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Vehicle Service Contracts |
| US Direct Warranty is here to help protect you from the high cost of auto repairs. We are the preferred agent for several of the largest vehicle service plan administrators nationwide. Depending on your needs, we can custom tailor a policy for you. We are committed to providing you with the best coverage and value so that you may make the best decision for your automotive needs. Most of our plans include 24 hour roadside assistance so that you will never be stranded when you need help the most. All of our plans give you the option of having your vehicle serviced at the dealer or ASE licensed repair facility of your choice. |
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Keywords: extended warranty, auto warranty, auto
warranties
Extended Warranties: Don't Get Caught Without
Coverage
When you drive your car off of the dealer's lot he
is no longer responsible for its welfare. We do not always thing about it when
we are going about our daily lives, but every vehicle we own eventually needs
system repair work. All auto repairs have two things in common: they're always
expensive and they are never convenient. New and certified pre-owned vehicles
often come with built-in auto warranties, but they are often incomplete and full
of impossible conditions; and what about the rest of us? What about when your
auto warranty expires?
This is where your extended warranty will step in
to support you. For some, a manufacturer's auto warranty will be enough. For
others who drive frequently and depend on their vehicle daily for transportation
or work, auto warranties should have more complete coverage. For those that plan
on having a long relationship with their car, extended auto warranties are a
must have. Your vehicle will not tell you in advance when it's going to blow a
head gasket or have a miscellaneous electrical issue that can take hours of
testing to find. Complete coverage will keep you insulated from the damage these
issues can deal to you personally.
Auto Warranties are Lifestyle
Insurance
We depend on our automobiles to get us to work,
bring us home, carry our families, and a million other routine tasks. They are
the family work horse. Auto warranties keep you on the road so that you can
continue with your everyday tasks and keep your life on track. You may have
heard industry buzz words for extended warranties: bumper-to-bumper insurance,
drivetrain warranties, etc. What do these terms mean for you? For your family?
For your lifestyle? Read on for a comprehensive definition of these
terms.
When you sign on with an auto warranty you are
essentially getting an insurance policy that says if something goes wrong with
your car, you can bring it to be serviced and save hundreds, even thousands, in
out of pocket expenses. Even if you can afford a major repair on the spot, why
should you need to? You can have coverage from an extended warranty that carries
the expense so that your life continues with as little interruption as possible.
Auto insurance doesn't cover everything, so for the rest of your needs you
should consider auto warranties. Our form will put you in touch with our auto
warranty specialists who can help you find an extended warranty that is right
for you.
Who Needs an Extended Warranty
Policy
It's true enough that an extended warranty policy
is not the best choice for everyone. When you are leasing a car through a
company that offers complete care it is possible that you already have a
built-in auto warranty. Some of this coverage is exceptional, from routine
maintenance to sudden repairs.
If you just purchased a brand new car, you also may
have at least drivetrain coverage from an extended warranty from the
manufacturer. Certified pre-owned cars also often have some limited auto
warranty attached for a period of time and/or mileage. The coverage in these
situations may be adequate; then again they may be limited to the point of being
false security.
Our auto warranty specialists can help you
determine if your coverage is adequate for your lifestyle. Contact one of our
knowledgeable agents so we can discuss your current extended warranty coverage,
your standard mileage (those that drive more often harbor more risk for sudden
issues), the expected length of ownership (will you be trading in after 3 years
or do you plan on an extended relationship with your vehicle?), and maintaining
your vehicle based on these considerations. Though you may not need an extended
warranty, the best way to find out if you will benefit from an auto warranty
policy is through the help of someone in the industry. Let us screen you so that
you can make your decision with confidence.
What to Expect From Your Auto Warranty
Company
Every auto warranty has conditions that apply to
your coverage. Maintain your records carefully and have your vehicle properly
maintained to keep auto warranties valid. As long as you make yourself aware of
your rights and responsibilities as an extended warranty policy holder you can
expect that your auto warranty company will interact with your approved service
agent when the unexpected happens. Depending on what your particular policy
covers and the language of your contract, you can find yourself walking in and
out of a situation with no money out of pocket and a rental until your situation
is resolved.
Make sure that you read your contract carefully, as
some auto warranties will offer to interact with your approved service center,
taking you out of the hot seat entirely and allowing you to go on with your
everyday life. Other auto warranties will reimburse you expenses. This is not
improper or invalid, recovering you the expense of your repairs is exactly what
an auto warranty should do; however it puts you in the position of the primary
contact and source of payment. Speak with your extended warranty provider to see
if they can provide point of service intervention so that you don't have to dig
deep into your pockets.
What Your Extended Warranty
Covers
Auto warranties are most commonly sold in two
different types of packages: drivetrain warranties and bumper-to-bumper
warranties. These warranties will be different based on if your car is new or
used, but they have basic elements in common.
Drivetrain Warranties: An extended warranty
for your drivetrain will cover most of your moving, lubricated parts. Engines
(valves, gaskets, turbo/superchargers, seals, retainers, seats, rods, pumps,
mounts, etc.), transmissions (automatic and standard, gaskets, seals, all parts
within the case, mounts, flywheel/flexplate components, torque converter, etc.),
transfer case (seals, gaskets, components), drive axle (front and rear, all
internal works, hubs, shafts, joints, bearings, actuators, gaskets, seals,
etc.), and cooling system (fan, motor, tensioner, heater core, thermostat,
radiator, blower motor, etc.).
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranties: Auto warranties
that have this coverage will include the drivetrain as above and additional
sensitive system parts. You can expect coverage for electrical systems, climate
controls (heating and cooling), interior and exterior hinges and covers,
steering system, fuel system, braking components, and both front and rear
suspension. Extended warranties with bumper-to-bumper often have standard
service coverage for your complete maintenance, such as plugs and wires. This
auto warranty will likely offer coverage for your upholstery, paint, metal, any
rust from wear and tear, glass, lenses, trim, and any standard issued audio
equipment (such as your radio and wiring) and anti-theft devices.
Finding the Best Auto
Warranties
As with any other insurance policy, there are auto
warranties that are less than what they appear to be. Your auto warranty company
should be open with you about what they can cover, and what the coverage limits
are for your particular extended warranty policy. Not all auto warranties are
built alike. There are both standard and custom contracts available, and both
wide and narrow scopes of coverage.
What you should expect from your auto warranty
company is that they are upfront with you about what they will and will not do,
as well as what is expected of you as the policy holder. When in doubt, ask
questions. You should never feel like your advisor is just trying to get you to
sign on, an advisor should be considering your needs based on your current
coverage, needs and budget. Ask one of our knowledgeable agents how to get the
most from your extended warranty.
What Will My Auto Warranty
Cost
Auto warranties have a broad range of prices. You
will need to get quotes from multiple companies and review the specifics of
their coverage to find an accurate estimate. Vehicle type, age, mileage, and
history can all be a part of what your quotation will include. Additionally,
extended warranties have basic and accessory packages with extended warranty
coverage. For you to find your happy medium it is best to request information
and speak knowledgeable advisors.
Extended warranty quotations are a great place to
discern what your happy medium is. Each company will have a different value on
what their services are, and the specifics of their auto warranty will also be
different. Read carefully, ask questions, take notes, and compare. This is the
best way to find a price that will work for your specific needs.
How Can I Be Sure What Auto Warranty Is Best
For Me?
Auto warranties seem a little faceless and
shapeless until you start to consider quotations. As you talk to advisors and
read contract specifics you will get a feeling for what will work for you and
what will not. Getting in touch with knowledgeable auto warranty counselors will
help you decide what is best for your life and your vehicle. Invest a short time
in researching your best options and you will find yourself in good hands.
If you feel like someone is just trying to make a quick sale, you should consider leaving the quotation out of the matrix. The reason is if you are being counseled solely to see how you fit into a plan, and not how an auto warranty can fit your lifestyle then you're not going to have satisfactory results. Auto warranties should fit your life, not the other way around. Our contact form is a good place to get started in gathering more information for how an auto warranty may further your comfort.