Best Labor Claim Program

I joined the NAPA AutoCare Center program as soon after opening my shop as I could.  There is an annual membership cost but the quarterly volume rebates usually more than pays it back.  Add to that the Nationwide Peace of Mind warranty that is recognized as the gold standard and you have real value for your customers.  The local shop reimbursement program pays 75% of the labor guide at your current shop labor rate up to $250.00.  It's not great, but it's better than nothing.  Meanwhile I refuse to utilize anything from Advance Auto Parts because of their "Warranty" reimbursement, which was a joke at best.  Meanwhile, my experience with the labor warranty reimbursement from my local independent parts suppliers is like yours.  Wait for months, then get denied because it's "never" the part's fault.   Or like the last name brand fuel pump installed in a P30 van there was only one labor guide time and then it was for a van with an access panel in the floor. The labor time to remove the tank was more than to replace the fuel tank.  And guess what the parts manufacturer wanted to pay?  With NAPA it's no problem.  Well, almost.  I have had only one, a clutch and the labor time was something like 4.5 hours.  My first call was answered by someone who was either new or didn't want to be bothered.  He flat out denied the claim because the labor amount was above their limit.  I called back and asked for a supervisor.  He wanted to find a solution.  He told me that they had the $250 limit, that 75% of the labor rate I was requesting was something like $272.  If I was willing to accept the $250 he'd approve it without a problem but that was all he could do.  Well $250 was a lot better than $0 so I agreed and thanked him for trying to find a solution instead of simply saying "no" like the first guy.  Add to that, Sonsio, the company that administers the NAPA Peace of Mind Warranty also administers the CarQuest warranty as well as Federated and other warranties.  Since none of those brands have a presence in my area, when they have a nationwide warranty claim, Sonsio calls my shop to ask if I will help, which I always say yes to. 

But like Joe said, make sure your profit margins are sufficient to absorb the costs of the inevitable warranty claims.  No matter what supplier, no matter how skilled your technicians are, mistakes happen, defects slip through, that is why there is warranty.