Who doesn’t dread an unexpected bang under the car, turning it into a money-pit? An extended warranty suddenly sounds very appealing. “Ahh, at last peace of heart,” you say. However, you should pause to think for a moment. All warranties do not deliver as they promise. Some people get more burned by warranties than your morning toast. Find more information.
Extended warranties are those magical scrolls with promises that at least theoretically protect you against the financial burdens of car repair after the warranty has expired. That sounds fantastic, right? But in reality, reading Shakespeare can feel like trying to do so in the dark.
Let’s talk reviews. Some reviews will make you smile, but others might raise eyebrows all the way to your hairline. Customer reviews are a diverse buffet of different experiences. Sally from Wyoming could rave about her warranty, which covered a faulty transmission, whereas Tom in Texas would complain of the time he spent calling customer service to only be told that “That was not covered.”
In the end, it turns out that knowing what you’re signing up for in reality isn’t always simple. Hidden clauses bite like ground sharks at any given moment. You are about to begin repairs and then a 0.5-point font clause pops up, making the coverage unusable.
Jerry, an old friend of mine who I consider to be a good friend, decided that he would like a maintenance plan for his pickup. Everything seemed fine, like a nice umbrella when the sun shines. When rain fell in the shape of a broken pump, the service provider had more excuses to offer than a teenager who was late for curfew.
It’s time to get real: Before you dive into a deal, read the fine prints. Ask questions so many times that you will be considered a detective. What’s covered? What’s not? You’re allowed to take your car back to Gary the trusted mechanic or you’re required to drive 3 hours to Bob’s Super Deluxe Repair that’s open only on Sundays.
Check out online reviews to see what others have said. What do other motorists say? Does the business play fair, or is it like a meme from the 1980s of a used-car salesman? It is important to learn from the mistakes made by others. Knowledge is power.
Consider who you believe for reviews. Listen to the neighbor of your aunt who swears on a particular company for allowing her to return an air-freshener that was faulty. Are you digging through comprehensive reviews that contain paragraphs the length of a baby giraffe’s neck, or are you choosing to look at balanced and thorough reviews? Reviewers who write reviews as if they were their best friends should be avoided. Do your research using independent sources.
Remember Joe–who, without researching potential risks, paid an exorbitant amount of money for car insurance that turned out to be expensive on steroids. As important as an heirloom like your grandma’s quilt, extended warranties don’t always work.
When you finally find that golden provider worth your faith, it’s not just about buying coverage. It’s also an investment in peace ofmind. Be a Sherlock Holmes to car warranties by doing your homework, reading and researching. You could end up saving yourself and your wallet from a major breakdown.