Is it worth paying for an extended car warranty?
An extended warranty provides an added layer of financial protection beyond the manufacturer’s warranty, potentially sparing you from unforeseen repair expenses down the road. It can offer peace of mind and financial security, particularly for those dealing with mechanical and electrical failures. Compare the specifics of the plans you’re considering to find one that matches your needs. How long is coverage available? Extended warranty plans typically cover your vehicle anywhere from 2 to 7 years. If you expect to keep your car for several years, a longer plan may make sense for you.Based on this data, extended auto warranties cost an average of $1,297 per year across providers, plans, coverage options and vehicles. We also surveyed 1,000 extended auto warranty owners in January 2025. The majority of respondents, 70%, paid between $500 and $2,500 in total for an extended warranty plan.Based on this data, extended auto warranties cost an average of $1,297 per year across providers, plans, coverage options and vehicles. We also surveyed 1,000 extended auto warranty owners in January 2025. The majority of respondents, 70%, paid between $500 and $2,500 in total for an extended warranty plan.New and Pre-Owned Extended Warranties An extended warranty may not be worth the cost if you’re planning on switching your vehicle within 10 years, since many modern vehicles are highly reliable. If you do plan on keeping the vehicle for 10+ years, then an extended warranty is certainly recommended.The Mercedes-Benz Extended Limited Warranty offers additional coverage with term options for up to three years after the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty expires. Put your trust in us. To purchase the Extended Limited Warranty or to learn more, please visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership.
How to calculate extended warranty price?
Calculating the Cost Use the formula Extended Warranty Cost = (Percentage of Product Cost) × (Total Product Cost). Ensure the final cost does not exceed 30% of the product’s price, adhering to industry recommendations. An extended warranty gives extra protection and peace of mind to both the buyer and seller. So, if you decide to part ways with your vehicle, you can often transfer the extended warranty to the new owner.Upfront Cost: Extended warranties can be expensive, and you might never use them. Weighing the cost of the warranty against the potential repair bills is crucial. Limited Coverage: Many warranties have exclusions and may not cover all types of repairs.Today, extended warranties represent a global industry worth over $120 billion annually, with profit margins that frequently exceed 50%. For many retailers, these warranties have become more profitable than the actual products they’re designed to protect.Your warranty doesn’t cover wear and tear. Damage caused by accidents excludes cover to your CV joints. An extended warranty plan might cover accidental damage to CV joints.
How do you determine if an extended warranty is worth it?
Have the car inspected to identify any possible issues and to determine if the car is worth investing in and insuring. Also, consider how long you plan to keep the car. After the car has been inspected, you can decided whether purchasing extended warranty coverage is beneficial. Certain types of damage may not be covered, leaving you to cover the cost of repair or replacement, which defeats the purpose of the warranty.A warranty may let you return, replace, or repair it if it doesn’t work as expected. A product’s warranty acts as a guarantee that it will perform. However, not all warranties are equal. A warranty might cover a product for a lifetime or a matter of days.The short answer is “no. Mark Kotkin, Director of Consumer Reports National Research Center, says that “extended warranties tend to be a bad deal for consumers” because “most repairs do not occur during the limited time period covered by the extended warranty. Sheila Adkins, Community Outreach Manager for the Better .Extended warranties are great for people who want to be prepared for possible repairs that may be needed once the factory warranty expires. Keep in mind there is a difference between third party and factory warranties.
Why should you almost never buy an extended warranty?
The warranty providers design these plans to be profitable. On average, customers pay more for the policy than they receive in covered repairs. Extended warranties are rarely a smart idea, especially if it’s a used car,” according to the consumer advocates at the Public Interest Research Group. Based on this data, extended auto warranties cost an average of $1,297 per year across providers, plans, coverage options and vehicles. We also surveyed 1,000 extended auto warranty owners in January 2025. The majority of respondents, 70%, paid between $500 and $2,500 in total for an extended warranty plan.Instead of buying a bunch of extended warranties that you’ll probably never use, you’re better off self-insuring by paying yourself the warranty payments. That way, if your TV does break after the normal warranty, you have the money saved to fix it. If not, it’s your money to keep. It’s a win-win!Usage — many people who purchase an extended car warranty never use it. And if they do, the cost of the repair is often less than the cost of the warranty. Overlap — if the coverage period of the extended warranty overlaps with the manufacturer’s warranty, you may pay for a warranty you’re already getting at no cost.The cost of a Mercedes extended warranty can range from $2,400 to nearly $8,000, depending on the vehicle and plan. You can extend the factory warranty by one to three years and cover up to 75,000 or 100,000 miles on the odometer.
What is not covered under an extended warranty?
What Is Not Covered Under an Extended Warranty. Preexisting damage: If your car is already damaged before you buy a warranty, the warranty won’t pay for repairs related to that damage. Normal wear and tear: Damage due to normal wear and tear, such as an alternator breaking down over time, may not be covered. They typically don’t cover damage that may occur in an accident or normal wear and tear to the vehicle. An auto service contract or extended warranty is not a warranty as defined by federal law, because you buy it separately; it’s not included when you buy a car.Like most insurance policies, an extended warranty is something you pay for in the hope that you’ll never need to use it. For many owners, it’s worth paying the price for peace of mind; even if your car is built by a brand renowned for its reliability, there’s always a risk that something could go wrong.Speaking of, only 47 percent of car owners have an extended warranty, and of those, only one in ten has actually ever used their service contract. Rather than buying an extended warranty, many car owners prefer to set aside a fund for big car repairs.Whether you have an extended warranty or a vehicle service contract, you typically have two options—transfer the coverage to the new owner or cancel it for a prorated refund.
Can you get your money back from an extended warranty?
How to get your money back. You can cancel an extended warranty at any time and you’ll get a prorated refund for the unused portion of your policy. If the warranty was included in your loan, your car payment won’t drop, but you may pay off the car sooner after the refund is deducted from your balance. Cons of an extended warranty Limited coverage: Extended warranties don’t cover all types of damage, nor do they always cover all of your car’s components. Loss of use may not be covered: Not all warranties include coverage for a rental car or other transportation fees in the event of an extended repair time.While car insurance and extended warranties share the goal of protecting your vehicle, they serve different purposes. Car insurance is essential for addressing damages resulting from accidents and external events, while an extended warranty focuses on covering the costs of mechanical breakdowns.What happens to my extended warranty when I sell my vehicle? You have two main options: Transfer it to the new owner (if allowed by your provider). Cancel it for a prorated refund (if applicable).The benefits of an extended warranty After the manufacturer’s warranty has expired, you may consider taking out an extended warranty on a used car. The advantages of this are that you gain the peace of mind of being able to cover the cost of certain repairs to your vehicle for the period of the warranty.When can I buy the Extended Warranty? The best time to buy the extended warranty is while buying your car. You can also buy your extended warranty later on, so long as the car is still under the new vehicle warranty. However, buying the plan later on implies a higher cost than when buying along with the new car.