02/18/2025
At A.T.S. we do accept extended warranty coverage for major repairs! Extended warranty coverage for used vehicles CAN be beneficial in many cases, but there ARE some common pitfalls to avoid when considering whether or not it's worth the extra cost.
Here are some things to remember if you plan on buying that additional coverage at the Used Car Dealership:
1. ALWAYS READ the FINE PRINT and be aware of what the warranty covers and doesn't cover. Don't just take the dealer's verbal assurances! Many extended warranties do not cover maintenance items like regular fluid changes and things that wear out like tires or brakes. Most will also NOT cover breakdowns caused by misuse, abuse, or neglect!
2. That's why it's important to KEEP UP on your MANUFACTURER-RECOMMENDED SERVICE intervals when it comes to oil changes, and transmission fluid and filter changes! Keep detailed records of all the services you have completed, and do them on schedule. If your transmission goes out and you don't have proof that you did those maintenance services on-time, professionally, with the correct fluids...the warranty company may very well deny your claim if something major happens.
3. RESEARCH common failures on the car you plan to buy and CHECK INTO the reputation of the warranty company the dealership uses. Does the vehicle you plan to purchase have a known Technical Service Bulletin on the drivetrain, for example? Do certain years of the make and model you're looking at excessively burn oil? Do the repairs it may need exceed the cost of the warranty? And when you're researching the company your dealership recommends, do most reviewers say that their claim was denied? And on what grounds? Does the company have a straightforward claims process? These are all important factors to consider before signing on the dotted line.
4. At the end of the day, an extended warranty CAN be BENEFICIAL if you GO IN KNOWING exactly WHAT YOU SIGNED UP FOR. Monetary caps on claims, super high deductibles, and limits on types of claims paid can definitely devalue warranty coverage. If you go in with awareness and knowledge, you'll be much better off in the long run!
Thanks for coming to our TED talk!
