Warranty basics

How vehicle coverage generally works

Start here for the core ideas behind factory warranties and service contracts.

Informational only. The content on Warranty Roadbook is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance, warranty, legal, or financial advice. Warranty Roadbook is not an insurance company, carrier, agent, broker, warranty provider, or marketplace.

Factory warranties, explained

How a manufacturer's new-vehicle warranty is usually structured, the difference between bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage, and why time and mileage limits both matter.

Comprehensive coverage typically ends sooner than powertrain coverage.
Coverage usually expires at whichever limit, time or mileage, comes first.
Wear items such as brake pads and wiper blades are commonly excluded.

Extended coverage terminology

Plain-language definitions for terms you will see in vehicle service contracts, including exclusionary, stated component, administrator, and transferability.

A service contract is a separate agreement, not a manufacturer warranty.
Stated component documents list what is covered; exclusionary ones list what is not.
Read the cancellation and transfer sections before relying on any contract.

Exclusions and what they mean

Common reasons a repair may fall outside coverage, from pre-existing conditions to aftermarket modifications and environmental damage.

Damage from collisions, flooding, or misuse is usually excluded.
Aftermarket parts can affect coverage for related components.
Ask for written explanations of any claim decision you do not understand.

Deductibles and claim basics

How per-visit and per-repair deductibles differ, and the documents a repair facility may ask for when a covered repair is reviewed.

Per-visit deductibles apply once per shop visit.
Per-repair deductibles can apply to each separate covered repair.
Keep invoices showing parts, labor, and mileage for each visit.

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