Extended Auto Warranty

Overview

An extended service contract, also referred to as an extended service contract, extended warranty, mechanical breakdown insurance or a service agreement, is designed to cover specified auto repairs that may occur after factory warranties run their course.  
They are designed to provide car owners the peace of mind and assurance that they’ll never be hit with a nasty repair bill that would drain their wallet.

The items that they include vary from one plan to another, as each warranty covers different things and is offered at a different price.
However, the common feature for all extended service agreements is that they all offer coverage for an agreed-upon period of time and miles.

An OEM extended warranty which is backed by the automaker can be purchased at the dealership at the time of buying a new or used car – or later.
Alternatively, a service contract (which is basically a form of insurance) can be acquired on the free market, when an aftermarket plan is purchased from a third-party provider.

Consumer Tips: How to Buy Safely and Avoid Car Warranty Scams Online

Just like any other sector that involves buyers, sellers, and money that switches hands, the extended auto warranty market also has its fair share of scammers, fraudsters, and cybercriminals that operate online as well as offline and look for potential victims.

Scammers use a variety of illegal or unethical ways to trick unsuspecting car owners into buying fake or poor quality vehicle service contracts.
Some fraudsters send bogus warranty expiration notices by email, disguised to look as though they’re from a legitimate automobile manufacturer, car dealership or extended warranty provider.

Some contracts contain loopholes and vague clauses which do not benefit the customer.
Conversely, some service contracts look fantastic on paper but are simply not honored when a claim is made by the customer.

In addition, some companies use overly aggressive scare tactics, impose unrealistic limits on spending and repair costs, have an endless exclusions list, make the customer pay for repairs upfront and out of pocket, or simply offer inferior customer service.

Taking the following steps will help you find credible and reliable companies and complete your purchase in a safe, secure and satisfactory manner:

Powertrain vs. Bumper-to-Bumper Warranties

Before buying a certain service contact, gain a good understanding of the differences between the two major types of warranties: powertrain and bumper-to-bumper policies.
Doing so will help you make an informed decision on how to choose a plan that meets both your budget and driving needs.

Understand What’s Covered – And what’s Not!

Carefully review the terms of the contract before buying it.
Some plans are more comprehensive than others, some require pre-work approval from the warranty company, and some have deductibles. On the other hand, others don’t and some may not allow the customer to take their vehicle to an independent repair shop, even if they are stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Some of the plans include useful add-ons such as roadside assistance as well as additional coverage, such as rust or corrosion, maintenance, wear-and-tear, and federal emissions warranties.

In addition, you must find out if there are significant limitations or exceptions you need to be aware of and whether the policy is transferable to another person or not.
Make sure you read the actual contract in its entirety (including the fine print) before placing an order.

Evaluate when The Best Time to Buy is

While most car dealerships push customers to buy a service plan when they purchase a vehicle, it can usually be bought any time before the manufacturer’s warranty runs out.

Investigate the Car Warranty Company’s BBB Record

Check the company’s record on the Better Business Bureau’s website.
What you’ll find there will help you to evaluate whether it’s a legitimate business that deserves your money and trust or if you need to look elsewhere.

Look for a current BBB rating, customer reviews, complaints, warnings, and alerts on their business profile.
In addition, learn how long it has been in business – a potential indicator of experience and reputation.

If the business is not even listed with the BBB, this is a very bad sign.
On the other hand, if the service contract provider is certified as a BBB Accredited Business, it’s an important positive signal.

Pay Close Attention to Red Flags

Learn how to better protect yourself when ordering goods and services on the internet. This will help you to avoid scammers and keep safe in general.
Knowing how to check if a website is legitimate or not is the first line of defense.