Car extended warranties?

[draggar]

my wife's van needs a new transmission and it's $1850 for a rebuilt one. We know we're going to have to pay for this out of pocket.

But - the van is important. It allows us to transport the dogs and she uses it while training, too.

Has anyone had experience with vehicle extended warranties? How can we know it is good? Are they worth it?

[taxguykarl]

More often than not they are a ripoff. They are seriously loophole laden to prevent their promoters from having to pay any kind of claim.

[drunkenwildmage]

You have to be *Extremely* carefulf about them.

For the Most part they really aren't worth anything.


I had one on a truck of mine, and the warranty company sent someone to inspect my old broken transmission before they would replace it. This resulted in a 2 week delay, because if the shop replaced it, before they would authorize it, then they wouldn't cover the repairs. .. Also, they will only pay for the cheapest parts they can fine. The replacement transmission was such a piece of garbage, that it hardly lasted. Your best bet it to take the Money you would spend on the warranty, put it in a savings account, and only use it for for repairs.

The only extended warranty that I was, that looked like a good was one was from Ford. It on my Wife's Grandmothers Crown Vic, and it was a true extension of the Factory warranty. Basically it would cover everything that the factory warranty would cover under the same terms as the factory warranty, It just extended it out.

[Taboo]

it was a true extension of the Factory warranty. Basically it would cover everything that the factory warranty would cover under the same terms as the factory warranty, It just extended it out.

Those are generally the only type even worth buying. Sad but true, others are so full of loopholes. Look into it but you may not be able to get a reasonable one unfortunately.

[Geek King]

Those are generally the only type even worth buying. Sad but true, others are so full of loopholes. Look into it but you may not be able to get a reasonable one unfortunately.

Even if they don't have loopholes, a common tactic for third-party extended warranties is to close shop and disappear. Only buy extended warranties from the manufacturer, if you feel you need them.