Buying Auto Extended Warranties Online? – Do Your Homework First
Recently there has been a flurry of auto extended warranty companies filing for bankruptcy. When the news hits the airways, warranty policy holders scream for justice.
A recent casualty was the online warranty giant US Fidelis Auto Warranty, who in 2010 filed for bankruptcy and left thousands of customers wondering how to pay for repairs.
If you’re in the market for a vehicle extended warranty plan, and don’t want to end up like the customers of US Fidelis Auto Warranty, how can you be sure the auto warranty companies you are considering won’t leave you holding the bag for future claims?
One way you can protect yourself is to be sure your extended warranty administrator is backed by a reputable insurance company. If a warranty administrator files for bankruptcy, a prearranged insurance agreement will protect you and will pay for your future breakdowns until your policy expires. Check to see if your extended warranty administrator has insurance backing, then verify the financial ratings of the insurance company by visiting AM Best Financial Rating Systems. Best’s Credit Ratings are the industry leader in unbiased and comprehensive evaluations of an insurance company’s balance sheet strength, operating performance, and business profile. Never purchase a car extended warranty from a car warranty administrator that lacks insurance protection against claims loss.
You can research the AM Best Insurance ratings for all auto extended warranty companies here. AM Best is the leader in Insurance ratings Included are indicators for financial strength.
When considering an auto extended-warranty company, you should find contract language and wording about a protective layer of insurance openly described in the policy similar to the following: “THIS CONTRACT IS INSURED—Our obligations under this contract are guaranteed by an insurance policy issued by (insurance company name, address and policy number). You may file a claim directly with the Insurance Company. Please call (telephone number) for instructions.”
Make Sure Your Auto Extended Warranty Company has an “A” rating with the Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau is a good source to measure how well customers are finding the claims telephone experience and road-side-assistance services working. You’ll want to do business with extended warranty companies that have an “A” rating from the BBB. You can access the Better Business Bureau here: Warranty Companies and their BBB rating
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The 5 Don’ts on Buying Auto Extended Warranties
A majority of auto shoppers typically buy a car extended warranty at the same place they purchase their automobiles. But now vehicle extended warranties are being sold online in large quantities. Many online extended car warranty companies have excellent products and are able to beat dealership pricing. Here is the list of top 5 Don’ts when shopping online for a vehicle extended warranty plan.
Some salespeople are good at telling you which repairs are covered, but what about the components that are not covered? Do your best to find the most comprehensive auto extended warranty. Try to purchase the most coverage offered. Search for “bumper-to-bumper” coverage plans (the technical term for a bumper-to-bumper plan is “Exclusionary” coverage). Also, purchase the “Wear and Tear” option if possible.
2) Don’t forget to find out what maintenance requirements will be your responsibility under your new extended auto warranty.
Most extended automobile warranties state that “you must have your vehicle serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations as outlined in the owner’s manual. Failure to follow these rules may result in denial of coverage”. Two important maintenance items to pay particular attention to are the engine timing belt and transmission fluid changes. Be sure to ask when and how often you must change either one. Make a plan to perform those required maintenance appointments. This assures warranty claims in connection of these parts and services will be paid without question.
3) Don’t forget to investigate the insurance company backing your extended car warranty.
Best’s Credit Ratings are the industry leader in unbiased and comprehensive review of a company’s balance sheet strength, operating performance, and business profile. The rating systems are easy to understand, allowing you to know if your auto extended warranty company is up to the task of insuring your vehicle against repair bills in the years to come. You can check the AM Best Insurance Ratings here.
4) Don’t forget to check the Better Business Bureau for an overview of your auto warranty company’s conduct in the marketplace. Make sure your company has an “A” rating with the Better Business Bureau.
The Better Business Bureau is a good source to measure how well customers are finding the claims experience on the telephone and how easy the road-side-assistance services work in times of need. You’ll want to do business with extended warranty companies that have an “A” rating from the BBB. You can access the Better Business Bureau here: Warranty Companies and the BBB ratings
5) Don’t forget to find out when your vehicle extended warranty plan will expire.
Some used vehicle extended warranties begin from the “original in-service date”, making the length of the warranty coverage appear longer than it really is. (The original in-service-date is the day your vehicle was first in use) Ask when the expiration date will be and then calculate the accurate time and miles of use from the date you purchase the extended warranty. Be sure to write down the expiration date and mileage end and keep safe with your accessible papers for later review.
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