When you buy a new car, the dealer tries to sell you an extended warranty.
Many people are hesitant to buy one, fearing that they will be ripped off or that the warranty will not be honored.
In this article, we will answer some of the most common questions and concerns about extended auto warranties.
Common Extended Auto Warranty Concerns
Extended warranty concerns stopping you from purchasing a plan that can protect your vehicle and your wallet?
Protect My Car is a leader in the aftermarket extended warranty industry. We have shown consumers how having an extended warranty will pay for itself.
Extended warranty concerns should only be a concern when your factory warranty plan expires.
Having protection should elevate any extended warranty concerns you had. Purchasing an extended car warranty may be your only option when your car’s original warranty runs out.
Purchasing an extended car warranty is usually available through a private company, however, some are even available for purchase from your car dealer.
Extended car warranties have come under fire in the past for being rip-offs that take your money and either go out of business or don’t cover most repairs.
While this may have been true once, there are reputable companies offering extended warranties, however, their product’s poor reputations can lead to a number of customer concerns including the following:
I Don’t Need an Extended Auto Warranty
Your car is bound to experience some type of mechanical failure at some point. No matter how well you take care of it, parts will break down and need to be replaced.
An extended warranty gives you protection against the high cost of repairs when your car’s original warranty has expired.
You may think that you don’t need an extended warranty because you are a good driver and maintain your car well, but even the best drivers and most well-maintained cars can experience mechanical failures.
An extended warranty gives you peace of mind knowing that if something does go wrong, you will be covered.
I Can’t Afford an Extended Auto Warranty
An extended warranty is an investment that can save you money in the long run.
While the upfront cost of an extended warranty may seem like a lot, it is nothing compared to the cost of some car repairs.
Also, many extended warranty companies offer payment plans so you can spread out the cost of the warranty over time.
I Don’t Want to Be Locked into a Long Contract
Most extended warranty contracts are for 12 months or less. Some companies also offer month-to-month plans so you are not locked into a long contract.
If you do choose a longer contract, you can cancel at any time and receive a refund for any unused portion of the contract.
I Don’t Want to Deal with the Hassle of Making a Claim
Making a claim is easy and most extended warranty companies have 24/7 customer service so you can get help when you need it.
In most cases, you can take your car to any licensed repair shop and the extended warranty company will reimburse you for the cost of repairs.
I’m Worried the Extended Auto Warranty Company Will Go Out of Business
When choosing an extended warranty company, be sure to choose one that is established and has a good reputation.
Also, make sure to read the fine print of the contract so you know what happens if the company does go out of business.
I’m Worried the Warranty Won’t be Honored
If you choose a reputable company and read the fine print of the contract, you should have no worries that your warranty will be honored.
Reputable companies stand behind their products and will honor the terms of the warranty.
I Don’t Know if I Can Trust the Salesperson
The best way to ensure you are getting a good deal on an extended warranty is to do your research before you purchase.
Get quotes from several different companies and compare the coverage.
Also, be sure to read the fine print of the contract so you know exactly what is covered and what is not.
Is An Extended Auto Warranty Worth It?
Many people wonder if the cost associated with purchasing an extended car warranty is worth it, will my claim be denied, or will I even have my car long enough to justify the expense.
These are all valid extended warranty concerns, especially if your manufacturer’s warranty is just running out; after all, your car is usually only a few years old at that point.
The truth, however, is that the cost of an extended warranty is negligible when compared to the cost of a major repair such as a replacement transmission or engine.
While it’s true that these issues are more common on older cars, if they happen on a newer car, they cost just as much.
Even if there isn’t a catastrophic breakdown, an extended warranty can pay for itself.
As your car ages, it often needs minor repairs.
These are usually annoying things, like a power lock not working or an errant radio problem.
These repairs usually aren’t all that expensive on their own, but they are inevitable as your car ages.
Over time, a series of minor repairs can end up costing just as much as a major one.
Will My Extended Warranty Coverage Repairs Be Done At A Reputable Shop?
There are horror stories about extended warranties forcing customers to have their cars repaired at an unlicensed, poorly run repair shop.
Not only is this an uncomfortable experience, but a poorly done repair will only last so long; meaning that you will have to either return to the original repair shop or even pay for it yourself if it breaks after your warranty expires.
Another extended warranty concern with repair shops is the small number of options available.
If you move across town, it can be so difficult to travel to a designated repair shop.
And, if you move to another area of the country, you won’t be able to use your warranty at all meaning that it is a waste of money.
Most extended car warranties, however, send you to licensed repair shops with highly trained mechanics.
Protect My Car will even allow you to have your repairs done at the dealer or choose your own repair shop, these facts should help get rid of your extended warranty concerns and help you make up your mind to choose protection.
They also provide you with a wide variety of repair shops in multiple locations; meaning you don’t have to worry about your location.
Larger companies may have contracts with private repair shops all across the country.
And, since there are car dealerships all over America, an extended auto warranty that allows dealer repairs effectively gives you countrywide coverage.
An extended warranty is a valuable investment that can save you money in the long run.
Choose a reputable company and be sure to read the fine print of the contract so you know exactly what you are getting.
Don’t let the concerns listed above prevent you from purchasing an extended warranty.
An extended warranty can give you peace of mind and protection against the high cost of repairs.
Extended warranty concerns should stop once you have purchased a policy from Protect My Car.
Protect My Car puts all of our customers at ease by providing great service, paying claims, and offering great roadside assistance again all things that make you feel better about all the extended warranty concerns you once had.