Buying a good, reliable car these days can be very expensive. For many car owners, the purchase of a car is enough of a financial burden, but what happens if their new vehicle needs a repair? Because car repairs have become so expensive, auto warranties have become very popular. A car warranty is

an insurance policy that you can buy and it will cover you for the cost of most repairs, usually minus a reasonable deductible. Like all insurance contracts, there are rules that must be followed in order for the warranty company to cover repairs that are needed. Here are some great tips to follow in order to ensure that your car warranty will come through for you when you need it most.

Read Read Read

The terms and conditions of a car warranty read like an insurance policy because it is an insurance product. By law, your auto warranty must spell out all of the rules of the plan, such as what is covered, what is excluded and the duties that each party must perform while the policy is in effect. As an educated consumer, it’s important that you understand (before you make a claim) exactly how your contract works. By reading the policy, you will be made aware of how repairs are covered on your car, what you have to do to make a claim and what financial responsibility (if any) you will have after the repair is made.

Wear & Tear Not Covered

Repairs on your car that are considered normal maintenance items such as replacing brakes, tires, tune ups or wheel alignments are not covered under your auto warranty. All cars experience the need to replace these types of components at some time or another, so the warranty company will exclude these services from coverage. Car owners even though they purchase a warranty, should be prepared to pay out of pocket for maintenance costs.

Follow The Rules

If your engine blows up or the transmission won’t shift anymore, most people will want to submit a claim to the warranty company for coverage. What many car owners don’t realize is that the warranty people will first investigate the reason your car had a major system failure. Once your car is towed into the repair shop, the warranty company will ask the technicians to determine why your car broke down. If the cause of your engine seizing up is determined to be due to a lack of motor oil, the warranty policy will deny your claim. Car warranties require that all proper maintenance schedules be strictly adhered to in order for certain repairs to be covered. Be sure to also keep all of your service receipts in case you need them.

Speak Up

If your auto repair claim is denied, don’t be afraid to speak up and be an advocate for yourself. Ask the warranty company how to appeal their decision and what documentation you will need to prove that all rules were followed. In your appeal, make it clear why you feel the repair should be covered and ask them to document specifically why it was denied. If you bought your car and warranty at a dealership, get the dealership involved to help you state your case. Most car dealerships have good relationships with the warranty companies they represent and should be able to help you through the process.

Document Document Document

If after appealing, your auto warranty company still denies your repair claim, you may want to pursue the issue in a court of law. If you decide to do this, it will be important to have not only have your maintenance records available, but also any correspondence that occurred between you and auto warranty company. A judge will review the warranty claim process and you will have the best chance for victory if you can present your case in an orderly and organized fashion.

Auto warranties are very good products and can save car owners a lot of money on sudden repair bills. Keep in mind that it’s very important to follow all of the rules of the warranty policy and be able to prove it with documentation. Even though regular maintenance repairs are not covered, the auto warranty can be your best defense against major, unexpected repair costs.

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