Almost all cars come with factory warranties that cover the transmission for a specified amount of time or mileage. These warranties run out at the end of the contracted period, and even a few miles over or a few weeks past the end of the warranty will not be covered. Separate transmission warranties can be purchased, reaching up to 5 years or 100,000 miles. It is important to understand the length of coverage, because if the car is beginning to show signs of a problem before the warranty runs out, the damage would likely be covered. One car owner had repeating problems with his vehicle and did not even realize it was the transmission. When he took the car to a shop that was covered by his warranty, the whole transmission was replaced and he only had to pay a $40 car rental bill out of pocket. Work done by a car dealership or approved mechanics are usually covered items, but each warranty will have specific coverage and it is important to know what that coverage is. Transmission warranty plans cover defects in the parts or workmanship. This differs from excessive wear and tear or abuse of the vehicle.
Items Not Covered by Transmission Warranty
Transmission warranties are somewhat limited in scope, unlike bumper-to-bumper warranties. Transmission warranties usually cover actual parts replacement for the transmission only and some or all of the labor. Because transmission replacement is so expensive, a transmission warranty may still be a good idea. Towing is not usually covered by transmission warranty plans. Much to the dismay of individuals whose warranty has expired, past time limit and past mileage transmissions are not covered. Loss of the vehicle is not usually covered. Renting or borrowing alternate transportation is something that will fall on the car owner to arrange while the warranty repairs take place.
There may be fine print about whether or not the vehicle is used for commercial purposes. If warranty specifications for acceptable commercial use are not met while the vehicle is being used for commercial purposes, the warranty will be void.
Benefits of Seeking the Best Warranty Options
Transmission warranty plans may be useful, but some plans do not cover enough to be worthwhile for the consumer. It is important to read through the plan and all fine print before making a decision about warranty coverage. Sometimes the warranty is just a revenue generator for the mechanic shop or car dealership and is not a good option for the customer. Other times transmission warranties are very useful. Some types of cars have records of transmission problems, and before buying a car at all one should know what typical weaknesses might exist and whether or not additional warranty coverage might be a good idea. One may want to become familiar with different warranty options before getting into a sales situation where he or she feels pressure to make a decision. Knowing what is out there, what is needed, and what is best in one’s particular situation are all integral factors to finding the best warranty option.
