How to Prevent Being Denied a Car Warranty Claim

There's no worse feeling than being handed a large bill from your mechanic when you thought your car was covered by a warranty. Prevent your claim from being denied and protect yourself by following a few simple rules that will also help to extend the life of your car.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Avoid Warranty Issues

1. Ask about car problems when you buy used. If an issue was present before you bought the car, a warranty might not cover it. Also, ask whether the owner holds any warranties for the car and whether they are transferable.
2. Change your oil and make sure other preventative maintenance is done according to the manufacturer's schedule. Be sure to keep records and receipts. Note that for extended warranties, some companies will not allow handwritten receipts or work that is not done by certified professionals.
3. Drive your car gently. Some warranties cover only mechanical breakdowns and not wear and tear. Claims for damage caused by abuse will be denied.
4. Check your warranty before installing anything on your car. Many accessories that are not manufacturer approved will void your warranty.
5. Stop driving your car if you suspect a problem. If you do more damage to your car by driving it, your claim might be rejected. Many warranties will, however, cover the cost of your car being towed to the mechanic's shop.

File a Claim

6. Take your car to a mechanic's shop that you trust for an evaluation. Be clear and concise in describing the problem to the mechanic.
7. Write down what you and the mechanic discussed, as well as the date, just in case there is a dispute later.
8. Tell the mechanic not to begin work before your claim is approved by the warranty company.
9. Contact the warranty company directly by telephone to explain the situation.
10. Ask whether the mechanic will file the claim for you. That will save you the hassle of paperwork and phone calls. Most warranty companies are happy to deal directly with the mechanic, so you only have to worry about paying the deductible.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your car warranty information in an easily accessible spot. If something goes wrong, it will add to your headache if you can't find your warranty paperwork.
• Get your car inspected every year if your warranty calls for it. This is particularly important to prevent certain claims from being denied.
• If you are buying a used car, check its history and make sure it has the proper vehicle-identification number (VIN). If a car has a salvaged title, it might void the warranty.
• Be aware of any special limitations the might prevent your claim from being paid, such as a maximum number of miles you are allowed or a maximum amount the company will pay.