Since 1992, April has been considered National Stress Awareness Month. It’s a time for us all to take stock of our current pressures, understand how they’re affecting us, and figure out ways to minimize their effect on our health. We all have plenty of stresses in life — whether work deadlines, family problems, or lack of sleep. However, some sources of stress are often overlooked.

While most of us associate owning a car with the freedom to travel wherever we like, it isn’t always so straightforward. If you can sense a breakdown looming, you’re bound to worry about the financial implications of the repair bills. Similarly, regular maintenance costs can leave your wallet empty more often than you’d like.

One way to alleviate those negative feelings is by investing in an extended warranty. To help you get the correct coverage and find your automotive zen, we’ve put together this stress-busting guide.

The High Cost of Vehicles as a Stress Factor

Stress in minor doses is just a part of life — and something we’ve evolved to handle — but chronic stress can have a real impact on our long-term well-being. Ongoing stress is a major risk factor for a whole heap of illnesses, such as heart disease, dementia, stroke, accelerated aging, depression, anxiety, insulin resistance, digestive issues, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Unless you’re Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk, one of your biggest sources of stress will no doubt be money. Plenty of us have had sleepless nights due to concerns about our jobs, our homes, and bills. With AAA estimating that the average annual cost of car ownership has gone over $12,000, our vehicles aren’t helping the matter either. Regular maintenance bills are bad enough, but with the threat of unexpected repair bills always at the back of your mind, the worry can be pretty much constant.

And the more high-tech modern vehicles become, the more expensive they are to repair. Some problems can set you back hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars in one fell swoop. For example, some of the most expensive repairs include:

• Head gasket: $1,915 to $2,220
• Cylinder head: $3,575 to $3,928
• Transmission: $5,266 to $5,649
• Rack and pinion: $1,757 to $2,089
• Catalytic converter: $2,224 to $2,309
• Axle shaft: $858 to $949
• Airbag control module: $745 to $743

Extended Warranties: A Shield Against Unexpected Costs

One of the best ways to save on the cost of car ownership is with an extended warranty watching over you. The moment you have one in place, repair bills become a thing of the past, switching instead for a predictable, affordable monthly payment. But to give you the full picture of how they work and how they can help, we need to go right back to the beginning.

All vehicles roll off the production line with what’s known as a factory warranty or manufacturer’s warranty. These are essentially the manufacturer’s promise to repair or replace any components that fail due to fault within a predetermined number of years or miles traveled (whichever comes first). Some manufacturers are more generous than others in terms of how long they’ll protect you, but all good things must come to an end. Once they do, you, as the owner, will be fully responsible for any future repair bills.

Thankfully, however, there are ways you can continue enjoying the protection that you’re accustomed to, with the first being what’s known as a traditional extended warranty. This can be purchased via a dealership (or sometimes directly from your manufacturer), and it does exactly what the name implies by extending your factory warranty coverage beyond the expiry date. While this might sound great, there are some significant drawbacks to this type of warranty.

For instance, repair work can only be carried out at an authorized dealership, which isn’t ideal if you break down hundreds of miles from one. To make matters worse, an extended warranty can only be purchased while your factory warranty is still active. Leave it just a moment too late — or purchase a used car — and you’ll no longer qualify.

As a result, the universally preferred alternative is a vehicle service contract (or an auto protection plan) from an aftermarket or third-party provider. Third parties are incentivized to offer almost like-for-like coverage at an even better price point, usually throwing in some added perks to give you even more value for money. Any work required can be carried out at the auto shop of your choice, and you don’t need an active factory warranty to secure coverage.

Financial and Vehicle Security with Endurance

As America’s top-rated vehicle service contract provider, Endurance is here to help you drive with total confidence. We provide coverage for all kinds of drivers, with various levels available. Whether you just want to protect the most important components that keep your used vehicle moving forward or you want a totally comprehensive package, we’ve got you covered. With our market-leading Advantage protection plan, you even get up to $3,500 in regular maintenance costs (including oil changes), saving you more money on covered repairs and less stress.

As well as top-tier coverage, we also bring you some of the best added benefits offered by warranty companies. Every Endurance vehicle protection plan comes with 24/7 roadside assistance (including towing, fuel delivery, and lockout services), rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage as standard. On top of that, new Endurance customers also get a year’s access to our Elite Benefits, adding on tire repairs or replacements, key fob replacement, up to $500 in collision discounts, and up to $1,000 in total loss protection. All you need to do is pay an affordable activation fee, and they’re all yours to enjoy.

Unlike most car warranty providers, we’re also the direct administrator of most of our plans, meaning there are no middlemen to deal with when you want to make a claim. Our award-winning customer service team is always available via email or phone if you have a query, or you can download the handy Endurance app to put all of the most important plan information in the palm of your hand. If that wasn’t enough, Endurance plans are also fully transferable to subsequent owners, giving you extra selling power should you decide to part ways with your vehicle and potentially increase its value.

While some warranty providers don’t hold up their end of the bargain when it comes to making a claim, you can rest assured that Endurance isn’t one of them. Our claims process is effortlessly straightforward, and the Endurance team will be happy to help you every step of the way. We also have a 30-day free-look period in place, so you have plenty of time to decide if the plan you’ve signed up for is right for you.

Real-Life Testimonials: Stress Relief in Action

Our customers often say the nicest things, and there have been plenty of times when we’ve helped them handle costly repairs during a stressful situation. Take these Endurance customer reviews, for example:

Ruth F. shared: “My experiences have been great but so have been the experiences of the maintenance shop. The mechanic has been astounded on how fast the payment for service was received. He had been skeptical because his experience with car warranties always was a hassle, but this was a breeze.”

Ricky S. said: “I have had the policy for a couple of years with no issues with my vehicle. Within a month I had my transmission go out and my waterpump. Close to $8,000.00 in repairs. Endurance covered all but about $600.00 with no problems at all. I really appreciated the cooperation with the repair centers and the ease in which the transactions were handled. Great service.”

Fred D. commented: “I took my truck to a repair center that works with extended warranties and they did everything for me. I got my water pump replaced and I didn’t have to talk to anyone at Endurance. I just paid my deductible and went on my way.”

Is an Extended Warranty Right for You?

If you’re concerned about the cost of keeping your car running, there aren’t many scenarios in which an extended warranty wouldn’t be worth your while. Even if you only use your vehicle for the occasional road trip, having coverage in place while you’re out on the road can be the difference between worrying about mechanical breakdowns and enjoying a relaxed ride.

One example of a time when an extended warranty might not be right for you is if your car is significantly older (over 20 years) or has more than 150,000 miles on the clock. At this point, you may struggle to find a provider who’ll be willing to cover you, so trying to obtain a suitable plan could be more stressful than it’s worth. You might also choose to hold off on an extended warranty if your car still has an active factory warranty — though it never hurts to have more than enough protection.

You Can’t Put a Price on Peace of Mind

Stress is an unavoidable fact of life, and with the cost of car ownership only ever on the rise, things aren’t getting any easier. An extended warranty is by far the best way to protect yourself from pesky repair bills, but no matter how comprehensive the coverage, a plan isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on if you can’t rely on your provider. Thankfully, Endurance is the most trusted name in America — and we’re here to protect you, too.

Since opening our doors in 2006, we’ve helped thousands of drivers save serious money at the repair shop. We pride ourselves on our unrivaled eligibility, offering a wide range of warranty plans aimed at an even wider range of drivers. Whether you’re a casual commuter, a rideshare driver, a luxury car owner, or even if you have a high-mileage vehicle, we have something to suit.

We’re always willing to be flexible, too, so if the base plans aren’t quite right for your needs and budget, our team will customize a plan that ticks all of the right boxes. Call (800) 253-8203 to request a FREE quote for your vehicle, or shop online to see your price now.