Star ratings, however, do not tell the whole story; the critical information is buried in the patterns of reviews. Drivers are often annoyed when claims are denied, and the phone isn’t always answered after the contract period has expired. Meanwhile, contented drivers tend simply to drive away without leaving notes. Reading between the lines means to pay attention to the details — the names of the parts, the dates, the money amounts, and how the company really handled the problem. more hints

It may sound great in coverage, but the contract is where the proof is. A “stated-component” plan is simply a list of what is included, whereas an “exclusionary” plan is a reference to a list of what isn’t. This second category of holes is crater-sized, and common carve-outs are: preexisting conditions, wearable items, trim, infotainment, sunroof, and emissions. Coverage typically does not kick in until 30 days and 1,000 miles are up. But if you fail to follow through on oil changes, your claim might die even more quickly than the bad guys in a spy movie.

“Your car-based pricing based on how many miles you drive, the length of your contract and where you live. Many multiyear warranties will run between $1,500 and $4,500, and the deductible for each visit can be as little as $0 and as high as $200. Some contracts also set maximums on the number of hours on a job or require the use of used parts. The largest sum of cash you can borrow is generally determined by the value of your car on the current market. If your car is only worth a few thousand dollars, that limit matters a lot.

Reviews are great when claims are well covered. Ideally, the repair shop receives pre-approval and payment directly from the warranty company. You do have to pay for the repairs upfront in the slow scenarios, and wait for the money to come back to you, which can take a while depending on the adjuster and the things you need. Diagnostics are another troublesome area. If yes, you could be on the hook for $180, even if the problem isn’t resolved and the plan doesn’t cover it.

There’s lots of red flags, like surprise checks, suddenly expiring-today bargains, vague / evasive answers, and extra things that you didn’t ask for if you pay really close attention. Evacuate the area.That’s the best advice. Always ask for a sample contract via e-mail and read the definitions. Words such as “seals,” “gaskets,” and “wear and tear” can be hard to understand. Other rules about ride-sharing, delivery use and lifted cars matter because many policies don’t cover them.

People will also want to consider cancellations. Some refunds are proportionate to what you paid, and others include an admin fee. It’s also sometimes the lender who gets the money back, not you. Clearly determine that you have the authority, how long it will take, and obtain a cancellation form in advance. If they stall, that’s your sign.

Real-life examples drive the point home. In July, one neighbor’s A/C compressor died. His claim was approved in a day, the warranty company paid the shop directly, and he was left with only a $100 deductible. He was very happy. Another friend’s touchscreen went bust, but her claim was rejected because it was “audio/visual,” so she was stuck. She appealed, lost, and now she might have to face actual knobs. Both were fair judgments on their face and both owners wrote honestly.

And when you compare, don’t just look at the name of the brand. Consider who is managing the contract, and the insurance company supporting it. A.M. Your job is to dig up the best available ratings; trends from the Better Business Bureau; and complaints filed with state insurance offices. Find out if the repair shop you’re considering will even accept the plan. Once you are speaking with sales, throw three questions their way to see how well they can explain things: the total cost, the brand of parts they approve and how to submit a claim. As for what you can find out, how quickly and accurately they reply is a lot more revealing than any ad.

In the end, the best extended warranty is one that matches your car’s frailty, the way you drive and the amount of risk you are willing to shoulder. Read carefully, make a phone call, read the fine print, and then sign. A bad contract may cost you a great deal more than even free repairs.