A car warranty is a promise or a guarantee made by a car manufacturer or a dealer to the person who is buying the vehicle. It usually comes free of cost with the vehicle. However, the customer can also purchase an extended warranty that comes with certain terms and conditions that are explained to him/her at the time of purchase.

There are several types of car warranties that the vehicle owner can opt for. These warranties cover different things—right from accessories or the engine itself and are mostly bumper-to-bumper. The vehicle dealer typically explains everything about the car warranty to the owner at the time of purchase. However, there are certain things one must be aware of while buying a car warranty. Here’s what you need to know about car warranty before you opt for it:

1. Cover the basics
One of the primary things to know about the warranty is that it is time-bound. A car warranty is not for a lifetime period and secures your vehicle only for a specific period of time. The basic warranty is the one that comes with the purchase of a new car. It covers everything except for the body parts of the car and its wear and tear components such as oil filters, wiper blades, and brake pads among others.

2. Tires have a separate warranty
Did you know that the tires of your car have a separate warranty? Well, they do! Also, another important thing a car owner must know is that the tires are not covered by the car’s standard warranty. The tires have their own warranty which protects it from wear and tear and other manufacturing defects. It is, therefore, essential for a car owner to maintain their car tires and receipts from tire rotations in case they have to make use of the warranty and are asked to prove the steps taken to take care of them.

3. Warranty coverage can change at any time
This is something one must know. The warranties that include certain benefits for the user are subject to change. At times, when a manufacturer aims to increase the sales of a particular vehicle model, they might simply extend the warranty or give some additional benefits that attract the customers.

4. Roadside assistance
This is something most manufacturers and car dealers provide to their customers. Imagine you are going on a road trip and your car suddenly breaks down in the middle of a highway or a deserted place. What will you do? Call the car dealer or your warranty service provider, right? Well, here is when roadside assistance comes into the picture. This car warranty feature isn’t lifelong either.

5. Goodwill coverage
One of the most upsetting situations to imagine is when a brand new high-end car breaks down or there is a problem with one of its parts. Well, there are times when dealers or service providers repair the damaged part of your car for free, considering its value. This is called “goodwill coverage”. At times, they exempt the car owners from paying for the damages and get it done free of cost as a part of their goodwill.