For every vehicle owner, proper care is essential. If you want to make the most of your car and get as much longevity out of it as possible, staying on top of service and maintenance is your best bet. A well-maintained car will last for many more years than one that has been neglected and pushed to its limits without regular service. Even with a good maintenance schedule, though, every car will experience issues now and then, and you will have to get them repaired as soon as possible if you want to avoid bigger, more expensive problems.

For the most part, there are two different types of vehicle damage: wear and tear and mechanical breakdowns. While both of these kinds of damage have the same result, they occur for very different reasons. Whether your car troubles are the result of wear and tear or mechanical breakdown, they will affect things like the repair process and warranty coverage. Understanding the difference between these two types of problems will help you take the correct course of action and get your car back on the road with the peace of mind you deserve.

What Is Wear and Tear in a Vehicle?

Most of the components on your vehicle are meant to last as long as possible. Ideally, components making up the powertrain, steering, and electrical system will last for many years before they need to be replaced. Other components, though, are meant to wear out at some point simply due to the nature of what they do.

Things like brake pads, windshield wipers, spark plugs, and tires will usually have to be replaced at certain intervals that are more frequent than other components because of the materials they are made of and their exposure to consistent force and use. These are considered normal wear-and-tear items, and you can expect to make replacing them a part of owning a car since they will go bad over time. The more you use your vehicle, the more frequently you will have to replace these components.

What Is Considered a Mechanical Breakdown?

While wear and tear can be expected with a car and is a normal part of vehicle ownership, mechanical breakdowns are usually less predictable. Mechanical problems are bound to happen, but it can be difficult to know when, and they generally occur without notice. Mechanical breakdowns can be a source of serious financial hardship because of their abrupt nature and the fact that they can happen without warning. Because breakdowns come out of the blue, you want to be sure that you have some kind of protection plan in place to help you pay for them when they come up. An extended car warranty from a third-party provider, which is more accurately called a vehicle service contract, or VSC, will cover mechanical breakdowns and is a great way to keep your car running smoothly for many years to come.

How Extended Warranties Handle Wear and Tear vs. Mechanical Breakdown

For the most part, extended vehicle warranties will not cover wear and tear damage, but they will cover mechanical breakdowns. This is because wear and tear is going to happen to every vehicle and should be an expected part of car ownership. There may be some extra add-ons that you can include with your plan that will cover certain wear-and-tear items like brake pads, but it is not common.

Mechanical breakdowns, though, are what extended warranties are for, and as long as the specific component is covered in your protection plan, you can get help paying for unexpected repairs. Mechanical breakdowns also tend to be much more expensive to repair, which is why it is so important that you have a protection plan ready to go so you can get the car repairs you need as soon as possible.

If you have heard about people having issues getting repairs covered by their extended warranty, it is usually for one of two reasons. Either the repair wasn’t part of their coverage plan, or the repair was for a wear-and-tear item. A protection plan may cover the brake components, but that doesn’t mean that the brake pads are going to be included. Since brake pads are meant to wear out, a claim for a pad replacement will almost always be denied unless there is a special clause in the extended warranty plan.

Why Wear and Tear Isn’t Always Covered

Wear and tear is generally not covered in extended warranties as a way to keep prices down and prevent misuse. No matter how well you take care of your vehicle, wear and tear is going to happen, and it will happen much more frequently than mechanical breakdowns. If extended warranty companies provided wear and tear coverage with every plan, the prices of the plans would have to be much higher. By limiting coverage to unexpected mechanical failures that will happen with some cars and not with others, out-of-pocket prices can be much more reasonable for everyone.

How Extended Warranties and Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Work

If you want protection from expensive and unexpected mechanical breakdowns, a vehicle service contract is your best bet. VSCs and mechanical breakdown insurance policies, which are the alternative in California where VSCs are not allowed, protect you from the high cost of breakdowns that can show up at the most inopportune times. While an extended coverage plan will not cover the wear-and-tear items on your car, you can rest easy knowing that you will be protected from the more expensive breakdowns and replacements. This leaves more money in your automotive budget for the wear-and-tear items, so replacing them won’t be as much of a financial burden. All you’ll have to do is pay your deductible and wait for the repair shop to finish.

What to Look for in a Coverage Plan

When searching for an extended warranty plan, you want to be sure that you fully understand what is and is not covered. Be sure to read the fine print on your contract to find out what items are covered and whether or not the most essential components of your vehicle are included in your plan. Having a good working knowledge of what your plan covers and what exclusions there are will help you save as much money as possible and be ready for unexpected breakdowns when they occur. Some plans will only cover things like the engine and transmission, while others will have more comprehensive coverage that includes the steering, suspension, electrical systems, and more.

Most extended warranty plans will not include wear-and-tear items like the brake pads and windshield wiper blades. Some, though, will have extra benefits that you can either purchase or choose to add on that will cover a few wear-and-tear items. Tire replacements, for example, are sometimes included in different plans and can be a great way to keep your spending down on your vehicle over the years. You should look for these options as well as other extra perks and benefits like towing, roadside assistance, and rental car coverage, which will give you the confidence you need when you are on the road.

How Endurance Auto Protection Can Help

If you want the best possible coverage for your vehicle, Endurance has a plan for you. Endurance has auto protection plans for everything from older high-mileage vehicles to top-of-the-line luxury cars. Whether you are looking for the most basic powertrain coverage or comprehensive protection, there is something for nearly every kind of car and driver.

Plus, Endurance covers vehicles that other providers won’t, such as Canadian Gray Market cars, vehicles with a rebuilt or salvage title, and cars used for rideshare and delivery. With an Endurance protection plan on your side, you can be sure that you will be covered for an unexpected mechanical breakdown, so you can drive with confidence.

In addition to excellent mechanical breakdown coverage, Endurance plans also come with a range of standard benefits. These include things like 24/7 roadside assistance and towing, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption protection. Plus, for a small activation fee, drivers get access to Elite Benefits, which include key fob replacement, $1,000 toward total loss protection, and tire repair or replacement, which will help with your wear and tear costs.

If you are ready for great coverage for your car and your bank account, get in touch with our plan advisors at (800) 253-8203 or request a FREE email quote. You can also shop online to see your price and plan recommendations.

For more auto expert advice, check out the Endurance blog. There, you will find provider comparisons, DIY tricks, mechanical breakdown insurance coverage (MBI) information for California drivers, auto insurance tips, and much more.