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automobile warranty

Choosing a warranty plan is more than just deciding whether you want to go directly through an online provider or accept an offer from your dealership. Auto extended warranties come in many coverage levels, with some covering wear and tear or overheating, while others cover only mechanical breakdowns. You may have heard of “bumper to bumper” coverage before, but what does it all mean? What is necessary and what is just fluff? Before you buy, be sure to iron out the details so you don’t become one of the court claims.

You may be wondering, “Do I need to purchase a warranty plan, or will I be covered by my car manufacturer’s warranty?” In some cases, people have purchased two-year extended warranty coverage only to find that they had already been covered just fine by their manufacturer. According to the consumer site CarSmart.com, the best coverage is on high-end luxury sports cars, like Aston Martins, Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Rolls-Royces, which are covered until 999,999 miles.

At the next tier, you’re covered for five years (or 60,000 miles) if you drive a Mitsubishi, Kia, Infiniti or Hyundai. You’re covered four years (or 50,000) miles if you have an Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Hummer, Isuzu, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes, Mini, Porsche, Saab, Volkswagon or Volvo.

You may want to consider purchasing an additional warranty if you’re rough on your mid-range vehicle or if you buy a lower range vehicle from Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Saturn, GMC, Honda, Jeep, Ford, Mercury, Nissan, Pontiac, Suzuki, Scion or Subaru (whose manufacturer warranties only cover 3 years or 36,000 miles.) If you drive a 2008 or later GM model, then you’ll be covered for 100,000 miles or five years.

Many people assume that there is such a thing as an “implied warranty” that protects them for so many days after they bring their new car home. Generally, you should not rely on this type of warranty plan. If you’re test driving a used car and hear a clunking sound and the salesperson says they’ll take care of it, get that promise in writing to document the problem (or simply pass on the car!) If the warranty plan doesn’t explicitly say that part will be covered, then the dealer is under no obligation to fix it, legally. Some states have a “lemon law” that says you’re entitled to repairs or replacement if the problem cannot be resolved after so many attempts. However, if you’re buying a used car “as is,” then you automatically void your right to lemon law protection and assume any risk.

If you’re buying a used car that costs less than $5,000, then is the warranty plan even worth it? At Warranty Direct, you can get an out-of-warranty plan on any vehicle over 36,000 miles that covers you four years (or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first). If you’re buying a car so cheaply, then it’s probably not worth your while to pay half that much for an automobile warranty (when you could have saved your money and your stress by just buying a slightly more expensive car with less mileage and a longer manufacturer’s warranty). Beware of the cheap plans because they often advertise exceedingly low prices but essentially cover nothing. Some extended warranty plans to avoid include those offered by TheAutoClub.com, Continental Warranty, AaautoWarranty and SmartAutoWarranty.com, which do not offer wear and tear coverage and have garnered over 250 annual complaints.

used car warranties

“I estimate that the WCPSOnline website has helped us to be over 40 percent more efficient over the last two years,” explains Warrantech VP Link Wiley. “But it is not just about cutting our costs. The cycle of authorization, repair and payment is shorter, so service centers save time as well. Essentially, the customer gets faster service, the service centers get paid quicker and we are able to keep the pricing of our warranty plans competitive.” By modernizing their operations, this highly esteemed warranty company is able to improve customer satisfaction through process efficiency. They work with dealerships to offer new car warranties, but they’re also marketing to people who are looking to extend their used car warranties as well.

The most popular plan offered by Warrantech is the Repairmaster. The “Powertrain Coverage” plan includes the engine, turbocharger, transmission, drive axle and transfer case components. Or you may choose the “Select Coverage,” which includes all powertrain components, as well as electrical, steering, air conditioning and brake components. The third plan offered is the “Deluxe Coverage,” giving you everything in the Select Plan, plus cooling, front/rear suspension, fuel delivery and enhanced electrical components.

There are also optional surcharged plans to accommodate vehicles that get a lot of wear and tear. For example, the Commercial Use plan, the Seals and Gaskets plan (for vehicles with over 80,000 miles), the Enhanced Electrical plan and the Conversion coverage plan (for recreational vehicles). With all plans, you’ll receive travel/towing bonuses.

Warrantech extended warranty coverage offers everything consumers need from a warranty company. They give up front details on their site (like executive names and company history), they offer several levels of coverage to choose from, they have a proven track record for success, they’re AM-Best and BBB approved, and their customer service is often touted. You can get coverage for 1 year/12,000 miles up to 7 years/100,000 miles at an affordable rate, but you’ll have to contact them online for an extended warranty quote.

If you’ve looked at the Warrantech page and weren’t impressed by the offerings or the company legacy, then there are many other sites to try for an extended warranty quote. Warranty Direct and the National Warranty Corporation are two other highly praised, competitive companies you can check. One important thing to remember is that you can often get a better deal shopping around on the internet, rather than going through the dealership with its retail markup.

extended warranty coverage

An extended warranty plan is a good idea if you’re purchasing a car with a three-year/36,000 mile manufacturer’s warranty. Many of the top-selling brands, including Ford, GM, Saturn, Jeep, Volvo, Volkswagon, Nissan and Honda, offer these smaller warranties, whereas high-end luxury vehicles like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce are covered for nearly 100,000 miles. However, all 2008 and later GM models are offering a five-year/100,000 mile warranty now. If you have a five-year or six-year warranty, then chances are you’ll be fine. For the smart shopper, there are several things to consider when scouring the internet for an extended warranty quote.

First of all, be sure you’re dealing with a solid company. See that they’re listed in the Better Business Bureau or Web Assured, and that they have years of experience. For example, Warranty Direct has been in business for 26 years and NWC have been in business for 20 years. Read consumer comments and testimonials, check to see if the company services any dealerships and ask if they have a reinsurance program, which means they will be good for the money, even if many people are filing claims all at once.

Once you’ve purchased your extended warranty plan, understand that there are several tips you must follow to avoid your claim from being denied, which can be really agonizing if you’ve paid thousands for coverage! One rule of thumb is to get approval from your warranty company before repairs are done. Sometimes, your company may want to inspect the car for themselves before work is done to protect themselves against fraudulent claims. Some warranties require oil changes every six months and if you don’t follow the rules, they won’t pay for your repairs! Similarly, always pull over if your car overheats. Some warranty companies won’t pay for damage caused after overheating. If you don’t get your fluids topped up or your worn gaskets replaced in a timely manner, then your claim may also be rejected. In some cases, the mechanics have to rip your car apart to get to the damaged part, which may not be necessarily covered. If you have added alterations, like unauthorized tow hitches, then you may also not be eligible for your warranty any longer.

There are some common lies that dealers tell consumers to get them roped into an extended warranty plan prematurely. Remember, they are salesmen and they’re out to get the highest commissions and the highest interest, thus gaining them more profits. One excuse is that “the loan won’t be approved unless you buy the insurance.” Be aware that most auto extended warranties can be returned within 30 days with a 100% moneyback guarantee, so if you’re coerced, you can always rid yourself of the plan if you find a better deal elsewhere. Another lie dealers tell is that “you must buy now or you can never get extended warranty coverage.” This is simply not true. The problem with buying from a dealer is that they like to draw up slick pseudo-contracts without showing you exactly what’s covered before you buy. If you look online, then you can go directly to the source and see what you’ll be getting.

used car warranties

You may have heard that “research is crucial” when it comes to purchasing an extended warranty for your automobile. Sometimes auto extended warranties are portrayed in a negative light because of a few scam artists looking to capitalize off peoples’ concern for their investments. A recent Consumer Reports study recommended that people buy highly rated models only and that they invest in Money Market accounts to save for repairs, rather than invest in a warranty. However, if you tend to incur a good number of auto repair bills, if you plan on keeping your car more than three years and if you drive your car over the recommended 12,000 miles annually, then you are a good candidate for the extended warranty program.

One thing to consider when you’re researching extended warranty options is where to purchase from. Many people choose to buy their used car warranties or new car warranties straight from the dealership. There is a natural inclination to trust a dealer or a manufacturer more than an online seller, but most online, car extended warranty coverage is much more affordable and comprehensive than what your dealer would offer. When you buy from the dealer, they go to a company offering warranties (sometimes the manufacturer, sometimes a privately owned company) and they barter for offers. By going directly to a company online, you’re essentially cutting out the middle man and saving yourself money.

Another factor to consider is auto warranty for “wear and tear.” This type of warranty can be hard to find, since many only cover mechanical failure. However, you can definitely find extended warranty coverage that includes “wear and tear,” thereby covering parts like the idler arm, piston rings, U joints, CV joints, wheel bearings, motor mounts, suspension bushings, tie rod ends, seals, gaskets and other engine parts that gradually wear down and may or may not cause a mechanical breakdown.

If you have an anti-lock braking system, then you’ll want to make sure your coverage extends to ABS and instances of overheating. The comprehensive website, carbuyingtips.com recommends Warranty Direct and Nation Warranty Corporation, which both include “wear and tear” in their plans.

Lastly, you’ll want to ask a few nitty gritty questions. Does your warranty company deposit part of your money into an insured “Claims Reserve Account” (to ensure there are sufficient funds to pay a covered claim)? Do they offer $0 deductible, or will you have to cough up a portion of the claim? Is your extended warranty transferable, should you opt to sell the car? Is there a 100% money-back guarantee for the first 30-60 days? If the insurer defaults on your warranty due to excessive claims, is there a reinsurance backup? These are all factors to consider.