When new car shopping, one of the best tools you have is the online warranty quote. Just imagine the expression on the salesman when he tries to quickly sign you up for $3,000 extended warranty coverage and you pull out your print-out from Warranty Direct for $1,100 coverage! Since retail markups are a fact of life, it's good that we can protect ourselves by threatening to "go to the competition." As consumers, that's probably the best safeguard we have.
When you're dealing with a warranty company online, there are a few things to look for. Be sure they're BBB approved and that you can find their address or executive names somewhere on the site. Check to see if the warranty company is backed by an insurer or financial backer, which will guarantee that you'll be covered even if the company suddenly goes belly up. You can then cross-check the financial backer with the AM Best website to see how reliable they are. Your State Insurance Commission can also tell you if any complaints have been filed with the company. Your warranty quote should deliver a clear, comprehensive detailing of what you will get for your money. If they can't provide you with the level of detail you need or if they seem vague, then look elsewhere.
It's important before you get a warranty quote to understand your vehicle's defects and your driving habits. Are you the sort of person who brakes hard and needs new rotors several times per year? Do you wear out gaskets, calipers and seals? Does your engine ever overheat or does your coolant system break down? Did you buy a Jimmy, a Jeep or a Land Rover, which are cars with known problems? If you're good to your car, then the manufacturer's warranty (with an additional year or two, at most) may be just fine for you. If you beat on your car mercilessly, then you'd better go with the most comprehensive extended warranty coverage you can get!
Are you afraid of searching for a warranty quote because you don't want to provide personal information or receive spam email? You can check MyCarIsCovered.com for a quick, free quote that only asks for vehicle make/model/mileage/state. Generally, it's difficult to find free quotes without providing some sort of personal information because the businesses are, first and foremost, sales-oriented. This is how many businesses get juicy leads for solicitation purposes. However, on the bright side, if you're willing to invest a little extra time, then you can research company websites that have ballpark prices and coverage details to comparison shop. Then you can follow up with the ones that seem legit. A little bit of reading can go a long way towards saving you thousands of dollars!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Is The Internet Safe To Get A Warranty Quote?
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