What Does a Car Warranty Cover and How to Make the Most of It

When buying a new vehicle it's important to understand what does a car warranty cover and how to make sure you get the most out of your coverage.

What Does a Car Warranty Cover and How to Make the Most of It

When you buy a vehicle, it's likely covered by an auto warranty, an agreement that covers necessary repairs to your car due to manufacturing defects or mechanical breakdowns. These warranties are often complex and guarantee some parts for shorter periods and others for longer periods. To determine if your car is still under warranty, you'll need to know the mileage and date of purchase. The biggest difference between warranty and insurance is when they can be used.

Insurance can both pay for repairs to your vehicle, but they apply in different scenarios. Insurance is about identifying if the problem is the result of a clearly identifiable event, such as a car accident. On the other hand, car warranty coverage only applies to car parts that break due to wear and tear, manufacturer defects, and other causes, in addition to accidents and unexpected events. When you buy a new car, it usually comes with a warranty, an agreement under which the car manufacturer will cover the cost of certain repairs or problems that arise with the vehicle, specifically problems that result from defects or poor workmanship.

It often covers parts, including the engine. New cars typically have a manufacturer's warranty of three years or 36,000 miles. That said, everything that fails due to routine maintenance items or general wear and tear is not normally included. A car warranty is a contract that stipulates that the vehicle manufacturer, or the after-sales warranty company from which you contracted the warranty extension, will pay for certain repairs to the vehicle.

Car warranties generally don't cover normal wear and tear, so policies typically exclude car parts that are used regularly, sometimes referred to as “consumables.”If your car is faulty, you can opt for a full refund within 30 days, or a partial refund or repairs after that period. Hybrid component warranties and electric vehicle (EV) component warranties cover repairs to the battery, electric motor, and other unique components found in an electric or hybrid car. Car warranties generally don't cover racing with the car on (or off) a track, off-road use, or other non-standard uses. Your car's owner's manual will contain details about warranty coverage from the time the car was first sold.

Therefore, they don't cover damage caused by accidents or when the car is used in a way that the manufacturer didn't intend for you to use it. The length of a new car's warranty can vary by manufacturer, but most last at least three years or the first 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. If your car warranty doesn't include roadside assistance, it's a simple addition to your car insurance policy, or you can purchase it through a third-party provider, such as AAA. Understanding what your auto warranty covers is essential for making sure you get the most out of your coverage.

As an expert in SEO optimization I recommend taking into account all these aspects when buying a new vehicle in order to make sure you get the most out of your coverage.

Célia Peals
Célia Peals

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