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What Do Car Warranties Cover? Understanding Coverage

Overview

Explore expert insights on what do car warranties actually cover to drive smarter and stay informed.

Explore expert insights on what do car warranties actually cover to drive smarter and stay informed.

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An extended car warranty offers protection against mechanical breakdowns. People sometimes misuse this term. Third party service providers offer similar protection plans called vehicle service contracts.

What Do Car Warranties Cover? Understanding Your Coverage

One of the biggest advantages of buying a new car is it comes with factory warranty coverage. A manufacturer’s guarantee will cover the cost of a vehicle’s defective parts or flaws. A manufacturer warranty covers both new cars and pre-owned cars.

The warranty period lasts for a certain number of years or miles, whichever comes first. Car buyers can transfer factory warranties if they sell before the warranty expires. This is always a powerful selling point when selling a vehicle.

Reasons Warranty Terms are So Confusing

Vehicle service contracts and extended warranties protect car owners from unexpected expenses. Both offer cover after the original factory warranty expires.

Because the language is interchangeable, this leads to confusion. The different cover is about specifics and the nature of car warranty cover. People use terms like “extended warranty,” “service contract,” “service agreement,” and “vehicle service contract” interchangeably. To avoid confusion, it is important to understand the many terms. This will give you an idea of the cover you have.

Factory Warranty Definition

Consumers often ask what a car warranty covers. A factory warranty is the manufacturer’s guarantee that the product attains a certain standard of quality. It promises the consumer that the product (vehicle) will perform as described.

Should the vehicle, whilst still under factory warranty, fail certain standards, the manufacturer promises to repair or replace the vehicle.

What Does A Factory Warranty Cover?

The factory warranty covers defective materials and workmanship. The factory guarantee covers any material flaws or assembly errors.

It is the job of the manufacturer to repair any components or replace malfunctions resulting from factory defects.

Here’s A List Of What Your Factory Warranty Won’t Cover?

Extended Warranties vs Vehicle Service Contracts

Terms like “extended warranties” and “vehicle service contracts” are confusing to many. Although both terms describe similar coverage options, different entities offer them. They also have varying levels of flexibility and coverage.

Dealerships or factory manufacturers usually offer extended warranties when the factory guarantee expires.

Consumers typically buy vehicle service contracts from third-party service providers. Vehicle service contracts offer consumers a lot more flexibility. More so than extended warranties. Extended warranties frequently tie into the factory warranty period and have restrictions.

Dealerships often use interchangeable terms when selling extended warranties, leading to confusion. The emphasis on extended warranty benefits at the point of sale is often misleading and misunderstood.

Car owners rarely understand what extended warranties and vehicle service contracts cover. They also do not know how these options work. Misleading marketing is an enormous problem for vehicle owners. Read the fine print and ask questions to clear up any misunderstandings.

What Does a Vehicle Service Contract Do?

Get peace of mind when the manufacturer’s warranty expires. Invest in the cover you need with a vehicle service contract. VSC plans provide driving confidence when major mechanical issues surface. Compare coverage from thousands of service providers on a single platform to get a quote within seconds! This will give you the cover you need at the price you can afford.

Don't get caught off-guard with major repairs. Regular, scheduled maintenance will keep your wheels healthy. Not ignoring issues as and when they surface is wise. 

Getting a vehicle service contract for expensive repairs will save you thousands of dollars.

What Does Your Vehicle Service Contract Cover?

Your extended warranty or vehicle service contract usually excludes wear and tear items. You will get cover for expensive car repairs when investing in a vehicle service contract.

A VSC will usually cover:

Where To Get A Car Warranty

Factory warranties cover brand new and nearly-new vehicles. You won’t need to do much about a factory warranty as it automatically comes with the sale of a new car. You could extend your cover with the dealership once the manufacturer’s guarantee expires. Or you could get cover with a third party service provider. Auto makers are not the only option when buying extended warranties. Shopping around and comparing plans give clarity.

You can get an extended warranty before your factory warranty expires. As with most plans, your coverage options will differ from one manufacturer’s warranty to the next.

Reputable third party service providers offer excellent vehicle service contracts. Despite the bad rap the industry has experienced.

This cover prevents out-of-pocket expenses. Comparing prices and service providers will give you options most suited to your needs.

Shop around for a wide range of options. Find the cover best suited to your needs and your pocket by comparing car warranty companies. Find the right warranty for you in one place!

How To Buy Used Cars With Expired Warranties

Car owners investing in used cars from a dealership without a warranty have a couple of options:

Dealer warranties could prove restrictive and expensive. Cheaper options are available from third-party service providers offering vehicle service contracts. Independent online service providers offer cost-effective, viable solutions.

Comparing prices and coverage plans will give you a wide range of alternatives. A little homework will point you in the right direction. This is preferable to simply settling for the cover offered by the dealership.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Warranty Coverage

Q. What does a 5-year/60,000 mile warranty cover?

A. Your factory warranty or manufacturer’s guarantee will expire after a certain amount of miles or Years. Whichever comes first. Powertrain warranties cover the parts that power your car. These are the transmission, engine, and drive systems. Your Powertrain warranty usually lasts longer than a bumper-to-bumper plan. A Powertrain warranty covers fewer components than your bumper-to-bumper plan. 

Bumper-to-bumper warranties cover all the components of the car, from the front bumper to the back bumper. Except the actual bumper, which falls under a different insurance category. Your  bumper-to-bumper plan is a fully comprehensive warranty.

Q. Who pays for the warranty work on your vehicle?

A. Should your vehicle experience an issue while still covered by your factory warranty, the manufacturer pays for the cost of repairs. There is no need to take your vehicle back to the dealership. You can take your car to any registered dealership or mechanic specified under the warranty. You will find the relevant dealerships listed on your warranty schedule.

Q. Are warranties transferable from one owner to another?

Factory warranties are usually transferable from one owner to the next. Transferring a warranty sweetens any deal when selling or buying a car. 

Should you sell your car once you bought the vehicle, the full guarantee will carry over. Provided the warranty has not already expired. This is where a little homework will come into play, and where reading the fine print will pay dividends.

Limited warranties covering specific car components and certain defects, are usually not transferable.

Common Car Repairs Covered When Taking Out a Warranty

Get to know everything about different warranties by understanding your vehicle’s protection. Car warranties differ.They are also different from car insurance. Scrutinize the finer details about the varying coverage options.

Compare quotes from the comfort of your armchair. Get thousands of quotes within minutes. All on one user-friendly platform.

Confusing terminology could mislead consumers. Ethical service providers offer valuable insights and clarity. Determine everything before putting pen to paper to ensure you get the cover for a perfect fit.