If you’re a car owner, regular maintenance is important to help keep your car running for as long as possible. You need to bring it to the car shop for oil changes, tire rotations, and fluid checks every several months. Replacing tires, windshield wipers, and other parts are also necessary to ensure its peak performance.
For this reason, car buyers should consider getting car warranties. Warranties usually cover basic maintenance items from top to bottom over a period of about three to five years or so. They are a great option for first-time car buyers or people who cannot do basic car maintenance and repairs by themselves. There are also extended car warranties that are available on new and used vehicles.
Car warranties can vary by car make, model and manufacturer. You can also find it anywhere since many companies are offering them. You just have to find the ideal company that will cover all the expenses that you need.
But first, take some time to read through the terms and coverage options carefully before signing any paperwork. This can help you be prepared for any out of pocket costs that may not be covered by the warranty.
What You Need to Know About Extended Warranty
An extended car warranty is not insurance. Don’t expect that it will cover any damage in your vehicle like insurance does. It means that if a part breaks due to accidental damage or human error, it won’t be covered. It usually covers the cost of repairs when a car part wears out.
Extended warranties would be helpful for older vehicles because you’ll never know when the car components will break and would require replacement. For instance, if an expensive part, like the transmission or engine, gets damaged due to ordinary use, an extended car warranty can cover it. Check this article to learn more about the extended car warranty.
Extended car warranties can be a good option for many car buyers. Here are some advantages that they provide to help you consider having one:
- They cover repairs that can be expensive.
People buy extended car warranties because the warranties can cover repairs and replacement of parts and technology. System failures can be difficult to diagnose for those who are not proficient with the latest automotive sensors and related equipment. Such repairs can be costly in terms of both time and money.
Having an extended warranty protects car buyers from having to shell out big bucks for these expenses. They can rest easy, knowing that such problems are covered and qualified professional technicians will do the repair job.
- Extended warranties can be customized to meet your needs.
Another advantage of having an extended warranty is that you can usually choose what services are going to be covered. You could opt for roadside assistance, additional bumper to bumper protection or a longer time for powertrain warranty coverage, for example. These are just some services that you can opt for.
If you’re planning to keep your car in the family for a decade or more, choosing more services to extend the vehicle’s useful life can be very beneficial.
- Dealerships handle the processing and paperwork.
Most dealerships that offer extended warranties strive to make such transactions as hassle-free as possible for their customers. This means that the dealership takes care of the paperwork and processing of any scheduled maintenance or repairs.
The car manufacturer pays the dealership, and not the consumer, for any repairs or recall work. Such warranties usually allow car owners to have repairs and maintenance done at any dealership that sells the same car brands and works with original equipment manufacturers.
- It’s an affordable option for car leases.
If you decide to lease your car instead of buying it outright, the extended warranty will usually roll over into your existing loan. You won’t need to shell out additional dollars upfront for the warranty or any repairs or maintenance issues that may occur.
Extended warranties can be an affordable option for people who only plan on having their current vehicle for a certain number of years.
- An extended warranty provides peace of mind.
Many car owners start to worry about having to pay for expensive repairs in the event of an accident or when parts break down after the original manufacturer warranty expires.
Buying an extended warranty can alleviate most of the worry and stress. It gives both new and used car owners the satisfaction of knowing that such issues will be repaired in a timely manner without having to take out a loan or seek alternative ways to fund such repairs.
- They can cover technology.
What does an extended auto warranty cover, exactly? When it comes to technology, the extended warranty covers tricky and expensive car features. Because modern vehicles adhere to the latest technology, car extended warranties cover the repair of computerized and electrical equipment.
Possible system failures may result even with the most sophisticated equipment, and repair can be expensive. You don’t have to shoulder these repairs if you have an extended car warranty.
Here are the car technology features that an extended car warranty offers:
- Electrical: Starter motor, alternator, front wiper motor, heater blower motor, cooling fan motor, electric horn, clock, and switches for neutral safety, reverse indicator, overdrive, power windows, and power door locks.
- Engine: Oil pump, crankshaft and bearings, internal timing gears, camshaft, timing chain, camshaft bearings, distributor drive gear, and all internal components.
- Transmission or Transaxle: Both the internal parts of the manual and automatic transmission are covered. Also, an extended car warranty covers carrier bearings, internal transaxle seal, and drive chain gears, including the torque converter, drive gears, transfer case, forks, bearing thrust washer, washer, bushing, and housing.
Final Thoughts
An extended car warranty can reduce your worry and guesswork when something goes wrong with your vehicle. It allows you to go on living your life and continuing to make progress towards your goals and dreams.
The list above are just some reasons why it is important to get yourself an extended warranty for your vehicle. Such warranties can be expensive, but they can pay for themselves during regular use and upkeep. You may never need to use it, but it’s good to have when you need it.
