I’ve been a car owner for a while but I’ve always bought new vehicles with extended warranties. I just purchased a used car and I’m wondering if I should get a warranty for it.
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I hope your used car treats you as well as your previous vehicles! Generally speaking, used car warranties are not worth the price. These warranties can run upwards of $3,000 or more, which can easily outweigh the cost of potential repairs during the warranty’s validity period.
Granted there are times that a used car warranty could be worth it for your situation, but here’s what you should consider:
Limited warranties run cheaper and cover specific areas of concern that you might have
Car warranties at a lesser, reasonable price could be justified for the potential costs of repairs during the validity period
The manufacturer’s warranty might still be active on your used vehicle—so compare the manufacturer’s standard against the age and mileage of your car
The car’s reviews can give you an idea of reliability and potential repair expectations
When it comes down to it, you likely won’t need a warranty for your used vehicle when you consider the costs. But you will need
can help you find the most affordable policy for your coverage needs—in less than a minute and without all the usual hassles that come with comparison shopping.
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.