What does bumper to bumper warranty cover – Coverage & Terms

Looking for the highest level of warranty protection? You must check bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage.

Those wondering what does bumper to bumper warranty cover should know that the comprehensive coverage includes repairs and labor for almost all parts and systems in the case of a mechanical breakdown. Most vehicles nowadays come with 3 to 4 years of bumper to bumper warranty coverage as a part of a limited-service vehicle contract by a dealership. While it comes under a factory warranty, you can get it through an extended warranty after the expiration of your factory warranty.

If you are willing to learn more about bumper-to-bumper warranty, scroll down. Moreover, we have discussed what does bumper to bumper warranty not cover and some best warranty providers on the market.

What does bumper to bumper warranty cover?

Here is a list of services a bumper-to-bumper warranty covers:

• Braking
• Steering
• Suspension
• Vehicle body
• Fuel delivery
• Air conditioning and heating
• Electronics and electrical systems
• Engine, transmission, and drive axles

These are all the car components that come under the bumper to bumper warranty coverage. Now let’s learn what it excludes.

What does bumper to bumper warranty not cover:

Bumper-to-bumper warranties are often called ‘exclusionary’ warranties as rather listing down the component it covers; it includes the vehicle’s parts that it does not cover. While it may vary from contract to contract, generally, an exclusionary warranty does not cover the following things:

• Tires
• Glass
• Bulbs
• Fuses
• Wheels
• Bumpers
• Upholstery
• Wiper blades
• Clutch linings
• Brake pads and shoes

Well, we too found it ironic that a bumper-to-bumper warranty does not cover bumpers (all the parts in between). That said, it is still better than a lot of other warranty options out there.

Note: Always remember that a bumper-to-bumper warranty from a car manufacturer will only include repairs and replacements of faulty parts and not repairs from regular use. That means vehicle damage due to improper use or accidental damage is generally not covered under this warranty.

Also, it is essential that you show up at routine car maintenance appointments as suggested by the car manufacturer, as failure to do so will void your warranty. For instance, if you are recommended to come for a change every 5000 to 7,500 miles, you need to get it done on time; otherwise you will not be entertained free of cost.

What is bumper to bumper warranty?

 A bumper-to-bumper warranty is a vehicle service contract made by the manufacturer or dealership during the vehicle’s purchase. The warranty service contract covers all mechanical breakdowns due to manufacturing defects. All brand-new vehicles come with bumper-to-bumper warranties. However, the coverage limit varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.

So many drivers also ask if factory and bumper-to-bumper warranties are the same. Well, not exactly because a factory warranty is an umbrella term for a car service contract, under which comes bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties.

If your factory warranty by the manufacturer expires, you can get an extended bumper-to-bumper warranty to stay protected. In fact, those who purchase used cars can get an extended warranty to cover their vehicles.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

A powertrain warranty is a promise from the manufacturer or the seller to fix any issues regarding the vehicle’s powertrain. However, the only condition is that it must be a manufacturer’s or workmanship fault. It is an essential warranty coverage which is advisable to take as it covers all the vital parts of your vehicles including, the engine, transmission, seals, gaskets, drive system etc. also, this warranty usually goes for longer as compared to bumper-to-bumper warranty.

As vehicles go electric with time, manufacturers, especially luxury car makers, now offer warranties for electric drivetrains. While this may sound like a concern for traditional vehicle drivers, the warranty continues to cover powertrain components as well.

How much does a bumper-to-bumper warranty cost?

Typically, a factory including a bumper to bumper warranty comes free for new vehicles. That said, it doesn’t last long and expires after or before 3 years or as soon as you reach the mileage limit. After that, you need to purchase an extended warranty which costs somewhere between $500 to $1500 depending on the manufacturer.

As far as extended warranties are concerned, there is no general pricing model for them. It heavily depends on the vehicles, condition, model, age and mileage consumed. Also, sometimes the price may vary from location to location as well as the insurance package you choose.

Here is the breakdown of some popular manufacturers and their warranty coverages:

From this comprehensive table you can figure out that the minimum bumper-to-bumper warranty period is 3 years or 36,000 miles. Thirteen automakers offer this length, including, Buick, Ford, Nissan, and Chevrolet. The longest last for 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Only a limited number of manufacturers offer this length including, Genesis, Jaguar, Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi.

What does an extended bumper-to-bumper warranty cover?

An extended warranty is a must once your vehicle fully completes its factory warranty coverage. While it is optional, taking it will keep your mind at peace. It will cover almost all your repair costs as part of the deal to keep your vehicle running smoothly. That said, you need to consider a few things before getting an extended warranty: your car’s reliability and your finances.

Checking reliability is of foremost importance because if your vehicle has had repair issues previously while on a factory warranty, you may not want to spend thousands of dollars on an extended warranty. Also, most extended warranties don’t cover pre-existing issues. So if you think carefully about it, it’s not a viable deal for you in such a situation.

Best Extended Warranties 2022:

Since the market is flooded with hundreds of companies offering extended warranties, you must compare them all and consider the one that caters to your needs. Here are some recommendations for the best-extended warranty providers for the year 2022.

1. Carchex

Coverage Plan: Titanium

Cost: $100 – $140

Carchex is the best extended warranty provider with the broadest coverage options for both new and used cars. While the company needs a certain time of waiting period, it will cover your vehicle for 10 straight years once that period is passed. Its titanium coverage plan offers the best coverage near the original factory coverage of your car.

As far as payment is concerned, it will offer you flexible payment options. The company has been rated excellent for its customer service and for keeping its promise to provide exceptional service at a reasonable price.

2. Olive

Coverage Plan: The Complete Care

Cost: $60 – $150 (depending on the vehicle to vehicle)

Olive’s Complete Care plan is comprehensive coverage that includes all main component repairs for up to 3 years until the vehicle reaches the mark of 185,000 miles. The good part is that there is no waiting period. You can seal the deal after simple paperwork.

You can obtain its quotes through its website. All coverage plans are easy to understand and contain all the essential information you need to make a decision. For detailed information, you can contact their customer service as well.

3. Endurance

Coverage Plan: Endurance Supreme

Cost: $80 – $170

If your vehicle has less than 150,000 miles on it, nothing can beat the Endurance supreme coverage plan. You would be surprised to know that it offers coverage similar to bumper-to-bumper with only a few exceptions to note. The company has been rated well in their service quality and customer satisfaction.

It also provides outstanding add-on warranties as well as offers 24/7 roadside assistance, and complete tire and key fab replacement. The unique thing about Endurance is that it is the only company with a mobile app to connect to its customers and resolve their queries easily. That said, the company has been rated well for covering glower-milage cars.

Conclusion

If you take our advice, a bumper-to-bumper warranty is enough for those who keep expensive cars and rarely take them outside. However, for an everyday car, just a bumper-to-bumper warranty is insufficient as it doesn’t include components that depreciate with time, like brakes, brake pads, tires and windshield wipers.

After the expiration of your factory warranty after max 3 years, you must get an extended warranty for your vehicle’s protection. The top-rated companies listed above offer broad coverage plans at reasonable prices. Contact them today if your factory warranty has expired or is near expiration.

Related Articles:

1. Reputable extended car warranty companies | Get to know the best
2. All about the best new car warranty out there for new cars
3. How to carry out the car warranty transfer process with ease?
4. Revealing undiscovered facts about Tesla CPO warranty