When buying a new, used, or any motor vehicle, most drivers strive to get the best deal and value for their money. By securing the very best deal possible, it gives you better assurance about the after-sale services you may be in store for and the extent to which your coverage, if any, will apply. This is why many car dealerships have started to offer customers the option of purchasing an extended auto warranty for any vehicle sold.

But how much will this dealership warranty cost you? And a better question would be: What is the average cost of an extended car warranty?

While we cannot speak for every dealer across the nation, it is a well-known fact that any warranty purchased from a dealer will result in higher prices and stricter rules and regulations than purchasing from a direct-to-consumer aftermarket warranty provider. The primary reason car owners consider purchasing this extended service is because after spending nearly $30k on a new vehicle, they expect to get a trouble-free operation from it and vastly extend the life of their vehicle. With technology advancing so much in the past few years, many minor repairs have become an enormous fix with extravagant costs.

As a result, the demand for extended car warranties has surged throughout the past decade. However, one major thing must be said about extended car warranties: they aren’t actually a warranty at all. We know this may sound strange, but for coverage to actually be referred to as an “extended auto warranty,” the manufacturer must provide it. Because the dealer did not manufacture your vehicle, most likely, they will provide you with a third-party provider.

Just as we did not manufacture your car, we cannot call our contracts an “extended warranty,” so our protection plans are referred to as a vehicle service contract. Although a vehicle service contract may sound synonymous with automobile insurance, the main distinguishing factor between it and insurance is that with insurance, your claim is directly proportional to the amount which you have paid for, and often customers who pay less do not receive good coverage on their investment. Whereas the price you pay for your extended vehicle protection is merely the cost of the contract broken up into equal and affordable monthly payments. This means that your monthly payment will never increase.

Another distinguishing factor is that many drivers actually pay off their contract early, which gives them the remainder of the contracts term completely payment-free!

Why Every Driver Needs Extended Vehicle Protection

Before making the final decision on whether one really needs extended protection for their car or not, there are a few factors which one should take into consideration to determine whether they would really benefit from the extra investment or not.

First, let’s identify if what coverage you have or will need.

Manufacturer’s Warranty – Most major automobile manufacturers offer what they like to refer to as a “bumper-to-bumper warranty”- this coverage is commonly referred to as the “factory warranty” and spans for 3-years or 36,000-miles, whichever comes first.

If you’re looking to use the vehicle for more than this period of time before purchasing another car, then paying for extended vehicle protection could be really worth the investment. Especially since the majority of high-ticket items will begin to fail after this short period of factory warranty coverage

Aftermarket Auto Warranty – Even though car dealerships are well known to offer this service to customers, even independent companies and third parties are also starting to offer extended car warranties to vehicle owners.

As a result, consumers have found themselves granted access to a variety of coverage options and an online marketplace to compare prices and coverage terms.

Though the door of opportunity is open and the extended vehicle protection industry has improved greatly over the last decade thanks to the establishing of the Vehicle Protection Association, there are still some bad apples out there. Be sure to pick a coverage provider you can trust.

After choosing a good provider, it is important to understand that all the benefits coverage for your car would provide in the long run far outweigh the small initial investment. This is why it is highly recommended for all car owners to consider placing coverage on their vehicles.

What Does Extended Warranty Protection Cover

This is an important question that a potential buyer should be aware of, as they need to clearly understand what will and won’t be covered by their extended protection plan.

Although every car service contract differs from one another, it is the buyer’s responsibility to read the contract thoroughly and ask the representative any questions they may have. We believe that a buyer’s knowledge is one of the most important products we can provide, so we created this Learning Center.

A typical contract would cover automotive repairs, which are not caused due to wear and tear and are not caused due to negligent maintenance.

Choosing the right service provider for this purpose is, therefore, an important decision. To ensure your decision is the most informed one, drivers should make sure that the provider they choose features the following factors:

• BBB Certification (Better Business Bureau)
• Ability to Choose Any Dealership or Repair Shop
• Ability to Transfer Coverage to Another Car or Owner
• Independent Website and Customer Reviews

In addition to the above, plans from better coverage providers will also include exclusive benefits to their customers as well, such as:

• Food and Lodging Expense (if the car breaks down miles away from your home)
• 24-Hour Roadside Assistance
• Complimentary Towing
• Reimbursement of Car Rentals

Drivers wishing to purchase the very best coverage available from the most reputable company around should also be cautious with any provider that:

• Excludes the Majority of Repairs and High-Ticket Components: An exclusionary contract is a contract that covers so many parts and components that it is easier to list what isn’t covered rather than what is because the coverage is that complex.
  • If you see a list of exclusions a mile long, you’re probably dealing with a company that will do anything to get out of paying for repairs.
• Requires the Car Owner to Contribute a Percentage for Repairs: Deductibles are very common in the vehicle protection industry. Generally, drivers will be required to pay a small fee any time a repair is done. In most cases, your deductible should never exceed $100.
  • If a company requires you to pay a specified percentage of a repair to get your car fixed, you can find a much better deal someplace else.
• Encourages Unsavory Sales Tactics from Employees: At Endurance, we pride our employees on selling our brand. Over the past couple of decades, we have done so much to ensure that we maintain a level of excellence that we demonstrate to our customers every day. We train each employee to delicately listen to and understand each customer’s needs and provide them with unparalleled service.
  • Not every company is like Endurance, though, and others do not value their customers as we do, so it’s best to do as much research as possible.

When the consumer is fully aware of these factors when choosing a reliable and suitable extended car warranty, the process becomes much easier.

What is the Average Price of an Extended Car Warranty

Before attempting to analyze the average cost of an extended car warranty, it is essential to understand that various criteria will determine your final coverage cost. We like to call these criteria “moving parts” because they will change from person to person, but overall, they affect the coverage price. In fact, these “moving parts” of our vehicle protection contracts are very likely the criteria that directly influence coverage price. Drivers must also consider what level of coverage they wish to protect their car with, which will also directly affect coverage price.

These categories are based upon the extent of coverage, which it provides. For example, if an individual chooses to get “bumper-to-bumper” coverage, then the cost of coverage will be somewhat higher than a basic package, which covers only specified items. This is because the “bumper-to-bumper” package covers almost the entire vehicle, excluding wear and tear items. The term “bumper-to-bumper” is actually misleading because no such coverage even exists. However, many coverage plans will give you the same sense of security and will cover almost every component of the vehicle.

Typically the average cost of an extended car warranty would be around $1,800 with a good quality package and after-sales service. But when you divide that price up into affordably low monthly payments, protection for your vehicle ends up costing a whole lot less than your cable bill. It should also be noted that if it’s an old vehicle, the value of extended vehicle protection far outweighs the cost.

With the price of a new engine averaging $3,400 and the cost of a new AC $1,100, you can see that vehicle protection pays for itself after only a few repairs, oftentimes in the very first repair! Wouldn’t you rather have an affordable monthly payment and peace of mind behind the wheel rather than waiting for something to break down and be staring down a big, fat repair bill? We know which option all of us would choose. Find out how little extended vehicle protection from Endurance can cost you and how much you can save on auto repairs. Get your free quote today!

FAQ’s: Endurance Extended Warranty

• What types of charges would not be covered by Endurance?

We strive to provide the best protection to all of our customers. For a list of our exclusions, check out each plan we offer, including sample contracts with full details.

• What’s included in an Endurance coverage plan?

Aside from total protection, Endurance offers its Elite Membership which offers tons of benefits like up to 2 replaced or repaired tires per year, key fob replacements, and an entire suite of ID protection tools to protect yourself from identity thieves. Members also receive $250 to spend with select partners, plus discounts at select merchants.

• Where do I go if I need assistance with my plan?

Customer service is our top priority at Endurance!

We’re always working to provide the best solutions to our customers while protecting them from the stress and high costs of auto repairs. Elite members have access to the Endurance Protect App to stay connected with our staff and easily access your account.

You can also contact us through our website or email us at [email protected].

• Where can I go for repairs that are covered by my extended auto warranty?

Unlike most extended warranties. Endurance Warranty plans are honored anywhere at licensed and authorized repair facilities. Even if you relocate to another state, your vehicle will still be covered by us! You get the peace of mind of knowing your auto warranty is honored nationwide.

• How does Endurance Warranty pay claims?

Claims are paid upfront for ALL covered repairs, which means no waiting for reimbursement or high out-of-pocket expenses paid. We’re with you every step of the way so you can get back on the road in no time.