Choosing a Car Warranty

Several factors determine the best car warranty for your new vehicle.

Several factors should weigh on your decision to choose the best type of car warranty and length of coverage you need to buy. Other than full coverage on a brand new vehicle, there are several points you need to consider. How new or used is the car? Does it come with excellent or modest reviews? How much driving will you do everyday? How long are you planning on keeping this car? Read this quick and simple guide to learn about the most common car warranties you need to think about before making your final decision.

Instructions

1. Consider a basic coverage first. Better materials, technology and manufacturing have made it possible to extend the life of modern vehicles and basic warranties have stretched accordingly. Instead of the traditional 12 months/12000 miles, coverage can protect you from two to four years. This warranty will cover problems like a failed power window, ignition switch, alternator or power steering and it usually includes parts and labor.

2. Evaluate an extended warranty if you plan to keep your car for more than three years. Manufacturers and after market companies offer this type of coverage so you can keep your basic warranty for a longer period of time.

3. Think about the powertrain warranty. It is aimed to protect any part of the system that helps provide the moving force to your car, from the engine all the way down to the constant velocity joints (CVJ), including transmission or transaxle. The warranty covers important parts like cylinder head, engine block and gaskets, valves, pistons and transmission parts. If you do a lot of hard city driving with lots of stop and go throughout out your route, this is a good warranty to consider.

4. Consider the anti-corrosion warranty if you live in cold climate area where roads are spread with lots of salt or sand to fight icy roads. This plan protects your car against rust that might "eat"or make holes through the original outer-body sheet metal panels. It is even possible that a manufacturer validates the warranty if surface rust comes from workmanship or material defects and covers any sheet metal panel replaced because of a collision if factory parts are used. Ask your insurance provider how the warranty will apply to your particular vehicle.

5. Look into safety restraint coverage if safety issues are a top priority on your list or your family will make constant use of the vehicle. The coverage typically includes seat belts, airbags, seat belt retractor, seat belt anchor, rail assembly and related safety components. Some manufacturers may offer this type of coverage for longer periods than the basic coverage. Ask your car dealership since not every manufacturer offers this type of coverage.

6. Look into emission system coverage if you live in a state with strict emission regulations, you will do a lot of city driving and you are buying a used car. There are two basic types of emission system coverage required by law in the United States: the warranty against emission system parts defects, which may include catalytic converter, cold start fuel injector and ignition distributor; and the warranty on emissions performance to pass emission tests required by the local governments. Besides, emission laws vary according to local regulations and differ for California and the rest of the country in the United States.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your dealership about included and optional warranties available for your particular vehicle, what systems in your car will be covered--including parts and labor--and what type of actions on your part would void the warranty.