Is Buying From a Warranty Broker Safe?

The Internet has given rise to dozens of “warranty brokers” all touting that they represent many companies and thousands of “the best” plans. Think about it, does this make sense? How can all of the plans be the best?

The fact is, auto warranty brokers search for the warranty that affords them the highest mark-up. Often, the consumer does not know who they are actually buying their coverage from and is unable to research the records of these companies. The companies supplying coverage to these brokers have the industry’s highest rate of Better Business Bureau complaints with several of them having over 100 Better Business Bureau complaints in the past 3 years. The brokers themselves also have a very high rate of Better Business Bureau complaints with one of them having over 300 complaints in the past 3 years.
BUYER BEWARE
Consumers should be aware that a warranty broker bears NO RESPONSIBILITY to them once the sale has been made. Here is what one warranty broker has buried deep in their web site:

Who Are You Really Buying Your Car Warranty From?

Did you know that in most instances, the company you are buying your warranty from has nothing to do with paying your warranty claims?
The safest way to buy an extended automobile warranty is to buy direct from the warranty administrator.

Extended Warranty Administrator – This is the company that actually issues the warranty and is responsible for paying any claims. This is the company that should come under the closest scrutiny by consumers. Buying coverage direct from an administrator offers the most security as your money goes directly to the company responsible for fulfilling the obligations under the warranty contract. You will also be able to obtain the same coverage they sell through car dealers and avoid the car dealer’s markup. Administrators will offer you pre-sale counseling and after sale support.

How to Research an Extended Warranty Company

Researching an Extended Warranty Company

Next to your house, your automobile is probably your biggest investment. Finding the right company to entrust your vehicles repairs is easy if one knows where to look. The following resources can assist you in selecting the right company.

Better Business Bureau – The Better Business Bureau (BBB) provides online access to a company’s BBB Reliability Report at http://search.bbb.org/ . The report will show pertinent information about the company as well as its complaint history. The BBB also has a special site for automobile warranty issues at http://lemonlaw.bbb.org/ .

Glossary of Extended Warranty Terms (Part 1)

Here are some common terms you will need to know as you research extended warranties.

Administrator:
The company that authorizes and pays the repair facility for repair work to your vehicle. The administrator works with the repair facility to make sure your claim is handled properly. As they are the company that pays your claim, their financial strength is the most important factor in choosing a warranty company.

All Wheel Drive (AWD)
All four wheels are driven by the engine. AWD systems are superior to 4WD because they can be used under any road conditions. AWD systems use a center differential to allow the front and rear wheels to rotate at different speeds. AWD provides better traction than front or rear-wheel drive.