Pump Warranty

[fgummett]

Well I guess my pump warranty is up end of April... I just talked with Minimed and it seems I can upgrade to a 722 for about a tenth of the amount a new pump would cost me BUT the upgrade would be on the same warranty (which expires end of this April) so what do I do..? Is it worth risking having no warranty... I guess that is what all the extra cost is for... any advice or suggestions please :confused:

[notme]

No.... I would not own a pump without a warranty. My new 715 had problems after a year and a half and a new one was sent out. I wouldn't do it.

Why is the new pump under the same warranty? Does your insurance company pay for pumps? If so, you might find that your portion of the pump cost is less than upgrading.

[xMenace]

If it's out of your own pocket, you can always use the old one as a replacement. Maybe investigate repair charges. I think over the long haul it may be cheaper to upgrade now.

[fgummett]

Yes... I agree that I probably should upgrade... thanks :) I just had a crazy moment there were I was comparing $700 CDN to $7,000 CDN but I realise that it is the warranty, service and peace of mind that I am paying for. Unfortunately no, my insurance does not cover the pump, but fortunately they do cover the supplies.

[JediSkipdogg]

Why is the new pump under the same warranty? Does your insurance company pay for pumps? If so, you might find that your portion of the pump cost is less than upgrading.

I think he's talking about the pathway program. Upgrading during it at any time keeps you on the same warranty as the original pump.

One thing you can do is contact them about when it breaks what can happen. With Animas, if I'm out of warranty they will send me a pump next day air as if I'm in warranty. Then all I have to do is guarantee I will purchase their pump or else they charge you $500 for that service. That is what I'm doing when my current pump breaks. I'm going to hold on to it as long as I can and then when it breaks, get a new one.

[fgummett]

Thanks... yes it is the pathway program which is really designed to keep you on the latest model pump if you wish all the latest technology. I am with Medtronic and I don' think they offer the same out of warranty deal as you mention.

[alisa]

If you have an out of warranty pump and it breaks, the pump company will send you a refurbished pump like they do when the pump is in warranty. You then have a designated time period (30,60,or 90 days?) to get your paperwork in order and order a new pump. If you order from the same company they send you a brand new pump and you return the loaner with no charges for the loaner. If you decide to change pump companies you send back the loaner and pay a sort of "rental" fee (several hunderd dollars) for using their loaner pump. I have heard of all the major pump companies handling this in a similar way.
Alisa

[melissata]

Thanks... yes it is the pathway program which is really designed to keep you on the latest model pump if you wish all the latest technology. I am with Medtronic and I don' think they offer the same out of warranty deal as you mention.

I know someone on another board that didn't realize his Minimed was out of warranty and went into a jaccuzi with it on accidentally. He was out of town on business and Minimed sent him a loaner out immediately. The deal was the same as what Alisa said. If he chose to get another Minimed pump, he would have no fee to pay. If he chose another pump, he would have had to pay for the loaner, several hundred dollars. He upgraded to the Minimed and is happy with that.

[JediSkipdogg]

I know someone on another board that didn't realize his Minimed was out of warranty and went into a jaccuzi with it on accidentally. He was out of town on business and Minimed sent him a loaner out immediately. The deal was the same as what Alisa said. If he chose to get another Minimed pump, he would have no fee to pay. If he chose another pump, he would have had to pay for the loaner, several hundred dollars. He upgraded to the Minimed and is happy with that.

I'm sure all pump companies would offer that. Essentially it's a way to force you to buy their pump again since you waited till out of warranty. Who wants to get stuck with a $300 or more bill for using a pump for a few days and then go and get another brand?

I'm willing to take that chance next year when my pump warranty is up and besides cracking cases, I've had no problems with my Animas IR 1200.

[Funnygrl]

Jedi, out of curiousity, are you planning on upgrading shortly after your warranty is up? Are you going to get another Animas, or too soon to tell?

[JediSkipdogg]

Jedi, out of curiousity, are you planning on upgrading shortly after your warranty is up? Are you going to get another Animas, or too soon to tell?

Right now I want nothing out there. There's nothing appealing enough to me on any of the current pumps to justify spending $1200 roughly (20% that I pay.) So I'm hoping to keep my current one as long as I can till I see something I like. I'd think by then at least Animas and MM should be due for a new pump.