TRANS SPECIALTIES | Remanufactured transmissions | rebuilt transmissions | transmission parts

475 RT 23
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
(1-866-397-3624)
973-628-0603
info@autotransparts.com

- Home
- Product Catalog
- Domestic Transmissions
- Import Transmissions
- Rebuild Kits
- Manual Transmissions
- Manual Clutches
- Transfer Cases
- Application Guide
- Search
- Special Offers

- Photo Gallery
- Blog
- Glossary
- FAQs
- Articles
- Reviews
- About Us
- Links
- Services

- My Account
- View Cart
- Checkout
- Policies
- Employment
- Dealer Program
- Contact Us

Extended Automotive Warranties- 6 Things You Need to Know

Extended warranties for cars and trucks have become more popular than ever. In fact, if you are reading this you probably already have an extended automotive warranty or are considering the purchase of one.

Extended warranties can be a great deal; ideally, you are getting the same protection and peace of mind that you would get when purchasing a new car.

If you already have a warranty, here are six things that you should know:

1) Often times automotive repair shops and dealerships frown on performing extended warranty work. The reason for this is simple- most of the time the extended warranty issuer has a cap on the labor rate that they are willing to pay and repair facilities are sometimes under the impression that they are wasting their time doing work for them.

Before you bring your car in for repair, I suggest that you make sure that the shop works closely with your particular warranty company and that they are willing to do the work for what the company pays.

2) Inquire about your out-of-pocket costs ahead of time. Even if your repair shop will perform services on your vehicle at the warranty company's labor rate, you will typically be responsible to pay a deductible (if your policy has one) and pay state sales tax. If there are additional costs or things that are not covered, the time to find out about it is before you have any work done.

3) Read the fine print. I know- easy to say but hard to do. Different policies cover different things. For example, some warranties only cover "mechanical breakdown" while others cover "wear and tear" as well. Additionally, your warranty may provide an allowance for a rental car to drive while your vehicle is being repaired. It pays to know what is covered and what is not.

4) Many warranty companies require that a maintenance schedule be adhered to. Make sure that you are aware of this and have these services, such as oil changes, performed when they should be. This could help you from having a claim denied in the future.

5) Make sure that your warranty allows you to take the vehicle to the shop of your choosing to have the repair performed. Often times when extended warranties are purchased from new car dealers, the purchaser is mislead into thinking that the usually high priced issuing dealership is the only place where the warranty is honored. This is rarely the case.

6) Work with a shop that has experience with extended warranty companies. A shop that knows the warranty issurer's procedures and gets approval before the work is done is not likely to put you in a position where your claim gets denied on a technicality. The best bet is to find a repair facility that will deal directly with the warranty company on your behalf. This will not only minimize your risk but also save you some aggravation.

By following these simple guidelines you can usually find a reliable repair facility that will make sure that your claim gets paid with a minimum of hassle and makes the warranty process as convenient as possible for you.

About the Author:

Joe Sirugo is co-owner of Trans Specialties and has been in the transmission repair industry for over 25 years.