bumper to bumper auto warranties

There are several types of automobile warranties available to consumers these days, but the bumper-to-bumper warranty is often seen as the most comprehensive warranty available. While the idea behind this type of warranty is to cover nearly anything that could possibly go wrong, there are sometimes some unexpected exclusions.

Buying a Bumper-to-Bumper Auto Warranty

In the case of brand-new automobiles, the manufacturer or dealership may provide the consumer with more than one warranty option; each one will have a different price point and cover different aspects of the vehicle. The most common type of warranty is the ‘powertrain’ warranty which covers mechanical failure of the engine or transmission. These warranties are usually free from the manufacturers of new cars because the likelihood of the engine or transmission failing in the first few years of life is slim to none. More cautious consumers opt to purchase the bumper-to-bumper warranty which covers much more than just the engine and the transmission.

Bumper-to-Bumper vs. Powertrain Warranties

A bumper-to-bumper warranty is designed to cover nearly anything that can possibly go wrong with a vehicle. With most warranties, customers are provided with a short list of things that are included in their warranty, especially when it comes to a powertrain warranty. In the case of a bumper-to-bumper warranty, the customer is provided with a short list of things that are excluded from their warranty; the list of things that are covered is generally very long and includes almost everything imaginable. As should be expected, bumper-to-bumper warranties are usually much more expensive than their narrower counterparts.

What the Warranty Covers

As its name would imply, the bumper-to-bumper warranty covers almost every aspect of a new or used car. This includes the engine, transmission, belts, electrical components, sensors, heating and air conditioning components, starters, alternators, brakes and more. Sometimes, if the warranty comes directly from the manufacturer, the customer may also receive free maintenance such as oil changes, tires, windshield wiper blades, sparkplugs and wires, and even a limited amount of free gasoline. The only things that are generally not covered in a bumper-to-bumper warranty are purposeful damage and general wear-and-tear, which is defined as damage or wear that occurs as a result of normal, everyday use.

What the Warranty Does Not Cover

The exclusions of a bumper-to-bumper warranty will vary greatly depending upon the manufacturer and the warranty company itself. For instance, many of these warranties do not actually cover the car’s bumpers! Anything that the warranty company feels should be reported to the insurance company will not be covered; this includes damage from accidents and events defined as Acts of God: hailstorms and tornadoes, for example. If a maintenance plan is not included in the warranty, the consumer is also liable for anything that is designed to be replaced regularly. These things include oil and filters, transmission fluid and filters, brake pads, drums and fluid, tires, windshield wiper blades and sparkplugs and wires.

Although a bumper-to-bumper warranty is a great way for consumers to protect themselves against costly mechanical failures, it is important to review the terms and conditions of the warranties provided by different companies in order to fully understand what is and what is not covered. In some cases, it is best to avoid paying the premiums for these expensive warranties if the repairs themselves are considered inexpensive.