America’s Trusted Mechanic and CARCHEX spokesperson Pat Goss shares his Extended Vehicle Warranty Buying Tips to make sure you don’t get scammed!

Last week, Pat Goss shared his first seven tips to help you pick the right extended vehicle warranty.  This week Pat is back with 8 more tips to make sure you don’t get scammed when you purchase an auto warranty.

Tip # 8 – Check the Seller’s Credit Rating.

You should be wary of extended vehicle warranty companies that are not accredited or carry a negative rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Tip # 9 – Beware of the Name Change.

Check to see if the extended vehicle warranty company has changed names over time. This could be a sign that the company is trying to hide something from its past. Also, be cautious when dealing with companies who have been in business for 5 years or less.

Tip # 10 – Check the Details.

If the policy is inclusionary (lists what is covered), ask to see a list of every item covered within each system and not just the system itself.

Tip # 11 – Choices, Choices.

Favor a policy that is exclusionary (lists what’s not covered) rather than inclusionary (lists what is covered). Exclusionary coverage is what you had with your manufacturer’s warranty.

Tip # 12 – It Costs What ?!?!

Ask about the labor rate of your policy. For example, if the allowable labor rate is $65/hour and your mechanic charges $85/hour, you will need to pay the difference for every repair.

Tip # 13 – Know the Cancellation and Refund Policy.

Make sure you fully understand the company’s cancellation and refund policy. Some companies will charge you stiff penalties for canceling a policy.

Tip # 14 – Specialized Systems.

If you vehicle has specialized systems, such as, navigation systems, ask about high tech electronics coverage included in your extended vehicle warranty.

Tip # 15 – Credibility is Everything when Buying an Extended Vehicle Warranty

If you have never heard of the company you are buying from or if they are not affiliated with any companies you know well, do not purchase an extended vehicle warranty from that company. You need your extended vehicle warranty company to be around to pay claims when you need them. CARCHEX is partnered with more Fortune 500 and well known companies than any other car warranty company. These include CARFAX, Capital One, Cars.com, DMV.org and Lending Tree.

Need more proof CARCHEX is the right choice?  CARCHEX is endorsed by the nations most trusted mechanic, Pat Goss from the PBS automotive series MotorWeek and Goss’ Garage and NASCARS favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. We also have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

An extended vehicle warranty can help you cut down on repair costs, but only if you do it right. Research and compare auto warranty companies so you don’t get fooled!  Get a quote today on an extended vehicle warranty from CARCHEX.

Now that the 2010 season has come to a close, we can’t help but look back over the season and think about some of the scary crashes from this year’s Nascar races.

Hopefully your car doesn’t need the types of repairs that Nascar cars need after a race, but your car will need repairs from time-to-time.  So, make sure your car is covered with an auto warranty from CARCHEX so you aren’t stuck with expensive repair bills!

Check out the videos of some of the Scariest Nascar Crashes of 2010:

• Carl Edwards flipping Brad Keselowski at Atlanta
• Edwards and Keselowski II at Gateway
• Elliott Sadler’s crash at Pocono
• AJ Allmendinger-sparked wreck at Pocono (which resulted in Kasey Kahne getting airborne)
• Dennis Setzer at Talladega

We want to hear which crash you think was the scariest – Post your comments on our CARCHEX Facebook page!

CARCHEX is endorsed by NASCARS’ favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and we have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.  After you research and compare auto warranty companies, you will see why Dale Jr. only trusts CARCHEX.

America’s Trusted Mechanic Pat Goss shares his Extended Vehicle Warranty Buying Tips to make sure you don’t get scammed!

Next to your house, your automobile is probably your biggest investment. That is why it is important to find the right company to protect your vehicle. Many companies who claim to provide extended vehicle warranties are scams and just plain shady. Car Expert and CARCHEX spokesperson Pat Goss shows you how to choose an extended vehicle warranty from a reliable and trustworthy company to avoid paying for inevitable car repair.

Tip # 1 – Make Sure You See the Contract Before You Buy

Never buy a extended vehicle warranty over the phone without first seeing the contract. If an extended vehicle warranty company will not show the contract prior to purchase, they have something to hide. Many companies will claim to have bumper-to-bumper coverage when they are really offering you a low-end powertrain plan and just using the term bumper-to-bumper. Beware of phone scams!

Tip # 2 – Beware of Common Scams & Strong Arm Tactics

Never buy an extended vehicle warranty over the phone when strong arm tactics are used to persuade you to buy today. For example, if a extended vehicle warranty salesperson tells you they will put you on a blacklist of any kind that would prevent you from being able to purchase a policy in the future, DO NOT BUY FROM THAT COMPANY. No such list exists for extended vehicle warranties. That is a common scam!

Tip # 3 – Safe Ways to Pay for your Warranty Policy

Extended Vehicle Warranty Buyers Beware – An extended vehicle warranty company should always have a secure way to provide credit card or personal information as at least one option for providing payment details. Always ask if the company has secure online checkout.

Tip # 4 – No Haggle, Lowest Price Everyday Guarantee

You should never have to worry about haggling. Every customer should get the same price as the next customer who has the same vehicle and mileage. Prices shouldn’t change daily. Beware of bogus sales! Why should some customers get a sale price while you pay in full?

Tip # 5 – Low Price Usually Means Low Coverage

If you’re not reviewing coverage when shopping price you will get stuck with a low coverage extended vehicle warranty policy. We all want the best deal and to get the lowest price but remember that auto warranty pricing is based on your vehicle’s estimated repairs. If the price is too low something is missing. Often labor rates on the contract are low meaning you will get stuck with out of pocket costs or the repair shop may not accept your extended vehicle warranty. More often it is what is in the fine print and overall coverage. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for! All extended vehicle warranties are not created equal. Read the fine print or pay the price later!

Tip # 6 – Things that Should be Covered.

Make sure your coverage includes “wear and tear”, and “complete seals and gaskets” coverage. Some companies claim their extended vehicle warranties cover seals and gaskets, but really only cover seals and gaskets when included in a covered component repair.

Tip # 7 – If it Sounds Too Good to Be True…It Is.

If the total price of your extended vehicle warranty is less than the average cost of a single major repair than you can be sure that your claims will not be paid. If you’re being told that for $1000 you can have a bumper to bumper warranty then you’re not being told the truth about the level of coverage being provided. It’s impossible for an insurance company to pay your claims at that price. The average exclusionary coverage warranty policy across all vehicles is around $2000. Prices will be more or less than $2000 based on current mileage and the average cost of repairs and labor for your vehicle and the frequency that repairs are needed.

An extended vehicle warranty can help you cut down on repair costs, but only if you do it right. Research and compare auto warranty companies so you don’t get fooled! CARCHEX is endorsed by the nation’s most trusted mechanic, Pat Goss from the PBS automotive series MotorWeek and Goss’ Garage, and NASCAR’s favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and we have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. CARCHEX has been researched and approved. We’re sure you’ll find us scam-proof too! Get a quote today!

Did you know Honda transmissions are susceptible to premature wear because of their unique design? Thousands of miles of torque on the transmission, especially on the friction plates, cause this wear. Other makes and models have transmission problems, but for Hondas it is a real concern.

Tips for your Honda Transmission:

• Let off the gas a little and don’t ride the gears
• Shifting before coming to a full stop puts stress on the transmission, so, stop and then shift into first
• Get your transmission serviced regularly, even if it isn’t having problems
• Get a Honda extended warranty!

If you have a Honda, it would cost you between $2,500-$3,000 to fix a transmission if you don’t have a Honda extended warranty. Hondas have a great reputation, but they have their problems. Make sure you’re not hit with a bill that you cannot afford. Whether it’s the transmission or another car problem, having a Honda extended warranty can save you some $$$$.