An extended auto warranty can help give you peace of mind and ensure that your car is covered for any repairs or breakdowns not covered by your insurance provider, even after your manufacturer’s warranty is up. When choosing an extended warranty or any other type of vehicle perfection plan, it is essential to consider all of your options. Factors such as price, additional benefits, and overall coverage are all vital in selecting the best extended auto warranty or coverage plan for you.
While many car owners are familiar with powertrain or drivetrain coverage, the most comprehensive kind of coverage you can have is known as ‘exclusionary coverage.
What Does Exclusionary Coverage Mean?
Exclusionary coverage is named as such as it offers complete protection for your vehicle, except for a small list of exceptions listed in the contract. This means that unless a specific part or component isn’t listed in your contract, it’s covered.
In contrast, most warranties are ‘inclusionary,’ meaning the covered components are listed explicitly in the plan. For many inclusionary plans, customers can choose the level of coverage that will suit their particular needs.
While inclusionary plans can offer excellent protection for your vehicle, exclusionary plans offer the highest level of coverage you can get outside of a manufacturer’s warranty. Exclusionary plans are also often referred to as “bumper-to-bumper” coverage because of how comprehensive they are and how many items they will cover – everything from your front to your rear bumper. So if you are looking for protection for nearly every facet of your vehicle, this might be a good option for you.
What Exclusionary Plans Don’t Cover
While exclusionary coverage plans include almost all the components on your vehicle that could possibly malfunction, there are still some instances where an exclusionary plan won’t cover the cost. One of the main exclusions in these plans are maintenance services, like oil changes and getting new windshield wiper blades.
Generally, these plans also won’t cover physical damages that occur in an accident or collision. Those issues will have to be taken care of by your vehicle’s insurance provider. Any cosmetic damage or damage sustained due to a lack of maintenance will also not be included in an exclusionary plan.
Exclusionary plans will also typically not cover aftermarket parts that have been added to your vehicle outside of the original manufacturer’s conditions. If you currently have exclusionary coverage and plan on modifying your vehicle, check with your plans provider, as you could potentially void your plan.
Exclusionary Coverage Prices
The price of exclusionary coverage will vary depending on the company you purchase your plan from and the make/model of your vehicle. The condition of your vehicle when you enter into the contract will also factor into the price you will pay for coverage. If you have a luxury vehicle, you may also end up paying more for your extended warranty. This is due to the higher cost of specialized repairs and parts for these cars.
While the overall price will vary depending on factors, the cost of an exclusionary coverage plan is generally broken down into the upfront cost and the deductible. For the most part, you will pay an upfront cost right away to get the coverage plan you’ve selected started for your vehicle. After that, the deductible is the amount of money you will have to pay out of pocket before your warranty kicks in and starts to cover the cost. Some plans have no deductible, but they will generally be more expensive than other plans.
To help you understand how much an exclusionary coverage plan will cost for your particular vehicle, we have listed some examples of cars and their cost for these comprehensive plans.
Examples:
- Jeep Cherokee – $2,166 / $100 deductible
- Kia Sorento – $2,998 / $300 deductible
- Nissan Maxima – $2,315 / $0 deductible
Who Should Get Exclusionary Coverage?
Before purchasing an exclusionary coverage plan for your vehicle, you need to ask yourself whether or not it is something you really need. Not everyone can benefit from such an all-inclusive plan. For example, if you currently drive a used vehicle valued at $2,000 or less, it may not be worth it to pay more than that for an extended warranty.
However, if you drive a luxury vehicle with a high value, an exclusionary plan could help you. Knowing that you are fully covered for unexpected breakdowns and any other issues you might face could give you an added sense of security when out on the road.
An exclusionary plan could also be great for people who regularly commute. If you depend on your car to get you to and from your job daily, knowing that you are covered in the event of a breakdown or expensive repair is a great way to keep your vehicle running smoothly.
Protect Your Vehicle Completely With Exclusionary Coverage
If you’re interested in an exclusionary coverage plan for your car or truck, consider all the factors that come into play and whether or not you can benefit from such a complete coverage plan. By understanding what these warranties include and what they don’t, you can make the right decision for you and your vehicle. With the right plan, you can keep your car just as protected as it was when it rolled off the lot.
For more information to help you get started in selecting an exclusionary coverage plan, or any other type of extended warranty, take a look at our reviews. You can also view our buyer guide to compare coverage plans to help you get the protection your vehicle needs.