For anyone who owns a vehicle, the importance of auto repair and routine maintenance tasks cannot be underscored. With a car warranty, you are guaranteed that the cost of handling certain malfunctions will be covered by the warranty provider. In other words, it lessens the cost you would otherwise have to bear when carrying out vehicle repairs.
There are various competing warranty providers in the market and it is up to you to find the right one for you. Selecting a provider that will cater to all your requirements can ultimately save you a lot of time and money. That is why it is always advisable that you take the time to educate yourself on everything to do with warranties and how to find the best providers out there.
There are many factors that come into play when it comes to choosing the best warranty company. At the end of the day, you want to find the best possible deal and also a provider who will meet their end of the bargain when required to. It’s all about getting real value for your money. As long as you ask the right questions, you have every chance to find the best company.
Here are some tips to help you choose your car warranty provider:
1. Find a company that has been in the business for a while
A company that has been in operation for a while is likely to be able to provide you with the right warranty and also meet its obligations when called upon. Most scam companies close down as soon as claims start to come in. Choose a provider that you are almost certain will be in business whenever you make your claim. If there are some claims about warranties not getting paid by a particular company, then that’s not a company you should be dealing with.
2. Open lines of communication
Reputable warranty providers make it easy for their clients to be able to get in touch with them whenever they have any questions. Look for a company that has no problem giving a telephone number or any other form of contact. If it is difficult to contact them when you want to ask a question, it will be even more difficult when you want to lodge a claim. They should also have a website where you can get answers to important questions without too much of a hassle.
3. Compare different warranty providers
With so many companies in the market, you need to take the time to find which one offers the best deal. One of the best ways to know which provider is the best is by checking third-party reviews of different companies and see which one matches what you are looking for. If you read this autopom review here, you will have an idea of what to expect in that particular company’s warranty package. That is how reviews can help guide your decision-making process when it comes to choosing a warranty provider.
4. Find out exactly what the warranty covers
The provider should be able to make it clear what the warranty covers. The last thing you want is to get a significant repair bill only to be told that the warranty cannot cover it. Even when you are told that you are being offered “full coverage”, you should ask them to define that in clear terms. Many vehicle owners have found themselves incurring huge repair costs just because they did not inquire what the warranty entailed.
5. Can they customize your package?
Some warranty providers have very expensive plans that only cover catastrophic repairs. That’s not the plan you should be looking for. A good company will have no issue providing a customized package which will provide you just what you need. When you have a deal that is customized to match your needs, then you are almost guaranteed to get real value for your money. At the same time, you will only be spending money on just what you need and not other features that you don’t need.
6. Enquire about the claims process
It’s very important to know how any claim you lodge will be covered before you decide to purchase any warranty. Since your motivation for buying the warranty is to avoid having to pay for claims out of pocket, you should seek an assurance that you will never have to. You should also ask the provider whether there are any mechanisms for reimbursing whenever you meet the cost of any claims. If the process is too complicated, or non-existent, then you should try a different company.
7. Look out for red flags
Before you agree to a deal with any provider, you should take some time to read and understand the fine print in the contract. There are instances where certain stipulations may be deemed red flags and cause you to question the suitability of the contract. If a deal is too good to be true, you should tread carefully. At the same time, if you come across hidden cost, then that’s a contract that you should avoid. A good warranty covers the repairs as well as the labor charges. These are some of the facts you should ask the company to clarify for you.
8. Check the perks offered by the provider
Just like any other product you purchase, you should check to see if the warranty is actually worth the money it costs. Make sure that you get as much value for your money as possible. This is where you should have a look at some of the perks on offer. Some of the most important ones include roadside assistance, towing charges, and car rental reimbursement among others. Some warranties will even have a provision for travel expenses, just in case something happens while you are traveling.
The provider you select for your car warranty is just as important as the warranty itself. There are many companies out there that will offer deals that look excellent on paper that ultimately turn out to be the worst. That is why you should always be very meticulous when choosing a warranty provider.