There's no worse feeling than being handed a large bill from your mechanic when you thought your car was covered by a warranty. Prevent your claim from being denied and protect yourself by following a few simple rules that will also help to extend the life of your car.
Instructions
Avoid Warranty Issues
- 1
Ask about car problems when you buy used. If an issue was present before you bought the car, a warranty might not cover it. Also, ask whether the owner holds any warranties for the car and whether they are transferable.
2Change your oil and make sure other preventative maintenance is done according to the manufacturer's schedule. Be sure to keep records and receipts. Note that for extended warranties, some companies will not allow handwritten receipts or work that is not done by certified professionals.
3Drive your car gently. Some warranties cover only mechanical breakdowns and not wear and tear. Claims for damage caused by abuse will be denied.
4Check your warranty before installing anything on your car. Many accessories that are not manufacturer approved will void your warranty.
5Stop driving your car if you suspect a problem. If you do more damage to your car by driving it, your claim might be rejected. Many warranties will, however, cover the cost of your car being towed to the mechanic's shop.
File a Claim
- 6
Take your car to a mechanic's shop that you trust for an evaluation. Be clear and concise in describing the problem to the mechanic.
7Write down what you and the mechanic discussed, as well as the date, just in case there is a dispute later.
8Tell the mechanic not to begin work before your claim is approved by the warranty company.
9Contact the warranty company directly by telephone to explain the situation.
10Ask whether the mechanic will file the claim for you. That will save you the hassle of paperwork and phone calls. Most warranty companies are happy to deal directly with the mechanic, so you only have to worry about paying the deductible.
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