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The Score: Auto Warranty - 1, Scamming Mechanic - 0

Rated 4.9. Votes: 68

Sometimes called an "extended warranty", a service contract is a promise to perform (or pay for) certain repairs or services. Although technically not a “warranty” as defined by federal law, service contracts may be arranged at any time and always costs extra. Warranties, on the other hand, ONLY come with a new car and are included in the original price. Vehicle service contracts are popularly referred to as "extended auto warranties" or "extended warranties". Use of the term "extended warranty" or "warranty" on this site is intended to refer to vehicle service contracts and not manufacturer's warranties.

Tiffany Ash always dreaded when she had to take her car in for the yearly state inspection. No matter where she went, or what kind of car she had, the mechanics always found problems. This year, though, she wasn't worried. She had an extended warranty for her automobile. So no need to worry about repair costs. Although that was a nice change, other things were the same as ever.

Tiffany couldn't imagine that the mechanic would find anything wrong with her 2007 Honda Accord with only 44,500 miles. Besides, she though, even if they did, her car warranty would cover it. So she wasn't concerned about being ripped-off. But she should have been.

According to Tiffany, "The mechanic came into the waiting room and told me that I needed a new blend air door, a new oxygen sensor, and a new master cylinder, and that it would be something like $1000 to pay for it all. I almost cried." But instead of crying, Tiffany told the mechanic to call her extended warranty company and to submit the claim. Great news, they were all covered. But because of the cost of the repairs, the auto warranty company sent an inspector to check out the claim. "As soon as the mechanic found out an inspector would be sent, he told me that there was a mistake, the prices were too high, and maybe the oxygen sensor was fine, explained Tiffany.

The warranty inspector arrived and made sure everything was on the up-and-up, which, after the mechanic changed his mind and price, it was. "I used to hear people making complaints about some mechanics, and now I know why," said Tiffany. But, she said, she is glad that she has a car warranty backing her.

Brokers such as AA Auto Protection specialize in offering plans that not only can help people avoid expensive repairs. But they can also help people avoid rip-offs and scams, which can be just as valuable as paying for a new transmission.

8/22/2010 10:29:35 AM

Comments (1)

That dont look like an Honda accord to me

by Samantha at 12/9/2010 7:49:30 PM

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August is the High Season for Vacations and Auto Repairs

8/6/2010 1:50:06 PM

Rated 4.7. Votes: 25

August - one month before school starts again, and the long descent into winter. People make the most of the waning days of summer, driving to places not quite as ...

As Summer Heats Up, So Can Auto Repair Costs

7/11/2010 9:24:16 PM

Rated 5.0. Votes: 46

This is the first week of summer. That means vacations, cookouts, camping – and high temperatures. Whether on long trips or short ones, people depend on their ...

Choosing the right repair shop for your vehicle

5/28/2010 7:16:10 PM

Rated 4.7. Votes: 21

So your car has finally succumbed to a breakdown and you're scrambling to find a mechanic who can fix it. There are multiple options in terms of mechanics who can ...

Bumper-to-bumper warranty could protect shoppers from cars with electronics failure

5/25/2010 5:39:35 PM

Rated 5.0. Votes: 2

As the systems that run cars become more complicated, vehicles are more susceptible than ever to breakdown. While this is an issue that bumper-to-bumper warranty ...

Des Moines police force feeling cost of repairs, auto warranty owners not

5/19/2010 8:14:49 PM

Rated 4.0. Votes: 2

A recent investigation by a news station found that the police force in Des Moines was being overcharged at the repair shop, something that extended warranty ...

AutoMD: Consumers save by going to independent mechanic

5/17/2010 9:47:13 PM

Rated 4.0. Votes: 2

A recent report by AutoMD, an auto repair website, says that consumers can save 25 percent, or $300 a year, by getting repairs done at an independent mechanic ...

Driving through deep water can damage car

Flooding in Northeast may negatively affect car's performance

3/15/2010 3:44:14 AM

Rated 3.0. Votes: 2

As if snow wasn't enough.

California Prius driver reports stuck accelerator on highway

3/10/2010 12:07:54 AM

Rated 3.3. Votes: 4

It appears that Toyota's problem with stuck accelerator pedals are failing to go away.

Five worst cities for car repairs revealed

3/8/2010 6:49:51 PM

Rated 3.7. Votes: 3

In what may inspire more car owners to look into extended car warranties, the five worst cities to get auto repairs, based on fairness, was recently revealed.