Auto Warranty Buyer's Guide | Warranty Costs, Eligibility, and Length of Coverage

The consumer guide to uncovering the best value

in auto warranties and repairs.

Auto Warranties

Warranty Costs, Eligibility, and Length of Coverage ...

Mileage is the most confusing to understand and the most important. Vehicle warranty plans use the term mileage to mean either the number of miles on the odometer, or additional miles above and beyond what is currently on the odometer. This can have a big impact on your coverage.

For example if you have a vehicle with 70,000 miles on it and the policy covers 36 months / 100,000 miles on the odometer, you are only covered for 30,000 miles of driving or until you reach 100,000 on your odometer. If the policy is for 100,000 additional miles, then you are covered for driving an additional 100,000 miles or 170,000 on your odometer.

The rule of thumb is most bumper to bumper policies use mileage in terms of miles on the odometer, most stated component and power train policies use mileage in terms of additional miles above and beyond your current odometer miles. You will also see “unlimited” mileage on some of the lower coverage stated component and powertrain warranties. Make sure you understand the mileage term of the policy you are considering or ask your warranty company or warranty broker to explain it before you purchase.

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