You may have done the hard part of choosing your required car, but now it’s time to look further. You step into a car dealership station, keeping in mind the exchange of a significant amount of money and signatures for a new (or new-to-you) vehicle. Now you have to prepare yourself and plan to get warranty coverage for your car.
It is a common perception that car owners look for extended warranty coverage at a budget-friendly price. And generally, everyone wants to spend less and get more. But the fact is, not everyone qualifies for a full coverage warranty.
That raises the point that getting full warranty coverage is hard to get. While this is true to some extent, you can have it if you smartly follow a few tips. You need to find out some strategies to ensure that you get the very best level of coverage. Because after all, who doesn’t want to close a deal in their favor?
Before diving into our top tips to get the warranty plan you want, let us understand what full warranty covers and discuss the difference between a limited car warranty and an extended warranty.
What is the Difference Between a Full Warranty and a Limited Warranty?
Just because a vehicle comes with a warranty doesn’t mean that everything wrong that happens to your car will be fixed or replaced without asking any questions. Different types of warranties are offered to cover the damage. Some of them make up for only certain dents and defects, a few expire after some specified time, and others are known as full coverage warranties.
Limited Warranty Coverage
A limited warranty, like its name, covers only specific vehicle parts, certain defects, and special cases. Therefore, it is important to discuss your case with the dealer when getting a limited coverage warranty for your car. Always ask them to elaborate on the ‘limited’ guarantee and then get it signed.
Full Warranty Coverage
A company offering full warranty coverage promises to fix any damage that happens to the car, but within a limited timeframe. Even the full warranty comes with a time limitation and can only be applied in the specified warranty period. Normally, these plans do not cover general wear and tear, but you should always ask and clarify all minor details with your contractor when signing the document.
Typically, in car dealerships, you need to pay more for something extra. For example, let’s say your purchased car comes with a 5-years-limited warranty. A dealer may give you the option to pay for a 10-year limited warranty. In both cases, whether getting a limited warranty or full coverage, understanding the particulars fully can help you make beneficial decisions.
Source: motobeam.com
Now, let’s discuss some very important tips to qualify for complete car warranty coverage.
Look for a Reputable Warranty Provider
The first thing to consider is a reliable warranty provider to trust. This is crucial because different warranties and service contracts offered by the same company cover different tiers of protection. That means that they may be covering fewer items at a lower price or adding a hefty deductible if you’ve chosen the most extended term of the warranty. Look for flexibility in plans. Read out all the options and then select one. For the best results, also consider getting free quotes from different warranty providers.
Don’t Waste Your Time: The Newer, The Better
Usually, warranty providers offer full coverage to a new vehicle. Why? Because they know it won’t be coming back for claims anytime soon. However, as the car gets older, its maintenance sessions increase. With an old model of a vehicle, it is harder to get full warranty coverage. It’s not only about repairs; it is also because newer models are in the market. Parts of older vehicles sometimes get obsolete after a few years. That makes it difficult for the warranty company to find correct parts. So, it is always recommended not to miss out on your chances for a full coverage warranty by keeping your car for too many years.
Be Careful in Your Driving: Lower Mileage, Higher Chances
Yes, you need to be attentive about the distance you covered using your car. The more you’ve traveled, the lesser your chances are to get the full warranty coverage, and vice versa. Why? Because warranty providers mark such vehicles as ‘too risky’ to take in the contract. Therefore, it is always recommended to apply for your car’s warranty right after you own it. A car with higher mileage will need more repairs to stay in the best shape, and which is why warranty companies usually don’t accept it.
Here’s the good news, you can get two things:
- A complete warranty coverage
- Lower price on the warranty plan
Source: protectmycar.com
Take Care of Your Vehicle: Better Maintained Vehicles, Better Options
If you think that having a car is enough, and you can cover your regular maintenance sessions within the warranty offered, you are wrong. Get small issues fixed as soon as possible, and ask your repair technician to send you the repair records after every visit. They’ll keep it saved in their auto repair shop software, and that’s how you’ll never lose any details.
Records are important because warranty providers are clever and only offer a full coverage warranty to the vehicles in good condition. As a driver, you need to keep up with routine maintenance. Timely oil changing, wheel balancing, cleaning air filters, and fluids replacement will increase your chances of getting complete warranty coverage. Furthermore, taking good care of your car increases the resale value too, in case you want to upgrade in the future!
A vehicle that performs better will get the best plan.
Conclusion
Although it is hard for every car owner to get the full coverage warranty they want, we hope these tricks and tips help you out. The key is to take good care of your car and apply for a plan with a reputable warranty provider as soon as you get your vehicle. And don’t despair if you don’t get the warranty plan you initially wanted. There are still many others that’ll meet your requirements. Remember, it’s always best to research the warranty providers first, get a quote, and then go for it. Good Luck!
