All new cars and many used cars come with a manufacturer's standard warranty that includes coverage for any mechanical, body, and other issues that may come up during the first three years you own the car or when the car reaches thirty-six thousand miles. Some car companies, in an effort to bring in more customers, are offering ten year or one-hundred thousand mile warranties. But even with these great warranties that are being offered, you may want to purchase an extended warranty that will cover repairs that may come up after your original warranty has expired.

There are a variety of warranties available depending on the age and value of the car. You will be able to choose from one of these warranties which will help you pay for repairs your car may need in the future. Since no one can tell what the future can bring, it is important to be as prepared as possible, especially when it comes to car maintenance and repair.

When looking into an extended warranty, you will have to consider your options as some of these warranties are better than others. It is important to understand which repairs will be covered and which ones will not. Common extended warranties include:

• Bumper-to-bumper warranties will usually cover all major systems in the car except those that are listed as 'exempt'. When you are looking into one of these warranties, you will want to note which systems will not be included. Research your vehicle to see if common problems occur with systems that are exempt from the warranty.
• Named component warranties list the systems that will not be covered under the warranty. This is similar to a bumper-to-bumper warranty, except the list of exempt systems may be longer.
• Powertrain warranties will cover repairs that may have to be made to the engine, transmission, or other mechanical parts that are needed for the engine to run correctly. Most vehicles do not need this warranty because the chances of needing engine or transmission repairs are minimal.

Items that are not covered under any extended warranty include oil changes, brake pads, tires, and other repairs that are standard for every vehicle. If you need a tire replaced, you may want to buy a warranty from the tire manufacturer or service station. This will protect your tires in case you have another flat.

It is recommended that if you have the opportunity to purchase an extended warranty that will cover most major repairs, that you do so. For those that have limited manufacturer warranties of three years, buying an extended warranty will give them peace of mind for up to ten years. This is worth the investment because some repairs can be very expensive.

You can also buy an extended warranty after your manufacturer's warranty has expired as long as the car is in good condition and has less than one- hundred thousand miles. You may need to have the car inspected to see if the car is in good condition. If the car does not meet certain standards, then the vehicle will not be eligible for an extended warranty.

Most extended warranties do require that you pay a deductible when getting your car repaired. Before signing up for an extended warranty, you should read the contract carefully to see how much the deductible will be. If it is too much, then you may not want the policy. But if you need to have a major problem fixed on your car, being able to spend a few hundred dollars as opposed to a few thousand can make all the difference. Weigh your options and ask yourself how long you plan on owning the car, how many miles you plan on driving it, and how much you can afford to pay in repairs.

If you have an extended warranty and need to have repairs made to your vehicle, you should bring it to your service station and give them your warranty agreement. After they confirm that you have this type of warranty, they will make the repairs. You will not have to pay out of pocket costs, as the company that holds your policy will pay the repair service directly. You may receive a bill for your deductible, however.

Extended warranties are something to consider when purchasing a new or used car because they could save you a lot of money down the road. It is important to research the type of vehicle you want to purchase to see what the car's major mechanical flaws are. Most extended warranties will not cover these flaws, so you will want to be aware that repairs may be costly later on. But for the most part, an extended warranty may save you money in repairs as long as you get the right warranty for your vehicle.

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