Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Used Car Warranty Programs - What to Look for in a Used Car Warranty

Have you recently purchased a used car or are you considering purchasing a used car in the near future? You may not know about used car warranty programs available to you and your car. Your used car dealer can sell you (or may have tried to sell you) extended car warranty coverage. Did you know that you do not have to buy your warranty coverage through your dealer? You may be able to get a better deal or less expensive plan by going with a company outside of the dealership.

No matter if you choose to purchase a warranty from your used car dealer or from another source, you will certainly want to know what to look for in a used car warranty to know that you are not getting ripped off. In the next few paragraphs we will look into some of the more common features to look for in any warranty program.

A normal extended warranty will cover your vehicle for a fixed amount of time. The term of the warranty might be something like 30 days or 1000 miles or 12 months or 12,000 miles. It will be dependent on the type of plan you purchase.

In any warranty program, there are certain components of the car that will be covered and others that will not be covered. Some plans are more basic in nature while others are quite comprehensive. Things that may be covered against mechanical breakdown or failure include your transmission, drive train, heating and cooling equipment, and any computerized equipment in your vehicle. Do your homework to decide what's important to you and what you want or need in a warranty. Do not settle for less.

Roadside Assistance is one really common feature of car extended warranties. This means that if your car breaks down on the side of the road, you can call a toll-free number and help will come 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your car will be repaired or towed, but either way you will be able to get where you need to go without paying out of pocket. Some car warranty plans offer rental cars for policyholders to use while their car is undergoing repair. The more extensive (and often times more expensive) plans even offer 24-hour concierge service.

No matter if you need a basic plan or a more in-depth one, you will want to shop around. Get quotes from multiple companies and then compare them to the plan or plans that your used car dealer has to offer. Go with the one that fits your budget and your needs most closely. Like I mentioned earlier, do not be afraid to say no to your dealer and go with an alternative company (like an online warranty provider).

For more on used car warranties, including detailed reviews of specific warranty programs like GM Extended Warranty program, the Ford Vehicle Extended Warranty Program, the Acura Extended Warranty or some other car manufacturer's warranty program specifics, visit http://extendedwarrantyshopper.com today!

Quick Reference Guide to Researching Extended Auto Warranty Companies

When it comes to purchasing an extended warranty for your automobile, research is crucial. There are many reputable companies out there, however, there are also companies that are waiting to rip you off. Understanding how to find out about auto warranty companies goes a long way towards choosing the right provider for your extended auto warranty. There are various ways to investigate companies both on and offline. By using these various methods, you can protect yourself from scammers and ensure you get the best policy available from the best possible company.

The Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau, or BBB, is the first place you should start your search. By going to their website or calling them, you can find out information about a company you're trying to research. Any reputable company should have a satisfactory rating with this organization. You'll be able to find out whether or not the company you're researching has a good rating, or a bad one. If previous consumers have filed complaints, you'll be able to learn all the various details of said complaint.


Message Boards and Websites

By going to the search engine of your choice and entering the name of the warranty provider, you will be able to access all the websites that mention the particular company. There are message boards where you can read experiences from other consumers regarding various warranty providers. There are also websites out there that provide reviews of warranty companies, written by people that have dealt with them. Simply type in auto warranty reviews or a similar search phrase in the engine of your choice, and you'll be presented with various sites that offer these kinds of reviews.



References From Peers

If you know anyone who has ever purchased a vehicle (and I'm sure you do,) ask them for recommendations. Your friends, family and co-workers certainly don't want to see you get ripped off, so they'll be happy to provide you with the names and contact information for warranty providers they've successfully dealt with.

Doing your research before committing to deal with a warranty provider can save you a great deal of trouble and expense. It's a good idea to find out how long a particular company has been in business. Try to choose a company that's established, that has been providing consumers with auto warranties for many years. Dealing with a less established company can lead to problems. If a company were to go out of business, you'd be out of money and your vehicle would not be covered any longer. By taking some time and researching various auto warranty providers, you can be sure to choose a company that's reliable and trustworthy. And when it comes to your vehicle, you don't want anything less!

Jackie Jones runs the popular vehicle extended warranty shopper website. Do you need to buy a car warranty or get more information about auto extended warranties? Visit AutoWarrantyShopper.com today!