The Attorney General provides Consumer Alerts to inform the public of unfair, misleading, or deceptive business practices, and to provide information and guidance on other issues of concern. Consumer Alerts are not legal advice, legal authority, or a binding legal opinion from the Department of Attorney General.
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A “warranty” is a kind of promise that comes from a vehicle’s manufacturer, and it guarantees the product. You do not have to pay extra for a manufacturer’s warranty: it is included in the purchase price of a new (and sometimes used) vehicle.
Legally, “extended warranties” are not warranties, instead they’re service contracts that promise to pay for repairs—and they do cost extra.
They are usually offered by auto dealerships or third parties—and instead of warranting a product or extending the time on an original manufacturer’s warranty, they agree to pay for only designated repairs.
Some of the contracts simply duplicate coverage that is already available under an existing manufacturer’s warranty. Few service contracts cover all repairs. The Federal Trade Commission warns that “[c]ommon repairs for parts like brakes and clutches generally are not included in auto service contracts. The best advice: If an item isn’t listed, assume it’s not covered.”
Here’s an example to help distinguish a warranty from a “service contract” or extended warranty. Say you purchased a new vehicle in 2008. This vehicle came with a manufacturer’s warranty for five years, or 50,000 miles. You did not pay extra for this warranty—it was included in the overall purchase price of the vehicle. In 2010, your car broke down, and your dealer discovered a problem with your engine. This was covered by your manufacturer’s warranty, and the dealer repaired your vehicle for free.
You’ve now had your vehicle for several more years, and you’ve put 100,000 miles on it. Your vehicle breaks down again, but this time, the repairs to the engine are no longer covered by your manufacturer’s warranty—that expired years ago. However, in 2014, you purchased a service contract for your car for $2,000 from someone selling extended warranties for your vehicle. Depending on the terms of that service contract, the repairs to the engine may or may not be covered.
Holding on to your vehicle beyond the life of its original manufacturer’s warranty makes you a target for companies selling extended warranties.
Unfortunately, offering an extended auto warranty is a hook sometimes used by scammers and questionable businesses. They will find you and advertise these service contracts as a cost-effective way to repair older vehicles. But are they?
Some consumers have discovered that the “extended warranty” they purchased is not the same as the warranty that came with the car when it was new; and instead, that coverage is limited to certain parts and by numerous exclusions and preconditions.
For example:
Others have discovered that failure to take their car to an authorized facility for routine service voided the repair contract; or worse, the company behind the extended warranty was no longer in business when they needed a covered repair, or sought a refund promised by the contract upon cancellation.
Be skeptical of any contact warning that the warranty on your vehicle is about to expire. Scammers want to make the offer seem urgent to get you to respond. Take your time to investigate and comparison shop before you buy.
Someone trying to sell you an extended warranty is using high-pressure sales tactics to create a false sense of urgency using language like: “Warranty Expiration Notice,” or “This is your FINAL warranty notice.”
You get a “Warranty Expiration Notice” in the mail that is disguised to look like it is from your car manufacturer, a dealer, or the state motor vehicle department.
You are on the Do-Not-Call List and you get a call from someone claiming to be selling extended warranties so you can avoid an interruption of coverage.
You are buying a new car and the dealer tells you that you have to buy a service contract to qualify for financing.
Look at the manufacturer’s warranty for your vehicle, so you don’t pay for duplicate coverage.
The organization that sold you the service contract may not be the same as the organization that will be deciding whether your claims are covered under your contract.
Check reviews on the company selling the contract and the administrator of the contract before signing on the dotted line. As with any contract with an upfront purchase payment and the seller's performance to be provided at a future date, the service contract is only as good as the companies behind it.
Call the Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team, at 877-765-8388, to see if there are any complaints on file against either the seller or the administrator of your service contract.
Also, contact your local Better Business Bureau or visit the BBB website and search for information on the seller and administrator.
Independently verify the legitimacy of endorsements appearing on the company website. If there is a BBB logo, visit the BBB website itself to confirm if the company is BBB accredited.
This is good advice for any situation but is certainly applicable if you receive a telemarketing call from someone offering to sell you a service contract because your “warranty is about to expire.”
If you are on the Federal Do-Not-Call Registry, and have been registered for more than 30 days, report this call immediately. Do-Not-Call violators may be reported on the Federal Trade Commission’s website.
For general consumer questions or to file a complaint, you may reach the Michigan Department of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team at:
Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form