Aftermarket Extended Warranties Can Be Complex and Confusing – Find out What You Need to Know

You will also be offered an extended aftermarket WARRANTY. There will be many options for you to choose from, but you don't need to make a decision right away. Take the information with you and tell them that you will get back to them in a couple of days. (This time may vary on the amount you are financing. If you are financing through the selling dealer, you will want to check into this first!)

These will vary on the amount of the policy. Generally the more you pay, the less the deductible will be. Find out if the deductible is per visit or per item. For example, if you take your vehicle in to have an oil leak repaired and the technician finds a suspension part that needs to be addressed, does the deductible go toward both repairs or will you have to pay the deductible per item?

Will the policy cover oil leaks, computer sensors, and interior and exterior door handles? Does the policy cover diagnosis time in finding a complaint? You will have to decide if you need a policy that does cover items like this or just the basic premature engine or transmission failure.

These warranties are not designed to cover scheduled maintenance, but it still needs to be done. The warranty company may require these items to be serviced as the owner's manual states to not void the extended warranty. Always keep the receipts as proof that you had the maintenance items serviced.

Does the policy cover towing or a rental car?

Does the policy let you take the car to your favorite repair place? You may have to take the vehicle back to where you bought it. This can become a big issue. Let's say you bought a used Nissan from a Cadillac dealership. The check engine light is on, so you take the Nissan back to the Cadillac dealership. It's possible that the dealership will not have the proper tools or equipment to properly diagnose the problem. This could cause long delays, which is when the rental car bill could become an issue!

Does the policy cover the vehicle's all-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive parts? Most cars today will have these options. The best advice I can give you is to get a copy of the warranty before you purchase it.

Let your mechanic read it and explain to you what is covered and what is not. You can also purchase your own warranty! Take the time to do some investigating into your WARRANTY options. The cost savings will be worth the time it takes you to do some research!