Auto Warranty Fort Walton Beach FL
When you're looking for protection for your car you should look for reputable extended vehicle warranty firms. You don't want to work with a company with poor business practices or spotty customer service record.
Our review team have compared dozens of providers to find the most reputable extended car warranty companies that all scored highly in our top extended warranty for 2022 review (see the methodology below). We'll discuss each provider in detail, focusing on business practices and industry reputation. We'll also explore what constitutes a reputable company and how to pick the right provider to meet your requirements.
What is the criteria that make an extended warranty business reputable?
Any reputable and worthwhile extended warranty company in 2022 must be able to tick the following boxes:
Strong industry reputation
We consider our sources of information, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and AM Best when considering a business's reputation in the market. The BBB assesses businesses based on their ability to react to customer complaints and resolve them. If a provider holds an excellent BBB rating, there's a good chance it communicates effectively with contract holders promptly.
Certain providers collaborate with underwriters of vehicle service contracts to guarantee payouts for claims. To determine the strength of these underwriters' financial ratings, we check AM Best, which rates the financial capacity of a company to pay claims and to manage risk.
Certain extended warranty companies, like Carchex, are also endorsed by leading companies in the industry. The presence of prominent partnerships is a mark of a trustworthy company.
High customer satisfaction ratings
It is important to note that the BBB, Google and Trustpilot all offer customer reviews for extended warranty companies. We suggest using multiple review sites when choosing the right service. It's not unusual to find poor reviews from customers on the BBB since customers who are looking to settle their complaints are more likely to post reviews on this website.
Positive customer reviews can be a good way to gauge the level of service you'll receive from the extended warranty company. Look for companies with reviews that speak of a swift claim process and friendly service reps. Also, beware of companies that customers say practice poor habits, like scam calls and misleading advertising.
Transparent business practices
A number of reputable extended warranty companies provide the opportunity to view sample contracts on the internet so that customers can read coverage details prior to signing on the contract. A common issue among contract holders is claims denials.
By selecting a company with a clear explanation of its contracts You'll be better able to know what's as well as what isn't. However, you should always read the fine print regardless of which provider you select.
Long-standing company history
In our research, we've found the most reliable, reputable firms have been operating for more than years. The market for warranty services is competitive, making it easy for companies to move and go, particularly in the event of negative reviews from customers and have unsavory business practices.
User-friendly
It's also important to find a service plan that is user-friendly. Does it pay the repair center directly? Are there extra benefits like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement? Do you have a 30 day money-back guarantee to use if you decide to change your mind? All of our recommendations offer these advantages.
Top reputable extended car warranty company
In determining the top five reputable extended car warranty providers available, we considered the factors previously mentioned, along with the cost and choices for coverage. After we researched insurance companies in the industry, Endurance, Carchex, Protect My Car, CarShield and autopom! was the top choice for reliability
#1 Guard My Car: The Most Maintenance Plans
Accessibility All states, excluding Alaska, California, Hawaii, Missouri, Oklahoma and Washington Maximum mileage limit: 125,000 miles
Extra benefits: Roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and trip interruption
Protect My Car holds some of the top customer review scores for any warranty service. It is awarded an A+ score from the BBB alongside a 4.5-star consumer review rating as of the date of publication. Customers have weighed in on Trustpilot to rate it an average score of 4.5 stars with over 2,300 reviews.
Protect My Car's employees are accredited with the Association of Certified Vehicle Protection Professionals (ACVPP). The certification is based the ethical conduct of business in the field of consumer protections, The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and more. According to the Federal Trade Commission Magnuson-Moss's Warranty Act "requires warranty providers of consumer products to provide consumers with clear details about the warranty coverage."
Protect My Car's customers often mention positive experiences with their service staff and the ease of the claims process.
Protect My Car extended warranty plans
Protect My Car offers three choices of coverage that can extend up to 10 years/125,000 miles. These include:
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Protect My Car Plan |
What It Covers |
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Supreme |
Similar coverage to the vehicle's original factory warranty |
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Select |
Best suited for vehicles over 50,000 miles and offers coverage one step lower than the Supreme plan. |
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Driveline |
Powertrain protection for cars between 4 and 10 years old with more than 100,000 miles |
Protect My Car also has five maintenance programs that are prepaid and referred to as Ambassador Maintenance Plans. The Ambassador Maintenance Plan is a blend of car repairs and regular maintenance.
Average cost of an extended car warranty
An extended warranty for a car cost between $1,500 and $3,500. According to our consumer survey approximately 67% of people have paid between $1500 and $2,500 to get an extended insurance. Extended warranties depend on the vehicle you own and the comparison of quotes will help you to get the best price.
Does an extended warranty really make it?
Extended warranties are a good option for all car owners, but it is important to think about your situation when shopping for an agreement. If you own a highly trustworthy vehicle or are planning to sell your car prior to when the manufacturer's warranty expires, then a protection plan might not be worth the expense. It is the same for drivers with savings put aside for auto repairs.
But, you may want to think about adding coverage if the following situations apply to you:
You'd like peace of mind
Repairs to your vehicle can be expensive to pay out of pocket. After the expiration of your manufacturer's warranty you're financially responsible for any mechanical or electrical malfunctions. Extended warranties pay for covered repairs, easing the anxiety about future problems.
You'd like a car that is predictable budget
By paying for a vehicle service contract up front by way of a monthly installment arrangement, or part of your vehicle's financing and insurance, you're not responsible for a surprise repair bill in the event of an unexpected mechanical breakdown.
You plan on owning your car for a long period of time
According to research from the IHS Markit The average age of a light vehicle that is operable within the U.S. was 12.1 years in 2021. Because the majority of manufacturers' bumper-to-bumper warranties expire within 4 years/50,000 miles it is possible to drive an unprotected vehicle for over the half-life of your vehicle.
You should also consider your vehicle's repair costs. The higher the amount you are likely to pay in repair costs the more likely you are to be able to take advantage of extended warranty coverage. Here are the 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 are the opinions of consumers?
Our team surveyed 1,000 people who have had the experience of purchasing or shopping for an extended car warranty plan. In this sample, around 75% of them had purchased an extended warranty from a dealership 44% purchased a third-party extended warranty.
Respondents to the survey said that pricing was the most important element, followed by timeframe of the warranty as well as the coverage levels. Overall, 64% of the respondents were satisfied by their warranty, and 13% said they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.
On the contrary 13% of respondents said they were unhappy about the guarantee. Some said the vehicle warranty didn't cover anticipated repairs and others believed the company was trying to avoid paying for repairs.
Do you think about an extended warranty with the dealer?
Alongside reputable extended warranty companies customers can also buy coverage from the manufacturer of their vehicle. Since these contracts are usually backed by automakers themselves, they may lessen the buyer's anxiety regarding reliability.
The contracts of manufacturers guarantee trained technicians from factories and the use of original parts for repairs. However, they contain a number of limitations which include:
Limited repair shop choice
The majority of manufacturers require that drivers visit the dealer or a repair center that is branded to get repairs. While this may not appear like a big deal there are some automakers that have few dealerships nationwide. For example, there are just over 100 MINI dealerships across the U.S.
Expensive vehicle service contracts
There could be markups from dealers on top of the contract's price if you purchase a protection plan that is backed by a manufacturer.
A broader range of options of coverage
Typically, manufacturers offer a few vehicle protection plans. In accordance with your needs you could buy too little insurance or pay for unneeded coverage.
What should you know prior to purchasing an extended warranty offered by a third party
Through a third-party guarantee, a company besides your car's manufacturer will cover certain repairs. The major benefit is that it's usually cheaper than an extended warranty from the manufacturer.
However, a third-party insurance plan might or might not include the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) repair parts. If you visit an authorized dealer and purchase OEM replacement parts, you might be required to pay a percentage of the repair expense based on the contract terms.
The most trusted extended vehicle warranty companies will pay repair shops directly, so the only thing you need to pay is your deductible. Some less reliable providers may require you to pay upfront for repairs and provide receipts for reimbursement So beware of the ones that do.
Review the contract thoroughly before buying the plan. Find the specifications for:
Labor rate coverage limits
What exactly is mechanical failure?
Maximum payout per contract
OEM Parts Coverage
Inspections or waiting periods are required before coverage
Documentation for maintenance that is required
Emergency repair procedures
Contract cancellations and transfer of contracts
Finally All extended warranties include exclusions. They can cover specific components like cosmetics or emission components, as well as maintenance items such as brake pads and oil replacements. Understand what isn't covered to ensure you don't get disappointed later on. One of the most frequent complaints regarding extended warranties is the fact that repairs aren't being covered.
Sometimes, a company doesn't provide a repair that is valid. But, in many situations the contract specifically does not cover the repair. Be sure to read the entire fine text, and don't rely on salespeople to explain every clause you're not aware of.
Can you buy an extended warranty following the purchase of a vehicle?
Certain dealerships permit you to add an extended warranty prior to when your warranty runs out, but others require that you purchase it at the time you purchase a brand new vehicle. However, almost all third-party providers sell plans for used vehicles which are outside of the factory warranty period.
How do you end an extended warranty the car
To cancel an extended warranty, you need to contact the contract administrator, and then submit an official cancellation request in writing. You may also need to submit a notarized odometer statement. Reputable extended warranty providers offer 30-day money-back guarantees and prorated refunds after that.
How to find the right warranty provider
If you are considering extended warranty for your car providers, it is best to compare quotes. This way, you'll be able to make sure you get the best insurance plan that's to your needs and budget.