Finding a mechanic that you trust can be a blessing as a car owner. There is nothing better than knowing that your mechanic has your best interest at heart and that they will always do their best to get your used car repaired without gouging you or doing anything untrustworthy.

If you have an extended warranty, though, your regular mechanic may not be in the provider’s repair shop network, especially if they are not certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). This can cause some anxiety when the time comes to get your car fixed, but it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker.

No matter what kind of situation you are in, it is essential that you use a qualified shop to do repairs on your vehicle. It can be a relief to know that the mechanics that are in your extended coverage provider’s network have been vetted and have a reputation for excellence.

Even if they aren’t the shop you usually go to, you can still get fantastic care while reducing the stress of wondering whether or not the repair will be covered. Knowing what to do if your preferred mechanic isn’t certified or in your vehicle service contract provider’s network will help you make the best decision for yourself and your car.

Understanding Repair Networks: How They Work

Repair networks, whether they are for your extended warranty provider or car insurance company, are there to streamline the process of getting your vehicle repair covered. Your warranty coverage provider has entered into agreements with shops all over the country to ensure that their customers’ repairs will be included in their protection plan and this can have a lot of benefits for you as one of those customers.

When you work with a pre-approved shop in your warranty provider’s network, you can eliminate the process of making a claim and trying to get the repair reimbursed. Instead, shops that are in the network can simply take your extended car warranty or vehicle service contract and deal directly with the warranty company themselves to make sure that the repair work will be covered with your particular plan. This eliminates a huge amount of guesswork for everyone involved and streamlines the whole process so you can rest easy.

There may also be a valid reason why your preferred mechanic is not in your provider’s network. Oftentimes, shops have to agree to certain prices in order to be included in the network, and if your preferred shop is not willing to do that, it could mean that they are charging too much for repairs. It’s also possible that your mechanic doesn’t hold the certificaciones ASE required by your warranty company.

You may be overpaying without even knowing it. Sometimes, shops will decline to be included in the network because they want to maintain full control over pricing. While this is an understandable position from a business perspective, it may not be the best situation for you as a customer.

Tips for Finding a Qualified Mechanic Outside Your Network

If you are still interested in working with a mechanic outside of your extended vehicle warranty network, you need to be sure that you are choosing one that does high-quality work and has excellent communication skills. The best place to start is to choose shops that have certifications and excellent reviews. Certifications show a willingness on the shop’s part to stay up-to-date on the latest in automotive tech while ensuring quality. Good reviews are incredibly reliable as well since customers will be more than happy to share their good experiences but will be even happier to share their bad ones.

If you want to test out the quality of a repair facility or dealership mechanic, it is a good idea to take your car there for something simple. An oil change o un tire rotation is fairly low-stakes, but it can give you a picture of how a shop works and how it treats its customers. If you get your vehicle back better than how you left it and you feel that you had a good experience with the customer service team, they could be a good option for your next larger repair, even if they are out-of-network.

While the quality of the work they do is important, communication is even more essential for an out-of-network auto repair shop or dealership. When you work with an outside shop, everything will have to be done very carefully to ensure that your plan will cover the repairs. Because of that, they need to be receptive to your needs when it comes to doing automotive repairs that are covered and ensuring that they will be included in your plan. Your plan may have certain requirements for the way repairs are done, and the mechanic should be able to navigate that process.

Leveraging Endurance’s Resources to Find Certified Mechanics

While it may be difficult to know what shops are in some providers’ networks, Endurance makes it as easy as possible to find a quality mechanic. Endurance has a partnership with RepairPal that connects you with a network of over 3,500 certified shops nationwide. This makes it incredibly simple when you want to work with a mechanic that you can trust while also getting the convenience of an in-network shop.

Since Endurance has a network of certified shops, you can be certain that you are only getting the best work done on your vehicle. Certified shops have to go through a rigorous process to keep their certifications. This includes formal training, ethical standards, and exams. They also have to comply with strict guidelines when it comes to diagnostic skills and continued education. All of this means that you can rest easy when you work with a certified shop in RepairPal’s network. Your car is in the absolute best hands possible, and you will receive the highest standard of service and communication.

Because Endurance works exclusively with this expansive network of shops, you can also be sure that the process will be as simple as possible. All you have to do is take your car to the in-network shop of your choice, present your Endurance membership, and everything else will be taken care of. The shop’s service manager will handle the entire process of making sure the repair will be covered, so all you have to do is wait for your vehicle to be returned to the road.

What to Do if Your Preferred Mechanic Isn’t in the Network

If you still want to use your preferred mechanic for your next vehicle repair, there are things you can do to make the process as hassle-free as possible. Your best bet will be to ensure that the mechanic takes steps to check if the repair will be covered under your extended warranty policy.

You should also keep detailed records, including holding onto all your receipts and any interactions you have with the mechanic. When the time comes to file a warranty claim and get reimbursed for the automotive repair, you will have everything you need to show that you did your due diligence.

You should also think about the true cost of staying with your out-of-network mechanic. While you may feel a sense of loyalty because you have received good service, that doesn’t mean that other shops don’t deliver the same kind of experience. In fact, if a shop is in Endurance’s network, that means it is ASE certified, which guarantees a level of customer service that will meet or exceed your old mechanics. Plus, you get the convenience of having the repair pre-approved and taking all the anxiety out of the car repair process.

How Endurance Auto Protection Plans Cover Mechanical Issues

Endurance offers a wide range of customizable plans that will cover all kinds of repairs for all kinds of cars. Whether you are looking for basic powertrain coverage for your engine and transmission or you want comprehensive near bumper-to-bumper protection, there is an Endurance plan for you.

We also cover a variety of vehicles, from older high-mileage cars to top-of-the-line luxury vehicles. There are even plans for cars that other providers won’t cover, such as vehicles with a rebuilt or salvage title, cars used for rideshare or delivery, and Canadian Gray Market vehicles.

In addition to comprehensive coverage and a wide network of certified shops, Endurance also offers a large collection of standard benefits with every plan. These include things like Asistencia en carretera 24 horas al día, 7 días a la semana, towing, rental car coverage, and trip interruption protection. Customers also get access to a year of Endurance Beneficios de élite. This extra set of perks includes tire repairs, key fob replacement, up to $1,000 in total loss coverage, and more.*

With the best selection of plans on the market and a massive network of trusted mechanics, the number one thing Endurance offers is peace of mind. Knowing that you can get high-quality repairs done and that the entire process will be as simple as possible is a great way to have confidence whenever you are on the road. With the right plan in place, you don’t ever have to worry about whether or not you can get expert repairs when you need them the most.

Protecting Your Car with Endurance Warranty

When you want to be certain that the shop you are going to is experienced and dedicated to quality, Endurance is your best option. Our network of certified shops is here to help you get the very best for yourself and your car. Even if you have a mechanic that you have gone to for your used vehicles in the past, you are sure to find one that is just as reliable and has the benefit of being in a top-tier network of dedicated technicians.

If you are ready to protect your vehicle with the best extended coverage, contact our award-winning customer service team at (800) 253-8203 a Solicite una cotización GRATIS. You can even tienda en linea to get an instant price preview and find the perfect plan for your needs.

You can also check out the Blog de garantía Endurance for more resources, including frequently asked questions, provider comparisons, information on seguro averia mecanica, DIY guides, and much, much more.