5 Takeaways That I Learned About Cars
Two Types of Extended Auto Warranties
An extended warranty is essentially an insurance policy on your car that provides protection against costly unexpected repairs within a particular span of time and mileage. True warranties are automatically included in a vehicle purchase, while extended auto warranties are a separate product.
Two Types
When you talk about extended warranties, there are two key types: original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket. Ford and Toyota are examples of OEMs. Warranty or insurance providers having no direct connections with a car brand are considered third parties. Cars Protection Plus is an example of a company that offers third-party service warranties.
Manufacturer Warranties
There are two kinds of warranties provided by OEMs, namely, powertrain and bumper to bumper. A powertrain warranty covers your engine and transmission against workmanship-related problems, while a bumper to bumper warranty takes care of most other issues, including those involving electronic systems in the car (power seats, onboard computers, etc.).
In most cases, an extended OEM warranty’s features are similar to those that are provided with a new vehicle purchases, plus additional services like roadside assistance. Know what these other services are with different providers in your area. For example, in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, Cars Protection Plus is one of the best choices you have.
When deciding which warranty is the best, you may have to choose between a package with a deductible and without. As with other insurance types out there, a bigger deductible automatically decreases the policy’s overall cost. What’s great is that OEM warranty deductibles are generally minimal (usually under $200).
Third-Party Warranties
Usually, third-party or aftermarket warranty companies, such as Cars Protection Plus, provide mainly the same coverage that you can expect from OEMs. But of course, these are still two different products, and even the actual coverage offered by third parties can be unique. They can also differ in terms of deductibles and general policies.
Original equipment manufacturer and third-party warranties may also differ in the way they administer coverage. For example, with a third-party warranty, you may have to pay out-of-pocket for a repair and then file for reimbursement later on. The process may take some time, but if you choose a good provider like Cars Protection Plus, this will hardly be an issue. In any case, payment expectations should be known to you right from the beginning.
What you may find most advantageous with third-party warranties compared to OEM warranties is that they are incredibly cheaper. Sometimes, you will even have no other option but a third-party warranty. So for example, if you bought a used Chevrolet from a Toyota dealership, it’s unlikely that you will get a Chevrolet OEM warranty.
If you’re planning to buy an extended warranty, make sure you read the fine print. Most importantly, choose a good provider such as Cars Protection Plus.