5 things you should know about bumper-to-bumper warranties

When you purchase your new dream car from the dealership, your sales representative would ask you to invest a few more bucks in Bumper to Bumper warranty. Your first reaction to this would be what does Bumper to Bumper warranty mean and why you must invest in it. To answer these queries, you’ll get a full overview of this warranty plan for your vehicle. First, get to know about this plan and then make a smart decision about whether or not you should buy a Bumper to Bumper Warranty.

What does Bumper to Bumper Warranty mean?

Comprehensive coverage is another name for Bumper to Bumper warranty. Usually, it comes along with the purchase of a new car. It is also known as the new vehicle limited warranty. There are other factory warranties as well that come along with the Bumper to Bumper plan. The list includes powertrain warranty, drivetrain warranty, rust warranty, and road assistance warranty. However, the Bumper to Bumper warranty is a crucial chunk as it covers all the parts of a car from the front bumper to the rear end of your vehicle. There are a few parts that are excluded from this policy, for example, tires, brake pads, windshield wipers, etc. Moreover, an estimated time for this kind of warranty is usually between 3 to 5 years by the manufacturer.

What is the length of Bumper to Bumper Warranty?

When you buy a new car, you receive a couple of factory warranties along with Bumper to Bumper. Before, it was for no more than three years, but many manufacturers have now increased its length from three years to five to six years. All in all, the term of the warranty still depends from manufacturer to manufacturer. The more reliable your manufacturer is; the longer length of the warranty plan you will receive. Here are the warranty lengths of some of the most preferred brands in the US. Honda, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, and Chevrolet gives either three years of warranty or till the car gets 36000 miles. Whereas BMW and Land Rover extends its Bumper to Bumper warranty for four years or till the vehicle reaches 50,000 miles. On the other hand, Hyundai and Kia offer a warranty for five years or till it reaches 60,000 miles.

What does a Bumper to Bumper warranty cover and doesn’t cover?

Bumper to Bumper warranty ensures the lifespan of your car till it lasts. It makes sure that your car functions and parts are working perfectly. In case of a car breakdown, you can claim your warranty. The manufacturer would repair the fault without asking you to pay extra money for the repairs. It is a comprehensive coverage package, and once your manufacturer’s Bumper to Bumper ends, you can get an extended warranty. Let’s find out in detail what does a Bumper to Bumper warranty covers and what it doesn’t.

As the name suggests, Bumper to Bumper covers almost every part from your front bumper to the back bumper. There is a myth that the warranty does not cover the bumpers of a car. However, if the car bumper comes loose prematurely or without any accident, you can easily claim your Bumper to Bumper warranty. Apart from bumpers, there are other parts of the car as well. If any of them gets faulty during the length of the warranty plan, you can make your claim. However, some conditions have to be fulfilled and checked before you make a claim. Before telling you the terms and conditions, let us have a look at the list of car parts.

Bumper to Bumper warranty list includes: factory stereo system, brake system, suspension system, steering parts, ignition, Fuel injection, Exhaust system, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, anti-lock brake system, Rear window defroster, windshield washer, traction control, safety system, Airbags, horn, headlights, taillights, power moonroof, trunk, car accessories, cruise control, wheel bearings, power seats, heated seats, Interior lighting, turn signals, HVAC, computer systems and much more.

However, excluding fluids and small faults in rotors and pads are not included in the brake system. You cannot claim a Bumper to Bumper warranty if your suspension system gets damaged due to excessive hauling or your exhaust system rusts due to usual conditions like road salt. Moreover, normal wear and tear are also excluded from the warranty plan, for example, a paint peeling or other cosmetic wear and tear.

When you buy this warranty, make sure that everything and every car part gets mentioned in your contract. Otherwise, you will not be able to claim those things that are not there in your agreement. Nonetheless, don’t get confused between the Powertrain warranty and Bumper to Bumper warranty.

Difference between the Powertrain warranty and Bumper to Bumper warranty.

People need to know the difference between two major categories of warranties; Powertrain warranty and Bumper to Bumper warranty. Both of these plans work together to protect your car. Initially, when you buy your brand new car, you get both of these warranties along with others. However, these two are the most important. A powertrain warranty covers the engine, transmission, gaskets, seals, timing chains, and more. On the other hand, the Bumper to Bumper covers your car parts from the frontal bumper till the rear bumper. Moreover, one significant difference between the two is that your Bumper to Bumper coverage will last less than a Powertrain warranty.

5 Things to know if you have a Bumper to Bumper Warranty

• Repair costs in the US are skyrocket, which is why it is advisable to have a backup in case of a sudden car breakdown. Bumper to Bumper warranty safeguards you from paying costly repairs if any problem occurs. There are a few manufacturer’s policies and third-party policies that also give free car rental if the vehicle repair takes longer than a day.
• Before you sign any contract for your Bumper to Bumper coverage, check whether the services are redeemable at any licensed repair workshop or are there any specific workshops. Usually, you can go to any licensed repair shop for the repairs, but some dealerships and manufacturers specify the workshops.
• If you are buying a used car, worry not, because you are still eligible to get a Bumper to Bumper warranty. However, it may require an inspection to evaluate the condition of the vehicle. Once after a thorough check, the warranty provider holds the right to limit places from where you can get your vehicle repaired. The determination of coverage will also depend once after your car’s assessment.
• There are deductibles to prevent fraud. Many car owners upgrade their vehicle by claiming their Bumper to Bumper warranty. However, Bumper to Bumper coverage only supports in case of premature faults.
• Bumper to Bumper warranty will only be available if there is some genuine fault in the car. If your car breaks down while you are trying to upgrade your vehicle, you will not be eligible to claim your warranty. Moreover, you can’t fool anyone because a mechanic can tell if the fault is caused due to an upgrade or has occurred suddenly.

Conclusion

Bumper to Bumper warranty allows car owners to take a sigh of relief as it covers them from high repair costs. Moreover, it also encourages the manufacturers to construct reliable vehicles that won’t need regular repairs. Once your warranty expires, you can also extend it with third-party warranty providers. However, be cautious! You don’t get into any scam.