Pros and Cons of Extended Auto Warranties

There are pros and cons associated with an extended auto warranty. If you are in the market for a new car or if you are investing in a used car, it pays to understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with today's extended auto warranty plans.

Photo: Person in a Car

Clearly, the most obvious advantage one derives from an extended auto warranty plan is that he or she will be confident in knowing that a vehicle is covered, no matter what happens.

In understanding the pros and cons, you can be better informed about your investment options.

Extended Auto Warranty Advantages

An extended auto warranty is associated with numerous advantages.  The best time to get an extended auto warranty is when the car is still covered under the initial warranty offered by the manufacturer.  In the event that the warranty expires, the consumer will still have an active extended auto warranty in place that protects many of the car’s components and parts.  Getting an extended auto warranty early on allows for you to save a significant amount of cash; you get reduced rates if you opt to buy sooner rather than later.

Clearly, the most obvious advantage one derives from an extended auto warranty plan is that he or she will be confident in knowing that a vehicle is covered, no matter what happens.  Even if the car owner has an accident of some kind, the extended auto warranty plan may cover much of the damage and the costs for repair.  You will have to choose an extend auto warranty option that suits your needs; some have coverage for mechanical issues, and some policies have roadside assistance, rental car options, and towing coverage as well.

If you ever plan on reselling your car at a future date, if you have maintained an extended auto warranty on the vehicle, the car may be easier for you to sell.  Your car becomes an easier sell because buyers will see you have made a lasting effort to keep the car in top running condition at all times.  Basically, your investment in an extended auto warranty is a demonstration of your practicality.  Car buyers especially appreciate if the extended warranty is a transferable option.

When you are ready to invest in an extended warranty you can opt for a warranty sold by the car dealer or you can choose from one of many companies offering such warranties.  Since you have the option of working with a third party company selling warranties, you have a greater opportunity to derive significant savings on your investment.  Third party extended warranty options are more diverse, have more features, and give you more coverage options.  You can get bumper to bumper coverage, a stated plan for a used vehicle, a power tran protection offering, or wrap coverage.

Disadvantages of an Extended Auto Warranty Offerings

There are also disadvantages associated with auto extended car warranty plans, although there are relatively few.  If, for example, you have an auto extended car warranty and absolutely nothing goes wrong with the car while you are covered by the plan, you may initially feel that you wasted your investment.  This is not the case however, if you give consideration to the peace of mind you had the entire time you were covered by the plan.

If you choose an auto extended car warranty offered by a car dealer, you will be working with that dealer in the future if something happens to the vehicle.  Auto dealer warranties are more costly and often times less flexible.  To avoid this disadvantage it is recommended that you get an extended warranty from a third party contract provider.  Bear in mind that if you opt to buy from a third party provider, if the company ever falls apart, you are out of your money and you are no longer covered by the contract you were paying for.

One final disadvantage associated with the extended auto warranty is that these plans widely vary.  This means you have to be willing to do a lot of research to uncover the most sensible plan for your needs. You also have to carefully assess the fine print in the plans you are offered to be sure you are getting a good deal.

More Information about Auto Extended Warranty Options

CarsDirect®

CarsDirect® offers free information about auto extended warranty options.  You can examine all of the advantages associated with getting an auto extended warranty as well as all of the disadvantages associated with such a warranty.  You can also access free articles about how you can extend a auto factory warranty, and which carmakers offer the longest lasting warranties on their cars.  You can read up about different initial car warranty options, and you can buy, compare, and review an array of new car offerings.  For full details visit http://www.carsdirect.com/car-buying.

Tree.com

On Tree.com you can read articles related to all aspects of the auto extended warranty.  Learn what an extended warranty is, read about whether or not all warranties are the same, and explore the pros and cons associated with auto and extended warranty options.  You can find out if you really should invest in an extended warranty auto option too.  For full details visit Tree.com at http://www.tree.com/blogs/autos/archive/.

WarrantyDirect

WarrantyDirect has free information on the different auto services and extended warranty options that it offers.  You can access information about auto services extended warranty basics, extended warranty auto myths, frequently asked questions associated with warranty options, tips on when to buy a plan, information on why you should choose warranty basics, and details about manufacturer warranties. The site provides information on why getting an extended warranty right now is recommended, who insures warranties, information about transferable and nontransferable warranties, advice on how repair claims are made, and more.  For full details visit https://www.warrantydirect.com/extended-auto-warranty-plans.aspx.

Automotive.com®

Automotive.com® offers an array of information on auto services extended warranty options.  You can read about the pros and cons associated with the auto warranty, and you can read related articles about what extended warranty auto plans cover, how to void a car warranty, why you should buy a warranty, powertrain warranties, new car warranties, and if extended warranties really work.  You can also find out about how to successfully avoid extended warranty auto scams too. For full information visit http://www.automotive.com/.

Extended Warranty

Extended Warranty is another good site to visit for free information about auto services extended warranty plans.  You can read up about what warranties and features are available and you can get a brief description of what an extended warranty auto really is.  You can learn more about the umbrella security that such warranties offer, and you can access an easy to use guide for getting good extended warranty coverage.  For full details visit http://www.extendedwarrantyco.com/auto-extended-warranty.php.