Car Warranty - What Does It Cover?


Isn't it wonderful that you just purchased that brand new car? Is the car warranty you have really a good deal? It is important to sit down with the car dealer and find out exactly what your new car warranty covers and what is not on the plan. Additionally, you need to know the length of the car warranty.

Wear and Tear Items

Car Warranty

Depending on the general climate where you live, rust can be an issue for paint jobs on cars. Additionally, rust can cause other problems. The majority of dealerships do not include rust on the car warranty. Other components not typically covered on a car warranty include the various hoses, belts, filters such as air and oil filters and even wiper blades. Normally you will find regular warranties on the auto batteries and auto tires, thus the car warranty will not cover these items either.

Emissions and Safety Equipment

In regards to the emissions area and safety equipment, the United States federal government intervenes. The car warranty should cover the emissions and the majority of the exhaust components for eight years or 80,000 miles depending on which comes first. By law, the seatbelts and required airbags are mandated to be covered by the car warranty at least five years or 50,000 miles.

Basic Car Warranty

The basic car warranty is usually known and the bumper-to-bumper warranty. This type of warranty will covers everything bumper-to bumper on the car except the types of items mentioned above. A basic car warranty is usually around four to six years or 36,000 to 60,000 miles depending on which one comes first. This is a standard warranty that is pretty typical for most autos.

The basic new car warranty is pretty standard by all dealerships. There should not be an additional fee for this type of coverage on your new vehicle.

Rust and Corrosion Warranty

The majority of basic warranties do not cover any surface rust or rust-through types of problems. It is important to ask the dealer if they offer a rust and corrosion new car warranty. Typically there is a small fee for this additional coverage. If your car is going to be exposed to extreme temperatures or sea salt, it might be good to go ahead and invest in the rust and corrosion warranty.

Drive Train Warranty

The drive train warranty will cover all the important components that make the new car run. For example, the drive train warranty will cover items such as the engine, the driveshaft, the transmission and the drive axles. Many dealers offer the drive train warranty in addition to the basic warranty with no extra cost to the new car buyer. A good drive train warranty will typically run for two to ten years or 36,00 to 10,000 miles depending on which one comes first.

Roadside Assistance Warranty

Roadside assistance is often offered with new cars. This service is for providing coverage of the basic warranty and handles such things as towing, car rental reimbursement and helping out for flat tires, empty gas tanks and even if you get locked out of the new car.

Additional Information

Check with the car dealer for you new car to find out which warranties are offered with the car. Ask if there are any additional fees associated with the warranties. You should be provided with a warranty that is written out in your glove box of your new car or with your new car paperwork provided to you from the actual dealer. Most dealerships will offer coverage in at least two of the types of warranties mentioned above.

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