How to Buy an Auto Warranty that’s “Worth It”

by Gregory Nelson

If you are deciding whether to buy an auto warranty for your used car, you may have noticed that the topic has almost started to move into the same category as politics: You shouldn’t bring it up at the dinner table, everyone has their own strong opinion, and there’s really no way to be sure of anything until you pick one and see what happens. 

However, I for one hate the feeling of finding out that someone has just pulled a fast one on me. I’d much rather know that I’m definitely getting something of value without having to take a huge risk. Therefore, I have the reputation in my family of getting good value for my money. 

So when I get the question “Is it really worth it to buy an auto warranty?” the best and most honest answer I can give is this: it depends.

It depends on what price you pay and what you get for that price. Obviously, the coverage itself is always going to be worth something. But it you pay too high a price for skimpy coverage, then of course it’s not worth it. On the flip side, if you find a reasonable price and make sure it includes all the right coverage, then that’s the type of auto warranty that’s “worth it.”

For example: Often, you’ll find that dealers want you to buy an auto warranty that you know is more expensive than purchasing from a third party. They’ll lead you to believe the price is higher because their warranty has better coverage. But with a little research you’ll usually find they offer the same (if not less) coverage than a third party warranty company with lower prices.

Previous post:

Next post: