Can you buy an extended warranty after purchase?
Yes, you can buy an extended warranty after purchase, but the longer you wait the more you’ll pay as your vehicle’s age and mileage increase.
The good news is, Credit Union of Southern California (CU SoCal) offers healthCAR extended warranty coverage to protect car owners from costly repairs. With healthCAR, new cars, used cars, and even high mileage cars are eligible. Plus, healthCAR is accepted by more than 91,000 licensed automotive repair shops.
At CU SoCal, we make buying a car warranty after purchase easier!
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What is an extended car warranty and how does it work?
An extended vehicle warranty is a service contract a vehicle owner can purchase to cover the cost of specific vehicle parts and systems in the event of a mechanical breakdown.
The purpose of an extended car warranty is generally to cover the cost of making repairs to parts not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty and repairs that are needed after the manufacturer’s warranty expires.
In addition to parts and repair coverage, CU SoCal’s healthCAR coverage includes free roadside assistance, jumpstarts, flat tire change, lockout assistance, fluid delivery, towing, and emergency concierge services.
CU SoCal’s healthCAR extended warranty covers vehicles up to 20 years-old, which most other extended warranties won’t cover.
CU SoCal can help you with buying a car warranty after purchase.
Extended warranty vs. manufacturer’s warranty
A manufacturer’s warranty comes with all new vehicles and is valid for a specific timeframe and/or number of miles. For example, most manufacturer’s warranties cover the breakdown of certain parts and systems for 3 years/36,000 miles.
Used cars that are purchased from a dealership or used car retailer may come with a limited warranty for a shorter specific period.
An extended warranty provides additional coverage above and beyond the coverage provided by a manufacturer’s warranty. This warranty can run parallel to the manufacturer’s warranty as secondary coverage, or it can start when the manufacturer’s warranty has expired due to time or miles driven.
A manufacturer’s warranty can be purchased from the dealership or a third-party.
The purpose of an extended warranty is to protect car owners from high-cost repairs as the vehicle advances in years and miles. For example, CU SoCal’s
healthCAR Warranty that protects vehicles up to 20 years old.
According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, you should also check whether the coverage of the service contract overlaps with the problems and time periods the manufacturer’s warranty covers to avoid paying for unneeded coverage. You may find that any additional coverage is not worth the additional cost.
What do extend warranties cover?
Extended warranties typically offer several coverage options that are bundled by parts/systems. Each coverage type will have a different cost, and generally the higher the price, the more parts that are covered.
Buying a car warranty after purchase involves reviewing the coverage options and choosing the one best suited for your vehicle’s make, model, age, and miles.
An example of covered parts/systems include the engine, oil pump, water pump, timing chain/belt, transmission case, differential, steering, and electrical systems including the starter and alternator, and numerous other parts.
CU SoCal’s
healthCAR Warranty coverage is available for new cars, used cars, and high mileage cars.
For drive-anywhere convenience, healthCAR is accepted by more than 91,000 licensed automotive repair shops.
Types of car warranties
Here is an overview of the most common types of extended warranties for vehicles:
Powertrain warranty. This warranty covers the powertrain of a vehicle, primarily the engine, transmission, fuel pump, drive axels, transfer case and other parts that power the vehicle.
Drivetrain warranty. Like the powertrain warranty, the drivetrain warranty covers the driving parts and systems, including the transmission, driveshaft, axles, and sometimes the wheels. Coverage doesn’t typically include the engine.
Wrap warranty. This warranty generally extends the bumper-to-bumper
warranty provided by the manufacturer and includes repairs that the manufacturer warranty doesn’t.
Corrosion warranty. While most manufacturer’s warranties cover rust and other corrosion for three years/36,000 miles, most new vehicles won’t show corrosion in that timeframe. Purchasing a corrosion warranty could be beneficial if you purchase a used car and live near the ocean or in areas where roads are salted after each snowfall.
Where can I get an extended warranty for my car?
An extended car warranty can be purchased from:
- Credit union of Southern California
- The vehicle manufacturer. All manufacturers offer extended warrantee options that will be presented to you when you buy a new car.
- A third party. This includes credit unions and warrantee companies.
- Used car dealers and used car retailers. Carvana, CarMax, and other used car dealers provide a limited warranty, and offer extended warrantee options.
When to buy an extended warranty
An extended warranty on a new or used vehicle provides peace of mind yet comes with a cost. For the most part, you can buy a car warranty at any time.
If you’re buying a new vehicle that comes with a manufacturer’s warranty, chances are you won’t need additional coverage, as it’s not often that major repairs are needed on brand new vehicles.
You may also consider buying a warranty if the manufacturer’s warranty doesn’t cover specific parts/systems that you feel you need coverage for.
Used vehicles purchased from a dealership come with a limited warranty, and are more likely to need repairs, depending on the vehicle’s mileage. If you can afford it, it’s not a bad idea to purchase an extended warranty for a used vehicle.
Either way, you’ll need to determine whether you want to add the monthly expense of an extended warranty or take a chance of not having coverage if a major repair is needed.
Are extended warranties worth it?
Buying a car warranty after purchase is worth it if you intend to keep the vehicle for several years. The older the vehicle and the more miles it has, the more likely it is that a major repair will be needed. If you currently own an older high-mileage vehicle, healthCAR coverage may save you money when a repair is needed. With healthCAR coverage you get free roadside assistance and towing, which provides peace of mind if your vehicle breaks down.
CU SoCal healthCAR coverage
CU SoCal’s healthCar Warranty protects vehicles up to 20 years old. Choose from these three coverage levels:
Platinum
Comprehensive protection. All systems and components are covered up to 100,000 miles subject to normal maintenance, eligibility, wearable, and mis-use exclusions.
Gold
Expansive named component coverage including powertrain, convenience, and comfort systems for vehicles with 100,001 to 150,000 miles.
Silver
Just the coverage you need for vehicles with over 150,000 miles. Protection for listed engine, transmission, and transfer case components to keep your high mileage vehicle on the road.
Additional healthCAR benefits
All healthCAR protection plans include the following benefits in addition to the covered parts repairs:
- Towing. In the event of a breakdown or accident.
- Jumpstart. If your car battery dies.
- Flat tire changes. Using your inflated spare tire.
- Vehicle fluid delivery. If your vehicle runs out of gasoline, oil, or other essential fluids.
- Lockout assistance. Should you get locked out of your vehicle.
- Alternative transportation. A rideshare vehicle may be dispatched to get you to work as necessary after a breakdown.
- Substitute transportation. A rental car may be available based on repair time.
- Concierge Services. Provides courtesy help and emergency phone call support to relatives, police, etc.
- Dependent Benefits. All roadside benefits are extended to your driving age student regardless of the vehicle they are travelling in for your peace of mind. We have kids too!
- Never expires. Continued coverage while enrolled in healthCAR.
- Worry-free. Your coverage adjusts automatically to cover your vehicle based on mileage at the time of breakdown.
- Alternate fuel vehicles covered. Coverage for gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles
Why savvy consumers choose CU SoCal
For over 60 years CU SoCal has been providing financial services, including mortgages, Home Equity Loans, HELOCs, car loans, personal loans, credit cards, and other banking products, to those who live, work, worship, or attend school in Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County.
Please give us a call today at 866.287.6225 today to schedule a no-obligation loan consultation with a CU SoCal Member Services specialist.
Get Started on Your healthCar Coverage Today!