HOW TO AVOID DENIED VEHICLE EXTENDED WARRANTY CLAIMS
You’ve just purchased a used car warranty because you want to feel safe from unexpected auto repairs. You’ve read the car extended warranty reviews and searched for any hidden extended warranty service complaints and are reasonably sure the company you’ve chosen is one of the best used car warranties available. So now, whatever could go wrong with your car would be a covered condition, right?
Get our inside tips on making the claims process easy. Learn to avoid these several stumbling blocks.
Get to know the little secret in used car warranty coverage
There is a little known secret in the auto repair warranty business. It’s called the “wear and tear” exclusion. In technical terms, it is: “the expected reduction in performance of a part due to the car’s age, mileage, or use”.
Some denied claims are the result of normal “wear and tear” situations. Most extended service contract holders assume their warranty contract will pay for these claims, since the worn-out parts are listed as “covered components.” However if you purchased your car extended warranty cheap, you might be required to pay for worn parts. The best auto extended warranties contract language states: “We will reimburse you or a repair facility for the fair and usual cost to repair or replace any breakdown of said parts on your vehicle.”
When you are buying a car extended warranty, be sure “wear and tear” coverage is included as a condition of your warranty terms.
Parts such as tie-rod ends, wheel bearings, CV joints, U-joints, suspension bushings, and even many engine parts are considered parts that will wear out over time. If these parts have worn down beyond the manufacturer’s tolerances and expected lifespan, and your agreement does not include “wear and tear” coverage, your claim will be denied.
Make sure your extended vehicle warranty contract states the following in clear language!
“Wear and tear” coverage should be openly described in your warranty fine print with wording similar to this: “It is the company’s responsibility to repair or replace any part that no longer meets the manufacturer’s specifications, whether it is broken or not.”
If you find this simple statement in your automobile warranties coverage conditions, you can be assured that you will not face the disappointment of a rejected claim if the failure is attributed to “wear and tear.”
About the author: The Warranty Watchman, a.k.a. David Olthoff, has specialized in auto extended warranties for the past 21 years.