Auto Warranty News

Until very recently nobody believed the auto warranty industry could support a trade association.  But a warranty seminar was held in Detroit and sold out so people will take notice. So who can host a workshop for warranty pros?  The notion of an industry association for auto warranty professionals seems as unlikely as, say, the idea of a publication about the warranty industry. Who would read this, and who would come to the meetings of such a group? 

The answer to the first question is already known. Several thousand auto warranty professionals in 29 countries read Warranty Week either by email or on the Web. The answer to the second question is not known yet. Could there be demand for a auto warranty industry association a warranty interest group? 

It’s up to the readers of Warranty Week to answer the question. Currently, there is no Auto Warranty Industry Association and nobody’s suggesting one should be created.  There is some interest in forming one though. While there is no yearly convention at Walt Disney World for the warranty industry, there might be at some point 

The important question to answer is does anybody know about a group that already exists that may support the needs and interests of auto warranty professionals? And if the answer is no, is there a need for one to be created?

Road service refers to assistance extended by auto warranty providers to vehicle owners at times of distress.  It is not obligatory that a road service plan be included with new car warranties or used car warranties.  They are however, important and assist customers in distress, especially when they are stranded on motorways when their vehicle breaks down.

Normally, the road service is offered by cars manufacturer but expires with the original coverage.  Sometimes dealers may offer independent road service for their customers but this is very rare and is only for breakdowns in their region.

At the time of delivery, insist on an auto warranty that offers a road service program. Road service includes range of services starting from repairs and maintenance of the engine to flat tires service.

Usually road service operates through a hotline telephone number and has a toll-free number to call whenever vehicle owners are in distress and help is usually there in less than 45 minutes.

If you intend to sell your vehicle at some point you should consider purchasing on of the many used car warranties available to you.  Even if you are only considering a sale, automobile warranty can protect you while you still own the car and will add considerable value to the new owner. You will be able to drive your vehicle with the peace of mind that only an auto warranty can bring.  You should also realize that the buyer is likely to want the same comfort when driving the vehicle after the purchase.

In addition, you will increase the car’s value by adding the simple words “warranty coverage” in your ad.  

Consider purchasing an auto warranty for your new replacement vehicle as well.  Down the road the extended auto warranty will most likely save you big money on repair bills.  Remember, the auto warranty you purchase today will be an investment that will surely pay off for you in the future. 

Automotive performance and sporty looks are brought together without the need for gasoline.

Tesla, based in San Carlos California is trying to reshape the automobile industry.  They recently introduced the Tesla Roadster, and hot looking, future thinking, all-electric sports car. That’s right, it’s a sports car. It is an open topped rear wheel drive and can get from zero to sixty in about four seconds.  A great engine design keeps the car at full torque at all times.  The body, made of all carbon fiber is lightweight and strong. Its Energy Storage System allows the vehicle to get a surprising 250 miles per single charge.

Auto warranty is still a question mark as there are no aftermarket auto warranty programs that currently cover all-electric vehicles.

A real bonus though, is that there are no waste products pouring into the air which eliminates the need for an exhaust pipe.  Tesla said it best when they stated “The roadster offers the power of a sports car, the driving range of a hybrid, and the environmentally friendliness of a bicycle”.

Even at $100,000.00 each, they can’t build them fast enough.  Could all-electric be the future of all cars in the U.S.?

Sure, you want to be environmentally friendly and don’t want to put any more money than you need to into the pockets of the fat cat executives of the oil industry.  But is purchasing a new hybrid vehicle a good way of going about it.  I believe the answer is yes.  The demand for hybrids has been increasing at a rapid pace for the past decade or so.

In addition to being fuel friendly, these vehicles are also environmentally sound and produce far less emissions than standard vehicles.  This newer hybrid technology has also made these vehicles far more complex than cars and trucks of the past.  This has forced auto warranty providers to make adjustments to their coverage to allow for much of this new technology.  Now, more than ever, an extended warranty is an essential piece of the new car purchasing puzzle.

An ecologically conscious consumer will surely be smart enough to choose to add the purchase of an auto warranty to their decision to make a hybrid a part of their family.

There’s no arguing that 2008 will probably be a rough year for the automotive industry.  The fuel crisis, numerous recalls, and a tough economy will have vehicle manufacturers struggling to stay in the black.  It will be interesting to watch what makes and models can survive the industry wide lack of sales and keep their nameplates at the top of the production list.

Another interesting story will be how automobile manufacturers will keep the impending sales declined from cutting into the profits of their auto warranty divisions.  Manufacturer’s warranties will need to be a large incentive for consumers in the market to buy a new car.  New car warranties are quite varied depending on the make and model of the vehicle and sometimes play a pivotal role in the consumer’s decision about one vehicle to purchase.

The aftermarket auto warranty programs will also have to adjust to the longer powertrain warranties that are now being offered on new vehicles.  Regardless, and auto warranty still remains one of the best investments you can make when buying a new or used car or truck.

Many auto dealers offer vehicles they call “program cars” in addition to the new and used cars a consumer would be traditionally familiar with.  These program cars are sometimes an excellent bargain as they are generally near new with low miles and have some manufacturer’s auto warranty remaining.

One of the problems I find in the way dealers offer these program cars are that they don’t always tell you the whole story of where they come from.  Program cars, many times are former rental vehicles that have been turned back over from the major rental companies for sale to the consumer.  As you may already know, rental vehicles are not traditionally treated very well.  It is for this reason that if you are purchasing a program car an extended auto warranty should be an essential part of the purchase.  When purchasing any car or truck that does not show a trail of its history is a risky proposition.  And auto warranty purchase almost completely eliminates this risk.

Do your research prior to purchasing and you will almost always be pleased with the product that you purchase.

I may envy my friends a little as they are all driving beautiful new cars, but I don’t envy their high monthly payments.  After many years of carting with my family around, the interior of my Explorer may not be much to look at, but mechanically it is still fairly sound.  Rather then taking on a new loan and dealing with the monthly payments, I chose to purchase an auto warranty.  I consider used car warranties and essential investment if you plan to keep an older vehicle and it is your primary mode of transportation.

When I returned to the dealer who sold me my car originally and asked him if he could provide warranty coverage, I was told they were not able to sell it to me after the date of sale.  I then went on a quest to find another way to obtain coverage.  I found a number of aftermarket auto warranty companies that offered a variety of different plans and chose a bumper to bumper planned that seemed to work best for me.

After going through this process, which I considered a learning experience, I found that doing a extensive research on the different companies that provided and auto warranty online was essential.  Some auto warranty reviews were available that showed that the quality of the companies varied considerably.  Remember, you usually get what you pay for.

The finance office, what a hassle.  When purchasing a new car you go through all the trials and tribulations of negotiating a good price that fits your budget.  Just when you think this hellish experience is over you get planted in the seat of the finance manager.  His job is to sell you as many products as he can for as much money as possible to try and make up for the lack of profits the dealer makes on the new car sale.  It may not seem ethical but it is the way it is done. 

The products they offer in this ”aftersale chamber of horrors” are for the most part completely unnecessary.  Each of them is made more attractive in many cases by including them in your automobile financing which makes it seem more affordable.  One of the few products you are offered that actually makes sense is an extended auto warranty.  An aftermarket auto warranty can be offered on almost any car or truck.  New car warranties and used car warranties are both available.  Even the Better Business Bureau, who is for the most part anti warranty, recommends purchasing one on an automobile.  Invest in a quality auto warranty program now and save big on repair bills later.

When buying a certified used car in Minnesota the word “certified” now really means something. Earlier this month a new law took effect that will regulate what a car dealer can say is a certified vehicle. It is part of a new car owners’ bill of rights that lawmakers passed in early 2007.  It is something that consumer activists as well as car dealers both agree is a good idea.

The term “certified” is used quite liberally and much too loosely in the automobile industry and the new used car warranty law gives it some credibility.  It is important to note that “certified” still means different things to different people. With the old law a dealer who advertised a “certified” car could define the term however he felt he wanted it presented. Now the law says that a certified used vehicle must include some type of auto warranty and the dealer must state that the car is in good shape and has no current damage.  As we are all aware, used car warranties are an essential part of any vehicle’s sale.