Here’s How to Get the Most Out of a Vehicle’s Warranty Coverage
When it comes to owning a vehicle, a warranty is a great thing to have.
One of the most obvious benefits of vehicle warranty is that it helps to ensure drivers never get caught off guard having to cover the cost of an unexpected breakdown or having to pay for the replacement of faulty parts or components.
Meanwhile, an often underestimated secondary benefit is the peace of mind that drivers get to enjoy in knowing their warranty always has them covered if something goes wrong. While warranties don’t cover regular wear and tear of the vehicle, like a set of worn-out windshield wipers for example, they often offer extensive insurance that will allow drivers to rest easy and wave goodbye to common car woes worries.
That said, it is the owner’s responsibility to inform and educate themselves about the ins and outs of their warranty coverage and what they need to do to keep up their end of the deal. Here are some important things for drivers to know to make sure their warranty has them covered when they need it most.
Some of the Most Common Types of Vehicle Warranties
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty
If there is one warranty that a driver should seek out when searching for a new Mazda CX5 in Norfolk, or any other vehicle for that matter, it is a bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage plan. This manufacturer warranty offers hands down the most comprehensive coverage out there.
Whether it be a faulty superficial interior component or a more serious mechanical malfunction, a bumper-to-bumper warranty literally has drivers covered from tail to tip. Since this type of warranty is usually only valid for the first 36,000 miles or three years or driving time, whichever comes first, it is sometimes informally referred to as a “new car warranty.”
That said, a newer pre-owned vehicle might still have some existing coverage in place, and this is always a good thing for buyers to be aware of since this type of warranty adds a lot of value to the vehicle.
Powertrain Warranty
These types of manufacturer warranties generally function as an extension of the original bumper-to-bumper warranty, ensuring drivers are never left on the hook for costly malfunctions of the crucial mechanical components of the vehicle like engines and transmission.
On average, drivers can expect this kind of coverage to last for about 100,000 miles or six years, but the actual length and terms of coverage will tend to vary.
Corrosion Warranty
These types of warranties, also commonly referred to as “rust warranties” typically function as an appendage of the original manufacturer warranty package, but they may also be included as a separate document.
These types of warranties cover a vehicle for the cost of any premature superficial deterioration of exterior sheet metal components of the vehicle. In other words, this warranty is designed to ensure a shiny new Mazda CX5 in Chesapeake stays looking great for years to come.
Drivers will want to be sure to check out the coverage period since manufacturers will occasionally offer complete lifetime protection.
Hybrid Warranty
These types of warranties are specifically unique to hybrid vehicles. Since a hybrid vehicle has added parts and components that will not be included in a standard warranty document, they need to have their own unique form of warranty coverage to ensure all those crucial components stay in good shape.
This is generally great news for hybrid vehicle owners, who may be happy to discover their hybrid warranty will sometimes cover them for a longer period of time than their main manufacturer warranty plan.
Used Car Warranty
These types of warranties are negotiated by the dealership as an extension of an already existing warranty package or offered with the purchase of a certified pre-owned vehicle.
They can be a great piece of extra insurance to have on hand since the older a vehicle is, the more prone it will be to unexpected breakdowns.
Never Get Caught Off Guard
Break Out the Reading Glasses
The first thing a driver should do after purchasing a vehicle that includes warranty coverage is taking a couple of hours to sit down and read that warranty document from cover to cover.
These types of contracts are generally not the most exciting read, but they will give a vehicle owner a precise notion of just exactly what they can expect from their warranty coverage and for how long the coverage will last.
The terminology can definitely get a bit conflated and confusing, so it is always a good policy to check in with the dealership if anything seems vague or difficult to understand. They will be more than happy to break things down into terms that are more accessible and easy to understand.
Save the Date
The next thing that a driver should do is take some time to understand their own obligations in terms of maintaining the validity of the warranty contract.
Of course, there is a certain amount of upkeep and maintenance that drivers need to be willing to commit to so the vehicle is kept in the best working order possible, and the required service dates are there to help vehicle owners get the most out of their valuable investment.
That said, a missed service date could mean that drivers aren’t able to claim their coverage when they need it the most, so they should always be sure to mark all scheduled services on the calendar so they don’t forget.
Keep Those Documents Handy
The last thing that drivers need to be sure to do is to hold onto any and all service documentation, correspondence, and receipts.
When it comes time to using the warranty coverage, the dealer will need to see proof that the driver has done their part to take care of the vehicle as recommended, and having all the documents stored together in an easily accessible location will help make the warranty claim process as quick and painless as possible.
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