Living without a car in today’s world can be pretty challenging. Of course, there are alternatives that you can use, but they are not ideal for everyone. Besides, having a car ensures that you go wherever you want. You do not depend on anyone else.
But, being a car owner is also a responsible thing. There are multiple things you need to take care of to ensure that everything goes in the right direction. Despite regular gas costs, you will also need to regularly maintain your vehicle. That way, you can be sure that larger issues, that are usually pretty expensive, won’t suddenly appear. Despite that, you will manage to boost the durability of your car.
However, here comes the crucial part! As a car owner, you need to find all the possible ways to protect your vehicle. That is the reason why buying a car warranty is a mandatory thing. However, if you want to get protection for a longer period, then getting extended car warranties is going to be even better.
Anyway, purchasing an extended car warranty is not going to be mandatory for everyone. You do not have to spend money on that if your warranty is still valid. However, there are multiple things that will probably be unclear, so we decided to share a few tips for understanding how extended car warranties work. We suggest you follow the guidelines below strictly.
Let’s go!
Source: carfax.com
Contents
1. For Starters – Check Whether Your Current Car Warranty has Expired
As mentioned in the introduction part, you need to check whether your car warranty is still valid or not. If you see it expired, then you should start looking for the best possible car warranty expansion. In every other case, this would be unnecessary money spending.
Generally speaking, analyzing all types of car warranties is especially useful for used car owners. Your car is pretty old, and, even if the previous owner maintained it properly, car parts will not manage to last forever. Because of that, if you want to protect yourself from any larger costs, then getting an extended car warranty when the regular ones expire is a must-do thing.
2. Now, Define the Extended Car Warranty Period
The second tip we have for you is associated with the period of extended car warranties. Generally speaking, you should primarily put into consideration your vehicle. Moreover, you need to understand that defining the periods is different for used and new cars.
For starters, the first thing needs to check when exactly the car warranty starts. In some cases, the period may start from the moment when the vehicle was originally purchased. On the other hand, in some other situations, it may happen that the warranty starts from the moment you became the owner of the car.
Getting an extended car warranty requires a bit more time and thinking. If you plan to sell the vehicle soon, then an extended car warranty may not be necessary. On the other hand, if you are planning to drive the same vehicle for many years, getting an extended car warranty for a longer time would be a clever decision.
Source: AutoGuide.com
3. But, Ensure that You Understand Which Benefits You Get
Let’s imagine that you heard a friend of yours has purchased an extended car warranty. You decided to find another insurance company and do the same. However, that doesn’t mean you will get the same benefits and quote.
Most people make a huge mistake. They do not check which type of services are available for them. More precisely, they do not know exactly what the extended car warranty covers. When the damage or issue appears, they get surprised when they see that the insurance company will not help them at all.
Every insurance company offers different plans. The more benefits you expect to get, the higher costs will appear. This is extremely important for the users of used cars. Their car parts are older and the chances they will stop working are higher. Because of that, read carefully the contract you are about to sign and ensure that you don’t miss a single detail.
4. Find Out Whether You Can Cancel the Extended Warranty
As we already mentioned, if you plan to drive the same vehicle for a longer time, extending the car warranty for a longer period would be good. However, can you calculate exactly how long you will drive the same car? You may want to drive it for 10 years, but after only 5 years, you manage to find a good alternative that you would want to buy as well.
In those cases, it is mandatory to explore whether you can cancel the extended car warranty. More precisely, you should chase those companies that have some sort of refund policy. In most cases, the opportunity of this type is not going to be for free. Because of that, find the option that works for you the most and ensure that you are not going to spend a fortune in case of cancelation.
Source: carshui.com
5. What about Scheduled Maintenance?
This is not a tip; it is a piece of information that we feel that every car driver should know. When you prolong the current warranty, the scheduled maintenance costs are not going to be covered. You will have to additionally spend money on required fees. However, we strongly recommend you do not skip this part and maintenance your vehicle regularly. You won’t just boost the value of the vehicle in case you plan to sell it later. It will also ensure a safe driver which is a crucial thing!
So, what does regular maintenance include? It includes regular replacement of timing belts, oil changing, and similar stuff. On the other hand, the warranty also won’t cover the costs in cases when you want to wear out the brake pads or windshield wipers. In all those cases, you will have to organize an additional budget!
6. So, Where to Find a Good Insurance Company?
Here comes the toughest part of the entire process. Thanks to the online world, reaching an insurance company has never been easier. But, not all of them are equally good. You need to check the reviews of previous customers, their reputation as well as the benefits that the extended car warranties offer. If you struggle to find something that suits you the most, we strongly recommend you check this page and see one of the companies that deserve your attention!
