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Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Avoid Car Warranty Scams|Get a US Direct Protect Approved Auto Warranty

Car Warranties

Avoid Car Warranty Scams


While many legitimate and reliable car warranties are available online, there are also warranty scams in which low price warranties are offered to unwitting consumers who are actually paying for a useless or fraudulent warranty. Other scams include overpricing of warranties by affiliate and lead sites, and then there are car warranty sites which in reality are dreaded "phishing" sites that exist only to obtain private data that is then abused. Avoiding these scams, and finding the right online car warranty, is a matter of being alert and knowing how to recognize scams while dealing only with companies that have a proven track record in issuing car warranties.

Oftentimes, a new auto warranty company will suddenly spring up online, offering extremely low prices on a very small selection of auto warranties. This is an indication that the company is, at best, an affiliate or lead site which makes a commission only on those warranties, or, at worst, a scam site.

The scam sites offer warranty terms that seem too good to be true, and they are set up for instant payment. The warranty which you purchase from such sites is not of much value, as it is not backed by a legitimate and insured warranty provider. Usually, such warranties do not pay repair and body shops directly, but instead ask the warranty holder to pay, so that they can then escape having to reimburse you for the money you paid out. This is fraud, and almost no reliable car warranty issuer will ask you to pay for repairs - instead, they work with a network of auto repair services which accept their payments directly at no extra cost to you.

Worse yet are those online sites which contact you via E-mail, warning you that your warranty is about to expire. Chances are that not only is your warranty not expiring, but you have yet to purchase an extended warranty. The E-mail messages which they send contain links to phishing sites that do not offer any legitimate warranties whatsoever. Instead, they capture your personal data for use in subsequent scams, and they may even be able to access your secure accounts using the information that they request. Under no condition should you respond to E-mail offers for car warranties. No legitimate firm uses such methods, which are illegal under spam prevention laws.

Instead, insist on car warranties that are maintained by legitimate and known firms. These firms deposit your money into a claims reserve account, and carry re-insurance from A. M. Best A or higher rated firms to protect you in the event the warranty company fails or experiences difficulties. Such policies are well-advertised and often discussed on consumer ratings sites.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Not All Car Warranty Sites are Created Equal|Beware of Affiliates

An extended warranty for a car is very useful and indeed saves drivers much time, money and hassle. It is therefore no wonder that so many new car warranty sites have sprung up across the Internet, and many of these sites have similar names and offers. For instance, their is now a lead company who made a website called usdirectwarranty.com and use it for PPC. They have no affiliation with usdirectprotect.com, number 1 online seller of extended warranties for vehicles, but they obviously are trying to catch consumers off guard. US Direct Protect had one of their agents call the phony outfit and they did try to portray themselves`s as industry leader US Direct Protect.

That is because many car warranty sites are actually lead sites or affiliate sites for major providers of online car warranties. Such sites often offer but a few fixed choices, because their owners know that those are the warranties which their audience will be most apt to choose, or that they are the ones for which the actual warranty providers pay the most affiliate commission. These policies all have weasel clauses or are the same policies with the price inflated.

On the other hand, a true professional site will include a wide selection of car warranties for various makes and models of cars, with various price, feature, length and coverage options. These sites are run by webmasters who are dedicated to their customers, and who therefore make sure to offer the warranties that customers are looking for, at the best possible prices. Beware of 1 or 2 page websites, this is a sure fire way to detect an affiliate or lead company. They sell your inquiry to an Auto Warranty Company that does not have the marketing skills to attract their own inquiries. The customer is now paying the lead companies fee on top of the policy they purchase. Sometime`s this fee alone is $100.00.

When shopping for an extended auto warranty, make sure there are sufficient options for the make and model that you need to protect. One or two basic options is a clear sign that the site you are checking is a lead or affiliate site, as is a small selection of models regardless of whether your own car is included. One question we always tell consumers to ask the warranty company is "How many different Administrators do you carry". If their reply is 1 or 2....run.

Make sure to shop around, and discount any claims made by sites which claim to specialize only in one make or model. Such sites are clearly lead sites that just link to a site that actually offers warranties for several makes and models, but prices which are generated by the lead site could be higher than the prices which would be charged to consumers who go directly to the main site. If a site URL contains the name of one make or model, such as Chevy or Malibu, it is almost always a lead site and it is rare that such a site offers the best option for extended auto warranties.

Car warranties are best purchased from experts who maintain sites that clearly show their understanding of and commitment to the consumer. Affiliate and lead sites are usually operated by small-time webmasters who also operate such sites for tens if not hundreds of other products, from cookware to computer accessories, and they depend on commissions from each sale that only add to the cost of the warranty which you actually need.

Choose your car warranty from a site that lists clear options for different levels of coverage, and which has a comprehensive list of policies available for major makes and models of cars, which of course must include, but should not be limited to, your own car. You will find that a more comprehensive site offers better prices for exactly what you need.

Other online Auto Warranty Companies that have multiple A rated administrators for car owners to choose from is Auto Warranty 411. They have a licensed software that allows them to shop 10 A rated carriers for the best policy. We have heard nothing bad about this organization, nor are their any rip off reports or BBB complaints. Automotive Extended Warranties also has multiple policies at below market pricing. Their website has arguably the most auto warranty related content on it and is a tool used by many in the industry. Car Service Contract is a new comer in the industry who has compiled a long list of A rated Administrators and also has very affordable pricing.

We are going to open this post up for comments. NOT SPAM. If you have an industry related question or have another online company you would like to talk about feel free to leave a comment.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Extended Warranty and Vehicle Service Contracts

Extended Warranties are some of the most misunderstood aspects of the automotive industry, and while many have taken quite a beating in the media recently, there are many very good and legitimate extended warranty programs out there.


What are Extended Warranties, Really?

What the policy actually is, just happens to be where many consumers become confused about the entire situation, which highlights one of the most important aspects of automotive warranties, what kind of policy it is. There are three basic types of additional automotive coverage for mechanical issues; the new car protection, the used car, sometimes known as silver or comprehensive, and the power train coverage that is typically reserved for older and higher-mileage vehicles.

New car packages are likely to cover the vehicle in what is commonly called “bumper-to-bumper” protection, the same as what is offered through dealerships when the vehicle is brand new, and these are often through the exact same underwriters as those from the dealer. The comprehensive packages are similar, covering many electronics, sensors and computers, but not quite as many as the new car protection would. Although, these two can be indiscernible, depending on the particular vehicle and coverage plan. The power train packages commonly include the engine, transmission and other larger components that are prone to failure on older vehicles.


What is Actually Covered?

Here again, this is where the customer and the provider need proper communication to impart exactly what is covered, as many customers will assume things like “bumper-to-bumper” includes the bumpers. Any credible provider will immediately provide a detailed list that itemizes exactly what is covered along with the policy documentation, as well as for much, and it is often the failure to read and understand this that leads to surprises at the service department.

Regardless of what is actually covered, even the simplest of these policies can be real life-savers when the major repair that we all know is coming finally makes its appearance. With the average automotive service shop charging around $100 for each hour of labor, not including parts, the bill for something as simple as a power window motor can cost over a thousand dollars in no time at all.


Avoiding the Scams

The extended warranties industry has been marred by a few unscrupulous providers, the majority of which have since been closed down by the various attorneys general around the country, and these are well-documented around the web and in the various media outlets.

There are many legitimate extended warranty providers that offer the exact same service contracts as the dealers use, with the added benefit of features like low or no-interest payments over one or two years, as opposed to the life of the car loan. Many of these policies also have transfer and refund options that enable customers to pay for the part of the policy used and get a refund on what was not. The key to extended auto warranties is an educated consumer, and with some simple research online, the best one for any given situation is easy to find.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Auto Warranty 411|A Rated Policies For $100`s Less Than Other Brokers

As if purchasing a car isn’t a big enough decision, then the customer is faced with the prospect of purchasing an auto warranty to cover the vehicle. This does not have to be as big of a nightmare as it sounds. One should simply keep in mind that this is merely an insurance policy against repair costs and that the warranty should only fit the needs and budget of the buyer – purchasing too much or too little could pose an issue.

One good thing to remember is that it is not necessary to obtain an extended car warranty immediately after buying the car. Most dealerships will extend the offer until within the first year of ownership. However, it is also important to know that after a certain number of miles, the cost of policies do tend to increase. This gives a buyer just enough time to think about the extent of coverage that is necessary.

Another tip to keep in mind is that the buyer should be able to give the policy booklet a thorough look-through and if a policy is purchased, he or she should be able to take the booklet home immediately. Knowing the ins and outs of the plan to be purchased is absolutely necessary. Otherwise, aspects that are important to the buyer could unknowingly be omitted and the buyer could be unaware of other features.

In addition to this, buyers should familiarize themselves with the exclusions and limitations of the policy. For example, some policies will not cover overheating of a vehicle. Others will only cover mechanical breakdown, which is when mechanical parts spontaneously break. Thus, if a part simply wears out because it is old, this will probably not be covered in the plan and could leave the driver with a hefty expense.

A consumer should make sure that the warranty approves the repairs by the shop he or she typically visits. Some policies have limitations on where the vehicle can be taken for repairs and this could mean that a buyer will have to visit a mechanic he or she is not familiar with and does not trust. It is simply better for peace of mind and convenience if the trusted shop is included in the plan.

Having an extended warranty can provide great benefits to car owners. For the most part, they will save many repair expenses in the end and the policy will provide a sense of security. However, specifications and stipulations tend to vary greatly from warranty to warranty, so this is not the time to make an impulse buy. You really have to do the research and know the policy inside and out to make sure that it is right for you before it is purchased.

This article was written by Auto Warranty 411.

Auto Warranty 411 advises all Car Warranty buyers to write down the name of the administrator that is offered by other auto warranty companies. Then call Auto Warranty 411 and they will sell you the exact same policy for $100`s less.

Auto Warranty 411 has the best internet marketing company in the world and their leads are free. Other Auto Warranty Companies spend $100`s of dollars on marketing and have to add that price to the cost of the warranties they sell. So try out what is suggested and save money.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Vehicle Service Contracts

Vehicle Service Contracts


All vehicles suffer from break downs at different instances. It is difficult to cater for high repair costs especially if your vehicle constantly suffers from unforeseen break downs. A vehicle service contract is the solution to comprehensively protecting your vehicle from costly future repair costs.

A vehicle service contract is purchased at any instance from car dealerships or independent companies. It can be thought of as an insurance policy and defers from initial vehicle warranties minimally. The service contracts cover a car's repair and maintenance costs during a given period of time. New cars and relatively new cars may get much more comprehensive extended coverage as compared to used cars, which are offered limited service contract coverage. It is important to weigh the extent to which a vehicle service contract will cover your car before purchasing one.

If your car does not have an initial warranty or lacks comprehensive coverage, a service contract would be ideal for your car. A vehicle service contract offered by vehicle manufacturers hold much more weight than those offered by independent companies. The cost of service contracts are usually determined by the make of the car, the particular car model, the condition of the car (especially in the case of used cars), the extent of coverage and the length of coverage. The vehicle is covered to a certain extent and there are a few service contracts, which cover repairs of all natures. It is wise to watch out for such policies that exclude certain repair costs for instance a policy only covering mechanical breakdowns meaning that they will not cover problems arising from wear and tear. In the instance of a repair, the contract may require you to take the vehicle to the car manufacturer for repairs, in the case of a contract purchased from the car manufacturer, or the contract may allow you to select a service dealer to carry out repairs on your vehicle. When acquiring the contract find out exactly how claims will be handled. These contracts hold you accountable to follow certain manufacturer recommendations such as oil changes. In the instance that you deviate from the recommendations, the contract may be declared void. The car service contract should be able to work for your requirements. If you plan on selling your vehicle in the nearby future it would be beneficial to get a transferable service contract. This aspect highly helps when selling your vehicle. Added fees may be applied to transferable service contracts.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

What You Need to Know About Extended Car Warranties

What you need to know about Extended Car Warranties


When you purchase a new car, you will be provided with an auto warranty for a certain period, usually 3 years or for 36,000 miles. When these warranties expire, you will have to pay the necessary repairs on your vehicle. To help in reducing the amount of money you will have to pay, you may consider extended car warranties. These extended warranties are a contract between a warranty company and the car owner that covers the repairs of the vehicle for a given duration. It is a good option because it offers protection to you in case you encounter emergency repair costs.

You will be required to make a decision between manufacturers and after markets when you are considering purchasing extended car warranties. The manufacturers warranty is provided by an authorized dealer and comes with similar features to the original warranty that you bought your car with. In case of any repairs, you will be required to take the vehicle to a dealer so that they can carry them out. The aftermarket warranty provides you with flexible options. You may take your vehicle to a dealer or a certified facility for repairs. The repairs will be carried out after the repair shop has been given the authorization by the warranty administrator. Some of these companies will pay directly to the repair shops while others will require you to foot the bill and then they will reimburse you as required.

In order to determine if you need extended car warranties, you need to check out the situation of your vehicle. Some of the things you need to consider include the time that you will keep the car after the original warranty has expired. If you are planning to have it for a long time then you need an extended warranty. If you have another cover, there is no need for you to duplicate it, therefore you should find out if there is any before you purchase an extended one. The other things you need to look at include your ability to foot unexpected repair costs. If you are not prepared for them then it is advisable you look for a number of extended car warranties before making a selection of the one that will best fit your needs. The reliability of the vehicle is also an important thing to consider. If the car is generally reliable, you might not need an extended warranty but if not then you should get one as soon as the original warranty expires.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Used Car Warranty

Used Car Warranty


As a car owner, you may incur a lot of unforeseen costs arising from the maintenance of your vehicle. The costs may become over bearing as the car ages. Generally used cars are anticipated to require increased maintenance requirements than new cars. Used cars come with fewer warranties compared to brand new cars. The warranties extended to a used car depend on the car's particular state and where the car is bought. Car dealerships are likely to offer a used car warranty while used cars bought from individuals are bound to come without warranties unless the car comes with a transferable car warranty.



A used car warranty defers minimally to that offered for new cars. These extended warranties similarly include bumper to bumper and powertrain policies. However, used cars enjoy these policies to the extent of the car's condition meaning that the warranty may only cover a fraction of the car's repair costs. Used car warranties also cover a number of car items including audio accessories and electrical systems. These items are similarly covered to a limited extent in the case of a used car. It is important to understand how warranties extended to used cars work, especially if you are planning on buying a used car.



Most states allow dealerships to sell used cars without warranties. In the bid to help sell used cars, most car dealerships offer minimal warranties on used car, which cover a percentage of repair and maintenance costs. These warranties cover the used cars for a period of 30 days going up to one year after sale. An extended used car warranty is sold to used car buyers by automakers and independent companies. They are referred to as contract services and work more or less similarly to those offered to new cars. These extended warranties protect a used car from costly repairs, which may be required in the future. A used car warranty varies in the extent to which it covers a car and the length in which it covers the car depending on different dealerships offering them. In some instances extended powertrain coverage may be offered to used car buyers going up to 100,000 miles. Several of these warranties offer roadside assistance to used car buyers and nominal deductible rates. Warranties may be extended to vehicle parts bought in a dealership to replace faulty ones. These warranties usually go up to a year or more. Car batteries come with separate policies, which typically last longer.