Firstly just like to say that WD have looked after me well this past 12 months after an initial hick-up. Today received a letter saying that I would be receiving a renewal quote in the next few days but would I like to consider a charge to the maximum labour rate that would reduce my (as yet unknown) premium by 16%. Their new policy is now called Luxury Care instead of Performance & Prestige Luxury Care although they say there is no difference in cover.

With the standard cover they cover up to £240 incl VAT per hour of labour under the reduced scheme saving 16% on the premium they are covering up to £72 incl VAT an hour.

Out of interest I thought I would check out different hourly rates:

Hunters Guildford (Main Dealer) £126 incl VAT an hour
LR La Rochelle (Main Dealer £85 incl TVA an hour
Keith Gott a well respected Indie locally £86 incl VAT an hour
Rovertune Reading another well respected Indie £82 incl VAT an hour.

Personally I think WD are having a laugh by suggesting £72 incl VAT an hour for anyone properly qualified to look at my vehicle. I fully understand them wanting to offer discounts for not using a main dealer at the much higher price but at least come in with a price point hourly rate that is achievable.

I will be tackling them on this next week but I am disappointed they got the fundamentals wrong in discounting to an hourly rate that is unachievable in the Home Counties.

Has anyone else been presented with this scenario from WD on renewal. Current Merc GLE 3.5d 2016 model, 2011 RRS HSE standard
Previous 2012 FL2 liked but boot too small
Previous to LR's 3 x Merc E320 estates - fantastic load carriers and long distance cruisers, ultra reliable. Only changed as needed a 4x4 high tow vehicle. Did have a 1955 early LR drop down windscreen and fuel tank under the drivers seat; again very reliable and super rugged.

Give them a hard time Nigel  Visitor from fullfatrr.com
* GONE. 2012 RR Sport HSE SDV6 Orkney Grey. Now being piloted by RRSTDV8
* GONE: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Full Fat. Amazing piece of kit.
* Current. 1974 Lightweight 2.25L petrol. Old skool
* GONE. Freelander GS TD4 Manual MY2013. Orkney Grey with privacy, cold and clearview packs, armrests (a must!) and a spoiler.
* GONE. Range Rover Classic '93 200Tdi Factory fit
* 1949 80" in family since 1975

nigel52 wrote:

Personally I think WD are having a laugh by suggesting £72 incl VAT an hour for anyone properly qualified to look at my vehicle.

I pay under that for the chap who's the best you can get, though I do appreciate rates are a touch higher where you are (but not a million miles off).

On the subject, this is the map of average hourly labour rates I devised from a Warranty Wise study a little while ago (NB: I don't know if these prices include VAT or not):

Click image to enlarge

Looking at this, I would certainly be inclined to say that the 16% discount is not likely to be a worthwhile saving. I'm sure they know this, but it is a great way of increasing profits from the less-informed, who might jump at any sign of a discount.

 Visiting from DISCO3.CO.UK
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto HSE Zambezi Silver

Very useful to see the hourly costs across the UK. Certainly will use this in my argument. Unlikely to speak wth them till tomorrow. Will feed back. Current Merc GLE 3.5d 2016 model, 2011 RRS HSE standard
Previous 2012 FL2 liked but boot too small
Previous to LR's 3 x Merc E320 estates - fantastic load carriers and long distance cruisers, ultra reliable. Only changed as needed a 4x4 high tow vehicle. Did have a 1955 early LR drop down windscreen and fuel tank under the drivers seat; again very reliable and super rugged.

OK Update: I discussed WD's hourly rate of £72 incl VAT as unrepresentative of hourly rates in the South of England. They did not disagree but said the £72 was based a special price they had negotiated with their preferred garages where they pay direct. (However, they could not give me the names of these garages).

So ended up back at the higher rate price of £240 incl VAT per hour which are the only two prices they offer. (Crazy)

Last year I paid £675 for 13 months and this year the best I could get is £812 (4 qtrly payments of £203) again for 13 months cover. Not what I was hoping but the best I could do. This is based on up to 12,000 miles a year and £50 excess.

(I had two claims last year although they said the premium increase was not because of my particular claims but the previous years claims history for the Model.)

Hopefully this will help others know what is out there. Current Merc GLE 3.5d 2016 model, 2011 RRS HSE standard
Previous 2012 FL2 liked but boot too small
Previous to LR's 3 x Merc E320 estates - fantastic load carriers and long distance cruisers, ultra reliable. Only changed as needed a 4x4 high tow vehicle. Did have a 1955 early LR drop down windscreen and fuel tank under the drivers seat; again very reliable and super rugged.

nigel52 wrote:

Out of interest I thought I would check out different hourly rates:

Hunters Guildford (Main Dealer) £126 incl VAT an hour
LR La Rochelle (Main Dealer £85 incl TVA an hour
Keith Gott a well respected Indie locally £86 incl VAT an hour
Rovertune Reading another well respected Indie £82 incl VAT an hour

That's the going rate for a Land Rover specialist?

Disco Mickey as Lost for Words has shown on the map of hourly rates it is much more expensive to run and service a RRS down in the South. Maybe you should move South but then one gets into the argument of house prices. Let's be honest it may be warmer down here but we do pay for that privilege in most ways.. Current Merc GLE 3.5d 2016 model, 2011 RRS HSE standard
Previous 2012 FL2 liked but boot too small
Previous to LR's 3 x Merc E320 estates - fantastic load carriers and long distance cruisers, ultra reliable. Only changed as needed a 4x4 high tow vehicle. Did have a 1955 early LR drop down windscreen and fuel tank under the drivers seat; again very reliable and super rugged.

[quote="nigel52"]OK Update: I discussed WD's hourly rate of £72 incl VAT as unrepresentative of hourly rates in the South of England. They did not disagree but said the £72 was based a special price they had negotiated with their preferred garages where they pay direct. (However, they could not give me the names of these garages).

Just to be clear what they actually said was their negotiated price was £60 plus VAT an hour. Current Merc GLE 3.5d 2016 model, 2011 RRS HSE standard
Previous 2012 FL2 liked but boot too small
Previous to LR's 3 x Merc E320 estates - fantastic load carriers and long distance cruisers, ultra reliable. Only changed as needed a 4x4 high tow vehicle. Did have a 1955 early LR drop down windscreen and fuel tank under the drivers seat; again very reliable and super rugged.

nigel52 wrote:

Disco Mickey as Lost for Words has shown on the map of hourly rates it is much more expensive to run and service a RRS down in the South. Maybe you should move South but then one gets into the argument of house prices. Let's be honest it may be warmer down here but we do pay for that privilege in most ways..

This is true. Where else in the country could you get a 3 bed semi-detached house for sub-£75k