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Sunday, February 16th
GuardTree, a unique player in the Canadian auto warranty scene, sets itself apart with a focus on monthly subscription plans and an eco-friendly twist - using part of your premiums to offset your car's CO2 emissions. Prioritizing accessibility, affordability, and environmental responsibility, GuardTree offers a range of features across several tiers of coverage.
Transparent monthly premiums
GuardTree's online quote platform is user-friendly. You can easily customize your plan by entering vehicle details, deductible preferences, and claim limits. The pricing is transparent, with monthly premiums displayed instantly, allowing you to see and adjust costs on the spot. The coverage spans a wide range of components, with a clear list of exclusions available on their website.
No guesswork
What you pay will depend on how much you're willing to chip in towards a deductible, how much coverage you want per claim, and what you can afford for your monthly cost. For example, the most affordable monthly plan is priced at $49.95/month; it comes with a $500 deductible and a $2,500 limit per repair. The most expensive coverage is $85.95/month, but you'll only have a $100 deductible and a more generous $5,000 limit per claim. There's no guesswork here.
Read through what's covered
You'll still want to browse the What's Covered section, to ensure you're crystal clear on what GuardTree will pay to fix. In that section, you can get more information on some of the included benefits, like roadside assistance, trip interruption coverage, and the car rental benefit.
Use any licensed mechanic
When the time comes to make a claim, you can use any licensed mechanic of your choice. Give him or her the GuardTree phone number, and they'll work out the details. GuardTree will pay your mechanic directly, leaving you just with the deductible to pay out of pocket.
Reputation has moved from great to excellent
We're happy to see that GuardTree's reputation with the Better Business Bureau has continued to be positive, moving from an "A-” to an "A+” rating and gaining accreditation, with zero complaints filed there in the last three years. That's pretty impressive for a car warranty company.
Only in Ontario
Unfortunately, GuardTree hasn't expanded its service as we'd hoped to see over the time between our previous evaluation and this one. You're only eligible if your car is registered in Ontario (and you don't spend more than 6 months of the year outside of Canada). Your car has to be within 13 model years and have no more than 200,000km at the time of purchase. Plus, we found that there are plenty of vehicle makes that won't qualify for warranty coverage: in the FAQ alone, you'll see that Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and most other luxury brands aren't eligible for GuardTree protection.
Too many limitations
That leaves us with no choice but to drop GuardTree in our rankings. We had been hopeful that the service would continue to expand going forward. That hasn't been the case, and since only Ontario residents can get car warranties from GuardTree, many Canadians will be left out by this service. GuardTree will be held back until they're an option for more people nationwide.
Whether you're buying a brand new car or a gently used resale, the prospect of an extended warranty plan may be on your radar. An extended warranty could be a shrewd financial decision, to help you have a cushion against the inevitable costs of future repairs.
Are extended warranties worth the investment? From a reputable company, absolutely. We've all experienced the frustration of a major malfunction just as the manufacturer's coverage runs out - or, even worse, a mere few days after driving that "as-is" car off the used car lot.
But here's a nugget of wisdom: buying the extended warranty directly from the dealer might not be your savviest move. Dealers often slap on hefty mark-ups, and their coverage might not be as comprehensive or flexible as you'd like. Fortunately, Canada boasts several reputable auto warranty companies, providing stellar coverage at competitive prices.
Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of what these extended warranty plans entail. Similar to car insurance, these plans range from covering just the major systems, like the powertrain, to offering comprehensive bumper-to-bumper protection, excluding only normal wear and tear. So, while they'll handle your in-dash electronics going haywire, don't expect them to foot the bill for your fresh set of brakes or wiper blades.
As you embark on the quest to find the ideal car warranty plan in Canada, keep these essential factors top of mind to guide your decision-making:
For a comprehensive rundown of your options in the Canadian car warranty marketplace, check out the reviews here at Top Consumer Reviews. Our experts have meticulously reviewed and ranked the best choices, arming you with the knowledge to pick the perfect plan for your vehicle. We're confident that your chosen warranty plan will provide the peace of mind that accompanies knowing you're covered when the unexpected road bumps appear!
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