Car Warranty

Why do you need a warranty?

Warranty covers you against the cost of parts & labour following a mechanical or electrical failure, putting an end to unplanned repair bills.

New material science and mechanical know-how has helped automotive industry build better cars than ever. At the same time, cars are becoming more sophisticated and complex. Environmental concern and fuel efficiency requirement has pushed the complexity to a new high. All of these means one thing: when the car breaks down, the cost of repair can be astronomical!

Most new cars come with manufacturer's warranty that covers bumper-to-bumper, which usually includes any components that drive the car, like engine, transmission, drive-shaft, and axles, and any parts under the hood that are not subject to normal wears, like tires, battery, and light bulb. New car warranty can last anywhere from 3-10 years, and from 36k-100k miles. When you shop for a pre-owned vehicle, check to see if there is still warranty left on the vehicle, and if the warranty is transferable from previous owner.

When you buy a pre-owned vehicle, there are many extended warranty programs to choose from to give you an extra peach of mind.

When shopping for car warranty, make sure you read the offering carefully to understand what is covered, what is not covered, and the deductibles and restrictions. Read the fine print as some warranty program requires the owner to log detailed routine maintenance and they may refuse to reimburse your repair cost if the log is lacking.

Ask a lot of questions. Does it offer roadside assistance and rental car program when the car is in the repair shop? Does the warranty reimburse the cost of repair work done by any certified car mechanics or it has to be designed repair shops? What is your choice when comes to repair? What kind of car part you can use? For some critical components, you want to insist on using genuine manufacturer's parts instead cheaper generic auto parts.

Do you have to pay the cost of repair up-front and have it reimbursed later? The paper work of making a claim can be a hassle. With some warranty programs you can have your mechanic charge the cost right to a corporate credit card over the phone. Does it cover all the cost associated with the repair? That includes parts, labor, environmental fees, and sales tax. Is there any limit on the number of claims you can make?

Warranty cost also has a lot to do with make and model of the car. For some cars it's difficult to get certain parts and skilled mechanics. Like when you're in the USA, it's easier to get Chevrolet parts and mechanics specialised in Chevrolets, then when you're located in Europe.

Be a smart warranty shopper and ask a lot of tough questions before you spend your money. Use a warranty shopping matrix to weigh the pros and cons. You will be the one to decide which warranty program is best for you. When comes to extended warranty you have many options. Check out many resources on the internet, and shop around.