Welcome to WarrantyInfo.com

There are many factors one should consider before selecting a car warranty company.

Longevity and a proven track record are two important factors. Warranty Direct is the consumer division of one of the oldest and largest independent automobile warranty providers in the US. Our expertise in car warranties is unmatched with nearly 30 years of experience, over 2 million car warranty contracts sold and over $600,000,000.00 in paid claims. Click here to continue.

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The policy is called Mechanical Breakdown Insurance and it provides repair or replacement services for the operational failure of a motor vehicle due to a defect in materials or normal wear and tear.

In order to get the best mechanical breakdown insurance quote possible it’s helpful to have a clean driving record. It is also beneficial to provide proof of attendance to a defensive driving course.

Additionally, make sure your car is well equipped with a security system, air bags, anti-lock brakes, etc.

It’s always a good idea to do plenty of research when deciding on an insurance provider. Get a lot of quotes and don’t forget to read between the lines.

Yet, even with all the cool stuff that is currently available there are still even more high-tech gadgets to come.

In 2010 there will be sign recognition systems available in cars that will be able to read wrong-way signs and speed limits. Cameras may replace side view mirrors and the images would be displayed on the edges of the rear view mirror, or on the instrument panel.

Another cool advancement we may find in the future is “Chatty Cars.” Chatty Cars would communicate through a network that would monitor signals from car systems and warn other cars. For example, skidding due to icy roads could be transmitted to warn other drivers who are approaching.

Bumper bags are also being created and they could help SUVs be less destructive when hitting a low riding car.

High-tech gadgets are great for motorists and their technology allow for convenience, but it’s important to learn how to use these gadgets before getting on the road. With all this new equipment, drivers should have an extended auto warranty to protect themselves from technology and electrical system failures.

If your car does fully overheat, get comfortable because you are probably going to be stuck wherever you are for at least 45 minutes. If you can’t afford waiting it out, that means calling a tow truck to get your car to the nearest repair shop.

However, an overheated car can do more then just inconvenience you with downtime or a potential tow, in the long run it can likely cost you a lot of money by contributing to wear and tear on your engine, radiators, pumps, hoses and even your vehicles head gasket.

The best thing to do in this case is to be prepared with an extended auto warranty. Not only will it help cover the cost of your engine’s repair but it will also pay for that tow to the shop – that way you can move forward with your day and you also won’t have to worry about why people are looking at you funny when you put that break and shake ice pack on the hood of your car.

There are many things that you can do to get ready for the snow and sleet-covered roads. Below is a list of things that we think will help prepare you for when you find yourself face-to-face (or should we say wheel-to-asphalt) with some deceitful black ice conditions.

• Go slow
• Get a tune-up
• Get snow tires
• Bring a cell phone
• Add a block heater
• Clean off any snow or ice
• Carry tire chains and sand bags
• Make sure your car has the proper safety features
• Check your battery, coolant, wipers and rear defroster
• Carry plenty of supplies (ex. water, food, blankets, shovel)
• Be prepared with an extended warranty and 24-hour roadside assistance

Why do I say this? Over the last five years numerous cars have been damaged by flooding, hurricanes or heavy rains. Some states have even reported a six-time increase in the number of waterlogged vehicles from just five years ago.

So please be wary of not just the lifetime of the vehicle you are purchasing, but where and what it has survived. Don’t be fooled, most often vehicles with this problem are moved to less suspicious areas, where harsh environmental conditions were not prevalent. You can find them back on the used car market, camouflaged and rebuilt to look clean.

Before You Buy That Used Car

In order to avoid being a victim of deception, take the time to study and examine the guts and exterior of the car. If a flood has spoiled a car, it will rot inside and out. Water damage can also threaten the mechanics and electronics of the vehicle without leaving much evidence.

The point of all this is not to make paranoiacs out of all of you. The point is to install awareness and give you a platform of skepticism. Used car sales are expected to reach 45 million this year and consumers need to be on high alert when making a purchase. Another important thing you can do to protect yourself, would be to purchase an extended car warranty to cover any unforeseen repair costs.

It can be nasty out there. Don’t be a victim of the deception of a waterlogged vehicle.

Well guess what? That 300C is now on eBay for sale; and the price tag is not small by any means. Apparently, to be driving the car of the soon-to-be 44^th President is not a cheap venture. It is starting at a bidding price of $100,000. Interestingly enough, the Kelley Blue Book value of this vehicle is only $17,000.

Let be serious, what’s an extra $83,000 to own a piece of presidential history? If you are so lucky to become the proud owner, don’t be careless and forget to purchase an extended car warranty. This is not just your average used car. Maintain the car properly because the fact is that the value will continue to increase with each day.

Sometimes we buy cars because they’re cool looking, sometimes we buy cars because they’re fast, sometimes we buy cars because they make sense for our lifestyle, but one thing that should always be considered when buying a new car is how reliable the car will be.

After all, a car that looks good won’t get the appreciation it deserves if it’s cooped up in the garage with a busted clutch. Below we have provided you some information on reliable cars that will allow you to avoid the use of your extended vehicle warranty as much as possible.

Reliable Cars

Honda is a great place to start.  Honda has an incredible reputation of producing both safe and dependable cars.  Their cars typically need minimal repairs and experience very few problems.  The Honda Odyssey is a perfect example as it is ranked first on the list of durable cars.  Also making the list is the Honda CRV, Pilot, Accord and Civic.

Other cars that are known for their reliability are small SUVs, such as the Volvo XC90 and the Subaru Forester.  For those of you who want fast, sleek looking cars, the Acura RDX and Audi A4 are both luxurious and well known for their durability.

The Durable Cars List

These cars were selected for The Durable Cars List according to safety, vehicle performance, and history of complaints.  Anyone looking to buy a new car can feel confident in the purchase of any of the above vehicles, especially if reliability is what you’re looking for.

In addition, it’s always good to have an extended auto warranty in case of unexpected repairs that catch you off guard. Unfortunately, as much as we can help to prevent unnecessary fixes, we can only control so much – it’s always a good idea to be prepared for the unforeseen.

It’s so important!

Extended car warranties that include 24 hour roadside assistance can be extremely helpful for automobile situations that catch us off-guard. However, even with a reliable extended warranty it’s always important to be prepared for the worst.

That’s why Warranty Info suggests that all drivers stay safe by keeping a roadside emergency kit in their car at all times. You never know when you may be stuck out in the middle of nowhere, alone, in the dark and with no cell phone reception.

Below is a list of items that could come in handy when stuck in a not-so-convenient roadside situation:

• 12-foot jumper cables
• Four 15-minute roadside flares
• Two quarts of oil
• Gallon of antifreeze
• First aid kit
• Blanket
• Extra fuses
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Flat head screwdrivers
• Phillips head screwdrivers
• Pliers
• Vise Grips
• Adjustable wrench
• Tire inflator (such as a Fix-A-Flat)
• Tire pressure gauge
• Rags
• Roll of paper towels
• Roll of duct tape
• Spray bottle with washer fluid
• Pocketknife
• Ice scraper
• Pen and paper
• Help sign
• Granola or energy bars
• Bottled water
• Heavy-duty nylon bag to carry it all in

Video: Don’t Mess With the Old Lady

Airbags are extremely important and they save thousands of lives each year. When you take your car in for it’s next maintenance check-up, make sure that you have the airbag electronics checked out – If something like the sensors aren’t working properly, you don’t want to wait until you have an accident to find out.

The good news is that if they do find an electronic issue with your air bags and you have an extended car warranty, the fix will most likely be covered.

There’s nothing more frustrating then browsing at a car dealership, minding your own business and then getting approached by the dreaded car salesman. It seems like nothing you say will get him to leave you alone.

Here are some funny one-liners from our overly aggressive friends that I think we can all relate to:

• Everybody pays this fee
• This car won’t be here tomorrow
• We’re losing our shirt on this deal
• You’re stealing food from my baby’s mouth
• The web sites you got the prices from are wrong
• The bank requires you to buy an extended warranty to get loan approval

It’s hard to know as a buyer if what that sales guy is saying is factual or not. This is why it’s extremely important that if you do decide to make a big purchase that you do your research!

There are many resources available to you, including this site where you can find the car warranty information you are looking for. Did you know you don’t have to buy your extended vehicle warranty from the car dealership? You can save a lot of money by buying it direct.

Once you do your research and know your facts, you’ll find that fighting off that pit-bull of a salesman won’t be so hard.

Cartalk.com recently did a study on this topic and now we have some cold, hard facts. The results showed that on average the dealerships in the study charged 15% more than independent car repair shops for the same repairs.

Buy an Extended Car Warranty Direct and Save

When you buy a new car, you have the option to purchase your extended car warranty through your dealership; the problem with this is that if you purchase it through your dealer then your extended vehicle warranty will only cover repairs that are done at your dealership.

So on top of the higher prices that the dealer charges anyway, if you ever need service when you’re miles away from your dealer then you’re going to get stuck with the entire car repair bill.

Now, I don’t know about you but that sound alone would cause me to avoid any situation with even the slightest chance that I may have to parallel park. I’m still wondering even in this moment if there wasn’t a less disturbing way to describe the sound…I guess it must have been just that bad.

The conclusion was quickly made that the horrific noise was coming from her power steering. It’s an easy enough car repair to have made but it’s important that she goes in to get it fixed as soon as possible. Holding off on getting a repair made could lead to other issues and more fixes ($$$).

Wear and Tear Coverage

We all have little things that happen to our cars over time, simply from driving them as much as we do. Unfortunately the little things add up – a new tire here, a cracked window there - in this particular case, a power steering issue…It’s for little things like these that Warranty Direct offers Wear and Tear Coverage for their customers.

Wear and Tear extended car warranty protection is the highest level of coverage that someone can purchase and it provides coverage for both parts that break as well as those that simply just wear out.

So whether you have a squirrel in a blender, a rattle snake in a coffee tin or a little miniature man with a whistle making music in your engine – if that funky noise is caused from wear and tear, then Warranty Direct’s Wear and Tear Extended Car Warranty will cover it.

Having once been a youngster myself, I can empathize with the strong desire to have a turbo two-seater, James Bond, dream machine. Now a proud parent of a young adult, my empathy is outweighed by the concern for my child’s safety. This has obvious ramifications when choosing my young adults first automobile.

Obviously, reliability is going to be a main concern. Accredited reliability is out there, but can also carry a heavy premium in the used car market. Fortunately there are a few manufacturers building reliable vehicles at less of a premium than Toyota, Honda and Lexus. When comparing pricing with reliability it’s important to remember a few things:

1) Don’t be fooled that size means safer; there are many compact vehicles out there that have been rated well in crash tests.

2) Inexpensive doesn’t have to mean small; there are plenty of mid-sized sedans that are offered in the $5K range.

Affordability will forever be an issue with your kids first set of wheels. Gas, maintenance, an extended warranty, vehicle repairs and insurance costs must be considered before the journey begins.

Do your research. Invest your money where it is necessary. It is your responsibility as a parent to ensure the safety of your child, not spoil them rotten.

In most cases your automobile is a precious companion. So why not take the time to ensure your car’s life is enjoyable and long? Here are a few tips on how to extend the life of your car:

1) Change the oil regularly.

2) Change the air filter.

3) Flush the fluids every two years.

4) Flush the cooling system every two years.

5) Monitor your brake pad thickness.

6) Rotate the tires.

7) Keep the front end aligned.

Start slowly. Especially when the car is cold.

9) Use the parking brake.

10) Wash your car.

11) Invest in an extended car warranty.

12) Read your owner’s manual.

A car is more than a hunk of metal; it is your complexion, your accomplice, not just a facilitator, but a destination in and of itself.

Invest this newly found knowledge in not only protecting yourself, but protecting your car.

Show your sidekick that you care, give it the proper attention that is deserved…and in turn, it will take care of you!

The easiest way to make your car more efficient is watching your speed. Give up those jackrabbit starts and fast stops. On the highway wind resistance is your foe, and the faster you go the more gas you’ll use.

2. Lighten Up Your Car

Lighter cars get better gas mileage. Clear out the golf clubs, phone books, and miscellaneous “stuff” from the trunk. Also, a roof rack creates unnecessary drag, so remove it if you’re not using it.

3. Keep Your Car Tuned Up

Regularly schedule your car’s maintenance and oil changes. High-quality synthetic oil can extend the life of your car’s engine and help it get better gas mileage, too

4. Add Air to Your Tires

By keeping your car’s tires at the maximum recommended pressure (check your owner’s manual) you’ll get the best fuel economy and prolong the life of your tires. This can make a difference of one to two miles per gallon, which adds up, especially at today’s gas prices.

5. Buy a Hybrid

If you’re in the market for a new car, check out the new hybrid vehicles. There are calculators online that will help you determine how long it will take to make up the difference in cost.

A frequent misunderstanding is that by holding off buying an extended warranty, you will get coverage for a longer time.

That doesn’t work though, because the cost for a car warranty will increase as the car ages and mileage adds up.

You will be offered the longest terms and the lowest rates for newer vehicles with lower mileage.

The more factory warranty you have remaining, the lower the cost and greater the length of the warranty extension. In other words, you are paying for tomorrow’s coverage at today’s rates.

It was an interesting chat, in which Kelly gave some compelling reasons to buy an extended warranty for your vehicle, including the fact that car repairs now average $600 a pop.

You can listen to the interview by clicking the link below:

America’s Car Show Interview with Kelly Levine from Warranty Direct

Problem is, lots of times car owners can’t find the manual - it has either been lost, or didn’t come with a used car purchase.

You can buy a car manual from the dealership or car manufacturer, but you can often find them online for free. Here’s a list of links for most car manuals available online.

Anymore, getting the sexiest accessories in their rides, such as Bluetooth cell phone integration, is a big concern for a lot of buyers. 9 of the top 20 accessories people are most interested in are cool features such as backup assist, navigation, premium surround sound, satellite and HD-Radio.

One of the best perks of a brand-new car is the hottest technology and convenience options offered with a new vehicle. But you don’t have to purchase a new car or truck to get the coolest new toys. In fact, for the fee of a few loan payments, you can include just about any longed-for electronic feature to your current car.

Really big these days is the need to incorporate a portable music gadget such as an iPod or Zune. Fully half of all car owners listen to some type of digital music player in their cars, and more than 95% of new car buyers own a portable device, including a cell phone or navigation system.

Fortunately it doesn’t necessitate another 5 or 6 year-long car payment schedule to obtain the newest in-car gadgets. The most desired features (even HD-Radio and backup cameras) are all obtainable via the aftermarket.

You’ve got your ride pimped out just the way you want it – now make sure you protect yourself and your car by buying an extended car warranty. This way you won’t have to worry about car repairs down the road, and can enjoy the scenery and tunes as you cruise.

Please note: most extended car warranties do not cover factory installed luxury accessories like:

• GPS Navigation Systems
• DVD/Entertainment Systems
• Internet Access Systems
• Phone Systems

Vehicle choices that merge two or more sources of power are identified as hybrid vehicles. The most familiar is the electric hybrid, which melds a gasoline engine with an electric setup (electric motor, charging system, and a battery/storage system).

The two main types of hybrids on the market now are called “series” or “parallel” hybrids. Series hybrids are also referred to as “mild” or “partial” hybrids, while parallel hybrids are often called “full” hybrids.

In a series hybrid, an electric motor helps the gasoline engine when considered necessary, such as during acceleration or periods of heavy load, but it cannot run the car by itself. The batteries that power the electric motor can be recharged by the engine, or during deceleration (called regenerative braking). Examples of series hybrids are the Saturn Vue Green Line and Honda Civic Hybrid.

Parallel hybrids can use comparable recharging principles, however they can be powered by the gasoline engine only, the electric motor only, or both concurrently. Examples of parallel hybrids include the Toyota Prius, Nissan Altima Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, and GM’s new Tahoe/Yukon hybrid SUVs.

If you’ve been wondering if extended vehicle warranties will cover a hybrid car or SUV, the answer is yes, they do. In fact, you can get an instant online extended car warranty quote right now on your hybrid to find out just how much it would cost you.

“Deterioration in vehicle quality during the first three years of ownership—determined by comparing long-term dependability rates to initial quality problem rates—strongly affects overall customer satisfaction as well as customer willingness to recommend their vehicle model, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study SM released today.

The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of 3-year-old (2005 model year) vehicles, finds that, on average, customers report experiencing 75 percent more problems in the third year of ownership than during the first 90 days. “

It’s no coincidence that most vehicles come with only 3 years of factory warranty coverage.

Where Does Your Car Rate?

Among the best - Lexus

Better than most - Acura, Buick, Honda, Lincoln, Mercury, Toyota

About average - Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Mazda, Mercedes, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Pontiac, Porsche, Saturn, Scion, Subaru, Volvo

The rest - Isuzu, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Saab, Suzuki, Volkswagen

on average, customers report experiencing 75 percent more problems in the third year of ownership than during the first 90 days. “

You can protect yourself from the high cost of repairs with a premium Warranty Direct extended warranty. Choose from multiple levels of coverage, several deductible options and EZPay payment plans with no interest. Click here for a free, instant online quote.

Independent Research Firms

A company’s transparency with their customers is key. During online research, searchers are bound to come across web sites that profess to perform “independent” research, when in actuality they are simply a portal site for an extended auto warranty broker. They’re easy to spot when they conveniently recommend only one “Editor’s Top Choice” throughout the site or blog while claiming to be an independent research firm. Often, these sites print misinformation about other warranty companies in an effort to fool the consumer.

Become a Well Informed Auto Warranty Buyer

WarrantyInfo.com has always clearly stated that we are the official blog of Warranty Direct. We use this blog to give you clear, factual information about extended auto warranties so you, the consumer, will be well informed and able to make the best decision on your extended vehicle warranty purchase.

What You Need is the Truth

We were shocked and dismayed that one new “independent research” site printed several pieces of misinformation about Warranty Direct. One of our loyal customers let us know about a disengenuous site, AutoWarrantyResearch.com. The site states inaccuracies and deceptions that we feel we must respond to.

1. Warranty Direct plans are backed by insurance companies that have A- Excellent ratings with A.M. Best. Warranty Direct is NOT “self-insured” nor are our plans backed by a Risk Retention Group. 
2. Warranty Direct is the direct-to-consumer division of Interstate National Dealer Services, Inc. Interstate has been in business for over 28 years and supplies extended warranties to car dealers, financial institutions and leasing firms across North America.
3. This disingenuous web site links to an erroneous business report about Interstate/Warranty Direct despite being told that it contains errors. While we are a privately held company, our sales last year were well in excess of $100 million and our asset base is in excess of $350 million. Our 28 year track record of paying claims and customer satisfaction are well documented throughout this site.
4. Several of the pages on the WarrantyDirect.com web site have a counter that ticks off the amount of claims we have paid since the inception of our business. Today, it stands at over $600 million and increases by almost $100,000 each day. The “independent research” site would try to have you believe that we are claiming to have paid that amount this year. We find that notion plain silly.

Of course we hope that you’ll decide Warranty Direct is the right company for you. As our customer, we pledge to give you the best value and service in the industry.

Give us a call, we’re happy to answer any of your questions about our coverage, the claims process, etc… You can also get a free extended auto warranty quote on our website at WarrantyDirect.com.

I phoned Warranty Direct today to get some information on extending their coverage of my vehicle past the current expiration on the service contract I already hold with them. I spoke with “Kelly” who provided the information I needed in a most courteous and professional manner.

I just wanted to let you know that the service that I have received through Warranty Direct has been nothing short of exceptional. In an industry (extended auto warranties) that everyone warns is rife with scams and misrepresentations, Warranty Direct has been a model of customer service and integrity.

Although I love my 2002 Toyota Camry and assumed that I would never even need an extended warranty on a vehicle that has been so reliable over the years — I have to say that several unusual problems have occurred with my car. One poor idle situation that I thought was nothing more than a minor ignition problem — turned out to be a very expensive “air intake” component that had to be replaced with an OEM part at considerable cost. Several other costly repairs were needed shortly during the course of my ownership. It’s not that my Camry was unreliable, it’s just that the replacement parts and service are so incredibly expensive. The days of the hundred dollar fix are gone forever. So my extended warranty has proven a great investment and brought much peace of mind.

On the basis on my experiences, I would recommend Warranty Direct to anyone who appreciates the assurance of knowing that if help is needed, this is a company that performs as promised.

Sincerely,

M. Cinquemani

Most extended warranties define “mechanical breakdown” as a defect in parts and workmanship as supplied by the manufacturer, or a defect that makes the part unable to perform the function for which it was designed. Often, they will state that the gradual reduction in operating performance (wear-and-tear) is not covered. Service contracts that exclude wear and tear will not cover repairs needed because a part’s performance has gradually deteriorated because of normal wear and tear, unless a mechanical breakdown has occurred.

The more miles on a car when a repair becomes necessary, the more likely it is that the repair will be needed because a part wore out, rather than because the part broke due to poor manufacturing. Again, many extended warranties do not cover parts that wear out.

Before buying an extended warranty for your car, you should carefully review what is covered and not covered to see whether wear and tear claims are excluded from coverage. That way, if it is not clear whether a repair is needed due to a manufacturing defect or simple wear and tear, it is more likely that the service contract company will pay for the repair. It is a mistake to assume that a repair agreement will cover every repair your car may need.

Read more about wear and tear from the California Department of Insurance.

About Warranty Direct

Founded in 1980, Warranty Direct is the direct-to-consumer division of one of North America’s leading providers of service contracts and extended warranties for automobiles. Through its automobile extended warranty portals, www.warrantydirect.com, www.carwarranty.com, www.warrantyinfo.com and www.warrantydirect.ca , Warranty Direct leads the industry in efficient and expedited claims handling, impeccable customer service and a technology infrastructure that far surpasses the industry standard. Coverage is available in all 50 states and many parts of Canada.

For a free, instant online extended warranty rate quote, please click here.