• Car Insurance

  • Choosing The Extended Warranty That’s Right For You

27th October 2006

Choosing The Extended Warranty That’s Right For You

You’re on vacation, having a great time exploring sights and sounds far away from the office, when the vehicle you’re driving makes an awful grinding clatter and sputters to a stop. You have a cellular phone, so you call for a tow to the nearest car repair facility. Once you arrive you find out that your gizmo (substitute any expensive, hard to obtain part you care to use) is broken and you are outside the time and/or mileage limit of the factory auto warranty. It’s going to cost you a hefty sum (which was not part of your vacation budget) to get it repaired.

What can you do? Well, if you have an extended auto warranty it may not be as bad as all that. Sure, you still have the broken vehicle, and the headaches that go with that situation, but at least you have coverage. In many cases it is not the vehicle being broken that causes the most stress, but the cost to repair it. As the saying goes in the auto industry, “they all break,” it doesn’t matter what brand of vehicle you drive, so why not be prepared?

Extended warranties typically can and do save you money in the long run. If you’re going to lease the vehicle and turn it in at the end of the lease period then this extra cost is probably not for you. If you purchased your vehicle, you may want to consider one based on your planned length of ownership. While any extended warranty may seem expensive at the time of purchase, they typically pay for themselves for long-term owners, and some even have a buy-back clause that makes them a “can’t lose” investment.

Maintenance may be pricey these days, but car repairs can be even more expensive. If you have only one big repair bill that is covered by your extended warranty, an automatic transmission failure for example, then your policy just paid for itself. Repairs to transmissions are frequently close to the cost of a remanufactured unit, which can easily be $2000 or more to replace. How about an air-conditioning failure? Based on typical repair costs, figure on spending $700 or more to keep your cool. Even if you have a $100 deductible you’re still way ahead of the game compared to footing the entire bill yourself.

You typically purchase an extended warranty contract at the time you purchase the vehicle, although some contracts can be purchased at a later date with no penalty charges. When you’re in the F&I (Finance & Insurance) department signing your DMV and/or finance paperwork you will probably be asked about purchasing an extended auto warranty for the vehicle. If interested, you’re usually given the choice of either the manufacturer’s brand or an aftermarket brand of contract.

Some dealers may offer only one brand of contract, and this may be either the manufacturer’s brand or an aftermarket brand, depending on the dealer. If they do not initially offer the manufacturer’s brand you should specifically ask about it to see if they have one. I remember going to one dealer with a friend who was purchasing a new Ford SVT Contour. My friend was offered an extended warranty for the vehicle, but it was an aftermarket brand of contract. He asked about the Ford Extended Service Plan (ESP) brand of contract but the finance person told us that they sold only the aftermarket brand and did not have any information on a manufacturer-backed warranty.

Based on my strong recommendation, my friend insisted that he was interested in purchasing only a Ford warranty and after some searching our F&I person found the information for the Ford brand. My friend decided on the coverage he wanted to purchase, taking into consideration his planned time of ownership, mileage he estimated he would accumulate, and price of the different levels of coverage. The F&I person had to consult the Ford ESP policy book in order to fill out the paperwork properly and later told us that he had never before sold the manufacturer’s brand. Don’t accept “no” for an answer. If a vehicle manufacturer’s name is on the building, they can sell you that brand of contract.

The reason a dealership may claim to sell only one brand is that they often make more money on the aftermarket brand and/or that brand may be tied in with the dealer. Many dealers have their own brand of contract, in which they have a financial interest, with a fancy name to make it sound impressive. One thing is certain, if there is money to be made, then the dealer is going to be involved; that’s just smart business sense. Keep in mind that the F&I person’s commission may also be tied into the brand of contract that they are trying to sell you. You should explore all of your options based on what you want and what your needs are rather than letting the dealer lead you down a path of excessive warranty coverage just to score a higher commission.

An important consideration for whichever policy you decide to purchase is the ease of use when you do have to utilize the plan. If you buy the manufacturer’s plan you will be able to use it at any authorized dealer nationwide. If you choose to purchase an aftermarket plan you may be stuck taking it back to the dealer where you bought the plan.

Ask these questions: If you can use the plan elsewhere, how easy is it to use? Do you have to pay the bill up front and get reimbursed? Does the company whose plan it is offer any payment to the repair facility via a credit card over the phone so you don’t have to pay any out of pocket expenses? How easy is the plan to use at the repair facility that will be dealing with it? Being on the phone, on hold, waiting to get authorization could cause a major delay in getting your vehicle repaired in a timely manner. Will a representative from the auto warranty company have to come out and inspect the vehicle? That will also add delays to the repair process.

Typically the manufacturer-supported extended auto warranties are the easiest to deal with from the repair facility side, as they are already on the payment program. With these plans you never have to pay up front on a covered repair, except for your deductible. Repairs are almost instantly approved, except in very rare instances where an inspection is required, and the whole process is basically seamless. What all this means to you is a lower financial burden and faster approvals, not to mention quicker repairs.

Once you choose whose auto warranty you would like, you’ll typically find that you are offered different levels of coverage within the same brand of contract. Some of those levels are for parts coverage, some are time and/or mileage levels and some are for the amount of your deductible. First take time to evaluate thoroughly what you estimate your requirements will be for time and mileage, and base the majority of your decision on this factor. Some of you may put a lot of miles on a vehicle in a short time period, so a high mileage plan (rather than an extended time plan) may be your most cost-effective option. Conversely, people looking to keep their vehicle indefinitely while not driving it long distances may want a longer time period plan with lower mileage coverage.

After deciding on your time and mileage, consider what parts coverage you would like, if options are available. You may be offered several levels of coverage that range from silver and gold to platinum or, for example, a powertrain plan that covers only the engine, transmission, and differential. The more extensive the list of components covered the more money it will cost you. You’ll get the best value by purchasing the best coverage plan you can afford.

Lastly, consider what you would like your deductible to be, again, if given the choice. You may be offered different options for your deductible such as $0, $50, or $100, with little additional cost to upgrade from a $50 to a $0 deductible. If you have a difference of $200 between the $0 and $50 deductible levels, consider that using the plan four times would pay for the difference in cost.

One point you should clarify is whether the deductible charged is per visit or per repair. Per visit means one deductible for any number of repairs on that same visit. Per repair means just that. If you come in with five items that are covered under warranty then you have five deductibles to pay.

One or more standard features may be included that make the contract more economically feasible, such as roadside assistance, covering items such as a tow service or, in worst-case scenarios, hotel bills, food and other unforeseen expenses when stranded away from home. Another feature could be a buy-back clause that allows you to get part or all of your money back if you do not use the contract. The buy-back clause makes getting a warranty a more financially acceptable situation for many people who are considering the purchase. Check also to see if the policy is transferable, as this is an excellent selling point if you decide to get rid of the vehicle before the extended warranty policy expires.

Obviously, price is an important factor in all of this, but you should remember that you can add the price of the auto warranty contract in with the financing of the vehicle, in most states, to help spread the cost out over the length of your vehicle loan. When you are looking at another couple hundred dollars to go up to the next level of coverage it works out to a very small increase in your payments. Consider the best plan that you can reasonably afford.

Some dealers do mark up their prices over the suggested retail of an extended warranty plan. Just like additional dealer markup (ADM) on vehicles, the difference is that ADM is posted on the vehicle. You never know when the dealer is giving you suggested retail or their own higher price for a warranty. It’s best to ask them straight out, then double check prices with another dealer. Why not try to negotiate a better price on the extended warranty, just like you did on the vehicle? After all, you are an Edmunds.com reader.

Keep in mind that a vehicle purchase is one of the bigger investments you make. Even though it is a bit of a gamble, purchasing an extended warranty plan that you never have to use can be worth the peace of mind it offers. What you spend in the short term will go a long way toward keeping your sanity if you are the person calling the tow truck while you are on vacation, stuck on the side of the road, with a broken gizmo.

Below are three examples of auto warranties on the Honda Odyssey: the factory warranty, a Honda extended warranty, and an aftermarket warranty.

2000 Honda Odyssey - Honda Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty

Coverage period 3 years/36,000 miles - Retail Price $0 - it comes with the purchase of the vehicle

This is a limited manufacturer’s warranty - limited to defects in workmanship and parts. This coverage does not include roadside assistance or towing.

2000 Honda Odyssey - Honda Care Vehicle Service Contract (Manufacturer Brand)

Coverage period 7 years/100,000 miles - Retail price $1365 with a $50 deductible
Coverage period 7 years/100,000 miles - Retail price $1435 with a $0 deductible

Coverage period 4 years/60,000 miles - Retail price $965 with a $50 deductible
Coverage period 4 years/60,000 miles - Retail price $985 with a $0 deductible

The above warranties can be purchased until 24 months/24,000 miles with no surcharge.
The above warranties can be purchased after 24 months/24,000 miles with a $60 surcharge.

The Honda Care Vehicle Service Contract provides Roadside Assistance, which provides:

* 24-hour toll-free service
* Comprehensive Towing
* Lock-out assistance
* Battery jump-start
* Tire change
* Fuel Delivery

The Honda Care Vehicle Service Contract also covers:

* Rental Car Reimbursement
* Trip Interruption
* Trip Routing
* Transfer conditions

Concierge Emergency Service is provided with this warranty.
Only one level of parts coverage is available, although it should be noted that some wear items (for example, the timing belt, water pump, and CV joints) are covered with this warranty.
Two levels of deductibles, $50 or $0, are available with this warranty.

2000 Honda Odyssey - CNA Warranty (Aftermarket Brand)

Coverage period 6 years/100,000 miles - Retail price $990 with a $100 deductible
The above warranty can be purchased until 12,000 miles with no surcharge.

Coverage period 5 years/100,000 miles - Retail price $1072 with a $100 deductible
The above warranty can be purchased until 24,000 miles with no surcharge.

Coverage period 5 years/75,000 miles - Retail price $989 with a $100 deductible
The above warranty can be purchased until 36,000 miles with no surcharge.

Coverage period 3 years/100,000 miles - Retail price $1072 with a $100 deductible
The above warranty can be purchased until 60,000 miles with no surcharge.

No Roadside Assistance is available with this warranty.
Only one level of parts coverage is available with the warranty that does not include wear items.
A variable deductible is available with the warranty.

All prices current as of 08/11/00 courtesy of a local Honda Dealer.

posted in Auto Warranty | 0 Comments

27th October 2006

Understanding Extended Warranties

You’ve seen it happen time and again.

A new business launches with a prosperous bang and high expectations, only to collapse mere months later with a bankrupt whimper.

A marriage begins with intimate glances and fervent I love yous, but quickly devolves into icy glares and loud, angry talk of divorce.

Clearly, situations that start out swimmingly can sometimes end in an unfortunate, premature way. But that doesn’t have to be the case when it comes to the relationship between you and your car; there’s an auto warranty designed to help that situation live up to your expectations. It’s called an extended warranty, and it can help make sure that your car doesn’t degenerate from prized possession to cumbersome money pit.

In essence, an extended warranty is an insurance policy on your vehicle, a safeguard against expensive, unforeseen repairs. The term extended warranty is actually a misnomer, since, in the strictest sense of the word, these aren’t warranties at all. Like auto warranties, they cover repairs and/or regular maintenance for an agreed-upon period of time. True warranties, though, are included in the price of the product; extended auto warranties are really service contracts, since they cost extra and are sold separately.

An extended warranty may be purchased at the time you buy your vehicle; it’s also possible to purchase one much further along in your ownership experience. If you’re the type who likes to be prepared for all eventualities, an extended auto warranty may be just what you’re looking for. Bearing in mind the ever-increasing cost of vehicle repairs, these service contracts can make a lot of sense.

In deciding whether an extended warranty is right for you, and in selecting the best plan for your needs, you’ll need to ask yourself the following questions:

* To what extent is your vehicle already under warranty, and is this coverage in sync with how long you anticipate owning it? If the car you’ve just bought is new, take a close look at its factory warranty before making an extended warranty decision. If, for example, the vehicle has a factory warranty of three years or 36,000 miles, and you plan on keeping it for two or three years — with an anticipated annual mileage of about 10,000 — then an extended warranty makes little sense, since you’ll likely be covered under the manufacturer’s plan. However, if you plan on keeping the car long after the factory warranty expires, an extended auto warranty is worth considering. If the car you’ve just purchased is used, you’ll need to ascertain if there is warranty coverage from the dealership (coverage periods may range from as little as a month to up to a year, or more). If you’re buying a late-model used vehicle, it’s possible that the vehicle’s original factory warranty is still in effect (this will be dependent on how many miles the car has under its tires, and on how much time has passed since it was originally titled). Some manufacturers also offer “certified used” programs that extend original factory warranty terms on pre-owned vehicles. If the car isn’t under warranty, or if you plan on keeping it past its warranty’s expiration, an extended warranty makes sense.

* What’s the reliability record of the model you’re purchasing? Take a look at the reliability history of the model you’re buying. Though this is by no means a fail-safe way of predicting what your repair bill will look like, it does give you an idea of what you may be in for service-wise; bear this information in mind when making a warranty decision.

* Who is behind the warranty that you’re considering? An extended auto warranty may be backed by an independent warranty company (these are known as aftermarket warranties) or by the covered vehicle’s manufacturer. Knowing who will be underwriting your policy can give you insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the contract you’re considering. Manufacturer-backed warranties score very highly when it comes to ease of use. However, aftermarket warranties are often cheaper. (If you opt to purchase an aftermarket warranty, take a look at how the company’s financial strength has been rated by A.M. Best and/or Standard & Poor’s; this will give you an indication as to its ability to pay your claim. Your safest bet is to choose a company that has a minimum “A” rating with Standard & Poor’s, and/or a minimum “A” or “A-” rating with A.M. Best.)

* What’s the nature of its deductible? Fully investigate a policy’s deductible before signing on the dotted line. Consider not only its amount, but also whether it’s per visit or per repair. With a per visit deductible, each visit to the shop will run you a fixed amount, regardless of how many parts are repaired; a per repair deductible applies to each serviced part. What sounds like a minor difference may, under certain circumstances, have a major impact on your wallet. If, for example, you’ve got a $100 per repair deductible and you take your car in to get the air conditioner, fuel pump and alternator serviced, you’ll be out $300; had you opted for a per visit deductible, those repairs would only have cost you $100. Charier still is a $0 deductible policy. You will have to pay extra for this, but if your circumstances become such that you have to take your car in frequently, you’ll find that this policy more than pays for itself.

* Is the warranty transferable? Some extended warranties end when the person who bought the warranty sells the car. A warranty that allows you to transfer it to a new buyer is preferable; it’s an excellent selling point for prospective buyers.

* Can repairs be performed at any repair shop? Some extended auto warranties stipulate that repairs must be performed at the dealership from which the warranty was purchased; this can prove limiting and inconvenient. It’s best to opt for a warranty that, at the very least, gives you more than one service facility to choose from. You’ll appreciate this should the vehicle ever need service while you’re on a road trip, miles away from home.

* What exactly is covered? Know what’s covered — and what’s not covered — by the extended warranty you’re considering. Does the service contract cover breakdown as well as wear and tear? Under a “breakdown” warranty, coverage is extended only to parts that break. Such a policy can prove less inclusive than is desirable, since not all parts fail due to breakage. Some need to be replaced because they’ve worn down over a period of time; a “wear-and-tear” warranty extends coverage to worn-down parts in need of replacement. Additionally, some “entry level” contracts don’t cover ABS brakes, so if your vehicle has this feature, you should consider upgrading to this level. And overheating — regardless of its cause — isn’t covered in many warranties. Thus, if overheating occurred due to problems with an expensive part such as your radiator, you’d be stuck with a hefty repair bill. Before committing to a warranty, take the time to fully explore the ins and outs of its coverage implications. The distinctions between the various plans might seem slight, but they can prove quite important.

* Is a cash layout required for repairs? Some extended warranties require that you pay the bill, then send the receipt in and wait for reimbursement; in many cases, months elapse before you get your money back. Ideally, you’ll want a warranty that pays the dealership directly with a credit card.

Remember to compare all your options before making a warranty decision. Utilize the Internet; many companies sell directly online, and, at the very least, getting quotes from them can help give you a ballpark idea of what an extended warranty with your desired features should cost. In warranty buying, as in so many other aspects of life, it helps to be fully informed.

posted in Auto Warranty | 0 Comments

27th October 2006

The Secret Warranty

Have you walked under any ladders lately? Broken any mirrors? Maybe you’ve had an expensive part fail on your vehicle just after the auto warranty expired? It could be that your luck is about to change.

Certainly, many of us have been frustrated with the thought of having to pay for a part that, had it failed a little sooner, would have been covered under warranty. Well, think again, because you may have a lucky penny in your pocket that you didn’t know about. You may be eligible for a little-known program called after warranty assistance, or the “secret warranty” as some have dubbed it, offered through some vehicle manufacturers to help in exactly these situations.

After warranty assistance (AWA) is offered to customers who pursue help in paying for repairs that are past the standard factory warranty period. AWA cannot be used if the customer has an extended warranty available that covers the repair. Time and/or mileage restrictions exist with AWA just like any other auto warranty and if you are outside of the parameters, you are not eligible for assistance. For some programs, only original owners are eligible. It’s no surprise that not every customer is going to be entitled to coverage. Not all of the manufacturers offer this type of program. However, based on our experience several manufacturers do have some sort of program in place.

There are several key factors the car dealer will examine before offering assistance. First and foremost, the dealer will look at the maintenance records for the vehicle, and specifically, the component in question to ensure that the vehicle has been maintained properly. We should point out here that in order to get the manufacturer to offer any assistance, they want to see that you are a loyal, dealership-oriented, maintenance-conscience customer. By offering AWA, the manufacturer hopes to keep you as a loyal customer who will remember this assistance the next time you purchase a new vehicle.

Before you say “hey, that’s not fair” keep this in mind: why should the dealer offer any help on the manufacturer’s behalf to customers that are not loyal to the dealer when having their vehicle maintenance performed? If you service your vehicle through an independent or aftermarket facility, what does the manufacturer owe you in terms of assistance? Manufacturers cannot control the quality of the parts used or work performed when you service your vehicle through aftermarket service facilities. Also remember that the treatment you receive as a customer has a great deal to do with you being a loyal customer to the car dealer and the manufacturer.

Once it has been determined that you are eligible for AWA, a decision is made regarding the extent to which the dealer and/or the manufacturer will participate. In some rare cases you may end up paying nothing for the repairs. Much more likely is that you, the auto dealer, and the manufacturer will split the bill.

With smaller repair bills a two-way split, with either the car dealer or manufacturer not participating, is common. Larger repairs will likely involve all three contributing a portion to the final repair bill.

The split in many situations may not be an equal dollar amount between all of the participants involved. Usually the customer pays either the same or less than the other parties. In some cases the customer may pay only for the replacement parts with the dealer picking up the labor (often the higher of the two costs). The dealer is the one who decides how the split is completed and what the split involves, and this is typically done with the vehicle owner coming out favorably.

As you can see, loyalty to an auto dealer could pay off in a situation where you are outside the range of the factory warranty and have been a faithful, dealer-service-oriented customer. You will most likely have to ask to get assistance, but isn’t it worth your time to inquire about the possibility of AWA? The worst that could happen is you are declined assistance.

posted in Auto Warranty | 0 Comments

27th October 2006

Warranty and Roadside Assistance Coverage

All new vehicles sold in America come with at least two auto warranties, and many include roadside assistance coverage. Described below are the major types of warranties and assistance provided to consumers.

Basic: Your basic automobile warranty covers everything except items subject to wear and tear, such as oil filters, wiper blades, and the like. Tires and batteries often have their own warranty coverage, which will be outlined in your owner’s manual. Emissions equipment is required to be covered for two years or 24,000 miles by the federal government and 8 years and 80,000 on certain components.

Drivetrain: Drivetrain warranties take care of most of the parts that make the car move, like the engine, transmission, drive axles and driveshaft. Like the basic auto warranty, parts subject to wear and tear like hoses and belts are not covered. However, most of the internal parts of the engine, such as the pistons and bearings, which are subject to wear and tear, are covered by the drivetrain warranty. See your owner’s manual or local dealer for specific coverage.

Rust or Corrosion: A rust or corrosion warranty protects you from rust-through problems with the sheetmetal. Surface rust doesn’t count. The rust must make a hole to be covered. Keep your car washed and waxed, and rust shouldn’t be a problem.

Roadside Assistance: Most manufacturers provide a service that will rescue you if your car leaves you stranded, even if it’s your fault. Lock yourself out of the car? Somebody will come and open it up. Run out of gas? Somebody will deliver some fuel. Flat tire? Somebody will change it for you. See your owner’s manual for details, or ask the dealer about specifics.

Make
Basic
(yrs/mi)       Drivetrain
(yrs/mi)       Rust/Corrosion
(yrs/mi)       Roadside Assistance
(yrs/mi)

Acura    4/50,000    6/70,000    5/Unlimited    4/50,000

Audi    4/50,000    4/50,000    12/Unlimited    4/Unlimited

BMW    4/50,000    4/50,000    12/Unlimited    4/50,000

Buick    4/50,000    5/100,000    6/Unlimited    5/100,000

Cadillac    4/50,000    5/100,000    6/Unlimited    5/100,000

Chevrolet    3/36,000    5/100,000    6/100,000    5/100,000

Chrysler    3/36,000    3/36,000    5/100,000    3/36,000

Dodge    3/36,000    3/36,000    5/100,000    3/36,000

Ford    3/36,000    5/60,000 (except Focus)    5/Unlimited    5/60,000

GMC    3/36,000    5/100,000    6/100,000    5/100,000

Honda    3/36,000    5/60,000    5/Unlimited    None Available

HUMMER    4/50,000    5/100,000    6/100,000    5/100,000

Hyundai    5/60,000    10/100,000    7/Unlimited    5/Unlimited

Infiniti    4/60,000    6/70,000    7/Unlimited    4/60,000

Isuzu    3/50,000    7/75,000       6/100,000    7/75,000

Jaguar    4/50,000    4/50,000    6/Unlimited    4/50,000

Jeep    3/36,000    3/36,000    5/100,000    3/36,000

Kia    5/60,000    10/100,000    5/100,000    5/60,000

Land Rover    4/50,000    4/50,000    6/Unlimited    4/50,000

Lexus    4/50,000    6/70,000    6/Unlimited    4/Unlimited

Lincoln    4/50,000    6/70,000    5/Unlimited    6/70,000

Mazda    3/36,000    5/60,000    5/Unlimited    3/36,000

Mercedes-Benz    4/50,000    4/50,000    4/50,000    Unlimited

Mercury    3/36,000    5/60,000    5/Unlimited    5/60,000

MINI    4/50,000    4/50,000    12/Unlimited    3/36,000

Mitsubishi    5/60,000    10/100,000    7/100,000    5/Unlimited

Nissan    3/36,000    5/60,000    5/Unlimited    3/36,000

Pontiac    3/36,000    5/100,000    6/100,000    5/100,000

Porsche    4/50,000    4/50,000    10/Unlimited    4/50,000

Saab    4/50,000    5/100,000    6/Unlimited (except 9-3)    5/100,000

Saturn    3/36,000    5/100,000    6/100,000    5/100,000

Scion    3/36,000    5/60,000    5/Unlimited    None Available

Subaru    3/36,000    5/60,000    5/Unlimited    3/36,000

Suzuki    3/36,000    7/100,000    3/36,000    3/36,000

Toyota    3/36,000    5/60,000    5/Unlimited    None Available

Volkswagen       4/50,000    5/60,000    12/Unlimited    4/Unlimited

Volvo    4/50,000    4/50,000    12/Unlimited    4/Unlimited

* All data sourced directly from manufacturer customer assistance telephone operatives and Automotive News.

posted in Auto Warranty | 0 Comments

27th October 2006

Auto Warranty Center

Protect yourself against the high cost of mechanical repairs. Save yourself time and money by being prepared with an extended auto warranty.

All new vehicles sold in the United States come with at least two warranties, and many manufacturers also provide roadside assistance. Described below are the major types of warranties and assistance provided to consumers. See your owner’s manual, the manufacturer’s website or the dealer for specific details.

Basic Warranty: The basic warranty covers everything except items that are subject to wear and tear or replacement in the ordinary course of vehicle ownership, such as oil and air filters, wiper blades and brake pads. Tires and batteries are often excluded, but usually have their own warranty provided by the manufacturers of those items. Emissions equipment is required by Federal law to be covered for two years or 24,000 miles.

Drive Train Warranty: This is the portion of the coverage that begins after the basic warranty expires. The drive train warranty covers most of the parts that make the vehicle move, including the engine, transmission, drive axles and driveshaft. Like the basic warranty, “consumable” parts such as hoses and belts are not covered. However, most of the internal parts of the engine, such as the pistons and bearings, which are also subject to wear and tear, are covered by the drive train warranty.

Rust or Corrosion Warranty: This warranty covers the vehicle’s sheet metal, and protects you from rust and corrosion that are severe enough to cause a hole - surface rust is not covered. However, if you keep your car washed and waxed rust shouldn’t be a problem.

Roadside Assistance: Many manufacturers provide a service that will rescue you if your car leaves you stranded, even if it’s your fault. Lock yourself out of the car? Run out of gas? Got a flat tire? A call to the manufacturer’s toll-free number will result in somebody showing up who can help you out. There is a huge variance in these programs so check ahead of time to see what is covered and what you will have to pay for.

posted in Auto Warranty | 0 Comments