Car Warranties Part II: The Importance of Keeping Your Warranty

Car warranty coverage depends on two factors: mileage and the timeframe. General warranties usually cover your vehicle for 36,000 miles or three years. As I said in my earlier post, it’s generally an either/or deal with car warranties. Once you reach the maximum mileage even if you still have a few months in the time coverage, the warranty expires and vice versa.

While most people tend to keep paperwork locked tightly away under mounds of insurance policies and other important documents, it’s important that you keep your warranty accessible to you in case of a car breakdown or parts-replacement emergency.

If your car is still under warranty, then you need to be careful not to violate any of the rules and exclusions stated on the document or you run the risk of invalidating your entire vehicle warranty. When you invalidate your warranty, expect to extract a huge sum from your bank account in case of car emergencies–in short, you run the risk of losing the remaining coverage that you have.

Most companies are pretty lax when it comes to simple violations. Say, you happened to replace an original car part or truck accessory with a direct replacement part that meets your OEM standards but is not necessarily an original part from the automaker, most companies would be pretty forgiving with these “minor breaches”.

Big changes in your car on the other hand, like replacing a major system or going to a non-authorized garage and needing to consult with an authorized center to correct possible mistakes, can result in your contract/warranty becoming null and void. If you happen to tinker with your car a lot, then keep in mind that major repairs can also cause you to lose your warranty.

Before doing anything to your car, you need to thoroughly examine the clauses and statements made in your warranty. Examine the plan coverage and check out the warranty’s exclusion list. The exclusion list usually includes all the parts that you’ll need to replace or fix using your own money. After carefully reviewing all the information written on your warranty, make an educated choice about how to proceed with your vehicle repair.

Most of the repair techniques you see in this blog are usually minor, so it won’t really get you in trouble with your car warranty company. But for major repairs, you’ll have to decide on whether you’re going to go to a non-authorized repair shop, you’re going to conduct your own repairs or if you’re going to follow the contract and head to an authorized service center.

Realistically speaking, not all of us may have the time to head to authorized centers for minor replacements and changes. While some people can make the effort for every single car problem, most of us would settle for dealing with the minor problems ourselves. The choice on whether to use your warranty or run the risk of losing it by violating some of the clauses is ultimately yours. The importance of keeping your warranty is for you to be able to make this choice wisely.

If you choose not to use your warranty, then you’re guaranteed to have fewer restrictions when it comes to vehicle repair and part replacements. If you do make this choice, then the only way you can save money is to know where to find the right discount auto parts. Look online for great deals to save good money on part replacements and vehicle repair.

Tips On Finding the Right Vehicle Warranty

There is no disputing the importance of your car’s warranty. Every driver needs one, whether he or she is driving a used or a brand new car. The car warranty is definitely a great way to add to your savings in case of car trouble, replacements and possible breakdowns. Before signing just any warranty contract, there are some details you have to check.

If you’re looking for a used car warranty, then you need to have a copy of the car’s extended warranty or its original warranty to determine whether or not these warranties can still offer you some coverage. Should the purchase have been made by the previous car dealer, expect the car warranty to be short-term. If this is the case, then this could really help you save a hefty sum. If the car in question is not a year old, or is relatively new, then check to see if the original manufacturing warranty is still available. If it is, then there’s no great need for you to hurry your search for the right car warranty.

For new cars, expect your owner’s manual to have all the necessary information you need regarding the different warranties available to you. A general warranty usually lasts approximately 36,000 miles or three years, whichever comes first. These types of warranties usually afford you the benefit of covering all the different parts of your vehicle–although it’s of extreme importance for you to first check if the warranty has an “exclude” list. The exclude list will tell you all the things that the warranty does not cover.

If the exclude list includes certain car parts or truck accessories, you need to make sure you can find great deals on these items. The World Wide Web is an excellent source for discount auto parts. Your car warranty can save you money. Pair it with great deals on vehicle parts and you can be sure your bank account is well protected.

Another important warranty-type that you should consider is the powertrain warranty. The powertrain warranty has excellent coverage that lasts 60 months or 60,000 miles–again, with the premise that states “whichever comes first”. With most car warranties it’s usually an “either or” deal when it comes to mileage and period. Keep in mind that general warranties and powertrain warranties only become effective once your original bumper-to-bumper warranty ends, and these warranties have limited coverage.

If you’re looking for an extended warranty, make sure the company you’re going for has a reputable business history. Asking around or looking into the customer track record of these companies is highly recommended. Also look into the company’s assets to assess what kind of coverage the company can provide. A great company would offer you a wide multitude of plans to choose from. When meeting up with representatives from the company, make sure all that the person offers is backed up in writing–meaning, all the “perks” mentioned is part of the final contract. If you’re a resident of the United States, then it’s also highly recommended that you find a company that offers coverage in all the 50+ states of the country. It also helps if you can find a company that offers a money-back guarantee.

Before you sign anything, make sure you read everything, including the fine print! Most drivers make the mistake of skipping the clauses and simply signing. The few minutes you take to completely read the document, and not just browse it, can ultimately save you a lot of money in the future.

Keep all these things in mind before getting a car warranty.