Types of Car Warranties

There are several different types of auto warranties that you should be aware of.

Once you have decided upon the vehicle you wish to purchase, you have to establish what options you need to buy with it. While these options can cover varied items (CD player, Air Conditioning, etc.), one of the most important options to be aware of is the warranty on the vehicle-or rather, its warranties.

A warranty is fairly standard for any car these days, but few users realize that there are multiple types of warranties that come with each car. According to Edmunds.com, there are four basic warranties that users should be aware of.

The Basic Warranty

First off, we have the basic warranty. This option covers all the 'basic' components of the car-the things that are most likely to break simply due to everyday use. These items can include oil systems, windshield wipers, and mirrors. Having them under warranty simply means that if they break (due to normal wear and tear), the manufacturer will replace them free of charge.

Drivetrain Coverage

Next there is the drivetrain coverage. This covers the basic mechanical components of the car. Now this doesn't mean that if your engine breaks, you are entitled to a replacement. However, the small components of the engine are covered, so if something internal goes wrong, the manufacturer will foot the cost of fixing it back up.

Rust or Corrosion Coverage

Rust or corrosion coverage is relatively self-explanatory: your car is protected from rust damage. However, this protection only extends to damage that causes a hole in the vehicle's exterior; surface rust doesn't qualify, as that could simply be a user-maintenance issue. This leads up to the last warranty type-roadside assistance. Some insurance companies (such as AAA) offer this kind of coverage as well. It simply ensures that should you have a problem while on the road, the manufacturer will come out to help fix it. These problems can range from vehicle defect to running out of gas to you simply leaving your keys in your car. Anything and everything comes covered.

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