Best Extended Auto Warranty Companies in Indianapolis, IN

How to choose an extended auto warranty in Indianapolis

Indianapolis roads can take a toll on your car. More than 37,000 residents complained about potholes in the city in the first nine months of 2018 – more than double the number for all of 2017. Poor road conditions can lead to long-term damage to your car, and one motorist told reporters that potholes on the city’s south side were so bad her mechanic told her that they dislodged her engine, causing her SUV to stall.

Making matters worse, the city’s investments in transit infrastructure have historically been modest. Indianapolis spends less per capita on mass transit than practically any other metropolitan area in the U.S. with a population greater than one million residents. Indianapolis has no commuter rail service, and only four percent of its residents live within a quarter-mile of a bus stop with service at least every 15 minutes. As a result, less than one percent of the metro area’s population uses public transit on a daily basis.

An extended auto warranty keeps you from being stranded without transportation by covering the cost of unexpected repairs. Unlike car insurance, which covers damage from accidents, an extended auto warranty provides coverage when your car has mechanical problems.

Different extended auto warranty plans are available in Indianapolis, but they typically don't cover routine maintenance for brake pads, tires, air cleaners or oil changes. Some plans include extra features, such as towing, roadside assistance or reimbursement of up to 150 percent for a trip that is interrupted because of car problems.

Some plans require a deductible – generally between $50 and $100 – while others pay for repair costs in total.

Here are a few questions to consider when deciding whether to purchase an extended auto warranty:

• Who is providing the warranty? An extended warranty is often available through either the original equipment manufacturer or a third-party company. The OEM warranty generally extends the original warranty that comes with a new car, but a third-party warranty can be customized to cover a variety of problems.
• What’s the best price? Do your research before buying your car; you might get the best deal at the time of purchase rather than shopping for the extended auto warranty after the original manufacturer warranty expires.
• What does your extended warranty cover? A basic extended auto warranty in Indianapolis may not cover many of the car parts that suffer the most wear-and-tear. Many extended auto warranty companies sell plans in tiers with different pricing and levels of coverage, so make sure you’re getting the coverage you need and expect. Plans range from bumper-to-bumper warranties to ones that only cover core components, such as the engine and transmission.