As a used car owner, you know that staying on top of maintenance and repairs is one of the most important things you can do. The better you are about maintaining your vehicle, the less likely it will be to develop serious issues that can turn into expensive repairs.

The same is true for when small problems come up. The sooner you get your car to the shop, the cheaper the repair will be. This is especially important for vital components having to do with the engine, such as the fuel pump.

Your vehicle’s fuel pump is an essential part of the combustion system, and if it isn’t working properly, you could end up with serious engine problems or issues with starting your vehicle. When something goes wrong with your fuel pump, you want to be sure that you can repair or replace it as soon as possible.

An extended car warranty can cover your fuel pump and other essential components and be a big help when it comes to keeping your car’s engine in great shape. Knowing whether or not your extended warranty includes your fuel pump will help you be prepared when the time comes to get it fixed.

The Role and Importance of a Fuel Pump

The main role of the fuel pump is to get the fuel from your vehicle’s gas tank to the engine, where it can be combusted and turned into energy. Since the gas tank is generally lower on the car’s frame than the engine, gravity works against it, so you need to have the fuel pump to move the gasoline through the system.

Should your fuel pump give out or stop working as efficiently as it should, your engine won’t get the right amount of fuel. This could throw off the timing of the combustion or create a fuel mixture that is too lean, which can cause permanent damage to the engine’s combustion chamber.

There are a few different signs that your vehicle will exhibit if the fuel pump goes bad. One of the most common is a whining sound coming from the fuel tank. This is the sound of the pump trying to move the gasoline but not having enough power to do it. You may also notice the engine sputtering or losing power when pressing the gas pedal. In some cases, you may not be able to start the car at all due to a lack of fuel in the combustion chamber.

The cost of a new fuel pump will vary depending on the make and model of vehicle that you have. The average cost to have a new pump installed, though, is between $900 and $1,100. While this may seem costly, if your engine is not getting the right fuel and air mixture, it will generate too much heat without burning any of it off. This could make the engine overheat to an extreme degree and cause warping in the cylinders or other areas of the powertrain. Simply replacing the fuel pump will be much cheaper in the long run.

Extended Auto Warranty Basics

When you buy a new car off the lot, it will generally come with a factory warranty provided by the manufacturer. This manufacturer’s warranty is designed to protect you from things like faulty components, design issues, and other problems that come up through no fault of your own. Most factory warranties last between three years or 36,000 miles and ten years or 100,000 miles, depending on the manufacturer.

After this warranty is up, you will have to find an extended warranty either through the manufacturer or through a third-party provider if you want to keep your vehicle covered. These warranties, which are also called vehicle service contracts (VSCs), will help you pay for repairs so you can get your car back up and running as soon as possible.

VSCs come in various forms and will have different levels of coverage that include more or fewer components of the car depending on how comprehensive your coverage is. For the most part, even the most basic plans will cover things like the engine, transmission, and drive axle shafts.

The fuel pump, though, may or may not be included in this coverage. If you want to ensure your fuel pump is covered, you might have to get a bumper-to-bumper warranty or exclusionary plan, which covers more components. While these plans will cost more, they could be worth it in the long run if your fuel pump goes bad.

Factors Determining Fuel Pump Coverage

Whether or not you can get an extended warranty that will cover your vehicle’s fuel pump will depend heavily on a few different factors. Warranty providers will all have their own sets of requirements for vehicles that they cover and what kind of coverage they will offer. One of the most important factors determining the kind of warranty coverage you can get is the type of coverage you’re looking for.

If you opt for a basic powertrain warranty plan, your fuel pump may or may not be covered. Some providers consider the fuel system to be part of the powertrain, while others do not. Because of this, knowing what components are included with any plan you are considering is incredibly important.

Vehicle age and mileage are other important factors determining if you have coverage for your vehicle’s fuel pump. Owners of older vehicles with a lot of miles on the odometer may have a harder time finding comprehensive plans that will cover the fuel pump.

How well you maintain your vehicle will also play a large role in your ability to get comprehensive coverage. Sometimes, you must provide maintenance records to the provider and show that you have been taking proper care of your car before getting a protection plan.

Reading Your Warranty Contract

Since most providers will create a custom coverage plan for your specific vehicle and needs, every protection plan contract will differ. Knowing what is included in your coverage is crucial; you should know what components are and are not covered.

Before you decide that an extended car warranty or VSC is right for you, you should go over the covered components with a member of your provider’s customer service team and have a good idea of what parts of your car will be protected.

When looking at your contract’s fine print, look for specific terms that your provider may use to describe the fuel pump. It will usually be listed as the fuel pump or fuel pump sensor, but some providers may use different descriptions. Sometimes, it will be described as a part of the fuel delivery system, and other times, it will be a part of the powertrain. Knowing everything you can about your coverage plan will help you be prepared when the time comes to get a repair done.

What to Do If Your Fuel Pump Isn’t Covered

If your fuel pump goes bad and it is not covered by your extended warranty, you have a few different options for replacing it. Most of the time, you can take your vehicle to a third-party shop of your choice and pay the full price. While this can be expensive, it is much cheaper than ignoring it and letting your engine become damaged in the process. As with almost any car repair, it is important to weigh the price of the repair against some of the larger repairs that could come up if you don’t address the issue.

You also have other options for coverage if your VSC doesn’t include your fuel pump. Mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) is similar to an extended warranty but is regulated by the insurance commission in your state. Having both a VSC and mechanical breakdown insurance will help give you the most comprehensive protection available and ensure that you can keep your car running no matter what issues come up.

Tips for Warranty Claims

Knowing what to expect from the claims process is important when using your extended warranty to repair or replace a fuel pump. Most of the time, you can take your used vehicle to a shop that is approved by your provider, present your vehicle service contract to the repair facility, and everything will be taken care of from there.

In some cases, though, you will have to ensure that the repair will be covered before the shop begins work. This will help you avoid any confusion and ensure that you don’t end up on the hook for the repair should your claim be denied.

Keeping detailed records of your vehicle’s maintenance and service is also highly recommended when making a claim on your VSC coverage. Most of the time, the provider wants to be certain that the problem did not arise from a lack of care or a neglect of the vehicle’s regular maintenance.

Having records that show all your scheduled maintenance, such as oil changes, tire rotations, brake pads, and wiper blade and spark plug replacements, will help speed up the process with warranty companies so you can get back on the road as soon as possible. With good communication with your VSC provider’s customer service team and attention to the details of your plan, you can have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle will be covered.

Protect Your Fuel Pump and More With Endurance

Make sure your vehicle is covered for any eventuality and find the right protection plan. If your fuel pump goes bad, you want to know that you can get the help you need to replace it and get back behind the wheel.

If you want the most comprehensive and flexible coverage on the market, a plan from Endurance is your best bet. With plans starting at $99 per month and varying deductibles, there is an option for every vehicle and every need. Endurance also has plans for vehicles that other providers won’t cover, such as high-end luxury cars, Canadian Gray Market Vehicles, cars with a rebuilt or salvage title, and vehicles used for commercial purposes like rideshare and delivery.

Endurance customers get a wide range of standard and extra benefits with their plans. Every plan comes with standard perks like 24/7 roadside assistance, towing, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption protection. Plus, for a small activation fee, you can also get access to Elite Benefits, which includes extra benefits like tire repairs, key fob replacement, and up to $1,000 in total loss coverage.

Take advantage of our services and experience our award-winning customer service firsthand. Contact our dedicated team at (800) 253-8203 in order to request a FREE quote. Alternatively, take advantage of our online store for an instant price preview so that you can shop with confidence.

You can also find more auto expert resources on the Endurance blog. Explore FAQs, warranty provider and dealership comparisons, mechanical breakdown insurance guides for California drivers, DIY maintenance tips and tricks, and more.