An unexpected repair is one of the most common worries for any car owner. You never know when you might run into an issue on the road, and the thought of a large repair bill can be stressful. That’s why it’s important to consider an extended auto warranty or vehicle service contract (VSC) for your ride. When you buy a new car at the dealership, it will come with a factory warranty provided by the manufacturer, but this will usually only be good for a few years before you are on your own with any expensive repair bills.

An extended auto warranty from a third-party can help you continue your protection after your manufacturer’s warranty (aka the original warranty) expires. Like all warranties, though, extended warranties tend to have exclusions that you have to be aware of. Things like wear-and-tear items, maintenance, and cosmetic components are generally not covered, and it is important to understand what exclusions your plan has. By knowing what extended warranty programs don’t cover and why, you can be ready when an issue comes up with your vehicle.

Wear-and-Tear and Maintenance Items for Extended Warranties

​Oftentimes, when drivers think about extended warranties, they think that they function as a maintenance plan. In fact, nearly all extended warranties exclude regular maintenance from coverage. Unless you specifically pay for a maintenance add-on, you will have to pay for upkeep yourself and stay on top of your regularly scheduled maintenance without the help of your extended warranty. Wear-and-tear items, such as brake pads, spark plugs, wiper blades, and tires, tend to fall outside the scope of an extended warranty and will not be covered. In some cases, though, you can get specific benefits and perks that will cover some of these items, so you can get help paying for your upkeep.

There are, of course, some exceptions to the rule when it comes to wear-and-tear items being replaced. If, for example, you have a covered repair that requires new vehicle fluids like an oil change, transmission fluid, or coolant, those fluids will generally be included in the claim coverage. This will depend on the specific coverage plan you have and the provider, though, so it is important to know the ins and outs of your contract as much as possible. If you know that your car will require a lot of upkeep, it could be well worth it in the long run to pay extra for a maintenance add-on during your warranty period.

Cosmetic, Trim, Glass, and Interior Surfaces

​Anything cosmetic will also usually fall under the exclusions of an extended warranty contract. Scratches, dents, paint chips, and other surface blemishes won’t be covered because they usually do not affect the actual functionality and mechanical soundness of the vehicle. The same goes for things like glass, mirrors, and lights. For the most part, unless you have a specific add-on that is designed to cover these things, you won’t be able to get them repaired with your extended warranty coverage.

The same goes for interior surfaces like seat fabric, carpet, or dashboard surfaces. These components fall under the category of cosmetic parts, and they don’t compromise the vehicle’s function. With some plans, though, infotainment and other technology will be covered. These are usually the more comprehensive plans that have coverage for high-tech components and will help you get your touchscreen repaired if it stops working. If you have a vehicle that has a lot of tech in the cabin, you may want to opt for a plan with more comprehensive coverage that will protect these things and keep everything working properly.

Pre-Existing Conditions and Prior Failures

Most extended warranty plans exclude pre-existing conditions that existed prior to coverage activation. Any issue that already existed before you had coverage will not be paid for by the provider. This is usually enforced by either a mandatory pre-coverage inspection or a waiting period before coverage starts.

This protects the provider from drivers who may get coverage for the sole purpose of repairing an issue that already exists and then canceling that coverage. These requirements are why it is so important to be as transparent as possible when looking for a plan and to disclose any known issues right away so you can avoid losing coverage when you need it most.

Modifications, Commercial Use, or Neglected Maintenance

There are often several exclusions in extended car warranty contracts for things like modifications, commercial use, and neglect. Modified vehicles will be much more likely to develop issues down the line, so warranty providers will not be very inclined to cover vehicles that have extensive mods. Things like aftermarket exhaust systems, turbo kits, or tuning software may make your vehicle ineligible for coverage, so it is a good idea to avoid these modifications if you want the best coverage for your vehicle. The same principle applies to vehicles that are used for commercial purposes. Some providers will not want to cover vehicles used for delivery or rideshare, as they tend to develop more issues due to overuse.

Neglected routine maintenance can also cause a lapse in your coverage or void your plan completely. When you get an extended warranty plan, it will come with a set of requirements when it comes to your scheduled maintenance. If you fail to stay on top of upkeep and a mechanical problem occurs because of that neglect, your plan may not cover the car repair. Even something like using the incorrect kind of oil or failing to replace spark plugs in a timely manner could void your warranty coverage. Knowing what is expected of you as the car owner and what kind of schedule you need to stick to will help you keep your coverage in place.

How to Read Exclusions Without Missing the Small Stuff

Before you agree to sign any kind of auto warranty contract, you need to have a thorough understanding of common exclusions and the covered components. These can often be hidden somewhere in the fine print, so a complete read-through is crucial. Look for warranty terms like “due to”, “caused by”, or “resulting from” as they will almost always connect to things that will void your coverage. You should also be looking for any references to normal wear and tear or a gradual reduction in performance, as they will usually be referring to components that will not be covered by your warranty plan since they are expected to wear out at some point.

Questions to Ask Before You Purchase an Extended Warranty

The best thing you can ask before committing to an extended warranty plan is “What parts and systems are excluded?” The representative that you are working with should be able to plainly explain to you which parts will not be covered by a specific plan and what your responsibilities are as the policyholder. If possible, get a full list of exclusions in writing so you have a quick and easy reference that you can turn to when in doubt.

You should also ask the warranty company about any maintenance requirements and what will be expected of you in order to keep your coverage valid. Find out whether or not you will have to keep maintenance service records and what service intervals are required of you. Knowing this upfront is your best bet when it comes to keeping your coverage valid and protecting yourself and your car.

Never Pay for Covered Repair Costs Again

​Whenever you decide that you need excellent coverage for your used car, you need to choose a provider that offers the most protection with the clearest language and list of exclusions. Endurance offers a large range of different plans with options available for drivers and out-of-pocket deductibles of your choice. Endurance has plans for everything from high-mileage older vehicles to top-notch luxury and exotic cars.

While Endurance offers comprehensive coverage for drivers and vehicles of all kinds, customers also get access to a massive collection of standard benefits and extras like towing services, 24/7 roadside assistance, trip interruption protection, and rental car reimbursement. Plus, you can also get access to the Elite Benefits program. This optional add-on comes with helpful perks like tire repair or replacement, key fob coverage, and windshield protection.

When you are ready for top-tier protection for your vehicle, get in touch with our team at (800) 253-8203 for a FREE quote. You can also shop online to get an instant price preview and see your options right away.

For more auto expert resources like this one, be sure to check out the Endurance Warranty blog. There, you will find DIY tips and tricks, automotive FAQs, car insurance news, provider comparisons, and much more.