Auto Warranty News

If you have recently purchased a vehicle, you may have been faced with the question of whether or not to purchase an extended warranty.  Whether or not you need an extended warranty would depend heavily on the intended purpose for which you have purchased the vehicle.  Basically though, an extended warranty is a service contract that agrees to cover auto repairs and maintenance within the cost of the warranty for a certain time frame only.  Once you decide on the purchase of an extended warranty however, you must decide if you want the manufacturer’s warranty, or an aftermarket auto warranty.

The aftermarket auto warranty is a warranty contract issued and honored by a service dealer other than the manufacturer’s authorized dealers.  Aftermarket auto warranties are cheap and can be purchased for both new and used cars while manufacturer’s warranties are expensive and mostly cover new cars.  Also, an aftermarket auto warranty can only be honored by the issuing service provider, meaning that your vehicle must be taken to the same place for servicing or repairs as where you bought the warranty.  Another risk with purchasing an aftermarket auto warranty as opposed to a manufacturer’s warranty is the financial stability of the company that you are purchasing the warranty from – will they be able to honor the contract at all times?

Most people who invest in used cars do so because they cannot afford the short-term costs of a new car.  But most often overlooked when buying a used car are the long-term costs associated with the purchase.  Consider carefully your options when next viewing new and used car options, and consider the differences in a new car warranty versus a used car warranty.

 

While a new car provides one with hassle-free maintenance for the first few years, a used car requires maintenance from the day it is bought.  A major factor to consider in a car’s maintenance is its warranty.  New cars come with factory warranties, which cover the wear and tear for most purposes, while the options of extended warranties are applicable

to most, if not all, new car purchases.  On the other hand, a used car warranty does not offer the options of extended warranties nor does it cover extended periods of time (these are short term warranties only).  So while a used car might be warranted to cover a period of six months after ownership transfer, it is most likely that the car would have been maintained so that problems only begin to arise after nine months of usage.  Unfortunately then, it is the owner of the car who will be responsible for the expenses, as

the warranty is no longer valid – as opposed to a new car warranty.

 

When you purchase a new vehicle you need to be sure that you are getting a top of the line new car warranty to go with it.  A new car warranty covers and protects you from any manufacturer’s flaws or defects, and eases the financial burden of any unforeseen incidents, which can happen to your new vehicle. 

 

There are many things to consider when buying a new car, and probably the most overlooked is a new car warranty.  But do not be mistaken – all vehicles are not created equal and defects or problems do arise when you least expect or when you can least afford them.  While some warranties only cover non-wear items and are valid for limited time periods, others cover repairs for a much longer period – even up to 10 years.  Imagine the difference a 10-year warranty could have on your pockets as opposed to a two-year warranty! 

 

It is also important to understand the type of warranty that you are getting when you buy a new car with a warranty.  For just as surely as all new cars are not created equally, similarly all warranties are not the same, hence total coverage will also not be the same.  New car warranties can be limited simply to a bumper-to-bumper warranty (which means that you are guaranteed for everything except the wear items in your new car), or power-train warranties (which mean that all parts that make your car move are covered).

Is the style of your car most important? Or is mileage a concern for you? Do you prefer a car with spacious room? The towing capability of a car? Safety? These questions pop up when people consider buying a new family car. For most people who want a spacious family automobile there are two choices of automobiles. One is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and the other is a minivan.

While SUV’s are more eye appealing than a minivan, a minivan is slightly safer, having a lower risk of rollover than SUV’s. In terms of passenger and cargo space, both are almost the same although young kids may prefer minivans due to more spacious interiors and larger windows for a better view. Due to the characteristics of each vehicle, minivans tend to run more miles per gallon than SUV’s do.  But one must also consider the towing capabilities of the SUV ranging from a small boat to a trailer.

Picking the right vehicle, you should discuss the preferences of both you and your spouse if you are going to be sharing the car. Not to forget to consider the opinions of your kids as they might have their own preferences too.

Once you’re done considering all the pros and cons of each cara do not forget to purchase an aftermarket auto warranty. Aftermarket warranties will only assure your family of long term benefits.

The first step you need to take when facing difficulties with your used car is to read your warranty documents carefully. This will give you a clear idea about the coverage of the warranty and whether it would cover the damages or not. In a number of cases, it might turn out that you misinterpret certain conditions or factors of your used car warranty.

 

After going through the used car warranty document, if you are confident that you are able to get coverage, then you can make an effort to resolve the issue by contacting your dealer. You can also send a copy directly to the manufacturer for further assistance, but do make sure that you send the letters by certified post with an appeal for a return receipt. By doing this, you can maintain a record of the letters that are sent and received.

 

You can also obtain help from local or state consumer protection offices by getting their opinion regarding your used car warranty. Such organizations help consumers by providing them with appropriate guidance for a very low fee. You can show them your warranty documents and they should be able to tell you what exactly you might be able to claim.

 

You save a lot of money when you buy a used car, but you should always ensure that you have a used car warranty to go with it, since a used car comes with its own drawbacks. In case you purchase an almost new car, then you might also get an original factory warranty along with it. This will give your car coverage for the remaining amount of time on the stipulated warranty from the period when it was originally bought. Make sure that you purchase a used car warranty the moment the factory warranty on your car expires.

 

Being a former consumer investigative reporter I was always asked by people about guarantees and warranties. Back in the 60’s, products didn’t have these guarantees and there was no need to as they were of good quality. Now a day’s all guarantees should be carefully reviewed.

 

With the increase of foreign manufacturers, most products have a small asterisk saying conditions apply. The manufacturers and stores have today joined to provide the extended guarantee with the product guarantee for usually no more than 90 days. Shopping for a product with longest guarantee is always a good buy.

 

For high ticket items like cars or computers the extra guarantee service is highly beneficial. Especially when you choose to shop on eBay, the extra guarantee from the power seller is worth the price. Always check for consumer feedback online and in blogs. And as more people are gaining awareness the manufacturers also have made necessary changes. In the near future they might even give you a lifetime guarantee or at least a one year guarantee.

We tend to strain our budget while buying a used car. So, it is necessary to keep a few things in mind while purchasing a used car from an individual seller. One should be as careful with buying a used car as if they with purchasing a house.

 

Precaution will guarantee that you are not cheated against buying a car that could be a financial nightmare. Proper terms and conditions should be read, as well as guidelines should be followed before the payment for the purchase is made. It should be checked that the used car fulfills all your requirements and maintains its resale value.

 

Always check that the car suits your expectations from its outer appearance and inner machineries. A car that has been declared as trash by some agencies and now rebuilt should not be considered at all. The authenticity of the registration plate, engine number and vehicle identification number should be ensured by checking the registration papers, log books and owner purchase papers. Make sure there are no signs of rust and repair on its body. The base of the car from underneath should be straight and clean. It would be ideal to have a mechanic check the engine and other mechanical parts. Make sure that the interior is clean and is not damaged in any manner.

 

With the help of extended car warranties, the resale value and security of a used car can be increased. A variety of used cars warranties are easily available today. Usually, extended car warranties can be purchased for a fixed period of two or six years or for predefined fixed miles. A person owning a car with an extended car warranty has the liberty to take his/her car to any service station approved by the company. The facility is very useful in the situation of an unforeseen car breakdown.

 

In the case of some warranties, the buyer needs to pay a deductible. Some warranties cover seat belts and airbags only for a fixed time or fixed miles covered by a car. The time limit for these warranties is usually five years and the fixed miles covered are about fifty thousand miles. The various types of extended auto warranties available in the market today are bumper to bumper, or premier plus auto warranty, power train auto warranty, power train plus auto warranty, premier or full coverage auto warranty, roadside assistance warranty and free scheduled maintenance warranty. All these warranties offer varied services for a car, from general wear and tear to engine breakdown to a regular check-up of your car.

 

 

The misconception in the air is that auto warranties mean an extra burdensome cost for many vehicle owners. What they don’t know is that auto warranties are a security against several heavier expenses that can incur if a vehicle develops some major break downs involving the essential components. Manufacturers provide most auto warranties and they act as an assurance on part of the manufacturer about the quality of service they are providing.

 

Most of the warranties have different clauses, which a buyer must understand. Some may be useful only against certain parts while others may include maintenance, roadside service and part replacement too. There are various kinds of warranties- general manufacturers’ warranty and power train warranty, which include engines, axle, drive shaft and other important vehicle parts; and full coverage warranty that covers every aspect of the cars. Warranties are also available as extensions against the primary manufacturer’s warranty. Buyers must ensure that they are dealing either with their own car dealers or with a reputed company. They should also read the warranty manuals thoroughly.

 

The decision of buying a car warranty ultimately lies with the owner. Having a warranty on the car simply means peace of mind in case of any emergencies such as unexpected breakdowns in the middle of the road.

A lot of people who buy used cars assume there is nothing they can do with the dealer’s agreement. Purchasing a warranty is not only to their advantages but it makes sure they are getting the most out of their money. For example, a dealer gives you a 90-day warranty on your car – there’s usually a loophole somewhere on the warranty. Suddenly the car breaks down after the warranty expires. Now you have to spend a large sum money to fix it?

 
While this fact is not always necessarily true, there is always a way to protect yourself. For instance there are federal and state statutes to relieve the consumer who is stuck with a bad automobile after they’ve bought it. Such statutes are usually called “Lemon Laws”.

 

There are different statutes covering different problems in different states, however the laws are different from one state to another. For example, a consumer is fully refunded or given another car if the problem cannot be repaired after four (4) attempts, or if the car cannot be used again after a month on the first year or before 12,000 miles driven.

 
Knowing this you should consider all things before buying a used car. Checkout the warranty, and the statutes for your state. Be smart, knowledgeable and be protected.