Tesla Air Conditioning Troubles: Dealing with Insurance and Service Center Challenges

At the beginning of June – when it started to get really warm – we were surprised that only warm air came out of the fan despite the air conditioning being switched on. I also remembered that during the check before the 4-year guarantee (expiry) at ATZ in January, Mr. Zimmermann said he had found a fault with the air conditioning sensor in the fault memory – but found nothing else. I also said that during the “rework” before the warranty expired at SC Mannheim, but nothing was found.

Well – the usual game via app – getting a service appointment – I got that too, but only in 4 weeks – but since the SC MA is only 10 km away from us, they helped me to shorten the waiting time to 1 week – what but the result was that we had to drive to South Tyrol with the woman’s (then) incinerator.

Thursday back – Friday appointment – cable defective (400 €) – pick up in the evening. climate ok.

Sunday on the way to the airfield – air conditioning no longer works. I’ll be abroad until Thursday – complained straight away via the app and back to the SC on Friday.

Then on Friday evening the call came:

“If it’s not the sensor, it seems to be a marten bite, we haven’t found the fault yet – the car is almost disassembled”.

Good – then I’ll leave it there. When you get home, call the insurance broker – “You absolutely have to get a release from the insurance company, otherwise they won’t pay anything”. Wonderful – got back in the woman’s car and tried to get pics on Friday night but didn’t have them because nobody took them.

And the next message – “Tesla doesn’t bill the insurance company, you have to advance it and then get it from the insurance company”.

Then comes the next thing: In the queue at the insurance company – yes, you could give me a claim number, but no one in the specialist department for approval – and only with a cost estimate of €1200 (KV) But this usually takes at least a week, even with mail it doesn’t get any faster.

What to do ? Nevertheless, start without approval (my risk!) – pictures were then submitted later by the SC, they tried very hard – but the search went on. I also got an estimate for the insurance, which I then submitted later – after 3 days I need a vehicle for work – they gave me an M3 without charge – very nice.

No response from the insurance company after a week (they have too few employees) would normally have waited 2 weeks now (in midsummer without air conditioning – it used to work without)…

Then finally – again pictures of the (previously undiscovered second) marten bite, which go straight to the insurance company, but still no approval.

After 3 weeks, money will be transferred from the insurance company without a comment, minus the deductible.

Lessons Learnt :

1. Don’t get angry, but be prepared that you always have to advance insurance claims with Tesla because you don’t bill the insurance companies
2. You also have to listen to criticism of Tesla from the insurance companies (according to the motto, “That’s what you get if you go into Tesla’s clutches”) – which is nonsense!
3. Always get approval with KV and don’t be surprised if it takes a long time, checking only helps to a limited extent, possibly at your own risk
4. This includes documentation with pictures (otherwise insurance will interfere)
5. My SC Mannheim was very cooperative and they did everything possible to get my MS through despite the full workshop.
6. There, too, people are not always satisfied with the communication and availability via the app
7. Be prepared that the shortage of skilled workers will not stop at the insurance companies and will intensify…