Get a Car Warranty Quote Online

You’ve read Car Talk’s guide to the best extended warranties and you’ve decided it makes sense to purchase one for yourself. But you’re not done yet. Now, you have to pick which company, and which plan, is best for you. That means you need to start comparison shopping, so we’ve put together this handy guide to getting a car warranty quote online to help you do just that.

Our Car Warranty Quote guide will show you how to compare extended warranty plans to find the ones that make the most sense for you. And it’ll tell you how to compare prices between those plans, and even try to get price matches from different vendors.

How to Get a Car Warranty Quote Online

Getting a car warranty quote online is easy. Just go to a warranty company’s website and fill out a form. We’ve put four of the most popular vendors in a handy list below, with links to their websites as well as their phone numbers.

Many companies will want to speak with you directly, even if you fill out an online form, just to make sure they have all the information they need to give you an accurate quote.

What Information Do You Need to Get a Car Warranty Quote?

Any vendor you’re getting a warranty quote online from will need to know several things about your car. They’ll want you to provide the year, make and model of the vehicle. You’ll need to know the odometer reading, and the car’s VIN, which you can find on a small tag on the driver’s side dashboard just under the windshield. You’ll, of course, need to tell them what state your car will be covered in, as well as the tier of service you want to buy.

How to Get the Best Price for an Online Car Warranty Quote?

Getting the best price for a car warranty is a lot like getting the best price for anything else: Shop around, negotiate, and try not to buy anything you don’t need.

You not only want to get more than one quote, but you’ll want to be sure to tell the vendors you’re doing that. Knowing you’re shopping around makes vendors more likely to consider dropping the price to attract your business.

Quotes aren’t set in stone. You can negotiate; the worst outcome is that the quote doesn’t change. But it’s very possible, especially if they know you’re shopping for other companies, that they’ll be willing to negotiate the price down. If you can’t negotiate on upfront pricing, try bargaining on the elements of the plan. See if you can get a lower deductible for service calls. Or perhaps you can get a longer period of coverage for the same price - or a shorter one for a lower price!

Carefully go over the quoted plans to see if there are any elements you don’t need. If you already have roadside assistance coverage through a group like AAA, you probably don’t need that coverage from your extended warranty. Try offering to remove that coverage in exchange for a lower price.

And check for hidden discount plans. Sometimes companies will have a lower-cost plan available, but won’t advertise it like they do higher-cost plans. Often just asking “is there a lower-cost plan available” can save you money.

Questions to Ask When Getting a Vehicle Warranty Quote?

The most important thing to understand when getting an extended car warranty quote is what the warranty will cover. That includes understanding what the warranty will not cover. This is where you need to get a copy of the contract that you’d sign, and read it carefully. Make sure terms are defined; what exactly does “powertrain” coverage mean? What specific parts are, and are not, covered?

The easiest contracts for that question are called exclusionary contracts. Those warranties cover everything except parts that are specifically excluded in the contract. Usually an exclusionary contract will cover more than other plans, but the downside is that they’re usually more expensive too.

Once you know what’s covered, you need to know how to get that coverage. Find out what you’ll need to do if you have to file a claim. Do you pay up front and then wait for reimbursement, or does the company pay the shop directly? Is the claims-filing process simple and understandable, or convoluted? Some companies make filing claims easy, while others don’t. It’s always a good idea to have a hassle-free way to file claims.

You’ll want to find out what voids the warranty. For example, most warranties require you to perform regular maintenance like oil changes on your car. If you fail to do that, you risk losing coverage. Make sure the things that void the warranty make sense, and don’t require unreasonable actions on your part.

It’s also a good idea to find out where you can get service. Can you use your own mechanic, or do you have to take your car to a company-approved shop? If the company lets you choose the mechanic, it’s not a bad idea to call your shop and make sure they’re willing to work with that company.

What to Consider Before Getting an Extended Car Warranty?

The first thing to think about when shopping for a car warranty quote is whether or not it makes sense to have one in the first place. If you have a slush fund set aside for unexpected car repairs, and you drive a car with a good reputation for reliability, it might not. On the other hand, if you drive a car that’s known for spending lots of time in shops, an extended warranty might make more sense. Beyond the economics, if you’re the type of person who loses sleep worrying that the car might break and stick you with a big bill, an extended warranty might be worth it, just for peace of mind.

If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably already considered that and decided the extended warranty makes sense for you. Now you need to think about several things to make sure you get the best-fit plan for your needs.

Look into the reputation of the companies you’re getting car warranty quotes from. Check for any negative reviews or a pattern of complaints with agencies like the Better Business Bureau. If a company seems shady, it’s best to shop elsewhere. We’ve made a handy list of companies we’ve reviewed positively to help you get started:

Before shopping for a car warranty quote online, think about making a list of things you want, and possibly things you don’t want out of the warranty. Target companies that best fit that list. Don’t be afraid to ask if something you want can be added to the coverage, but expect to pay more if it can.

For more information on this topic, check out our Extended Warranties Insider’s Guide and our top picks for the Best Extended Warranties on the market today.