Murphey’s law is an old saying that says if anything can go wrong, it probably will, and at the most inconvenient of times. When this involves your vehicle, the financial consequences can be traumatic.
Thankfully, extended motor warranties exist for this exact purpose; to ease the burden of having to pay a large lump sum in the face of hefty repair costs.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the frequently asked questions around extended motor warranties.
Let’s get to it.
What Exactly Is An Extended Motor Warranty?
An extended motor warranty is a prolonged warranty offered to vehicle owners once their original manufacturer’s warranty has expired.
Extended warranties are designed to offer protection that assists with unexpected mechanical breakdowns or electrical failure.
Why Do I Need An Extended Car Warranty?
You may think that you do not need an extended motor warranty, but the peace of mind alone is well worth it.
When you buy a new vehicle, it will come standard with a manufacturer’s warranty. This warranty will remain in effect for a given time or set number of kilometres. When this manufacturer’s warranty expires, you will be left with no cover; should an unexpected mechanical breakdown or electrical failure occur, you will be responsible for the repair costs.
An extended motor warranty provides you with the cover you need once your original manufacturer’s warranty has come to an end.
Which Parts Are Generally Not Covered By An Extended Vehicle Warranty?
A motor warranty is specifically designed to cover breakdowns up to a certain amount, so it is essentially insurance for your car.
Extended motor warranties do not include coverage for consumables or ‘wear and tear’ items.
What Is The Difference Between An Extended Warranty, Service Plan, And Maintenance Plan?
Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they do not mean the same thing. Let’s take a look at what each of these terms mean.
Extended Warranty – An extended warranty covers specific car parts up to a particular value. These warranties can be purchased before your manufacturer’s warranty expires.
Service Plan – If you need to service your car at specified servicing intervals whilst knowing that it is carried out by professionals, a service plan is ideal. These plans do not provide cover for wear and tear items such as brake pads.
Maintenance Plan – A maintenance plan will cover wear and tear, regular services, and the cost of repairs carried out in the event of major component failure.
Now that we have a deeper insight into the understanding of how an extended motor warranty differs from maintenance and service plans, let’s unpack what can cause them to be invalidated.
How Can An Extended Warranty Claim Be Invalidated?
To avoid any claims being declined, it is vital that you fulfil the requirements of an extended motor warranty policy. Here are a few causes that could result in a claim being invalidated:
- Not sticking to recommended servicing intervals.
- Fitting non-genuine parts to your vehicle during repairs.
- Ignoring warning lights that have illuminated on your vehicle’s dashboard or any noticeable electrical and mechanical faults.
- Modifying your vehicle outside of the manufacturer’s standard specification.
- Failing to follow a motor warranty provider’s claim procedure.
- Using the incorrect fluids or fuel.
As the owner of your vehicle, it’s your sole responsibility to keep it in good health. A large part of this is knowing what to do when your original manufacturer’s warranty comes to an end. By knowing the ins and outs of a motor warranty, you can keep your car healthy while saving a lot of frustration and expense going forward.
