A vehicle warranty can save you hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars each year on car ownership costs by protecting you from unexpected repair bills. However, not all warranties are created equal, with some covering more than others.

With this in mind, you may find yourself wondering whether specific components are included in your contract. For example, as one of your vehicle’s key mechanisms, the ignition system is something you’d most likely want to protect from potential breakdown. But is this something that warranties generally cover?

Let’s review what is included in a standard car warranty, what is most likely excluded, and how to ensure you have the protection you need.

Standard Warranty Coverage: What’s Included?

Every brand-new car comes with what’s known as a factory warranty (or manufacturer’s warranty), which effectively acts as the automaker’s promise to repair or replace any components that fail due to fault within a predetermined number of years or miles traveled after purchase (whichever comes first). What this covers and how long it lasts will ultimately depend on the manufacturer and car model in question, but there are some aspects you can pretty much count on.

A factory warranty is often split into sections, with each covering different components and lasting a different length of time. Your ignition system consists of a number of components, which won’t all fall under the same section. For example, your ignition coils will be covered under the basic or powertrain sections of your factory warranty. The ignition switch, on the other hand, will most likely be covered as part of a specific electrical system section. The starter motor will also be found under the basic or powertrain sections.

This is significant, as the powertrain section of your factory warranty will usually last longer than any of the others. The industry average for a powertrain warranty is five years or up to 60,000 miles, while electrical systems may only be covered for two or three years. This is because powertrain components are some of your vehicle’s most important and should be built to last. Electrical components, on the other hand, are more fragile in comparison and are, therefore, more likely to fail much faster.

Common Exclusions: What’s Not Covered?

For car owners, it doesn’t get more comprehensive than your vehicle’s factory warranty, but no car coverage is completely watertight.

The most obvious exclusion where car warranties are concerned is with wear and tear parts, such as tires and windshield wipers. This is because frequent replacement is expected with use, and therefore, failure is much less likely to be the result of a manufacturing fault. Looking at your ignition system, components like spark plugs will fall under the wear and tear bracket and will not be protected by your warranty. Similarly, your key fob and its battery won’t be covered unless they fail prematurely.

As well as wear and tear items, damage caused by misuse or accidents (such as a collision or extreme weather) are not the type of things that warranties usually cover. In fact, you’ll be hard-pressed to find any policy that protects you from misuse unless it’s a result of vehicle theft. If you have car insurance (which is a legal requirement in every state except New Hampshire), this will offer sufficient protection from accidents.

Extended Warranties: Expanding Your Coverage

All good things must come to an end, and the factory warranty on your vehicle will eventually expire. When it does, you (the car owner) will be fully responsible for any future repair bills — unless you invest in an extended warranty, also known as a vehicle service contract or auto protection plan. This does exactly as the name implies and allows you to continue to enjoy the protection you’re accustomed to even after your factory warranty is up. What you may not know, however, is that an extended car warranty (especially when purchased from a third-party provider) can actually expand your coverage beyond what was protected previously.

This is because some extended warranties are so comprehensive that they will cover components that your factory warranty didn’t. In these situations, it can even be beneficial to add extended warranty coverage on top of an active manufacturer’s warranty. For example, if your vehicle has a more advanced electronic ignition system, you may find that an extended warranty provider will give you better coverage for it.

High-mileage vehicle owners will no doubt have said goodbye to their factory warranty a long time ago, and the more a vehicle is used, the closer its ignition system will be to failure. With an extended auto warranty in place, you can drive with total confidence, knowing that those looming repair bills will be totally taken care of. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, but even more so when components are likely to conk out sometime soon.

Extended Warranties and Protecting Your Ignition System

If you’re looking for a comprehensive auto protection plan from a reliable provider, look no further than Endurance Warranty. Since 2006, we’ve made a name for ourselves as the very best in the industry, shielding drivers from the cost of unexpected component failure and offering priceless peace of mind.

We have a wide range of plans, all of which cover essential ignition system components such as coils, switches, and starter motors. From basic powertrain to exclusionary, there’s a protection program for every kind of driver, including high-mileage vehicle owners and even select luxury car owners. Plus, every Endurance plan comes with a market-leading benefits package as standard, with 24/7 roadside assistance (including towing, fuel delivery, and lockout services), rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption costs — all of which will come in useful should your ignition system let you down.

We also pride ourselves on our flexibility, so if we need a different base plan for your individual needs and budget, our team will be more than happy to tailor a bespoke program specifically for you. This also applies if you’d like additional components covering that aren’t traditionally found in an extended warranty, such as those more complex ignition system parts or other high-tech elements of your vehicle.

How to Verify Your Warranty Coverage

While your ignition system’s key components are more than likely covered by your manufacturer’s warranty, you don’t want to leave anything to chance. Make sure you verify your warranty coverage so that you’re familiar with what is and isn’t protected under the terms of the contract.

Your first port of call will be the original warranty documents provided by the dealership at the point of purchase. These will be your most comprehensive guide as to your factory warranty’s inclusions and exclusions, but manufacturer contracts aren’t always written in the most user-friendly way.

If you still have questions about specific components, contact the manufacturer or dealership for clarification. They should have a helpline you can call or, at the very least, an email address. By visiting their website, you’ll also find online resources that could answer any questions you might have.

With an auto protection plan from Endurance, you’ll receive an upfront vehicle service contract, and our award-winning customer service team is on hand via phone or email for quotes, claims, and contract clarifications. Endurance customers also get access to the handy Endurance Mobile app, which puts all of the most important plan information right in the palm of your hand.

Common Ignition System Problems and Warranty Solutions

With so many components involved in your ignition system, there’s a lot that could go wrong. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ignition system problems and how your warranty might be able to help you solve them.

1. Car Key Stuck in Ignition: It may come as a surprise, but getting your car key stuck in the ignition is a common mechanical issue. If it happens to you, try not to worry too much: both factory and extended warranties will pay for this to be repaired as long as mechanical failure can be confirmed.
2. Faulty Ignition Coil: Your ignition coil (sometimes known as a spark coil) helps start the car’s engine. Failure can cause a number of symptoms, including engine misfires, rough idling, and a decrease in acceleration. Because it is such a crucial part of your ignition system, you can be almost certain it will be covered under warranty, but check your terms to be absolutely sure.
3. Ignition Switch Failure: Just like your ignition coil, faults with your ignition switch can prevent your vehicle from starting up successfully. Key symptoms of a bad ignition switch include stalling, the steering wheel being stuck, and not being able to turn the key. Having a warranty in place if yours fails can be hugely helpful, as most manufacturers and third-party providers will include ignition switches in their coverage.
4. Starter Motor Problems: Despite being an electrical component, a vehicle’s starter motor is usually included in factory warranties and extended warranties. Signs and symptoms of starter motor problems include a clicking noise when you turn the key, the engine failing to power up, and smoke coming from under the hood.

Protect Your Ignition System And More With America’s Best Extended Warranty

Without your ignition system, you’ll be going nowhere fast, so it makes total sense to be concerned about whether it’s covered under warranty. The long and short of the situation is that while you have a factory warranty in place, the vast majority of ignition system components will be protected, and an extended warranty or auto protection plan can help you make that coverage even more comprehensive.

The annual cost of car ownership is constantly on the rise. An extended warranty is an essential investment if you don’t want to worry about your wallet. And if you’re a driver in the U.S., there’s only one name you need to know: Endurance.

We have spent the better part of two decades helping hardworking Americans save money on unexpected repair bills, and we want to help you, too. Our coverage can be as comprehensive as you’d like it to be, with plans to suit anyone and everyone. In addition, every Endurance customer can choose to activate a year’s worth of our Elite Benefits package. This adds up to four tire repairs or replacements annually, key fob replacement, up to $500 in collision discounts, and up to $1,000 in total loss protection.

If you’d like to find out more about how we can protect your car’s ignition system and much more, get in touch with an Endurance plan advisor at (800) 253-8203. You can also shop our eStore to see your plan recommendations and pricing right now.

Check out our extended warranty blog with plenty more informative articles on coverage specifics and all things automotive.