Auto Warranties Fort Walton Beach FL
When you're looking for protection for your car, it's best to look for reputable extended car warranty firms. It is not a good idea to deal with a business that has poor business practices or unsatisfactory service to customers.
Our review team has compared dozens of providers to find the most reputable extended car warranty companies and all of them were highly rated in our best extended car warranty for 2022 review (see the methodology below). We'll discuss each provider in detail, with a focus on business practices and industry reputation. We'll also touch on the factors that make a business reputable and how to pick the best one to meet your requirements.
What makes an extended warranty business reputable?
Any trustworthy and reliable extended warranty providers in 2022 should be able to tick the following boxes:
Strong industry reputation
We consider the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and AM Best when considering a company's industry standing. The BBB grades companies on their ability to respond to and settle customer issues. If a provider holds an excellent BBB rating, there's a good chance it communicates effectively with contract holders promptly.
Some providers work with underwriters of vehicle service contracts to ensure claims payouts. To assess the strength of these underwriters' financial ratings, we look to AM Best, which rates the financial capacity of a company to pay claims and manage risks.
Certain extended warranty providers like Carchex, are also endorsed by industry-leading companies. These partnerships are an indication of a reliable service.
Customer satisfaction ratings are high.
The BBB, Google and Trustpilot all have customer reviews for extended warranty businesses. We recommend using several review sites before settling on a service. It's not unusual to find low scores for customer reviews on the BBB, as customers looking to resolve their issues tend to leave reviews on this site.
Positive customer reviews are an important method to determine the quality of service provided by the extended warranty company. Find companies with reviews that highlight a speedy claims process , and friendly service reps. Also, avoid companies who have complaints from customers about their bad habits, like scam calls and misleading advertising.
Transparent business practices
Many reliable extended warranty companies have samples of their contracts online, so that customers can look over the details of their coverage prior to signing on the contract. One of the most frequent issues for contract holders is denials of claims.
If you choose a service which is able to provide information on its agreements You'll be better able to know what's not covered. However, you should always take the time to read the fine print irrespective of the provider you choose.
Long-standing company history
Through our extensive research, we've found the most reliable, reputable companies have been around for more than years. The market for warranty services is competitive, making it easy for businesses to change their minds and go, particularly when they have bad customer reviews and fraudulent business practices.
Easy to use
It's also crucial to find the right service plan that's simple to use. Does it cover directly to the repair facility? Are there extra benefits like assistance with roadside emergencies and rental car reimbursement? Do you have a 30 day money-back guarantee in case you decide to change your mind? Each of our suggestions offers these benefits.
The most reputable extended car warranty company
When we were determining the five most reputable extended car warranty firms available, we considered the factors above, as well as costs and the options for coverage. After analyzing insurance companies in the world, Endurance, Carchex, Protect My Car, CarShield and autopom! was the top choice for reliability
#1 Make My Car Safe: The majority of Maintenance Plans
Available: All states except Alaska, California, Hawaii, Missouri, Oklahoma and Washington The maximum mileage limit: 125,000 miles
Additional benefits Help with roadside issues, rental car reimbursement and trip interruption
Protect My Car holds some of the highest customer review scores for any warranty provider. It has an A+ grade from the BBB alongside a 4.5-star rating on customer reviews at the time of its publication. Customers weighed in on Trustpilot to rate an average rating of 4.5 ratings with more than 2300 reviews.
Protect My Car's employees have been accredited by the Association of Certified Vehicle Protection Professionals (ACVPP). The certification is based upon ethical practices in business and consumer protections, as well as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and more. According to the Federal Trade Commission the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act "requires warranty providers of consumer products for consumers to offer specific information regarding warranty coverage."
Customers of Protect My Car frequently report positive experiences with the customer service team as well as the simplicity of the claim process.
Protect My Car extended warranty plans
Protect My Car offers three options for coverage, and they can be extended to 10 years or 25,000 miles. These include:
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Protect My Car Plan |
What it covers |
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Supreme |
Similar protection to the vehicle's original factory warranty |
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Select |
The best choice for vehicles that have more than fifty thousand miles. Coverage is one step lower than the Supreme plan. |
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Driveline |
Powertrain protection for vehicles between 4 to 10 years old and with more than 100,000 miles |
Protect My Car also has five prepaid maintenance programs called Ambassador Maintenance Plans. The Ambassador Maintenance Plan includes a mix of car repairs as well as regular maintenance.
Average cost of an extended car warranty
In the average, an extended warranty on a vehicle costs between $1500 and $3500. According to our survey of customers approximately 67% of people have paid between $1500 to $2,500 for an extended insurance. Extended warranties are determined by the model of your car and comparison of quotes can help you to get the best price.
Does an extended warranty really make it?
Extended warranties can be worthwhile for the majority of car owners, however it is important to think about your circumstances when deciding on a contract. If you own a reliable car or plan to sell your vehicle before the warranty on the factory expires, a vehicle protection plan might not be worth the expense. The same is true for those who have savings set aside for auto repairs.
However, you should consider added coverage if you are in one of the following situations: you:
You'd like peace of mind
Repairs to vehicles can be expensive to pay for out of the pocket. Once your manufacturer's warranty expires the financial responsibility is yours for any mechanical or electrical malfunctions. Extended warranties pay for repairs covered, alleviating anxiety over future issues.
You'd like a car that is predictable budget
If you pay for a car service contract up front, through a monthly payment plan, or as a part of your vehicle's financing and insurance, you're not responsible for a surprise repair bill following an unexpected mechanical malfunction.
You plan on owning your vehicle for a long duration
According to research from the IHS Markit, the average age of operable light vehicles within the U.S. was 12.1 years in 2021. Since most manufacturers' bumper-to-bumper warranties expire after 4 years or 50,000 miles and 50,000 miles, you could drive unprotected for more than 50% of its lifespan.
It is important to think about your vehicle's repair costs. The higher the amount you are likely to spend on repairs the more likely you will be to benefit from extended warranty coverage. Here are some average annual repair costs for the most popular automakers, according to RepairPal:
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Car Brand |
Average Annual Repair Cost |
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Honda |
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Acura |
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Lexus |
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Subaru |
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Ford |
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BMW |
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Land Rover |
What do consumers say?
Our team surveyed 1,000 people who had experience purchasing or shopping for an extended car warranty plan. From this sample, approximately 75% had bought extended warranties from dealerships, while 44% had bought an extended warranty from a third party.
The respondents to the survey stated that price was the most important factor, followed by the length of the warranty and the extent of coverage. Overall, 64% of the respondents were happy about their warranties extended, and 13% said they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.
On the contrary 13% said that they were unhappy about the guarantee. Some people said that the warranty on their vehicle did not cover repairs that were expected, while others said they believed the company was trying to defraud customers of making repairs.
Do you think about an extended warranty offered by the dealer?
Alongside reputable extended car warranty companies Drivers can also purchase insurance through their car manufacturers. Because these warranties are generally supported by the automakers themselves, they could lessen buyers' concerns about reliability.
Manufacturer contracts ensure certified technicians trained by factory and the use of genuine parts for repairs. However, they also come with a few limitations that include:
Limited repair shop choice
Most manufacturers require drivers to visit the dealer or a repair center that is branded for repair. While this may not appear as a major issue, some automakers have relatively only a handful of dealerships across the country. For example, there are just over 100 MINI dealerships throughout the U.S.
Service contracts for vehicles that are expensive
You could face dealer markups on top of the cost of your contract if buy a manufacturer-backed insurance.
Fewer options for coverage
Typically, manufacturers only offer a few insurance plans for vehicles. Depending on your needs you could buy too little insurance or purchase coverage that isn't needed.
What should you know prior to purchasing an extended warranty from a third-party
A third-party warranty a company besides your car's manufacturer covers certain repairs. The major benefit is that it's generally less expensive than a manufacturer's extended warranty.
However, a third-party plan may or may not provide original equipment manufacturer (OEM) spare parts. If you visit an agent and buy OEM replacement parts, you could have to cover a portion of the repair costs based on the terms of your contract.
The most reputable extended car warranty providers will pay repair shops directly, which means all you have to pay for is your deductible. Some less-reputable providers will have you pay upfront for repairs and submit receipts for reimbursement Beware of these companies.
Go through the contract carefully before buying the plan. Find the specifications for:
Labor rate coverage limits
What defines mechanical failure
Maximum amount of money that can be paid per contract
OEM Parts Coverage
Periods of waiting or inspections are necessary before coverage
Maintenance documentation is needed
Emergency repair procedures
Cancellations and contract transfers
Additionally every extended warranty contract have exclusions. This can be a case of specific parts like cosmetics or emission components, as well as maintenance items such as brake pads and oil changes. Understand what isn't covered to be sure you aren't disappointed in the future. One of the biggest complaints regarding extended warranties is that repairs aren't being covered.
Sometimes, a business doesn't guarantee a legitimate repair. However, in many cases the contract explicitly excludes the repair. Check the fine print, and don't count on a salesperson to explain every exclusion to you.
Are you able to purchase an extended warranty when you purchase the vehicle?
Some dealerships allow customers to purchase an extended warranty before your warranty runs out, but others require you to get it at the time you buy a new car. However, most third-party providers sell plans for used vehicles which are outside of the warranty period that is provided by the manufacturer.
How to stop an extended warranty from the car
In order to end an extended warranty you will need contact the contract administrator and submit an official cancellation request in writing. You might also have to submit a notarized odometer statement. Most reputable extended warranty companies offer 30-day money-back guarantees and the prorated amount of refunds that are available after that.
How to find the right warranty company for you
When you're considering extended car warranty providers, it is best to check out estimates. That way, you can make sure you get the best coverage plan that is within your budget.