In this article, we’ll explain what’s covered under car warranties, how to have your car serviced under warranty, and the best car warranty companies for routine maintenance. These recommendations are based on our review of the best-extended car warranty companies in the industry, and exactly what they offer.

Is Routine Maintenance Covered Under Warranty?

Some auto manufacturers do include one or two free services as part of the factory warranty plan but in most cases, even the first service is paid. Extended Warranty packs however don't offer such services such as oil changes, tire rotations or replacements, and filter change unless it's explicitly mentioned in the terms and conditions. Regular vehicle maintenance is essential not just for your vehicle, but also for your warranty as signs of neglect or lack of proper maintenance can lead to the nullification of you’re your warranty.

Does Your Extended Warranty Cover Oil Changes?

An extended warranty refers to a service contract that covers a range of repairs after the manufacturer's warranty is over, but repairs generally do not include regular maintenance like an oil change. The market is flooded with car warranty plans that offer a wide range of plan options, pricing, support, and more. But there are a few service contract providers that offer additional perks like oil changes with some of their plans.

Protect My Car is one such provider that offers regular maintenance packages with some of the there extended warranty plans that cover routine oil change and even tire rotation. Apart from costing more than some of the other providers, these services need to be performed by authorized service stations which might limit the convenience factor o some extent.

Protect My Car offers three extended warranty options with coverage options for vehicles with up to 125,000 miles on the odometer. Owners of used cars beyond 125,000 miles should look into the company's Ambassador Maintenance Plans for discounts on routine maintenance and repairs.

Plans offered:

- Supreme: Coverage for most vehicle systems

- Select: Coverage for major vehicle systems and a good choice for vehicles with over 50,000 miles

- Driveline: Enhanced powertrain coverage for essential systems

What Is Covered Under A Car Warranty?

A factory warranty also known as a bumper-to-bumper warranty covers all kinds of defects that a new car may project within the stated warranty period. All new cars get are covered under this warranty scheme by default and the duration of a manufacturer warranty can vary anywhere between one and five years depending on the make and model of the vehicle.

The components covered under a warranty may vary from manufacturer to manufacture but a factory warranty usually covers components like powertrain i.e engine and transmission, major electrical systems, and in some cases, factors like corrosion and emission coverage are also included.

Here's a list of some of the leading automakers and the warranty plans offered by them from the factory.

What Is Not Covered Under A Car Warranty?

The components covered under a Warranty program can vary greatly from one warranty provider to the next. Generally, when we talk about a vehicle's warranty, all of them mostly offer coverage for key components of the vehicle like the powertrain which is comprised of the engine and transmission and major electronic components.

A factory warranty offed on a new car by the manufacturer is usually the most comprehensive of all and covers a wide range of parts from defects caused by mechanical failures or problems due to poor workmanship, and the term is often 3 years/36,000 miles. However, most warranty plans will not cover the following:

- Routine maintenance: This includes oil changes, tire rotations or replacements, and filter changes.

- Brakes: Regular brake pad replacements to ensure safe operation.

- Damage: Includes everything from minor scratches to major damage caused by accidents etc.

- Tampering: Issues caused by vandalism or modifications

How Do I Service My Car Under Warranty?

DIY is becoming an increasingly common part of car ownership however if your car is under warranty, you should always use the correct oil and fluids to ensure optimal engine and drivetrain health. Because if your car shows signs of neglect, then your warranty provider can invalidate your warranty.

So to ensure what's best for your car and its warranty, here's a list of things to include in your maintenance regime.

- Change oil

- Replace filters

- Check fluids

- Replace windshield wipers

- Check belts, hoses, lights, and brakes

Best Warranty Companies For Routine Maintenance

By far we have established that routine maintenance is covered by your conventional warranty program provided you get a plan which explicitly mentions one or two free oil changes and other routine bits of service. So here's a list of industry-leading warranty providers who facilitate routine maintenance.

What Are The Top Extended Car Warranty Providers?

When it comes to third-party warranty providers, we strongly recommend getting in touch with them to try and get the best deal since most of them will offer you a discount over the quoted price if you ask for one. Olive and Endurance are some of the best third-party warranty providers that offer the option of transferring ownership. Here's a brief review of these providers:

Uproar:

Uproar is based out of Seattle, Washington, but it’s not like any other extended car warranty company out there. Uproar bills itself as an innovator, which makes a lot of sense considering it’s the first extended warranty company to offer a 100-percent digital, subscription-based experience. The main highlights of uproar include an instant quote and signup online, same-day coverage, no long-term commitments, transparency, and no aggressive salespeople or robocalls. They are BBB accredited and have five-star ratings from both Google and Consumer Affairs.

Olive:

With one of the highest satisfaction rates in the industry, a result of their extremely reasonable pricing structure, Olive is yet another provider that has built up quite a fan following. And the cheaper prices mean you can set aside those saving and use them towards routine maintenance.

- For cars up to 10 years old/ 140k miles

- 100% online extended warranty solution with customizable plans

- File claims online 24/7

- Affordable monthly payments

- Call for a quote & get a free $5 gift card

Forever Car

This brand is a well-reputed one and offers a plethora of options. There Platinum Plus warranty plan covers repair costs for both mechanical breakdowns and wear-and-tear items such as windshield wipers, fuses, light bulbs, and brake pads.

- 4 distinct warranty plans spanning a wide price range

- Cut repair costs with full protection for your vehicle

- Inspection required before a claim can be filed

- Deductibles range from $0 to $500

Endurance:

Endurance is one of the biggest names in the third-part warranty space and offers a plethora of plans to cater to a wide range of customer needs. The Endurance Advantage™ plan covers mechanical breakdowns and maintenance through three levels: Preferred, Plus, and Prime. These plans cover all basic maintenance parameters like oil changes, engine checks, and brake pad replacements, along with additional services like roadside assistance, towing, and rental car reimbursement. Some of the other benefits include:

- Coverage for cars up to 20 years old

- Basic powertrain warranty options are available

- Inspection required before a claim can be filed

- Extra perks with all-inclusive membership

- Join & save $300 on a protection plan

CARCHEX

They offer coverage for cars with up to 250,000 miles which makes them a great choice for people who plan to purchase a warranty for their heavily used vehicles. They offer a wide range of policies some of which offer industry-leading claim filing processes. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, CARCHEX should be on your list when shopping for an extended warranty.

- Covers cars with up to 250k miles

- First-rate full-coverage protection for new and used vehicles

- The claim filing process depends on the policy

- No-haggle, low-price guarantee

- A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau