Cars can be expensive to buy, to run and to fix should something go wrong with them during the time that you own and use them. There are a variety of things that you can do to try and keep the costs down or to support you financially should you need to pay-out. One of these things is taking out a car warranty.
But what is a car warranty and why might be something that you need to know about?
What is a car warranty?
Car warranty is a type of insurance policy that will help to cover any costs that relate to a car breaking down. They do not cover the cost of repairs that are caused by accidental damage, loss or theft of the car, these things are covered by car insurance instead.
There are a number of types of warranty that you can take out that relate to a car. It could be offered when you buy a new car, when you buy a used car, or if you want to cover your current vehicle.
You may take out a manufacturers warranty, which will be when you buy a new car, this warranty will last between 3 and 7 years. If you buy a used car then a warranty could be offered by the dealership that you buy your car from, although you can also shop around and see other providers through which you can then compare your chosen quotes.
You can also take out an after market warranty, which will allow you to cover a car that you already own. This could be a new car or a used car, but you will need to remember that there are restrictions on the car that can be covered or the mileage that can be covered.
What type of thing will a warranty cover?
There are a variety of things that a car warranty will cover and it really does depend on who offers you the warranty. However, some of the most common things that a warranty will cover include:
- The fuel and ignition systems
- The engine and transmission
- The air conditioning system
- Your gearbox
- The electrics within the car
- The clutch and the brakes
- The suspension and the steering
You may find that there are additional things that can be added to your warranty, however, these will need to be discussed with the provider.
What exclusions are there likely to be?
As with any policy that you can take out, there are going to be exclusions to your car warranty that you need to keep in mind. The most common exclusions to your warranty will be:
- General wear and tear
- Specified car parts (such as the battery or the wheels)
- Cars that are used for racing purposes, or cars that are used as taxis
- Repairs to parts that are not broken
- Damage that has been caused by frost or by the build up of carbon
- Damage caused by poor workmanship
You will also need to keep in mind that you will have a set amount of time before you can claim, this will be 90 days after the start of your policy.
Whilst car warranty is not a legal requirement, it can often be a good idea if there is a chance that your new or used car could develop a fault during its life.