, then hire a lawyer that's experienced with this crap. Good luck.

[M2siast]

Originally Posted by BeachbumX3

Unfortunately need a new engine for my 2015 BMW X3. Engine and timing chain covered by warranty. Warranty company is denying the claim stating the timing chain guides went out, which caused the engine damage and the guides are a non covered component. Any advice for this appeal I am ignorantly attempting to write?

There are two types of insurance I’m aware of: one that includes everything listed (and excludes what’s not listed) and one that includes anything except what is on the exclusion list.
The easiest one to understand and buy is the latter, since there’s less chance of these types of misunderstandings.

In either case, though, the solution is relatively simple:

1- in the first type, all covered items by the insurance are listed. The guides are most likely NOT listed, but you will likely be able to spot an item that reads “any lubricated part”, which the guides are. They sit inside the engine and rely on oil lubrication (carried by the chain).

2- in the second type, the guides might be listed or not. If not, you’re good. If they are, you’re likely SOL. Otherwise you’ll have more of a fighting chance if you DO NOT spot the same “any lubricated part” terminology.

I presume you have the insurance #1.

They play dumb. It’s an easy win, though. Get the service advisor to speak to the insurance adjuster.

I had a turbo replacement claim that “wasn’t covered” because the faulty part was the waste gate.
Once I demonstrated the parts were one in the same, the claim was approved. But it did give me the scare you are having now.

Best of luck.

[M2siast]

You just repeated your initial post…

[BeachbumX3]

My warranty states what is covered is: Engine and all internally lubricated parts, including crankshaft, rod and main bearings, cam bearings, connecting rods, wrist pins, pistons, piston rings, camshaft, can tower, lifters, cylinder head, valves and guides, valve springs, rocker arms, pushrods, timing chain and sprockets, oil pump, oil pump housing, oil pump pressure relief valve, timing chain housing, intake and exhaust manifolds and fasteners for these components

I am wrong to think this should cover the lubricated guides?

[M2siast]

Did you already do what was suggested?

[BeachbumX3]

The service advisor spoke with their customer service rep last week and they would not allow him to speak directly to the adjuster. They just instructed for me to submit an appeal in writing. They are closed on weekends but I will make another attempt for them to speak directly. I am just trying to word an appeal letter and I have no clue about car repair. I write medical appeals all day but this is completely different. I greatly appreciate your suggestions on this. You have given me a little hope...... Based on your knowledge of the guides being inside the engine and a lubricated part, I truly, believe this should be a covered component.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by BeachbumX3

My warranty states what is covered is: Engine and all internally lubricated parts, including crankshaft, rod and main bearings, cam bearings, connecting rods, wrist pins, pistons, piston rings, camshaft, can tower, lifters, cylinder head, valves and guides, valve springs, rocker arms, pushrods, timing chain and sprockets, oil pump, oil pump housing, oil pump pressure relief valve, timing chain housing, intake and exhaust manifolds and fasteners for these components

I am wrong to think this should cover the lubricated guides?

No you're not wrong.

[SpeedyATL]

Which warranty company is this?

[CLEAN13BOOSTED]

What was the dealers/shops diagnosis as the root cause? Did they also say the guides caused all the damage? This should be noted in your response if the Technician diagnosed something else as the cause. Chain tensioners failing usually cause guide damage.