Owning a car means having a suitable auto warranty to protect yourself and your vehicle against any damage. Auto warranties can be very costly, depending on their different coverage and features. Improper research and knowledge of these warranties can result in you buying the wrong type of warranty that fails to provide the required coverage for your vehicle. Hence, it is essential to know the different types of auto warranties.

New vehicle warranty
“Bumper-to-bumper” or new vehicle warranty usually comes with all new cars and can be transferable when the vehicle is sold to a new owner. A new vehicle warranty covers car parts that typically break down due to normal wear and tear or manufacturing error. However, it does not cover flat tires, break down due to batteries, or damages borne due to faulty driving.

Dealership warranty
A dealership warranty is given upon buying a car from a dealer, and it covers different things depending on stipulations mentioned in the contract. The warranty may also include clauses stating that the vehicle owner can only have their car serviced at the dealership where they purchased the vehicle.

Powertrain warranty
A powertrain warranty, also referred to as drivetrain, covers major parts of the vehicle, including transmission, transaxle parts, and even the engine. These parts are repaired or replaced for free if there is a manufacturer defect. While some companies offer warranties without any deductibles, some may require you to pay out of pocket before the contract kicks in.

Extended warranty
An extended warranty or aftermarket warranty typically covers vehicle repairs for an additional period after the manufacturer’s warranty has lapsed. It is important to note here that not all types of vehicles are covered under the extended warranty. A drawback of using an extended warranty for your vehicle is its coverage limitations.

Emissions warranty
If your vehicle is old, has run a certain number of miles, and is experiencing abnormal emissions levels, then an emission warranty can be of great help. While emissions may be covered under the basic warranty, finding an independent emissions warranty may be rare. Some auto companies might offer an emissions warranty separate from a basic auto warranty. So, make sure to check with the dealer if they are offering any offers on emissions warranty.

Corrosion and rust warranty
This type of warranty may not be covered in the basic warranty with all dealerships. However, auto companies like Buick offer corrosion or rust coverage under the basic warranty. Apart from this, finding this type of coverage in basic or even dealership warranty can be rare. Corrosion and rust coverage take care of the repairs of the vehicle body in the event of rusting or corrosion. They offer coverage usually after the corrosion has made a hole through the metal. It is important to note that some manufacturers will offer corrosion or rust coverage only from a certain point of the vehicle down.

Hybrid warranty
It is a type of auto warranty exclusively for hybrid cars, as it covers parts such as battery pack, electric motor, and its associated parts. A standard hybrid warranty covers vehicles that are eight years old or have covered 100,000 miles, whichever is sooner.

In addition to these types of warranties, one of the popular features offered by most car dealerships, manufacturers, and warranty providers is roadside assistance. This assistive feature covers repairs and towing that may arise after a car breakdown. Apart from providing roadside assistance, most manufacturers will change a flat tire or tow your car to safety for free and offer their services 24/7.

If you are a first-time car owner, here are some top auto warranty providers to consider:

Endurance
A success story of over $185 million in paid claims since 2006, Endurance provides 24-hour roadside assistance and less-than 48 hours of claims processing. Individuals can also enjoy unlimited high-mileage coverage, maintenance coverage, and access to a direct claims administrator.

Carchex
This A+ accredited extended warranty provider has also received numerous awards for its efficient customer service. Carchex features include 24/7 gas delivery, emergency roadside assistance, lost key or lockout service, trip interruption service, and more. Contract terms range from 12 to 84 months, and customers can choose from five detailed, flexible coverage plans for their vehicles.

autopom!
autopom! maintains an A+ rating with the BBB and enables customers to choose their own repair shop so they can rest assured. The partnership offers benefits like roadside assistance, affordable payment plans, nationwide breakdown coverage, 30 or 60-day money-back guarantee, tire protection, and more.