Can You Buy a USAA Extended Warranty?
The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) began as a way for military officers to insure their vehicles, but has grown over the years to become a large service provider for millions of current and former members of the military and their families.
Beyond its insurance coverage options, USAA also offered extended vehicle warranties to its customers. Like other warranties, USAA’s products covered maintenance and vehicle repairs for set periods of time. The company no longer offers those products and services, but there’s still plenty to know about USAA Extended warranties.
Popular Warranty Providers
Does USAA Offer an Extended Warranty?
The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) offered a vehicle protection plan to its members, but stopped the service in January 2018. This just means that the company isn’t offering new contracts, not that it won’t honor contracts already in place as of the service’s discontinuation date.
What Are Other Options For Extended Warranties?
Fortunately, there are several other options available for extended warranties. Our research has shown that Endurance is one of the best on the market, from a coverage, cost, and customer service standpoint. Autopom! is another solid option, but in reality, the best extended warranty provider will be the one that makes you feel most comfortable about shelling out the cash to pay for the warranty.
CARCHEX is one of the largest, most highly-rated providers of vehicle extended warranties in the market. They have been a trusted name in the business for 20 years.
autopom! is well known in the industry for customer service and responsiveness. The company works directly with 2600 certified repair facilities and has a dedicated customer advocacy program.
Endurance Extended Car Warranty company is one of the most popular and trusted providers in the business. Endurance coverage is accepted at any dealership and at any ASE-certified mechanic, and features a 30-day money back guarantee.
What Did the USAA Warranty Cover?
USAA offered a couple of coverage options during the time its warranties were being sold. There was a comprehensive product that came close to what we’d consider a bumper-to-bumper warranty. The plan covered almost all mechanical parts, including the drivetrain and related parts.
USAA also offered a product to supplement factory warranties, where the comprehensive portion of the warranty is frequently shorter than the portion that covers powertrain defects. Drivers could purchase that coverage within 30 days or 1,000 miles of the end of the factory coverage.
The USAA plans also offered benefits, a couple of which were tailored to meet the needs of the company’s military clientele. If a USAA customer was deployed while holding an active extended warranty, payments and coverage could be suspended for up to 15 months. Once back, the customer could reinstate coverage and have the contract extended to match the original agreement length.
Will USAA Offer Another Warranty in Future?
USAA has made clear that it does not intend to bring back its extended warranty programs, and as of today, there are no direct replacements for the services it provided to military members.
Do I Need an Extended Warranty?
The most important thing to consider here is whether or not you actually need an extended warranty. If you plan on keeping your car for a long period of time, an extended warranty may help you avoid paying out of pocket for repairs as the vehicle ages. On the other hand, some vehicles age much more gently than others and don’t see the same kinds of catastrophic repairs that some models do. At the end of the day, an extended warranty is a great decision if it makes you feel comfortable about owning an aging vehicle, no matter what anyone says - not even us.
Pros and Cons of Extended Warranties
- Can prevent costly repairs as vehicles age
- “Extras” like roadside assistance and towing can come in handy
- Most can be transferred to other vehicles or owners
- Costs can add up over time
- Some warranty companies are considered to be real pains to deal with
- Your vehicle may never need a warranty-covered repair
