When you purchase a car, whether you buy one that’s new or used, it’s natural to think about the reliability of your vehicle and consider the potential cost of repairs. At some point in the purchase process, it’s likely you’ll be offered an extended car warranty.
An extended vehicle warranty protects your car after your manufacturer’s coverage has expired. It can also protect you in the event of repairs and services that may not be covered by your manufacturer. Not all warranties are created equally. To help you navigate them, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best extended vehicle warranties available.
An extended auto warranty is basically a contract that covers your vehicle in case it needs repairs or breaks down due to normal use. Different types of plans may cover the car’s powertrain, air conditioning, electrical system, and more. The best extended warranties for cars provide comprehensive coverage for repairs to your vehicle and may offer some added perks as well.
Extended car warranties fall into 5 main categories:
1. Bumper-to-bumper warranties offer the most comprehensive coverage around. Most bumper-to-bumper plans include repairs to a car’s major mechanical systems. Any exclusions to a bumper-to-bumper plan should be listed in the contract.
2. Powertrain warranties cover most internal parts of your engine and transmission. If your vehicle is older or has a lot of mileage on it, this type of coverage may be a good bet.
3. Drivetrain warranties cover the parts that make your vehicle move, like the transmission, driveshaft, axle shafts, and wheels. The car’s engine is not covered in a drivetrain warranty.
4. Named component warranties cover only the specific parts listed in the contract. Unlike a bumper-to-bumper warranty, which covers everything except what’s listed, a named component warranty details the items that are under warranty.
5. Wrap policies extend a bumper-to-bumper warranty to cover the parts of your vehicle after the bumper-to-bumper policy has expired.
An extended car warranty has numerous advantages that far outweigh the costs of the warranty itself:
When shopping for an extended car warranty it’s important to know that an extended warranty won’t cover things like damage to a vehicle from a car accident, or anything that was already wrong with the car before the warranty was bought—in other words, pre-existing conditions.
If you wait until you really need the benefits provided by an extended warranty, you may not qualify for one, or you’ll pay more for lower-level coverage. This drives home the point about locking an extended plan in place before you ever need to make a claim.
Unfortunately, extended car warranties have gotten a bad rap due to scam robocalls and swindlers who are out to defraud customers. Here’s how you can stay safe and avoid the scammers, while still getting access to reputable coverage.
Scammers are sophisticated, and you need to be proactive to avoid being a victim.
An extended car warranty goes beyond your car’s factory warranty to cover the cost of repairs for a number of years or amount of miles. The warranty may cover repairs to the entire car (bumper-to-bumper) or to specific car systems (powertrain, drivetrain, etc.).
While both protect you, an extended auto warranty and auto insurance are two very different types of coverage. An extended warranty for cars pays for parts and labor costs in the event of a mechanical breakdown. Car insurance may pay to repair damage to your vehicle in case of a collision, theft, fire, or other disasters.
A new car usually comes standard with a manufacturer’s factory or dealership warranty. This coverage tends to be limited as it covers your car only in case of a manufacturing defect or malfunction. If the factory that produced the car caused the issue, it will be covered by your manufacturer’s warranty. A manufacturer warranty generally covers a car for three years and 36,000 miles.
A third-party extended warranty is protection you can purchase for longer or more extensive coverage. Also called a vehicle service contract, this type of warranty offers different advantages than the manufacturer’s coverage. For this reason, some car buyers opt to get an extended warranty plan for their vehicle even before the manufacturer’s warranty runs out.
Third-party extended warranties can offer you benefits like coverage for towing costs, and a replacement rental car while your vehicle is being repaired. They may allow you to choose your own repair facility or set up a monthly payment plan for repair costs, or reimburse you for the costs of certain repairs not covered by a manufacturer’s warranty.
American Dream Auto Protect provides 24/7 customer service and claims. The claims process is simple and can be started at any time. You can choose any ASE-certified mechanic or dealership, and the warranty company will work directly with the company to provide payment for the repairs provided. You can use the warranty services of this company if your vehicle was made in the year 2000 or later. Renewing the policies can also be set up automatically, which takes the hassle out of remembering to call.
Empire Auto Protect offers multiple car warranty plans and looks to take the hassle out of dealing with unexpected repairs. The website does a good job of setting out what each plan covers. Coverage starts at $69 a month, and 24/7 roadside assistance is included with each plan. Making claims is easy, and you can work with any repair shop nationwide to fix your car.
Why we chose Empire Auto Protect - It has a good selection of plans to choose from and provides drivers the freedom to get repairs done where they feel comfortable.
Our experience - We enjoyed how easy and clear it is to make claims with Empire Auto Protect. The form is straightforward and details exactly what information you need to supply.
Chaiz is an online marketplace that brings you the top car warranty providers at the click of a button. Its plans are separated into three categories, offering different levels of coverage to simplify your search. You can also filter and compare plans based on your vehicle’s specifics, like mileage, cover duration, or level of protection needed.
Why we chose Chaiz: Chaiz pioneered the concept of an online car warranty comparison marketplace, enabling you to research providers nationwide at your own pace. It lets you pick various plans and study all the details and contract terms before buying. This transparency and variety make it easy to find a plan that suits your needs and budget.
Client perspective: Daniel (35) from Arlington says, “Chaiz offers one of the easiest processes to get coverage.” He also mentions that “pricing was a lot lower than the other places [he] had to call to actually get a quote.” He even got a “hefty discount for paying the full policy upfront.”