Where is the best place to get an auto warranty today? Many car owners love that new-car feeling - until their manufacturer's warranty runs out and something breaks, leaving them to pay the unexpected repair cost. Others purchase used but still want the assurance that a car warranty provides. This is where extended vehicle service plans come into play. Since you never know when something will need to be repaired, having such a policy for your car may be just what you're looking for. If paid monthly, these plans can provide an affordable way to deal with costly fixes.
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In business since 2006, Endurance offers their vehicle service contracts and mechanical breakdown insurance for 49 states (Massachusetts not included). Paying out hundreds of millions of dollars in claims, they have proven they will be there to take care of their clients.
Online price available with multiple discount offers
Endurance encourages you to call them to get a quote, saying they'll give you $300 off any new plan. Alternatively, there is a form you can fill out with your car's year, make, model, and estimated mileage, as well as your personal contact information. While it says this will get you a quick, no-obligation quote, the message that follows says they will contact you or you can continue online. If you choose the latter, click through and answer a few questions about your vehicle. Endurance will then provide you with three plan options to choose from. If you hesitate, they will offer a discount code - and another higher discount code if you wait a few seconds longer. An activation fee is charged, and when you click to pay, the fine print says you confirm that your vehicle has no pre-existing conditions. Before you pay, a sample contract is available for review.
Plans cover 30 months or 40,000 miles
Plans at Endurance come in three types: Secure Plus, Supreme, and Superior. Thirty monthly payments break down the vehicle warranty plan's cost. The coverage is for 30 months or 40,000 miles, whichever comes first. A clear listing shows which systems and parts are covered by each plan level. An upgraded Advantage plan provides up to $3,500 in regular maintenance costs as well as comprehensive vehicle coverage. According to Endurance, they offer unlimited coverage plans with unlimited mileage and maintenance coverage. However, there is not much else to let you know what cars may not be permitted on their plans, until you seek coverage.
Understand your policy and take care of claims
When you experience a breakdown, get your car to a licensed repair shop or use the Endurance network to find a certified mechanic near you. Obtain authorization prior to having any work done on the vehicle. Next, Endurance says to discuss what's covered under your protection plan with the service manager so they can complete your claim. This means you'll need to understand your policy. Then pay your deductible and Endurance takes care of the rest.
Guarantee is the same as wait period
Endurance offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so customers can try their coverage risk-free for a month. However, since they have a 30-day wait period, you don't really have a chance to try out their service to see if you'll like it before canceling.
Helpful, unique perks offered
In addition to 24/7 roadside assistance, some extras available through Endurance are key fob replacement, windshield repair, and tire coverage. We like these perks and find them to be helpful for most drivers.
Customers are mostly pleased
Endurance is accredited by the BBB and has a solid "A" rating, despite 1,200 (!) complaints in the past year. While this is a vast improvement from the last time we reviewed the company, we found the high number of complaints alarming. Upon further investigation, many complaints were about unwanted solicitations, questionable claims handling, and issues with contracts and billing. Across online review platforms, negative experiences complain that all of their claims are denied and the plans are a waste of money, with some going as far as calling them a scam and unethical. However, with over 30,000 reviewers giving them an average of 4.1 to 4.6 stars out of 5, it's clear that they're doing something right to keep most clients happy.
Established choice for extended warranty
As the longest established business among our top choices for auto warranty plans, Endurance knows what their clients want and need. They provide a variety of plans at affordable payment options plus excellent perks, earning Endurance a high rank on our list.
Continued from above...
Many car owners love that new-car feeling - until their manufacturer's warranty runs out and something breaks, leaving them to pay the unexpected repair cost. Others purchase used but still want the assurance that a car warranty provides. This is where extended vehicle service plans come into play. Since you never know when something will need to be repaired, having such a policy for your car may be just what you're looking for. If paid monthly, these plans can provide an affordable way to deal with costly fixes.
While many consumers realize that they can purchase one of these extended warranty plans at a dealership, savvy ones know they are also available for private purchase - not just at the time the car is bought, but also anytime you feel you want some protection from the high costs that can result from a mechanical failure.
The key is to think about whether or not the policy is worth what you're paying, what's excluded, and the overall coverage provided. Unfortunately, many policies have so many exclusions that their policyholders don't get the benefits they thought they were paying for. On the other hand, reputable companies provide plans that are excellent investments to give you peace of mind and help you out in the case of a major repair.
Plans vary by tiers of coverage and provider, but most auto warranty plans don't cover the little things like an oil change or new brakes. Think about if you want to simply cover the powertrain or if you're hoping for extensive bumper-to-bumper protection. Make sure you maintain the vehicle as directed by the manufacturer's schedule of service, too. If you don't, you may void your auto warranty. Pre-existing conditions are not covered, either, and there's typically a waiting period before they will pay any claims.
When comparing auto warranty companies, there are many factors to consider. We suggest making sure to consider these first:
At Top Consumer Reviews, we know that unexpected breakdowns can lead to costly repairs and financial hardship. If you're considering an auto warranty plan, we want to help you find the best ones for your personal situation. That's why we have rated and ranked these providers so you can choose the one you prefer to help you get back to driving when you encounter various bumps along the highway of life.
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The Basics of Auto Warranties
Cars are expensive investments, whether you like to purchase new or pre-owned. In protecting that investment and to avoid future repair expenses on your car, you may want to consider purchasing an auto warranty.
Most new and some used cars are covered by some sort of warranty when purchased. For example, new cars are usually covered by a manufacturer's warranty. These warranties vary greatly and are limited in duration. They may cover a variety of repairs until either a time limit or mileage limit such as three years or 36,000 miles. Once you reach that time or mileage limit, the warranty will either totally expire or much of what it covers will be void.
Some manufacturers also offer various program warranties on specific used or pre-owned cars, usually called "certified used" or something similar, that extend the original manufacturer's warranty or parts of the warranty.
If you plan on keeping the car past the life of the manufacturer's warranty, you may want to consider purchasing an extended warranty. Extended warranties are insurance policies against expensive, unforeseen repairs. In essence, extended warranties are actually service contracts. They cover expenses incurred that your warranty doesn't cover.
Unlike manufacturer's warranties, extended warranties are purchased separately from your car. They can be purchased either through the original manufacturer or through a third-party, independent warranty company. In some cases, you'll receive offers to purchase extended warranties in the mail or over the phone from the manufacturer just as the original manufacturer's warrantee is expiring.
Extended warranties are all different. They each differ on what repairs are covered, how much is covered, duration of the coverage and cost of the warranty. Before purchasing any extended warranty, determine what is still covered on the warranty you possess, determine how long past the life of the warranty you'll keep the car, what you want covered and for how long.
When researching the details of the warranty you want to purchase, look for information on the policy's deductible, whether the policy is transferable if you sell the car and whether repairs can be done anywhere or only with specific shops. Also, look for specifics on what is covered and what is not. For instance, does the warranty cover breakdown of parts as well as wear and tear? A warranty that only covers breakdown requires the part to break before the warranty will pay to replace it. A wear and tear policy will cover parts that need to be replaced because they are too worn to work efficiently.
Purchasing an extended warranty can be a smart investment. Don't forget to research the warranty specification and the companies offering them online before making the purchase.
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