Many people consider an extended warranty, or a vehicle protection plan, a must have for their new or used vehicles. One of the biggest reasons for this is the ability to have your vehicle repaired at little to no cost if the vehicle breaks down or has a mechanical issue. However, many people are unclear on exactly what will and will not be covered by an extended warranty or vehicle protection plan in case of a breakdown or issue. The area that tends to cause the most confusion or concern is breakdowns or issues caused by vehicle “wear and tear.”
What is Wear and Tear?
So what exactly is wear and tear in this situation? Vehicle wear and tear is considered to be damage or deterioration resulting from normal use and exposure. For example, a bearing in the alternator that begins to wobble and squeak because it is worn down would fall under the category of vehicle wear and tear. However, most vehicle protection plans will cover a repair on a covered component that has worn beyond the “manufacturer’s tolerance” (meaning the part has not lasted as long as the manufacturer intended). It is important to note that the more miles a vehicle has, the more likely it is that it will require a repair due to a worn out part (wear and tear), rather than due to a prematurely worn part or mechanical breakdown.
Perhaps another real-world example would make this even clearer. Consider that a hypothetical car’s engine has 425 horsepower when it is driven off the dealership lot (according to the manufacturer’s specifications). After six years and 75,000 miles, the owner feels his car does not have the zip that it used to have when it was new. He has the car’s engine tested and it is determined that the engine now has only 405 horsepower. This is an example of a gradual reduction in operating performance that is the result of normal vehicle wear and usage. This type of vehicle wear and tear complaint would not be covered by mechanical breakdown insurance or a vehicle service contract.
Is It Covered Under Your Extended Coverage?
Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to vehicle wear and tear is that every extended warranty or vehicle protection plan will have a list of specific wear items that are not covered in any situation. These include items that are expected to wear out and be replaced, such as brake pads, rotors, shocks and struts, batteries, belts, hoses, and spark plugs. Instead, these items need to be replaced at regular intervals and are classified as a normal maintenance or service item.
Now that you know a bit more about vehicle wear and tear, you are better prepared to make an educated decision on getting extended coverage. We highly recommend you read through the entire contract before you buy and see exactly what is and is not covered under the contract. Review whether certain items are excluded under the contract, such as overheating, rust, water damage, or wear items because no two contracts are exactly alike.
If you are shopping around for an extended warranty, or a vehicle protection plan, autopom! is a great choice. Give one of our knowledgeable autopom! agents a call and let us help you get a quote and walk you through the contract so you know exactly what coverage you are getting. Then, as you compare your extended coverage options, search for autopom! complaints, as well as the complaints of the competition, and see what you find. autopom! offers many different levels of coverage – from brand new vehicles, all the way to 25 years old, with 225,000 miles on the odometer. Contact autopom! for a free quote today!
