Auto Repair Insurance Vista Drivers Need
Some of our Vista customers have been asking us about auto repair insurance, so we pulled this article off of the internet to share it with you. If you are a car owner in Vista, auto repair insurance might be worth checking into. Call Golden Wrench Automotive at (760)940-6060 for all of your auto repair needs. Advice and estimates are always free.
How Does Auto Repair Insurance Work?
Auto repair insurance is similar to extended warranties or service contracts sold by auto manufacturers and dealers. It covers the same kinds of things, which means it will pay to fix mechanical problems after your car’s new warranty has expired.
Not all insurance companies offer this coverage, and when they do, the policies typically have important limitations:
Act quickly – You must begin your coverage when the car is fairly new. GEICO, for example, will only allow you to sign up if your car less than 15 months old and has fewer than 15,000 miles on the odometer. Mercury requires that you sign up within 30 days of the expiration of your original warranty, and prices increase the closer you get to that expiration.
Coverage ends as your car ages – You can’t keep the coverage as your car gets older and more likely to break down. In general you’ll need to drop this coverage after about 7 years or 100,000 miles. Auto repair insurance generally comes with a $100 – $250 deductible, so many minor repairs won’t be covered.
When your car needs a major repair, you will first contact your insurance company to file a claim – and to get pre-authorization. Then you’ll be able to go to any authorized repair shop you choose, and your insurance company will handle the payment of any costs over your deductible.
Comparing Insurance to Extended Service Contracts
While they offer similar protection, auto repair insurance and extended warranties have important differences you should understand before buying.
Is it worth it? Some people in Vista find auto repair insurance to be valuable because it removes worries about big expenses. Plus, it provides added piece of mind for those who don’t know much about cars and who worry about haggling over repair costs. But for most people, this type of insurance is not a good value. Consider the following two factors:
Overlap of coverage – Depending on your insurer, coverage either must commence when your car is fairly new or, even if it is available later, your premiums will rise if you sign up later. In most cases, this means you’ll be paying premiums while your car is still covered by the manufacturer’s new car warranty. But during this period, the new car warranty will pay the cost of auto repairs, meaning you get no benefit from the additional coverage.
When you need it – Today’s cars tend to be remarkably reliable in their first 7 years and 100,000 miles, so the failure of major systems like engines and transmissions is rare for newer cars unless maintenance has been neglected. When the car is older and more likely to need expensive repairs, mechanical breakdown coverage will no longer be available.
Alternatives
There’s a better alternative. Instead of purchasing insurance coverage, consider taking these steps:
Research – Start by considering reliability records before purchasing your car. You can compare different models’ reliability on websites like Consumer Reports and TrueDelta.
Maintenance – Then make sure to keep up with the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. This is by far the best insurance against early catastrophes.
Trusted mechanic – Ask friends to recommend a local mechanic or check online reviews, so that you have someone you trust when repairs and maintenance are needed.
Save the money – Finally, take the money you would have spent on insurance or an extended service contract and add it to your emergency fund. That will give you protection from unexpected expenses of the automotive and non-automotive variety.
Compare with extended warranties – If you really want someone else to shoulder the risk of major car repairs, you’ll probably find a better deal by choosing an extended warranty, especially if you choose one from your car’s manufacturer. Price shop and keep in mind that the cost of an extended warranty is negotiable.
One final tip: If you do choose to purchase auto repair insurance in Vista, make sure you know what you’re buying. In some cases, instead of offering insurance coverage for car repairs, some insurers resell extended service products offered by other companies, which means the coverage will not come from that insurer. Golden Wrench Automotive is here for you. Call us today at (760)940-6060. Home of the “Stress-Free, Hassle Free Service”!