
What does the extended warranty cost?Įxtended warranty prices vary depending on the type of car and coverage. Car clubs like AAA or plans through your insurance provider may provide things like roadside assistance for less. An extended car warranty also might be worth it if you have an exotic car with high-end technology or parts that are hard to find. It doesn’t make sense to pay for coverage you’re already receiving, but it might be worth the cost of an extended car warranty if it covers those parts for longer or provides extras like roadside assistance that are important to you. For example, if you buy a two-year-old Ford with 24,000 miles on it, then you still have one year and 12,000 miles left of the three-year, 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and you have three years, 36,000 miles left of the five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain plan. Ask how much of that manufacturer warranty remains or search for yourself by your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
As we mentioned earlier, automakers provide warranties on all of their vehicles automatically. Important: Compare extended warranties with your manufacturer warranty.
Can you get repairs done anywhere in the nation? Do they have to be preapproved?. Will you be reimbursed for rental car expenses while your car’s in the shop?. Technology: Touch screen, navigation, audio and communications devices. Heating/cooling: Air conditioning, heating and cooling systems. Chassis: Suspension, steering and brake systems. Electronics: Computers, electronic components and electrical systems. Powertrain or drivetrain: What powers the vehicle: the engine, transmission and drive axle. What parts are covered (or excluded)? Components may fall under these categories:. Extended auto warranty companies like Endurance provide sample contracts on its site. Manufacturers like Toyota provide a tool on its website where users can sort by vehicle type and compare available plans. Most providers offer three main types of extended warranty based on the level of coverage and the age of your car: new, used and certified pre-owned. Extended warranties are always extra, anywhere between $1,200 and $2,500 or higher. This manufacturer warranty is included in the price of a new car, no extra charges and follows the car, even if you sell it. It’s standard practice for carmakers to include a warranty promising to cover certain defects or malfunctions for the first part of a car’s life: three years/36,000 miles “bumper-to-bumper” and five years/60,000 for powertrain coverage is typical. So, if you bought an extended car warranty of six years/72,000 miles, that’s the total time and miles the car would be covered, not an additional six years or 72,000 miles. Keep in mind this typically refers to the total time and miles on the vehicle. A VSC’s term may be as short as one year/12,000 miles or as long as 10 years/100,000 miles. How long does the extended car warranty last?Īll extended car warranties expire after a certain amount of time or number of miles. But if you’re squeezed for time, use these questions to get the answers you need from a salesperson or when reading over a brochure or plans online. Experts say the best way to understand them is to get a copy of the contract and read it carefully. Avoid shady providers that pump out the junk mail and robocalls telling consumers that you absolutely need one right now.Įxtended warranty contracts can be long and complicated, each offering different types of protection.
Steer toward plans offered by reputable extended car warranty companies such as the ones we list below. Dealerships push them when you’re car shopping, but you could buy a VSC at nearly any time.
Consider extended auto warranty alternativesģ questions to ask before you get an extended warrantyĪ VSC is an optional product sold through dealerships and by extended auto warranty companies. Research extended car warranty companies. 3 questions to ask before you get an extended warranty.