An extended warranty of a vehicle depicts that the car has warranty coverages against all major systems, and any default in them shall be taken care of by the warranty providers.
Normally, car manufacturers provide a short-term warranty to buyers. But if you want an extended warranty, you have to pay for it! If you are buying a used car, you must know how to check if your vehicle is still under warranty which we shall discuss later in this article.
The majority of car owners do not use these extended warranties as most of the time; they don’t need them. But they end up paying huge amounts of money for buying them.
Extended warranties from certain manufacturers can range up to $3000, and bearing it is only justified if you do not wish to pay for the car repairs (that may be lesser than the warranty) if and when needed! To get details about the extended warranty, you must first check manufacturer warranty unless it expires, and you cannot use the extended warranty.
Both the third-party companies and the manufacturers provide extended warranties upon payment of certain amounts, and they provide coverage against multiple issues, including towing services, transmission, travel insurance, engine default, etc. As we proceed further into this article, you shall discover more on how to check extended warranty on car. So keep reading to know more…
What is Extended Warranty for Cars?
As the name suggests, an extended warranty is an additional warranty period that is purchased by the vehicle owner to increase the term of the warranty after the original warranty expires. For those who are asking, what is an extended warranty on a car? This could be a simplified answer. But if you want comprehensive knowledge about extended car warranty, then here is an extended answer (pun intended!)
Well, most car owners who are regular users often do not like spending much on car repairs. So, they rely on the warranty either from third-party providers or the manufacturer to deal with their car repair expenses. Now, you may want to know, how does extended car warranty work? It is almost a similar process to that of the original warranty provided by the car manufacturer.
You can repair stuff like your car’s engine, towing services, transmission, etc. It works only when your previous warranty has expired. Depending on your servicing requirements, you can purchase it from any third-party vendor or directly from the manufacturer. You must know that these warranties do not cover your usual wear and tear and can cost you $1500 to $3000 on average. Now, you need to decide- is extended warranty worth it?
What Does Extended Warranty Cover on a Car?
The general idea of what is covered in an extended car warranty is already discussed in the sections above. But here, in this section, we will discuss everything in detail. As you already know, extended warranties cover the maximum major components of the car. But it deliberately depends on what plan of the warranty you choose; the higher the plan rate, the more the coverage!
There are a few types of coverage, though, that shall give you the idea of what does an extended car warranty cover! These are:
- Powertrain Warranty: To know what does extended warranty cover on a car, you must know about the powertrain warranty. It mostly covers everything involving the movement of the car. It includes transmission, engine wheels, etc.
- Drivetrain Warranty: It is similar to a powertrain warranty, but it does not include the car’s engine.
- Bumper to Bumper Warranty: This is a comprehensive warranty package that you can buy for your vehicle. It is an umbrella package that covers almost everything related to the car except the regular wear and tear. If you ask what is not covered under extended warranty of this type, you can include the damages caused by irregular maintenance of the car.
- Corrosion Warranty: As the name suggests, it applies for repair cost damages caused by corrosion or rusting on the car surface.
How to Check If My Car Has Extended Warranty
Now, this is the most important section of the article. In this section, you will get to know how to check if you have warranty on your car. It doesn’t matter whether you are buying a new or used car; you will be able to check for its extended warranty using the given methods in this section. So, do not wait and move on to the following methods to know more:
Method 1: Check the Paperwork
This is most probably the easiest way to find out about the extended warranty details on your car. To know how to check extended warranty on car, you have to go through the paperwork that came along at the time of the purchase.
Sometimes, people with heavy responsibilities forget the date of warranties on their new cars, and thus, for checking, you can also get back to the original paperwork provided by the car dealer at the time of purchase.
For used car buyers also, it is a desirable choice if they are provided with the original papers by the car seller. If you are confused as to how to know what warranty your car has, even after looking at the papers, you can take it to an automobile expert or directly to the dealer.
Also, if you have lost your original papers, you can contact the dealers directly for a copy; they can provide you with one after taking a few relevant details about your vehicle.
But most of the time, when you check the manufacturer warranty, it only shows the original warranty and not the extended warranty if not purchased by them. And that is when you might need help from the other given methods mentioned below to find out whether your car has an extended warranty or not. Check them out!
Method 2: Check Car Warranty by VIN
The most reliable and effective way to find out about the extended warranty is to check car warranty by VIN. Yes, it is the best method to find out the exact details of the extended warranty that your vehicle has without looking through the paperwork. So, are you wondering how to check extended warranty by VIN? Here are some easy and simple steps that you can follow:
Step (1): Find the VIN
The VIN or vehicle identification number is a 17 digit number unique to every vehicle. You can find it on your car’s windshield on an embossed palate, or you can also find it under the hood.
Looking at it is considered one of the best ways to check if your car has extended warranty because it contains all the major information related to your car, and when put together with the mileage details, you will be able to get the required information.
Step (2): Check the Mileage of Your Car
Next, you must check your car’s mileage for the extended warranty lookup requirements, as most warranties come with limited mileage conditions. The odometer is best to look at for this purpose!
Step (3): Contact the Dealership
With the VIN and mileage details on your hand, you can call your local dealership and ask them- is my car still under warranty? Most dealerships are able to tell this to you by the information provided. However, if they still fail to provide any details, you may have to drive to them!
Method 3: Contact the Financing Company
If you are still itching your head thinking about how to find my car extended warranty, in that case, you must have probably not succeeded in getting information using the two techniques mentioned above! Well, it can be that the dealership might not be able to provide you with any information about the extended warranty even after you visit them! It happens when they are not in control of the warranty provided to you.
Sometimes, car owners choose 3rd party vendors to get extended warranties on their vehicles because they probably find a better deal. In that case, after you check the manufacturer warranty, you must also check with the third-party provider to get the details of the warranty coverage you are looking for!
The companies that provide the extended warranty have all the details related to such warranties, and they can help you find the details too, once you approach them with your car’s details.
They might also arrange petty workshops for you if you want to renew the extended warranty with them in case it expires! This was about how to check if your vehicle is still under warranty by third-party vendors when the manufacturer fails to provide the relevant details using the VIN or the mileage!
Method 4: Use Carfax
If all the above methods of how to check if your car has extended warranty fail to give you the desired results, this one will surely do! It is best for the used car owners because they can also get a thorough report when they run the Carfax report on their cars. Well, for the unversed, a Carfax report is somewhat like an investigation on your car’s background checks. It is a paid service that you need to buy from third-party vendors.
Sometimes, the dealerships do not give you the required details of the warranty even if you want to check car warranty by VIN, fearing criminal motives. That is when Carfax comes to your rescue! By running an initial report of your car, you will be able to procure the report of the car against any criminal background. The Report comprises the car’s history by running through DMV databases, dealership records, and insurance records as well.
Apart from the warranty details, you will also get to know other relevant details like repairs, airbag conditions, accidents, etc. The records are searched using a VIN or by using the license plate registration number. So, if you are asking, where can I find my car warranty information?, Carfax is the answer!
Should I Buy Extended Warranty on Used Car or New Car?
No matter whether you are buying a used car or a new car, you may have the question- should I buy extended warranty on new car or used car in your mind! And that’s typically right to think because you must know when to buy the extended warranty to utilize it fully.
Well, for the unversed, an extended warranty is an additional warranty to the original warranty, which means you get an added warranty period after the original warranty expires.
Thus, it is evident that new cars already come with a warranty period of their own that is provided by the manufacturer. And you don’t need an extended warranty for these vehicles. But when it comes to buying used cars, the question arises- can you get an extended warranty on a used car
Yes, you can! In fact, you check for the original warranty expiration date and thereby buy the extended warranty accordingly.
Most of the time, the original warranty lasts for 3 to 6 years depending upon the type of warranty provided by the manufacturer. Beyond that time period, if you want to get rid of repair costs, then you must buy an extended warranty for your car, whether it is new or old!
You may also ask- are extended warranties on used cars worth it? Yes, they surely are! In fact, used cars are more likely to get damaged, which need repair, and if it is covered under a warranty scheme, the expenses are less!
How Much Does an Extended Car Warranty Cost?
When you make up your mind to go for an extended warranty for your vehicle, you will obviously look for the extended car warranty cost to calculate the expenses. While the cost merely depends on a lot of factors, you can expect the average cost of these warranties to range from anything between $1000 to $4000 as per your choices. The ones you get from the manufacturer are a lot cheaper than those from third-party vendors.
The new car extended warranty cost is also lesser than the used car warranties in most cases. The factors that play key roles in deciding the cost includes:
- Type of Vehicle: The expensive the model, the higher the cost.
- Condition of Vehicle: Old and used vehicles with higher mileages cost more.
- Vendor You Choose: New and used car extended warranty cost differs amongst different vendors.
- Coverage Type: The warranty plan that you choose also makes a difference in the entire cost.
Apart from these, if you want to know; what is the average price for an extended car warranty, you must know that both powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranties are the costliest. So, you must compare plans, look out for the condition of your vehicles and plan the warranty scheme accordingly!
5 Top Rated and Best Extended Car Warranty Companies
Now that you have learned a lot about extended warranties on cars, it is time you know the best extended car warranty companies so that you can buy the one that best fits your requirements easily. Go through the list below to gain knowledge about the best 5 such companies.
Endurance
This is the best extended car warranty provider for those who are looking for complete coverage of their car’s mechanical parts. They offer warranty packages of four kinds, and you can choose the one that fulfills your requirements well. They cover almost all the manufacturer’s original warranty with some exceptions, of course!
On top of that, the endurance warranty packages are secured by additional protection plans that ensure you are not denied your claims. They can cost you anything between $2600 to $4400 as per your choice of package. With 10+ years of experience, endurance is good to go with!
CARCHEX
You can easily call CARCHEX the best extended warranty for used cars as it has 5 level coverage for most cars. You can also get multiple contracts that include a protection plan of 12 to 84 months. They have been in the business for 20+ years, and thus, they have curated plans for all.
You get additional services along with the warranty packages that include 24×7 roadside assistance, trip-interruption service, rental car reimbursement, towing, etc. It has been rated and awarded the best in the business for the last few years. It is also quite affordable with monthly payment options.
Protect My Car
The third on the list of- what are the best extended car warranty companies is Protect My Car! It also has lots of potential to be on your list of companies to buy extended warranties for your car. In business for 15+ years, Protect My Car surely knows how to lure customers with their flexible plans that include scheduled maintenance as well.
Not only that, but you also get monthly payment plan options with them that you can carry forward till 48 months! The packages are designed to fit all types of vehicle owners; whether you own a new car or used car, you get coverage for all! Besides these, they also have good ratings and customer reviews in favor of them!
CarShield
It is one of the best rated extended car warranty companies because of its affordable warranty packages curated for vehicle owners of all kinds! Yes, they have package plans that range from as low as $89 to a $129 monthly plan. They have positive ratings and reviews by satisfied customers, and they also have a 6 level warranty package plan designed to fulfill requirements at every level.
From factory-level coverage to covering motorcycle and all-terrain vehicles, you can get a warranty package for all! The best part is that they have month-to-month contracts that do not bind you with them for years, so if you don’t like them, you can move on with the others anytime!
autopom!
As cheeky as it sounds, “autopom!” it also works towards providing quality services to the buyers! With four distinct coverage plans, it has substantial qualities to be on the list of the top-rated vehicle extended warranty companies across several geographical zones.
With extensive customer service and positive reviews, this company is a great choice for the ones looking for reliability and affordability at the same time.
Apart from the usual warranty, it also covers extra benefits that include rental car reimbursement, tire protection plans, roadside assistance, trip-interruption protection, etc. With easy monthly payment plans, you will not regret buying your car’s extended warranty from autopom!
How to Check Extended Warranty on Car – Author’s View
Now that you have read the entire article and come to the concluding part, you might have understood well about what are the best ways to check if your car has extended warranty. The ones mentioned in the sections above are tested and tried methods that are popular amongst car owners across the world to check for extended warranties on their vehicles.
No wonder you have also handpicked the best method amongst the given ones to check for your vehicle’s extended warranty. But if you are still confused about how to check if you have warranty on your car using the best method, I have some suggestions for you. Well, after researching all of the given methods and finding the pros and cons of each, I zeroed in on one of them to be the best!
In my opinion, checking car warranty by VIN is the best method to find out whether your vehicle has an extended warranty or not! It is reliable and effective at the same time. However, you can still find other reliable solutions, which is why we presented to you all the available options. So, do not wait and find out about your vehicle’s extended warranty now using the best methods mentioned in the article!
