After You Get Your Extended Vehicle Warranty
The day you sign up for your new vehicle extended warranty is an important one.
That’s because the day you purchase your plan starts your coverage period.
You’re protected against mechanical breakdowns and other unanticipated repairs from that day forward.
Most people don’t realize they have a grace period after their initial purchase to make changes to their coverage.
For example, you may decide that you want to add additional coverage, such as tire and wheel protection after you’ve already signed up for your original plan.
As long as you make these changes within the first 30 days or 1,000 miles (whichever comes first), you can do so without penalty.
In this article, we’ll discuss what you can, should, and might not want to do in the first days or weeks of your warranty.
Getting Your Warranty
After researching warranties and picking one that fits your needs, it’s time to take steps to get your car warrantied.
To get an extended vehicle warranty, you must first have your vehicle inspected by the warranty provider.
This is usually done at a repair shop approved by your warranty provider.
During the inspection, a technician will check your vehicle for any pre-existing damage and take note of its mileage.
Be sure to ask the technician for a copy of the inspection report.
You may need this if you ever have to file a claim.
If You Need to File a Claim Immediately
You’re still covered if you have an issue with your vehicle right after signing up for warranty protection.
However, it’s essential to know that most warranties have a waiting period before they go into effect.
The length of the waiting period varies by warranty provider but is usually between 30-90 days.
So, if you have an issue with your vehicle during the waiting period and try to file a claim, you’ll likely be denied coverage.
In this case, the best thing to do is to wait until the waiting period is over and then take your vehicle to a repair shop for diagnosis and repairs.
If you have questions about whether or not your issue is covered, you can always contact your warranty provider for clarification.
However, as per your contract, you will likely have to pay a deductible if you are covered.
As this may be your first time making a warranty claim, don’t be surprised that you may have to pay a deductible.
Your deductible amount is agreed upon when you purchase your warranty and usually ranges from $0-$100 or a percentage of the repair cost.
Once the problem is fixed, you will need to send your claim form and inspection report (if you have it) to your warranty provider.
Your warranty provider will reimburse you for the repairs, minus your deductible.
What Will Be Covered?
Now that you know how to obtain your warranty and what to do if you need to make a claim, it’s vital to understand what your warranty covers.
Most extended vehicle warranties cover repairs for major mechanical components like your engine, transmission, and drivetrain.
Some also cover electrical components, air conditioning, and other systems.
It’s essential to read your warranty contract carefully to know precisely what is and isn’t covered.
If you’re unsure about something, ask your warranty provider for clarification.
In general, though, most warranties will not cover the following:
– Routine maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations
– Damage from an accident or natural disaster
– Wear and tear from regular use
– Cosmetic damage like scratched paint or dented body panels
If you’re unsure what’s covered, your best bet is to ask your warranty provider or take your car to a repair shop for a diagnosis.
For the items mentioned above, you may need to consider more premium warranty protection or a maintenance plan.
The most premium extended warranty plan offered by Protect My Car is the Endurance Select Premier.
This plan includes:
– Coverage for over 8,000 components
– $0 deductible
– Rental car reimbursement
– Towing and roadside assistance
– Trip interruption protection
If you’re looking for the most comprehensive coverage possible for your vehicle, this is the plan for you.
Maintenance Plans Can Help with Even More
In addition to extended vehicle warranties, another option to consider is a maintenance plan.
With a maintenance plan, you can get coverage for routine maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations.
You can also get discounts on repairs, towing, and roadside assistance.
Maintenance plans can be purchased from your dealership or through a third-party provider.
If you’re unsure which option is right for you, ask your dealership or repair shop for more information.
No matter what type of protection you choose, it’s essential to have some form of coverage for your vehicle.
Combining an extended warranty and a maintenance plan can give you total peace of mind on the road.
If You Need to Cancel Your Warranty
In some cases, people realize that they don’t need an extended warranty after they’ve already purchased one.
If this happens to you, don’t worry – you can cancel your warranty for a full refund within the first 30 days.
To do so, contact your warranty provider and let them know you’d like to cancel.
They’ll process your refund, and you’ll be all set.
It’s important to note that you can only cancel your warranty within the first 30 days.
After that, you’ll be stuck with it until it expires.
Conclusion
An extended warranty can be a great way to protect your car.
However, it’s crucial to understand how they work before you purchase one.
Be sure to read your contract carefully and ask your provider any questions you have about coverage.
You should also consider a maintenance plan to help with routine maintenance and repairs.
If you decide that an extended warranty isn’t right for you, you can cancel it within the first 30 days for a full refund.
Whatever you decide, be sure to do what’s best for you and your car.
Thanks for reading!
Protect My Car is a vehicle service contract provider, also referred to as extended car warranty provider, with multiple coverage plans for new and used vehicles with low to higher mileage to help meet your needs and budget. Protect My Car customers work directly with the company for customer service, claims administration and contract financing. No middleman or the need for third-party approval. All Protect My Car Plans include best-in-class claims and customer support, 24/7 roadside assistance, free oil changes and tire rotations and the exclusive PMC Rewards Plan, providing daily deals, giveaways, coupons, and thousands of ways to save money every day. Protect My Car has a 30-day money-back guarantee.