Find the Best Auto Warranty at CARCHEX

If you want to protect your car, you need the best auto warranty at the best price. But how do you find it? There are several important steps you can take to make sure that you find the best auto warranty for your vehicle, your driving habits, and your budget.

Keep reading for:

• Five criteria for finding the best auto warranty provider
• A list of the top car warranty providers and a clear comparison of how they stack up against each other
• What you should know before you buy an extended auto warranty
• Questions to ask extended warranty providers to make sure you’re getting the best warranty plan and service
• How to get the most out of your extended warranty coverage
• The advantages of choosing an auto warranty from CARCHEX

How to Choose the Best Extended Auto Warranty Provider

The most important thing you can do to find the best auto warranty is compare plans and companies based on the things that matter most to you. To make it simple, we’ve done the research for you. We’ve outlined five important criteria for evaluating the best car warranty companies, then rated market leaders according to those criteria.

1. Number of Available Plans: How many plans does a warranty company offer? If there are only a handful, can they really tailor them to a driver’s specific needs? Flexibility and coverage options matter, and a good warranty company offers both.
2. Better Business Bureau Accreditation and Rating: Does the Better Business Bureau (BBB) agree that the company is committed to its customers, serve them in good faith, and work quickly to resolve issues? A BBB rating is based on how many complaints a company gets and other information from the business, so it’s a great starting place when you’re looking for a reliable company.
3. Better Business Bureau Complaints: How many customers were unhappy with a particular car warranty company? You deserve to know about potential issues with a company’s customer service or product coverage.
4. Industry Endorsements: Does the auto warranty company have partners? Are they trusted in the industry? This is a good sign of a strong and reputable company.
5. Years of Experience: How long has a company been in business, and how experienced are they in providing warranties and matching coverage to driver needs?

Below is a breakdown of the top five car warranty providers based on important factors like number of plans, cost, customer service, and reputation.

*Accurate as of May 2020

This comparison is a clear breakdown, but sometimes there are other factors to consider. Below is a step-by-step guide for finding the best auto warranty, with tips to guide you through the entire process—before, during, and after—to make sure you get the best auto warranty for you.

What Factors Should I Consider When Looking for an Extended Warranty?

The most important factors to consider before you start shopping around for the best auto warranty for you are:

• The age of your car—Is your car just a few years old, or has it been passed around from owner to owner?
• The mileage on your car—If your car has a higher mileage, it’s likely going to need more repairs.
• The vehicle history of your car—Is your car new or used?
• How long you plan to keep your car—Most Americans own their cars for an average of seven years. That’s several years longer than what most manufacturers’ warranties will cover, so there’s a good chance you’ll have to foot the bill when a repair comes up.
• What to cover—What kind of repairs will your car need? Make sure your extended warranty plan covers those.
• Your budget—Would a low monthly payment be more manageable than a one-time payment? Do you want a low deductible?

Knowing these things ahead of time will help you make a good decision. For example, if your used car spent its former life on the coast, you may want to make sure that rust and corrosion repairs are covered in your warranty. If your car has very high mileage, you’ll want to make sure that there are no mileage restrictions on your warranty. A warranty won’t do you any good if it doesn’t cover your car after 100,000 miles. Whether you have a 7-year-old Mercedes-Benz or a 12-year-old Nissan Altima, familiarizing yourself with your car’s history will help you know the right things to look for and the right questions to ask.

Advantages of an Extended Warranty

Whether your car is new or used, you can find the best auto coverage in an extended warranty. The best extended warranties offer major advantages over factory warranties from the dealership, like:

Extended car warranties can offer fantastic protection, but some can still have large deductibles or certain exclusions. It’s always wise to read the fine print and check for limitations to make sure that the things that matter most to you are covered.

Know What Kinds of Warranties Are Available

When shopping for the best auto warranty, it’s good to familiarize yourself with the terminology. That way, you know the right questions to ask the provider. Here are a few common types of warranties to know:

• Bumper-to-bumper warranties: Bumper-to-bumper warranties are typically the most comprehensive coverage for your car. They cover all of the mechanical systems of your vehicle, except for a few items that are explicitly called out as non-covered.
• Powertrain warranties: Powertrain warranties cover the engine, transmission, drivetrain, axles, and related parts. They usually last longer than other kinds of warranties—usually 5 years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first).
• Rust and corrosion warranty: This type of warranty covers replacing your car’s body panels if they rust through and develop holes.
• Wear-and-tear warranties: These warranties cover the repair and replacement of things that deteriorate from normal, everyday use. (This kind of coverage is often excluded from other warranties, which is why asking about wear-and-tear specifically is a good idea.)

There are more specific kinds of warranties like emissions warranties and factory accessory warranties. If your car or driving habits would benefit from these kinds of coverage, take note and be sure to ask about options.

Once you’ve gathered your car’s information and familiarized yourself with the kinds of warranties that could meet your needs, it’s time to start comparing plans and providers.

Shopping for an Extended Warranty

You’ve done your research and it’s time to buy. Here’s what you need to know before you make your purchase.

Questions to Ask Extended Warranty Providers

These questions will help ensure that you find the best auto warranty for you. Print them out and keep them handy as you’re speaking with companies about their available plans.

1. Is there a mileage restriction on this warranty?
2. Are wear-and-tear repairs included in this warranty?
3. Is there a deductible on this plan? If so, what is it?
4. Can I choose my own mechanic, or am I required to visit a certain repair facility?
5. Will you pay for the repairs directly, or will I have to pay and then wait for my reimbursement?
6. Is roadside assistance included in this plan? What about rental cars?
7. Tell me about your customer service staff and process.
8. What is the claims process like?

Asking these questions will help you filter out great extended warranty companies from poor ones. The best auto warranty companies will offer coverage options, flexible payment options, and stellar customer service. Don’t compromise when it comes to extending the life of your car.

Use a Third-Party Provider

Third-party car warranty companies like CARCHEX are often less expensive than add-on extended warranties from a manufacturer or dealership. They typically have more affordable payment plans and a greater variety of coverage options. If you’re buying a used car, don’t feel pressured to say yes to the dealership’s extended warranty. You have the right to look around, and you’ll probably find better options when you do.

After You Buy Your Extended Warranty

After you’ve found the best warranty for you, there are still a few things you can do to make sure you get the absolute most out of it. Here are two tips for extending the life of your car and protecting yourself from surprise repair costs.

Pay Attention to Warning Signs

Some warranties have fine print that says that if you ignore warning signs, or take too long to bring your car in for repairs, it won’t be covered. Pay attention to the lights on your dashboard and any out-of-the ordinary squeaks, rattles, or smells. Waiting can do more damage to your car, which not only increases the cost of the repair, but could jeopardize the coverage.

Keep Your Records

Some warranties will require proof that you’ve maintained your car according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For example, they’ll want to make sure that if your engine seized, it’s not because you didn’t add oil for eight months. Make sure to keep the records for all of your routine maintenance like yearly inspections, tire checks and replacements, oil changes, and filter changes. This will prove that any repair that you need is due to an accident or normal wear-and-tear, not because of misuse. If you’re buying a used car, it’s also a good idea to ask for the service history documentation, if available.

CARCHEX: Get the Best Auto Warranty for You

CARCHEX, the No. 1 option in the market today, offers several customizable protection plans, so you can choose the best one for your budget and needs. Boasting an A+ customer service rating from the Better Business Bureau and a proven track record of over 20 years, CARCHEX will go the extra mile to ensure your vehicle is covered well into the future.

In addition, CARCHEX customers receive the following:

• A free, instant quote that’s customized to your car and budget.
• Knowledgeable, friendly experts who are here to help you find the right warranty at a good price. In fact, we promise a No-Haggle, Low-Price Everyday Guarantee™ and a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee if you’re not satisfied.
• Benefits including around-the-clock roadside assistance, gas delivery, trip interruption services, and more.
• Direct payments to the repair shop, you don’t have to wait to be reimbursed.

Call Us Now for a Free, Instant Quote

Getting a quote on the best auto warranty is free, fast, and easy—call CARCHEX at 866-261-3457 today to find the best auto warranty for your car.

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Sources:

Better Business Bureau: https://www.bbb.org/en/us/overview-of-bbb-ratings

CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/28/car-owners-are-holding-their-vehicles-for-longer-which-is-both-good-and-bad.html

Your Mechanic: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-is-a-powertrain-warranty-and-why-does-it-matter-by-jason-unrau

EPA: https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyNET.exe/9101ZSGW.TXT?ZyActionD=ZyDocument&Client=EPA&Index=1991+Thru+1994&Docs=&Query=&Time=&EndTime=&SearchMethod=1&TocRestrict=n&Toc=&TocEntry=&QField=&QFieldYear=&QFieldMonth=&QFieldDay=&IntQFieldOp=0&ExtQFieldOp=0&XmlQuery=&File=D%3A%5Czyfiles%5CIndex%20Data%5C91thru94%5CTxt%5C00000031%5C9101ZSGW.txt&User=ANONYMOUS&Password=anonymous&SortMethod=h%7C-&MaximumDocuments=1&FuzzyDegree=0&ImageQuality=r75g8/r75g8/x150y150g16/i425&Display=hpfr&DefSeekPage=x&SearchBack=ZyActionL&Back=ZyActionS&BackDesc=Results%20page&MaximumPages=1&ZyEntry=1&SeekPage=x&ZyPURL

Auto Trader: http://www.autotrader.com/car-shopping/buying-a-used-car-why-is-service-history-important-238769

Better Business Bureau: https://www.bbb.org/greater-maryland/business-reviews/extended-warranty-contract-service-companies/carchex-in-hunt-valley-md-23015869