Auto Warranties

Warranties And Insurance Certainly Aren’t Glamorous – But In Today’s Economic And Tech-Centric Environment, They’re Absolute Necessities

While consumers are apt to share excitement over the car they’ve purchased, or their new iPhone, laptop or tablet, the cost of a warranty for the car or Apple Care isn’t nearly as exciting. It’s the same with life insurance. One hopes it will never become necessary to use the policy, but as with all warranties and major insurances, you are grateful you have them in place in the event you need them.

With cars now incorporating intricate and sensitive computerized systems and monitors, in addition to mechanical advances that go well beyond your father’s Buick from the 70’s, the cost to make repairs has skyrocketed. In fact, according to Warranty Week, automotive claims amongst the top three passenger car makers and the top four large vehicle manufacturers were up 20% in 2015, hitting a record high of $15.65 billion. This figure represents the largest annual increase and highest total since 2003.

Drill this down to the average American car owner. If and when repairs are called for, they’re never expected and usually, they’re not included in the household budget. If the car was purchased new, there’s a manufacturer’s warranty that should cover most all repairs during the initial period of typically one to three years. However, when the manufacturer’s warranty runs out, what happens next? Plus, as cars age, they tend to require a steadily increasing number of repairs.

The solution, however, is mundane yet simple – it is time for consumers to recognize auto warranties as a necessary part of car ownership, and budget accordingly. According to Luis Nieves, CEO of Trustmark Warranty, many people shy away from warranties for their used cars, but there are over 11 million used car sales in between private parties in the U.S. each year. And those cars will require repairs as they age.

According to Nieves, “A warranty that covers repairs for your car is much like other warranties and insurances. They are there when you need them, covering unexpected expenses having to do with car repairs and towing, much like Apple Care does for your computer and iPhone, or life insurance does for your family. There’s incredible peace of mind that comes with having these types of warranties and insurances in place.”

Nieves, who is nationally recognized as The Consumer Auto Advocate and has a blog featuring extensive automotive information, tips and links at www.TheConsumerAutoAdvocate.com, continues, “When choosing a warranty, it’s very important to research the company behind an auto warranty. Check out the insurance company that is backing all of the claims. How well capitalized are they and what is their rating? Also, get background on the company who will be administering your automotive repair claims on the Better Business Bureau website. What is the company’s rating and how many complaints have been filed against them? There’s also a website called ConsumerAffairs.com that has verified ratings and reviews on various companies that offer automotive warranties for used vehicles. These are all good resources to ensure you are working with a reputable company with a good record of paid claims.” “While auto warranties, Apple Care and life insurance aren’t glamorous topics of conversation, we all rest a bit easier knowing we’re protected against the unexpected,” concluded Nieves.

About Trustmark Warranty: 

Trustmark Warranty is a tech-based, direct-to-consumer provider of Vehicle Service Contracts for private owners of used cars. Trustmark Warranty maintains an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau and their vehicle service contracts are available in 12 to 48-month terms. Trustmark Vehicle Service Contracts provide industry-leading coverage and are guaranteed by an A-rated insurance company with $32 billion in assets. The Administrator has been in business for more than 25 years and has paid out more than $650 million in claims. For more information, visit www.trustmarkwarranty.com.