Car Warranty vs Service Plan: What to Choose?

Buying a new car can be a great experience. If you’ve been suffering with an old car with reliability issues, you’ll no longer have to worry about your car breaking down when you least expect it. At least, you shouldn’t. The truth is, however, even fairly new cars can have trouble, which is why new cars come with warranties, and dealerships of all kinds offer plans to protect your car in case any problems might develop.

Usually, the extra coverage that’s available is in the form of either a warranty or a service plan. You want to choose the best extended vehicle service protection, but you might not know which type is the best for you. Here are some things to think about when deciding between a warranty and a service plan.

Service Plans

As the name suggests, this is where you go if you want your services covered. Depending on the type of plan, you can expect to see coverage for routine services like oil changes, transmission fluid changes, oil and air filter replacements, as well as coolant, brake fluid, and cam belt replacements. If you keep to a regular maintenance schedule according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, most—if not all—of the routine work on your car will be covered.

For added protection, you can purchase what’s known as a maintenance plan. Plans like these are even more thorough, and might include additional services to repair and replace the parts that are subject to wear-and-tear such as brake pads and discs, wheel bearings, shock absorbers, fuses, and other items.

If you’re purchasing a new car—or a relatively new car in excellent condition—the additional monthly payments for these plans may wind up exceeding what you’d be paying without them. However, a lot of drivers prefer the security these plans provide, and would rather risk paying more to avoid having to pay for emergency repair costs when they least expect it.

Warranties

If you’re purchasing a new vehicle, you’re certainly getting some kind of warranty. While the type of warranty varies from dealer to dealer, you can expect your first few years to be covered from any mishaps resulting from factory defects. Commonly, you can expect your new car warranty to cover the engine, fuel systems, and gearbox, as well as all of the electrical components, sensors, and audio systems. Some warranties will even go so far as to offer roadside assistance, which can be a major source of comfort for most drivers.

Extended Vehicle Service Protection

There are several things your manufacturer’s warranty won’t cover. It won’t cover regular wear-and-tear items such as brakes and brake pads, and within only a few years their warranties won’t even cover transmissions and other parts of your engine that can be incredibly expensive to repair. The only way to protect your car beyond the warranty is with an extended vehicle service protection plan. Vehicle protection providers have plans available that suit your needs and can cover cars as old as 10 to 20 years old.

If you’re buying a new car, or your older car is no longer covered under warranty, contact Freedom Warranty LLC to see what kind of extended vehicle protection plan works for you. Get the peace of mind you’re looking for and call today!

Debunking Extended Vehicle Protection Plan Myths

An extended vehicle protection plan is extremely valuable, but many people are hesitant to get one. Why? Because there are plenty of myths floating around online and being repeated constantly in face to face conversations. This article will shed light on common myths about extended vehicle protection plans.

Extension Plans Are Too Expensive

One of the most prevalent myths about extended vehicle protection plans is that they will cost too much and be a waste of money. While protection plans can cost a lot up front, many providers offer payment plans, which can be easier to manage. You will save a ton on repairs over time, and the plan will start to pay off starting with your first major repair bill. Plus, several extended protection plans include roadside assistance and rental assistance if your car breaks down or is in the shop.

Plans Are Sold Only at Dealerships

This is a misconception. You can only buy extended service contracts from dealerships. While they sound the same and offer the same benefits, an extended vehicle protection plan is actually a useful alternative to an extended service contract. Fortunately for you, there are a large number of providers around the U.S. that you can buy top vehicle protection plans from. This means your options aren’t limited to the dealership you bought your car from. You can explore other providers and find one that offers the benefits you need at a price you can afford.

Plans Are Identical

A lot of people are under the impression that all extended protection plans are the same. The truth is that dealerships and providers offer several plans with different prices, coverage, benefits, and features.  The type of coverage you receive depends on many factors. One is how much you are willing to pay. The more money you spend, the more coverage you’ll receive. Other factors include the state you live in, along with the make, model, year, and mileage of your vehicle. The best thing to do is shop around until you find the best extended vehicle protection plan for you.

I Don’t Need a Protection Plan

The thinking behind this myth is that, if you already have an extended service contract, you don’t need a vehicle protection plan that’s extended. The problem is that the extended service contract you get when you buy a vehicle has year and mileage limits which can expire fairly quickly, leaving you on your own. Adding an extended vehicle protection plan on top of an extended service contract will give you more coverage, for a longer amount of time, and at more affordable rates.  An extended protection plan is a worthwhile investment because you will get peace of mind knowing your vehicle and finances will be covered during an emergency and when in need of repairs. Contact Freedom Warranty today learn more about the facts behind common extended protection plan myths.

Different Kinds of Vehicle Warranties: An Overview

Every time you purchase a vehicle, whether it is a used new, you will be presented with various vehicle warranties by the dealer. The vehicle warranties will differ from one another. Some offer protection for a certain period and others for a certain number of miles that you cover. At times, you may be lucky and find a dealer who will offer a protection warranty with both conditions.

Freedom warranty LLC offers various vehicle extended warranty programs for every driver. We will help you select a vehicle warranty that will fit your every need as a driver. Outlined is an overview of the different types of vehicle warranties.

A Used Vehicle Warranty

You may be wondering if a used car comes with a warranty. The answer is yes, especially if the car is young. You can get an extended vehicle warranty plan that will cover your used car. The warranty differs with different types of car dealers. For instance, a used car warranty mostly covers repairs for an agreed period or miles. This ensures a driver will not incur unexpected and expensive repairs before the agreed time ends. Therefore, before purchasing a used car, ensure to get the warranty.

A New Car Warranty

Whenever you purchase a new car, expect extended vehicle warranty plans from the dealer known as bumper-to-bumper or a powertrain warranty. The bumper-to-bumper warranty covers everything that is not related to maintenance issues. The powertrain warranty covers anything that provides power to the wheels of your car including the engine, transmission, and drive shafts. The coverage of these types of warranties depends on different car dealers.

Anti-Perforation Warranty

Just like the name suggests, anti-perforation warranty covers the vehicle from corrosion. However, the warranty is offered on a time restriction basis for most car dealers. At times, a vehicle’s body may rust. Therefore, it is wise to choose an anti-perforation warranty to cover all the expenses. Ensure that your vehicle extended warranty cost will be able to cover all the unexpected expenses beforehand.

Accessories Warranty
The accessories warranty covers the body parts of the vehicle. This type of warranty requires the car dealer to install all the necessary accessories in the vehicle before handing it to you. It’s good for 12 months or a 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Emission Warranty

At times, a vehicle’s emission control may not function properly. This may be due to a defect in the materials. At times, it may be due to workmanship. Either way, the emission warranty will cover the defects. The coverage will cover the hardware parts as well as the software part.

Hybrid Warranty

Hybrid warranty covers the hybrid parts of the vehicle such as the electric motor, and battery pack among other system parts. The hybrid vehicle extended warranty prices differ from state to state. There are certain states that offer hybrid warrant coverage for 8 years. A state like California has a hybrid coverage warranty of 10 years or 150,000 miles.

A Powertrain Warranty

As mentioned earlier, a powertrain warranty covers the part that powers the wheels of your vehicle. These parts are warranted separately from the other body parts. This is due to their long lifespan expectancy. The standard powertrain warranty usually covers for five years or 60,000 miles.

As you can see, there are various warranties that will protect you from incurring unexpected expenses. Contact Freedom Warranty for a better insight of the various warranties that will suit your every need.

Extended Warranty on Used Cars: Is It Worth It?

When you purchase a used vehicle, you may be concerned about the potential for problems due to previous wear and tear. That’s why many people also purchase a warranty from an extended vehicle protection provider. This warranty will typically cover major repairs like engine, transmission, drive axle, engine cooling, and other basic systems. If you’re wondering if purchasing an extended warranty is a smart idea, here are some things you need to know.

Warranty Cost vs. Savings

An important thing to consider is whether or not you’ll be able to pay for any major repairs that are no longer covered under the factory warranty. If you spent most of your savings on the car and won’t be able to build it back up quickly, it’s a good idea to have some kind of warranty to cover major repairs that you’ll be unable to afford otherwise. This is especially true if the money you’re spending on the warranty won’t substantially change the amount you can save towards repairs.

Reliability Rating

You also need to think about how reliable your vehicle is likely to be. You can look up reliability ratings and dependability studies on your specific make and model to help gauge this. If your vehicle has a lower reliability rating, you may want to consider an extended vehicle protection service. An independent mechanic can also find indications about the car’s dependability, so if that’s an option before purchasing a used vehicle, be sure to take advantage of that.

Ownership Length

If you hope to keep your car for a few years and the one you’ve recently purchased is at least ten years old, it’s a good idea to at least purchase a basic warranty. There are warranties specifically designed for cars between ten and twenty years old, with mileage in between 80,000 to 200,000 miles. These warranties will cover the major systems in your car so that you’ll only need to worry about typical maintenance due to wear and tear like brake pads, transmission flushes, and oil changes.

Additional Coverage Options

There are numerous options when purchasing an extended warranty, but one of the biggest benefits is the additional coverage options you can choose to add. You can determine what coverage is most valuable to you by taking into account your previous history with car repairs as well as the hazards you typically face in your area. These factors can help you decide if towing, road-hazard tire, rental car, manufacturer extension, and other coverage options are important to you.

Choosing a Warranty

If you’ve determined you need an extended warranty, there are a few tips to help you get the best one. Research who stands behind the warranty. It may be a car manufacturer, individual dealers, or the warranty company itself. In addition, these contracts are complex, so make sure you know exactly what is and isn’t covered, and that expensive parts like the engine, transmission, transfer case, cooling system, and drive axle are covered. Make sure you know where you can get repairs, if repairs are paid directly to the shop or by reimbursing you, and if there are waiting periods or pre-approvals required. In addition, if you think you may sell your vehicle in the near future, ask about additional coverage that allows you to transfer the contract with the sale. This is important information to know because it can increase the value of your car. Contact Freedom Warranty LLC today to learn more about used car extended warranties.

Tips to Choosing the Best Vehicle Service Contract

Of the entire process of buying a vehicle, choosing the right vehicle service contract is the most stressful, time-consuming and confusing. You should review the best vehicle service contract companies you can find and get a contract that will meet your anticipated needs, but what does that entail? Here is a brief tutorial to help you make your decision.

Ask Questions

Entering into an agreement with vehicle service contract companies is a major step in the vehicle buying process. Making sure you understand what it is you are agreeing to is the only way to make sure you get what you expect. The only way to do that is to ask questions and lots of them. The only dumb question is the one you did not ask, so make sure you are thorough. Any reputable company will be glad to answer your questions and provide you with more information than you need to make an informed decision.

Read the Small Print

Everyone has been told to thoroughly read a written contract since that type of agreement was conceived and almost everyone ignores that advice at some point. Reading the fine print in a contract is hard work because written bonds tend to be very boring, but reading every last word is vital! With a vehicle service contract, the tendency is to rely on vehicle service contract administrators to outline what the agreement entails and that is a mistake. Make sure you read the contract from start to finish and ask questions about anything you are not sure about.

Follow a Checklist

Make sure you understand as much about the warranty/contract you will be signing as possible. Understand the terms and who is covered, the type of repair work that is covered and any maintenance requirements. Review any deadlines or mileage benchmarks and map out the dispute resolution portion so you are not blindsided if you end up having a disagreement over what is covered and what is not. Verify where any work has to be completed and if you go with a third-party repair service (in an emergency,) what type of documentation is needed to have it applied against the warranty. Treat your agreement like an official, legally-binding contract and methodically work through it to ensure you know it inside and out.

You Get What You Pay for

If the extended agreement sounds too good to be true, price wise, it probably is. Beware of a contract that is so inexpensive it makes no sense. The best advice is to walk away from anything offered at a bargain-basement price, but at the very least, you should do heavy research into the contract and find out why it is so cheap and if customers are happy with the contract. Another thing to be aware of is that inexpensive contracts often come with very high deductibles, sometimes so high that a person using it will never exceed their deductible unless they have a major repair to cover. Finally, lower cost contracts often have a lot of rules that must be followed to ensure coverage.

Picking out the right vehicle service contract requires due diligence, careful research, common sense and an understanding of what you need. Check out Freedom Warranty to get extended vehicle protection that is reliable and affordable.

What’s the Difference between a Warranty and Extended Service Plan?

When you purchase a new vehicle, it comes with a manufacturer’s warranty, but the dealer will usually also offer you an extended service plan. Many people are uncertain how the two differ. Should you get that extended vehicle protection plan? How’s it different from the warranty? Here’s what you need to know.

What They Cost

The warranty on your vehicle is built into the price of the car. An extended service plan will always come at an additional price. The exact cost of the extended plan will vary depending on which plan you decide to purchase (there are usually at least two options), and you can often get a better deal on the plans if you’re willing to do some negotiating with the dealer.

Who Covers It

Your vehicle’s warranty is provided and covered by the manufacturer. It is the manufacturer’s way of standing beside their product and guaranteeing that there will be no major issues with the vehicle within a certain time period. An extended service plan is typically provided and backed by the dealership or the company that you purchase the plan from.

What It Includes

The manufacturer’s warranty usually has a very narrow scope of what it will cover. This typically includes major malfunctions with the vehicle’s power train and other primary functions. It may also include a more limited warranty covering any major issues on the vehicle, like door locks or windows malfunctioning.

An extended service plan will cover a lot more in relation to your vehicle’s functionality. Smaller parts of the vehicle not included in the warranty will often be included in a service plan. This means that if anything goes wrong with your car (barring damage inflicted to the vehicle) within the service plan’s period, the dealership will repair it free of charge.

How Long It Lasts

Most manufacturers’ warranties only last a handful of years, or up to a certain number of miles (whichever comes first). Different manufacturers will offer different warranties on the vehicle, so this may be worth researching if you’re in the market for a car. Often, there are two warranties included on your vehicle: a power train warranty and a bumper-to-bumper warranty. These have different time and mileage limitations on them.

An extended vehicle protection package does just what the name implies; it extends the protections on your vehicle, not only in the scope of what is covered, as mentioned above, but also in how long those protections last. So, if you’re going to be putting quite a few miles on your vehicle in a short amount of time, it’s usually worth the extra cost of getting a protection plan.

A vehicle is a major purchase, and it’s natural to want to limit the amount of money coming out of your pocket with such a large expense. But when you’re spending that much money on something, don’t you want to ensure that your investment is protected? When you consider all of the possible issues that could arise with your vehicle outside of the manufacturer’s warranty, it’s usually more than worth the cost of purchasing extended vehicle protection programs for your new car. Give the professionals at Freedom Warranty a call today to discuss your options.