Posts Tagged ‘warranty’

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New Cars cost Less to Insure

Thursday, March 24th, 2011

Revitalisation of the UK’s economy looks promising as 2011’s February demand for new cars falls less than analysts predicted, having decreased on last year’s figures by just 7.7%.

Speculating confidently that March 2011 should see an increase in consumer spending in the automotive industry, Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders(SMMT), Paul Everitt, remains hopeful that the country’s economy is on the mend:”The UK motor industry is looking for a strong March market to help boost confidence and kick start demand for the new 11-plate. February new car registrations were better than expected and whilst below 2010 levels, they were significantly ahead of 2009 and on an improving trend.”

The champion of the UK’s automotive industry, SMMT serves to support and promote the industry both in the UK and internationally at all levels, including government, consumers, investors and the media. With a turnover of 51bn per year, a workforce of 850,000 and accounting for 10 per cent of the country’s total exports, the automotive industry does indeed play a crucial part in the success of the UK’s economy.

“For firm favourites like the Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Astra it is interesting to see it’s actually cheaper to insure a 2011 model than one five and even ten years older.”

The SMMT’s predictions have been announced just as car insurance comparison website MoneySupermarket.com also releases a report highlighting that when it comes to insuring a new car, newer doesn’t have to mean a higher insurance premium.

“This month’s Budget will be critical in determining consumer and business confidence and the ongoing stability of the market. We’re looking for certainty on motoring taxes, a freeze on fuel duty and measures that support business investment and access to finance and credit.”

Peter Harrison, a car insurance expert at MoneySupermarket.com, divulged:

This encouraging news comes as March welcomes the introduction of a fleet of brand new ‘11-regs on the UK’s forecourts, and is news that will only serve to bolster the cause of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

For firm favourites like the Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Astra it is interesting to see it’s actually cheaper to insure a 2011 model than one five and even ten years older.”

According to the findings, the UK’s most popular model, the Vauxhall Corsa, can be insured for an average of 573.50 if bought brand new, compared with 562.04 for the ten-year-old model, while Ford Fiestas, which lie second-in-line to the Corsa, can be insured for an average of 633.66 in the first year and 671.72 at ten years - a staggering 38.06 more to insure the much older car.

With the sole purpose of globally promoting the UK’s automotive industry, the SMMT is happy to finally see a shift in the right direction. While it might be the beginning of a long road to restoring the UK’s automotive industry back to its former glory, today’s news shows that it positively is, little-by-little, picking up strength.

If you are looking for a free car insurance quote why not go to moneysupermarket.com to find out more.

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What To Look For When Shopping For An Auto Warranty Quote Online?

Monday, January 17th, 2011

Getting a good extended auto warranty for a pre owned car these days is really necessary! Newer cars and trucks are starting to be more and more pricier to repair and maintain. With more and more US citizens dealing with a slow economy, it makes great economic sense to invest a few dollars in a dependable auto warranty for your pre owned car instead of investing thousands of dollars to get a new vehicle.

In uncertain economic times people usually begin to watch their money and start to alter their spending habits. Sure it’s nice to be able to purchase a new vehicle every 1 to 4 years and always own a automobile that is protected by a factory warranty, but in the past year or so things have started to change!

After all getting a new vehicle is most likely a losing proposition. the minute you sign the title you lose at least 11% off the price you paid! When you purchase an aftermarket car warranty to a used automobile, it usually adds a lot of value to the car just in the event you decide to sell it because most auto warranties are transferable. You will also not have to think about unexpected car repair bills ever again.

Depending on the kind of aftermarket auto warranty you take will determine how much protection you will have on the vehicle. There are a many different types of aftermarket auto warranties. The most affordable is usually a powertrain warranty that typically protects only internal lubricated parts of the transmission, motor and rear end differential. This type of aftermarket car warranty will not cover any other components of your automobile and is usually offered for older higher mileage vehicles.

Then you have your basic aftermarket auto warranty that will cover the power train as well as certain other major parts that can break down on a car such as water pump, fuel pump, rack and pinion, master cylinders parts for the braking system and some other costly components that can be extremely expensive to repair or replace. These are usually the most popular extended service plans available because consumers get a large variety of components covered and they are pretty affordably priced also.

The price of the auto warranty plan don’t just depend on the covered systems but also depends on the kind of car that is going to need the warranty. If you are shopping for an auto service warranty on a 2005 Ford Taurus with 55,000 miles on it, the price of the used car warranty plan would most likely be cheaper than purchasing an aftermarket car warranty on a 2004 Jaguar or Range Rover. Parts and regular service on a Ford Taurus are much cheaper than parts and service of a high line car such as a Lexus or Mercedes! That is obvious! So it should reflect a lot in the price of the used car warranty plan.

Bumper to bumper extended service contracts are also available for different types of pre owned cars and trucks as well. A bumper to bumper aftermarket car warranty covers practically 98% of a car. Its protection includes everything you would receive in the aftermarket auto warranty plan described above, but would also include parts such as window motors, power window switches, computer and vehicle electronic equipment such as ABS braking systems, vehicle sensors which may trigger the famous “Check Engine” light, as well as electronic stability control systems and window regulators. Other additions include a choice of having to pay a small $50 or $100 deductible or paying 0 deductible for another small premium on the extended service contract cost. These are all things you should look at and take into consideration when looking for a reliable used car warranty plan.

When a used car warranty company offers a used car warranty contract to a driver they typically give a choice of various ways to purchase. You may pay for the warranty contract in all at once at the time of purchase or you could also run into a big majority of auto warranty companies that may accept an easy down payment and accept monthly installments as low as $45 per month in some cases. Monthly payments this low make it more attainable for the average person to get wonderful extended service contract protection for their pre owned vehicle investment.

Give it a shot and get yourself a auto warranty quote. There are aftermarket auto warranty companies all over the country that can help you with auto warranty prices but the provider that stands out in my mind is UworkUdrive.com. They match you up with a reputable auto repair warranty provider FREE of charge and have a great reputation for customer satisfaction.

Looking to find the best deal on aftermarket auto warranty, then visit www.UworkUdrive.com to find the best advice on auto repair warranties for your vehicle.

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Why Everyone Should Own a Used Car Warranty

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

There are still many consumers that are a little hesitant to sign up for a car warranty program. And since the economy is struggling so much, it is no wonder that people are finding more ways to save money. But even though an extended warranty on your vehicle will be an extra monthly expense, the savings it can offer are well worth it, and it can actually save you money on your automobile. There are many reasons that getting this kind of coverage can be a great idea in tough economic times.

One reason that people are afraid to get a car warranty is that they have seen many scams on the market. These scams have successfully duped a lot of would be car warranty users and have given the industry a bad name. But just because there are scammers out there does not mean that owning a good warranty on your vehicle is a bad idea.

Here are a few simple reasons for getting a policy on your vehicle. You can get protection on regular maintenance issues with your car. For instance, if a belt or hose breaks you can get it replaced at a mechanic shop for free. Not every warranty program offers protection on regular wear and tear of your vehicle, so make sure you read the fine print before you sign up.

You can also get protection on more expensive car issues like engine and transmission trouble. This is the kind of protection on your car that is basic for any car warranty owner, in almost any good warranty program will offer protection on these major parts. If your engine or transmission breaks down on you even one time a car warranty will be more than worth it.

Little repairs are not the only things that these warranties will cover. The main point in having this kind of protection is to hedge against huge bills at repair shops. This is why you should at the very minimum get a policy which covers your engine and transmission. The cost for a bad engine can be well above $2,000, so this alone should be reason enough to convince anyone to get a used car warranty.

Not every vehicle will be able to get an extended car warranty on it. There are some makes and models that are simply not covered because the repair costs are too great for the company to cover them if they break down. This is usually the case for sports cars and fancy foreign cars, but just make sure that your car will be covered.

Don’t think that just because your car is old or has high mileage that you can’t possible get a warranty on it. It might cost you a little more, but you can get a used car warranty even on an older automobile. These cars are more likely to break down so the premiums are higher, but the benefits of having a warranty when the car breaks down are higher as well.

Check out some information on car warranty reviews, and find the best advice on choosing a Hyundai extended warranty for your car.

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Advantages Of Purchasing Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

It is not usual for you to come around a second hand car which is sold with an original manufacturer’s warranty. That’s where certified pre-owned automobiles come into play. For individuals who do not know, certified used vehicles have a tendency to include a comprehensive coverage that goes further than what the car dealership characteristically provides you with. Manufacturer’s certified car programs have recently received much popularity and are available at numerous second-hand automobile dealerships.

The biggest advantage that comes to mind about certified pre-owned cars is that you are getting a pre-owned automobile that has been thoroughly examined and has been found to be so great in state they’ve received an extended car warranty. To be able to receive certified used car warranty, the auto needs to meet remarkably high standards through the manufacturer of the vehicle. What’s fascinating is that after attaining a certified used car, you’ve got 3 days or 3000 miles to verify if the automobile is right for you. If during this period you see that the car is not the best for you, you can get back to the dealer and look for a better one. Also, a certified used automobile includes a sticker on the window confirming the vehicle has passed the strict guidelines to become certified pre-owned, along with the market price evidently noticeable to avoid confusion.

Along with the warranty that is given, there are other advantages to getting certified pre-owned automobiles. Certified pre-owned vehicles give customers supplementary benefits they generally only get if they get a new vehicle. These are inclusive of having roadside assistance, cheaper car loan costs, loaner’s automobiles throughout maintenance, totally free servicing along with oil replacement and inspections plus shuttle services.

Nonetheless, the most important benefit may be the warranty that you receive. If you get a certified pre-owned car you get a wide-ranging, long-term warranty that may be also low cost which helps save big money on your car almost every year. The enticement of no cost oil changes and check-ups also may play a role in making this deal a more attractive one.

But, when you research for a certified pre-owned car, be sure you find a local car lot which has a comprehensive range of authentic certified used automobiles. From then on, choose a sales rep who knows what he’s discussing in relation to the auto you have picked. In the end, receiving a certified pre-owned automobile is in all likelihood the best choice you may make!

Stop paying huge bills for minor automobile issues. An extended used car warranty is what you need. View more informative posts at our website, plus receive a free extended used car warranty quote.

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Automobile Repairs Are Usually Taken Care Of Under Car Warranty

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

Paying for auto repair jobs can be very costly. The good thing is that often you can have your vehicle repair work expenses insured within your vehicle warranty. This is especially valid for new vehicles but it’s also possible to have it for used cars too.

The price of maintenance for the engine, engine block, transmission, clutch system, axles and such may become extremely costly. If your car has a drive train or power train warranty on it, these automobile maintenance costs can be considerably lowered or entirely paid for by the warranty. This can save you money in the long run.

A lot of automotive warranty firms feature wear and tear car warranty for new automobiles and some limited amount of coverage for second-hand cars and trucks. With the wear and tear car warranty, you can have items that are not protected on the drive train, power train or standard warranty fixed. For example, for those who have power windows for your vehicle. The regular warranties won’t handle the vehicle service expenses to have the used up motor replaced. However, if you have the wear and tear automobile warranty, you can get the motor for the electric window restored at a lower price because you simply have to pay for the deductible.

It is rather frustrating to have a flat tire at any place, not to mention on a chaotic highway. When you have curbside assistance then your repair charge for fixing the flat tire or even changing the tire completely will probably be drastically reduced than without any type of curbside warranty protection.

A bumper-to-bumper automobile warranty can also save you cash on vehicle service requirements. While a lot of people think that bumper-to-bumper implies the whole vehicle is insured, this is a misconception. Almost all of the automobile maintenance issues will be taken care of but issues that come from wear and tear will not be usually covered. The drive train or power train warranty only protects a small percentage of the automobile components. Adding a bumper-to-bumper vehicle warranty will help to greatly reduce vehicle maintenance costs for other parts of the car.

Sustaining your car by the auto warranty requirements is the easiest method to protect against high vehicle repair bills. If a car is correctly maintained, there’s less over-all wear and tear on the vehicle which in turn brings about fewer vehicle repair troubles. You will need to remember to inspect the transmission liquid, engine oil filter, engine oil levels and air pressure inside the tires. Also, you will need to have the oil changed frequently. This will make your automobile not simply run more efficiently but will reduce the over all auto maintenance bills for the automobile whether it is pre-owned or brand new.

Some individuals claim that the price tag on preserving a car is costly. After all, you’ve got to change the oil, change the engine oil filter and things like that. Still, operating the automobile without the upkeep can wind up messing up things including the motor, the transmission and perhaps the clutch. They’re really pricey fixes that most warranties of any sort won’t include because the fundamental servicing was not carried out.

Stop paying huge fees for minor car problems. An extended used car warranty is the solution. Read more informative articles at our site, plus receive a free extended used car warranty quote.

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8 Major Factors In Determining If Your Car Should Have An Extended Warranty

Monday, August 30th, 2010

Many people question the real value of having an extended warranty on their car. They often underestimate the cost of vehicle repairs and think that the manufacturer’s warranty is more than adequate. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. The sad reality is that motor vehicles are incredibly complicated. With all the moving parts and environmental factors, the only guarantee is that you car will need repairs at some stage. If you unsure as to whether an extended warranty is really worth your while, here are some factors to keep in mind.

Manufacturers Know the Limitations of the Vehicle. Do You?

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that there is a reason why manufacturers and car dealers only provide a limited guarantee. Manufacturers know the effect that general use has on the vehicle and that over time wear and tear will occur, even if you are diligent about looking after your car. Most often, expensive repairs are needed after the manufacturer’s warranty expires. For this reason, an extended warranty can be very valuable.

Can You Afford the Cost of Repairs and Maintenance if You Don’t Have a warranty?

Motor vehicles need to be serviced regularly to ensure they are in good running order. Sometimes these services can be routine and relatively inexpensive. At other times, services can involve major repairs which can get pricey. If you have a savings account with money set aside for such eventualities, perhaps you will not benefit from an extended warranty. But the reality is that if you have a savings account, the chances are that you would far rather spend the money on a vacation or purchasing something special for yourself. Spending savings on repairs can be very demoralizing.

What Sort of Mileage Do You Put on Your Car?

If you only use your vehicle occasionally, the chances are that there will be less wear and tear on your car. If it is securely parked in a garage, then it is less exposed to various environmental elements. If, on the other hand, you spend a lot of time of the road and clock up a lot of mileage, chances are that your vehicle will need a service and repairs more often. In that case, it makes sense to take out an extended warranty.

How Expensive Are Services and Replacement Parts for Your Car?

Often, the replacement parts for luxury and imported cars are very expensive. If you do not have an extended warranty and the manufacturer’s warranty lapses, you may find yourself in for a nasty surprise. Repairs could run into the thousands of dollars and if you don’t have the cash readily available, you could be without a car for some time. When purchasing a car and considering an extended warranty, this is an important factor to keep in mind.

Can You Afford to Be Without Your Car?

Consider how your life would be affected if you didn’t have a car for several weeks. Most people would find traveling by public transportation frustrating, when they are used to having their own mode of transport. Think about this; if you don’t have an extended warranty and your car breaks down, can you afford to be without it while you save up for the repairs?

Do You Need Roadside Assistance?

If your car breaks down on the side of the road, are you confident enough in your ability to be able to handle the situation? Perhaps you can change a tire but what if it is something more complicated than that? Most extended warranties will offer roadside assistance which includes towing if they can’t get your vehicle going again. This can be a very valuable benefit.

How Long Do You Plan to Keep Your Car?

Some people only purchase and drive relatively new cars. Once the car is paid off or the warranty expires, they usually trade in their car for a newer model. Even if this is the case, keep in mind that an extended warranty can increase the resale value of your car. A buyer who know there is a maintenance plan will be more willing to pay your asking price.

When Is the Best Time to Purchase Your Extended Warranty?

Most people think that they only need to purchase an extended warranty when their manufacturer’s warranty expires. This is because it is often perceived that an extended warranty is an additional insurance policy. In reality, an extended warranty is as the name implies. It is an extension on your existing warranty. Because of this you will benefit from more affordable rates if you purchase your warranty earlier rather than later. Warranties that have already expired or are about to expire will be more expensive than warranties that still have a year or two on them.

Endurance Warranty.com has been helping car owners save money and gain peace of mind for almost twenty years. You won’t find a more affordable or more comprehensive group of extended car warranty plans anywhere. Nor will you find more knowledgeable or friendly staff to help you find the warranty for you. Visit online today.

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Avoiding Scams When Getting An Extended Auto Warranty

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

Because extended auto warranties are often misunderstood, they open the doors to all kinds of unscrupulous businesses. To make sure that you do not fall victim to such scams, it helps to understand more about what extended warranties entail. In that way, you can know that the extended warranty that you purchase is a sure deal.

Familiarize Yourself with the Terms of an Extended Warranty

The first way to protect yourself against potential scams is to become more informed about extended warranties. An extended warranted is not a duplicate warranty that only comes into effect after the auto manufacturer’s warranty expires; instead, it is an extension of the original warranty. The purpose of an extended warranty is to protect you against the expense of costly repairs. Typically, the more costly repairs are needed after the manufacturer’s warranty expires. It is therefore important that the extended warranty you get is a comprehensive policy. You don’t want the surprise of submitting a claim only to have them reject it on a technicality.

Research the Different Extended Warranty Options Available

When looking into extended warranties, take the time to research the different options available. A good way is to ask friends and colleagues what companies they use. In this way, you can get objective feedback on companies that are reputable or companies that you should avoid. Another good way to research the reputability of the extended warranty company is to read online reviews. The Web is a great resource for getting objective customer feedback.

Get Online Quotes to Compare with Dealership Offers

While you are online, you can also compare the different offers made and find out who is offering the best deal. What you may find is often that online companies offer more competitive rates than dealerships. This is valuable information you can use to negotiate a better warranty if you do want to go through a dealership.

Read the Fine Print

Before signing off on any extended warranty agreements, make sure you are familiar with what is covered and what is not. Also make sure that the start date of the policy is clear so there are no gaps between when the manufacturer’s warranty expires and the extended warranty kicks in. A good policy will include roadside assistance and even minor repairs. Also make sure that the warranty company will pay directly for the repairs. Policies that ask you pay out first and then get reimbursed defeat the purpose of having the warranty in the first place. The reason you want the warranty is so that maintenance costs are covered without you having to dip into your pocket.

Make Sure you Have a Comprehensive Extended Warranty

Most extended warranties are made up of two different components. One is mechanical breakdown which is when you will find yourself stuck on the side of the road. The other is general wear and tear which inevitably happens over time. Moving parts in the vehicle need to be replaced from time to time, and this generally forms part of your regular service check. Make sure that whatever policy you choose has both of these components. Without the wear and tear coverage, you may end up not having a properly serviced car and could end up having it break down. At the same time, having a policy that provides you with roadside assistance for a mechanical breakdown is essential.

Avoid Companies that Process Claims Through Reimbursements

Many less-than-reputable companies like to make promises that they have no intention of keeping. Often, they will state that you first need to pay for the cost of repairs and then ask you to submit the claim saying that they will reimburse you. The problem with these companies is that too often they find a reason not to pay the claim and you never recoup your costs. A reputable company will pay the licensed mechanic or repair shop directly. After all, that is what you are paying a monthly premium for.

Be Careful of Email Offers

Frequently, scammers use emails to entice customers to purchase their policies. They often offer low-priced warranties and promise guarantees that they seldom fulfill. Be wary of offers that sound too good to be true; they probably are. If you purchase one of these types of extended warranties, chances are that either they’ll reject your claim or be out of business a few months down the line. Then you will be left without a warranty with expensive repairs to take care of.

Endurance Warranty.com has been helping car owners save money and gain peace of mind for almost twenty years. You won’t find a more affordable or more comprehensive group of extended auto warranty plans anywhere. Nor will you find more knowledgeable or friendly staff to help you find the warranty for you. Visit online today.

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Extended Car Warranties: What To Watch Out For

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

When it comes to getting an extended warranty for their vehicles, most people would often ask this question “Do I even need one?” Extended warranty policies can sometimes be expensive, although the cost would vary, depending on the coverage, as well as the length of coverage too. If ever you decide to buy one, do not let the dealer sell you the wrong policy. You have to know your stuff in order to avoid any problems when filing a claim in the future. Here are some important tips to guide you on buying an Extended warranty plan:

When purchasing an extended warranty, familiarizing yourself with the following tips will help to ensure that you select the correct warranty. First, the decision to purchase or not to purchase. To begin, you will need to determine if purchasing an extended warranty is valuable for you. With extended warranties, it is often an area where people lose money. The reason for this is because they are not well informed as to the coverage that the plan provides. Another area where new car purchasers are also misinformed is that the extended warranty must be purchased from the same dealership as to where you purchased the vehicle. This is not the case. This often happens because this is what you are lead to believe. Again, being informed as to your options will ensure that you avoid these mistakes. Often times, the dealership leads you to believe that you are in need of purchasing the extended warranty from them in order to make the additional sale. Know your options and do not be suckered in by the dealership.

Determine if they will be paying for initial diagnosis. A customer that has an extended warranty came to a repair shop to complain about some intermittent operation on his vehicle’s speedometer. Since the problem is not always present, the diagnostic procedure performed had cost several hundreds of dollars. And after the dash had been pulled out, it was discovered that the problem was only due to some faulty connector that costs some $42. However, the diagnosis reached to almost $300! Thing is, this plan does not cover the diagnosis, so he ended up paying 300 bucks. In reality, cars are actually easy to fix, they are just too difficult to diagnose. Therefore, you better make sure that your extended warranty covers the cost of diagnosis.

Check the Deductible. When you buy car insurance, there will be a significant savings on premium, and with a higher deductible. Extended warranty plans do not usually offer you that same benefit. Say for example you have a plan that has a $50 deductible that costs $1500, so you would expect that with a $100 deductible, the cost should be around $750, but this is not usually the case. You might be surprised to find out that a $100 deductible plan can cost $1100.

Confirm whether it is a captured warranty. A captured warranty is a extended warranty plan that is sponsored by a the vehicle manufacturer and offered through specific sellers at special pricing. The flip side to the captured warranty is that it only allows you to have the vehicle serviced at the specific dealer. Should you receive poor service, then you are stuck.

The first step is to look for a place where you can get a free quote on an extended car warranty. You can search for some sweet prices on these vehicle extended warranties here.

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Extended Vehicle Warranties: One Size Does Not Fit All

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

Back in the old days when there used to be a Soviet Union, some strange things would happen from time to time with defectors who escaped to the U.S. They would actually get paralyzed in grocery stores, unable to make decisions about which of several hundred cereals they would buy. For some people who never had much choice beyond buying or not buying whatever was on the shelf that day, this much choice and that many options brought them to a halt.

If you are shopping for a new or used car, and want to add an extended warranty, you should immediately wonder about a car dealer or warranty firm that seems to have just one policy rather than a selection. It could be a matter of the dealer trying to sell a preferred (and high-profit) plan, or it really could be that the third-party firm you are dealing with is not quite as experienced or full-service as it claims. The fact is, you should be able to select from among a range of different extended warranties, from different providers. It does not matter if a car dealer does not help you with this, since nothing says you have to buy the warranty when you buy the car.

Various types

All of the reputable extended warranty firms offer a wide range of plans to cover new and used vehicles of all types (including boats). The bumper-to-bumper plans are normally quite popular, and are backed by both auto manufacturers and companies that have been in business for some years. It is not necessarily true that younger firms are questionable, but longevity in an industry that has had problems with some unreliable operators is a good sign. As always, check out every aspect of the firm (and read the whole warranty policy).

The bumper-to-bumper plans are not always quite as inclusive as the names imply, so if you really want coverage of (alphabetically) the air conditioner, brakes, cooling system, drive axle, engine, fuel system, seals/gaskets, supercharger, steering, suspension, transfer case, transmission and turbocharger, you need to make sure what you want is listed. Full-service and full-coverage plans can also include reimbursement for roadside and during-repair expenses (towing, rental car, etc.).

Soup to nuts (or not)

In addition to towing and car rental coverage, you can get plans that cover changing flat tires, giving your battery a jump, delivering emergency fuel or other fluids, attempting to open your locked vehicle and other services. Although there is not much that extended warranty firms have not heard of and covered, it is also possible to negotiate specific services, especially when you are dealing directly with a third-party warranty firm and not a dealer network or car manufacturer.

Conversely, there are also simpler plans, all the way down to what you (not they) might call bare bones coverage. The most common of these is the drive train coverage plan, which covers the engine, transmission and one or two other major, named systems. The last sentence ends on a very important term (named systems), as you need to remember that nothing will be covered that is not expressly stated in the written service contract. This should go without saying, but this is something that should not be overlooked. Again, if a salesperson told you that you are covered for unicorn damage, but it is not in the written agreement, then you really do not have unicorn coverage.

Bottom line

As with any other major purchase, you need to do some research, ask some questions, get advice from experts if you need it and take care with your decision. You have to make a rough calculation of cost benefits, and there are some handy calculators online that help you develop cost figures for car maintenance and repairs. If you want to retain your car past the manufacturer warranty period, and have good information on the repair record of the particular make and model, you should be able to arrive at a good approximation of the value of the coverage.

Finally, do not succumb to pressure tactics by salespeople. There is no law that says you have to buy the warranty when you buy the car, or says you have to buy it from a dealer or any other certain place. You are in the driver’s seat, so make sure you stay in control of the purchase of both the car and any additional warranty coverage you decide you need.

Whether you have a car, truck, SUV, or van we can find the best possible extended car warranty for your money. Do not let your limited warranty expire without shopping for continued coverage first. Visit 5starwarranty.com online today for more information.

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Identifying Reputable Providers Of Vehicle Extended Warranties

Friday, August 13th, 2010

The consumer protection movement really took off in the 1960s and 1970s, when state governments (and the federal, too) began creating agencies charged with fighting scammers and ripoff artists operating in the marketplace. The public took to this new attitude wholeheartedly, and local and network news programs began hiring consumer advocates who would take on scofflaw firms on behalf of individuals and the public at large. The result is a very high awareness in American society of the rights of consumers and the proper operation of businesses.

The Internet has not changed, but amplified the situation. Today there is such an avalanche of information that it can be difficult to know what is true and what is not. This has made the job of consumer advocates even more involved, in government and media as well as in private firms doing “consumer reports” in print and on the Web. It is particularly important for consumers to take time and exercise caution with the purchases that loom largest in our lives, namely, houses (the most expensive thing most people will ever buy) and vehicles (the second-most costly for most folks).

How to tell good from bad

There are some general rules of both business and human behavior that come into play in all kinds of interactions, particularly economic ones. The basic common sense that you would use to determine truth or falsehood also apply when you are researching the companies behind the car warranties that you are being offered as you shop for your new ride. The first thing to remember, of course, is not to hurry. You do not just go out and buy the first car you like and add the first warranty you are offered. In fact, you have to leave enough time to research the dealers, the cars and the warranties that you may decide to buy.

When looking for a good car dealer, you start, of course, with referrals, and then branch out to newspaper ads, the Web and window-shopping. As you start making a list of possible purchases, note also the names of the dealers and start checking them out with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and online complaint sites. Then you need to check out each specific car you like, with Carfax or another reporting service. Finally, after you have sat down with a salesperson, you should request copies of any extended warranties that are on offer (and if you cannot get one, take your business elsewhere).

Then do it all again

When you have a complete list (dealers, specific cars, warranty provider names) you can return to your first step, research, and plug in what you’ve learned. When it comes to the dealer and the car, you use your own good sense as well as that of a mechanic friend or hireling. When it comes down to rating the extended warranty firms, that will take a bit more digging, but it is worth it. Remember, too, that it is absolutely in the interests of reputable warranty companies for you to do this. The car warranty industry, like any other, has had its share of miscreants, and is quite serious about driving the fly-by-night firms out of town (better yet, out of business).

What do you look for? For one thing, transparency. Just as you should beware of dealers who will not show you a Carfax report or give you a copy of an extended warranty, you should avoid warranty firms that will not answer questions on the phone or send you more information. In addition, you will check the company names with the BBB, consumer reporting sites, government oversight agencies and, of course, the handy-dandy Internet. All you have to do is enter the name of the company followed by the word complaints, and you should get all kinds of information, especially on the questionable firms that get the vast majority of consumer complaints.

Bottom line

Again, it really is in the best interests of reputable extended warranty firms for you to take the time to check them out. Do not let the salesperson at any dealership, new or used, tell you that you can only buy one particular warranty package. The fact is, you can buy your extended warranty from any company that you like. This will be a result of the research you do, as well as your own good sense and the solid advice of more experienced auto and insurance people. In fact, your insurance agent can also be a good resource for you, so run the facts and figures by your agent if they have experience in the area.

Bottom line? Do not just use your head. Use the heads and experience of all kinds of folks who know more about it than you do. Although it takes a little time, you will be glad you did when you save 30-40% over the dealer’s offer with a solid, dependable third-party warranty firm.

Whether you have a car, truck, SUV, or van we can find the best possible extended auto warranty for your money. Do not let your limited warranty expire without shopping for continued coverage first. Visit 5starwarranty.com online today for more information.

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