A car warranty is a guarantee offered by a vehicle’s manufacturer that the car will meet certain standards of quality and performance during a set period of time. It typically covers the costs of repairs and services needed due to a defect in the materials or quality of the car. Factory warranties are usually limited to a certain number of years or miles and can last for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. An auto protection plan, often referred to as an car extended warranty, is a type of coverage that goes beyond the manufacturer’s warranty for used cars. It covers the cost of repairs and services for components not covered under the factory warranty stipulations and time period. Third-party providers like Endurance offer this type of vehicle protection.