Jan
An extended warranty can give you peace of mind whether you are the original owner of the car and your manufacturer warranty is running out or you are purchasing a pre-owned vehicle. But when you shop for an extended warranty, don’t forget to price add-ons that can increase the value of your contract. Here are the top 3 extended warranty add-ons, and why you should be interested in them.
#1 Roadside Assistance
Roadside assistance can get you out of all sorts of jams. A good roadside assistance program includes features like:
- Towing – Get your car to the shop without paying a bundle.
- Lock-out assistance – Both sets of keys ended up locked in the car? Roadside assistance to the rescue!
- Fuel delivery – Never make that embarrassing call to a friend or family member again.
- Battery boost – A dead battery can happen at any time. Don’t rely on the car parked next to you being able to give you a jump start.
- Tire assistance – Sure you can fix a flat tire, but who wants to do it on the side of the Interstate in your dress clothes?
#2 Trip-Interruption Benefits
Airlines are always trying to sell travel insurance, but what about if you are driving to your vacation destination? If you break down more than 100 miles from home, trip-interruption benefits can help cover hotel costs in whatever city you get stranded in. Now instead of being ruined, your road trip just took a little detour.
#3 Rental Reimbursements
If you are getting warranty-covered work done by the dealer, you may get a loaner car just to drive around locally. For any other long-term repair situation, you’re going to need a rental. Knowing you’re going to be reimbursed for the extra expense can remove the sting of not having your own car for a few days while the repairs are being done.
Vehicle Service Contracts and the Add-Ons You Need
For the top extended warranties and add-ons, call Vehicle Service Center today at 1-800-280-6708 and speak to one of our vehicle protection specialists. Not a phone person? Request your free quote online by submitting the contact form.
Jan
Auto repairs can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars if the wrong thing breaks and you don’t have extended warranty coverage. There are, however, some general maintenance services that can help your car to continue running smoothly for as long as possible. We’re going to look at four of these services and how expensive the consequences can quickly become if these normal maintenance procedures are ignored.
- Oil Changes – First of all, you probably don’t need an oil change as often as you have been led to believe. Although the old standard was 3 months or 3,000 miles, many car manuals now say 4 or even 5 months and between 4,000 and 7,000 miles depending on the make and model. The consequences of failing to get regular oil changes can be a full engine replacement. That would run upwards of $4,000. A massive price to pay for skipping a $30-40 oil change.
- Tire Rotation – Not getting the tires rotated every 7,500 miles or so (some people just get it done every other oil change), can lead to early tire wear and the need for replacement. Since a new set of tires can cost upwards of $500, you want to put it off as long as you safely can, and tire rotation extends that safe period.
- Timing Belt – This can be a $1,000 expense in and of itself. The good news is that most cars only need it done every 90-100,000 miles. On the other hand, failure to keep the timing belt in good shape can result in it breaking. This often does a tremendous amount of damage to the engine. You’re talking $2,500 and up easily.
- Brake Pads – Replacing your brake pads can cost a couple of hundred dollars, but that’s a lot cheaper than the $600 it can cost if you need to replace your rotors too. Get your brakes checked at least once a year and sooner if you hear squealing when you brake or have to push the pedal down harder than usual.
Get the Protection You Need from Massive Repair Bills
Of course, taking care of your vehicle will only get you so far. The repair bills will eventually come. When they do, you will want an extended warranty from Vehicle Service Center to offset the costs. For a free quote, call us today at 1-800-280-6708 or submit the online request form.
Jan
Vehicle service contracts are often referred to as extended warranties. These contracts provide coverage in case of a major repair, much the way a warranty does when you initially purchase a vehicle. However, while many auto manufacturers include at least some measure of a warranty on a new car, warranties for used cars need to be purchased from a third-party. Here are two reasons to find an affordable vehicle service contract if you don’t already have one on your used vehicle.
#1 The Car Is Older
Manufacturers provide warranties on new cars because they are new and less likely to break. But once a car is already past its prime is when you need that protection more than ever. A vehicle service contract can help protect you against the major repairs that are usually unnecessary during the first 60-100,000 miles of driving a vehicle, but the become more common between 100-200,000 miles.
#2 Bundled Extras Like Roadside Assistance
How is the battery on your used car? Did your pre-owned vehicle come with brand new tires? Have you ever run out of gas or locked your keys in the car? Roadside assistance is a must for drivers, and it only becomes more important if a car is older. The gas gauge may not be functioning properly, or worn tires may be ready to go flat. Don’t get stuck looking for the person who owns the car next to you in the parking lot to see if you can get a jumpstart. Roadside assistance can be bundled with your extended warranty.
Get Peace of Mind Today with Auto Warranty Protection
The pros at Vehicle Service Center can help you to get the coverage you need to enjoy peace of mind while driving your pre-owned vehicle. Contact us today at 1-800-280-6708 to get your free quote now!
Jan
The cost of auto repairs has reached ridiculous levels, and there’s no reason to believe your mechanic is going to drop his or her prices in 2018. So what can you do to save money on auto repairs when they spring up unexpectedly? Here are five tips to help you.
- Ask Questions – Never let a mechanic work on your car without having a conversation first. Read our post about 5 Things to Ask Your Mechanic to learn about some of the most important matters to discuss.
- Check Reviews – If the repair shop is not qualified to work on your vehicle or has a lot of bad reviews from angry customers, it’s time to find a new shop.
- Second Opinion – Don’t let a shady shop tell you that you need $1,000 in repair work on things that are unrelated to what you came in for. Is it possible all that other damage existed and you really need the repairs? Sure. Just don’t take one person’s word for it – especially when he or she stands to gain a lot of money from making something up.
- Get Estimates in Writing – Don’t let the shop repair anything until you approve it and you have a document in writing stating how much you will be charged for both parts and labor on any given service.
Protect Yourself – A vehicle service contract can protect you against covered expenses when the need for repairs suddenly arises. Vehicle Service Center offers a wide range of coverage options so you can get the extended warranty you need while staying in budget. To learn more and to have one of our vehicle protection specialists provide you with a free quote, call 1-800-2806708 today!