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Jennifer Cook is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront and has spent hours perusing sample warranty contracts from vehicle manufacturers and warranty providers. She began her career in automotive content researching insurance and vehicle shipping companies. Jennifer is based in the sleepy town of Cedar Mountain, North Carolina and spends much of her time exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains. She hopes to become an accomplished scuba diver in the coming years but knows that fear of sharks is a healthy thing.
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Bumper-to-bumper warranties are known as exclusionary and cover the cost of parts and repairs for most vehicle systems.
Bumper-to-bumper warranties come standard with new vehicles and can be purchased from third-party providers for most newer vehicles.
You can expect to pay an average of $824 per year for extended bumper-to-bumper coverage.
Bumper-to-bumper warranties are the most comprehensive level of car warranty coverage available. They’re available for new vehicles, certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles and some used vehicles. If your like-new vehicle is coming to the end of its original limited warranty coverage, it may pay to consider an extended car warranty.
We spoke to Michael Chung, senior director of market intelligence for the Auto Care Association, about warranty coverage and what to consider when reviewing options. “There’s going to be nuances and some differences from one make to another,” he said. “If you know it’s going to need new tires, if you know that it’s going to [need] new brakes, do you buy that extended service contract?”
If you know it’s going to need new tires, if you know that it’s going to [need] new brakes, do you buy that extended service contract? Michael Chung
If you know it’s going to need new tires, if you know that it’s going to [need] new brakes, do you buy that extended service contract?
Based on quotes we received from reputable warranty providers, bumper-to-bumper coverage costs $824 per year on average. Month-to-month warranty coverage may cost more per year, but it provides more flexible coverage terms.
Endurance offers coverage for up to 8 years or 200,000 miles, but it only offers long-term plans.
A bumper-to-bumper warranty is also known as an exclusionary warranty or comprehensive warranty. These are the names of the plans because they cover most parts and repairs between a vehicle’s front and rear bumper.
New vehicles come with bumper-to-bumper coverage, powertrain coverage and other standard protections. Many providers limit vehicle eligibility for extended bumper-to-bumper plans, but many used cars that are less than 10 model years old still qualify.
Bumper-to-bumper warranties cover parts and repairs for a majority of vehicle components, including those in the following systems:
Most factory and third-party exclusionary warranty coverage also comes with additional perks:
Some bumper-to-bumper warranties may include additional benefits, such as limited tire repair or add-on options for other wear-and-tear items.
Even bumper-to-bumper warranties won’t cover everything. Designed to cover defective parts and faulty workmanship, these plans don’t offer coverage for routine maintenance or wear items. This means you’ll need to budget for services such as oil changes, tire rotations, windshield wiper blades, filters and brake pad replacements.
Bumper-to-bumper warranties also won’t cover any damages caused by the following:
Bumper-to-bumper warranties aren’t designed to cover emissions parts on most vehicles, including the catalytic converter and emissions control model. This is why new and select CPO vehicles come with separate coverages designed exclusively for these components. Similarly, protection for rust and corrosion is typically found in a separate warranty policy for new vehicles.
Don’t expect cosmetic items like body panels or upholstery to be covered by most bumper-to-bumper warranties. These plans also won’t cover windshields, windows, brake lights, body panels or other items that could otherwise be covered by car insurance. You’ll find a complete list of exclusions in your warranty contract.
Bumper-to-bumper coverage comes standard with new vehicles, but it typically has the shortest terms of all new vehicle coverages.
Most new vehicle limited warranties last between three years or 36,000 miles and five years or 60,000 miles. You can extend this coverage with some limitations by purchasing extended vehicle protection plans directly from a dealership or warranty company.
The cost of a bumper-to-bumper vehicle service contract depends on various factors, including how you purchase or receive your warranty coverage.
The good news is that new vehicle limited warranties are technically free. The cost of this coverage is wrapped up in the price of the vehicle, meaning you’ll likely pay nothing out of pocket for covered parts and repairs.
Our research shows that third-party bumper-to-bumper plans can cost you an average of $824 per year of warranty coverage. However, extended auto warranty payment terms often mean you’ll finish paying off your warranty well before your coverage ends.
You can expect to pay for extended warranty coverage in the form of an initial down payment, if applicable, monthly installments and a claim deductible. Deductibles typically range from $50–$200, though many warranty companies also offer vanishing deductible options.
Our team received quotes for bumper-to-bumper plans from the top warranty providers in the industry. See how these quotes compare below.
The quotes above reflect the range of what you can expect to pay for a third-party extended warranty. While the above table doesn’t reflect a change in cost due to different deductibles in the Carchex and CarShield plans, you should note that some drivers or vehicles may not be eligible for lower deductibles from some companies.
While shopping for an extended bumper-to-bumper warranty, you should be aware that several factors will impact the amount you’ll pay for coverage. Those factors include the following:
Most third-party warranty providers offer a range of plan options. The most common are bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties.
Powertrain warranties typically last longer than bumper-to-bumper warranties and are often more affordable, depending on your vehicle. However, the available coverage differs vastly between these plans.
A powertrain warranty covers essential systems such as the engine and transmission and is considered minimal stated-component coverage. Covered systems include the engine, transmission and drive axles.
A bumper-to-bumper plan covers everything that’s covered in a powertrain warranty plus components and repairs for almost every system in your car. It even covers repairs for electrical systems and high-tech components.
Automaker extended warranties are typically only available for purchase while your vehicle’s new limited warranty is still in effect. In contrast, you can purchase third-party bumper-to-bumper extended warranties at any time if your vehicle fits a plan’s eligibility requirements.
Third-party extended warranty providers open up access to thousands of repair facilities across the U.S. and allow the use of generic vehicle parts. Factory warranties restrict you to dealership repair facilities and guarantee the use of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. You’ll need to choose which aspect best fits your coverage goals.
New vehicle limited warranties provide significant value within a vehicle purchase. These plans protect you from buying a brand-new lemon — a vehicle that has one or more substantial defects that impact safety and is resistant to repair. Warranties prevent you from shouldering expensive repair costs for a new vehicle.
Whether extended warranty coverage is a worthwhile investment for you will depend on several factors, including your budget, vehicle age and anticipated repair costs. Bumper-to-bumper warranties cover expensive repairs that may be challenging to handle out of pocket. For example, see RepairPal’s estimates for these common repairs:
While shopping for a bumper-to-bumper warranty, pay close attention to excluded coverages and what actions may void your warranty coverage. Know which repair shops you can visit in the event of a mechanical breakdown and where those shops are relative to where you typically drive your vehicle.
You can choose the right warranty plan for your needs and budget by comparing coverage and prices from several providers. Don’t commit to the first offer you receive, and read any provided contracts thoroughly during your vetting process.
“Know your budget,” said Chung. “Are you able to stomach a significant repair bill? Read the fine print, the exclusions…. Is it a reputable provider? Are they financially stable? What’s the claims process like?”
If you want extended bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage, our team advises checking quotes for coverages from Endurance and Carchex.
Endurance offers six levels of coverage from powertrain to a comprehensive plan that works like a bumper-to-bumper warranty. Endurance is also a direct provider, meaning you’ll receive coverage directly from the company. We like this aspect of Endurance because it streamlines the customer claims experience.
In addition to its coverage lineup, Endurance boasts some of the most affordable monthly rates among top providers in our research. However, annual coverage rates for bumper-to-bumper coverage may be high.
Carchex offers convenient month-to-month pricing for its warranty plans, eliminating the need to commit to a long-term contract. However, this payment structure means you may pay more for your coverage overall.
Carchex has partnerships with several well-known names across the automotive industry. These partners include Kelley Blue Book, RepairPal, Edmunds and SiriusXM, reflecting the company’s progress over more than 25 years in business.
Invest in an extended bumper-to-bumper warranty if you want to prolong your manufacturer’s warranty. Whether you choose coverage from the manufacturer or third-party provider, your extended bumper-to-bumper policy will protect you from the financial impact of costly repairs.
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