In recent years there's been a drastic upswing in the number of auto extended warranty scams. Most of these scams happen over the phone (although they also occur via email and through the mail, employing autodialers who try to panic their customers into a quick buy by telling them that they're almost out of time to buy extended warranties. 

In reality, there is no "last day" to buy an extended warranty. While it is obviously much more beneficial to buy an extended warranty when your car is newer, you can buy an auto extended warranty throughout the life of your car.

The most important thing to remember when buying extended warranties is to shop around: car dealers will often offer you their own extended warranty plans, but these are usually much, much more expensive than they would be if you bought direct from a warranty company.

Shopping around for auto extended warranty plans is tough: the number of companies trying to scam customers has risen in recent years, and scams can seem highly reputable and come to you over the phone, via email, or through the mail. There are ways, however, that you can avoid the worst auto extended warranty scams and find a legitimate company.

• Be cautious - Take your time when shopping and proceed cautiously. There is no deadline to buying a warranty, as long as you're using you car, you can buy a warranty for it. If a company tries to tell you that it's the "last day" you can buy a warranty, they're trying to scam you. If something sounds suspicious, back off and search for more information on the company from other sources before proceeding.
  
• Shop around - Shop around to see what the average prices for different plans are, so you know what to expect from a reputable company. Use a variety of sources to get an idea of which companies are legitimate and which companies have accumulated a high volume of customer complaints.
• Use the resources available to you - Ask auto clubs (like AAA) or other government organizations (like the National Highway Traffic Safety Association) for lists of certified companies that you can trust.
• Always speak to somebody in the company yourself - Call the company (don't settle for email) and speak to a real person to find out more about their prices and services. Make sure that what you hear on the phone is the same as what you're seeing online. If you hear discrepancies or sound suspicious, then that should be a warning sign that you're about to be scammed.

    The sad truth about cars is that eventually, they all fall apart, usually at the most inconvenient time possible. A car can depreciate by almost half its cost as soon as you drive it off the lot, so you want to take care of it for as long as possible. For many people, a car is in good shape until the transmission falls out and needs to be professionally shoved back in. However, the best way to maintain a car's value is to consistently keep it in good condition. An auto extended warranty not only ensures that you keep your car running well. It also takes care of the unexpected costs, breakdowns, towing and wear and tear.
    An auto extended warranty may seem like an unnecessary expense at first, but keep in mind that the question is not "Will something break?" but rather "When will something break?" An extended warranty will cover costs that may be double or triple the amount that you initially paid. Keep in mind that labor fees can be almost one hundred dollars an hour depending on the service. Some warranties cover mechanical breakdowns, but it's also important to get coverage for wear and tear as well. Parts such as CV joints tend to wear down and fail after a certain amount of time and therefore wouldn't be covered under the "breakdown" category.
     An auto extended warranty can be cheaper depending on where you buy it, too. If you buy from a car dealer you may end up paying two or three times as much as you would if you bought it directly from the factory. The car dealers are trying to make more on large sales and commissions, so instead buy directly from the source. If you get a good deal you can also get the warranty to provide roadside assistance and towing.
   A car is one of the biggest investments you can have, so it's important to pay attention to maintenance and upkeep. An auto extended warranty will outline a plan that ensures you get regular tune-ups, while covering the cost of major repairs.

    The sad truth about cars is that eventually, they all fall apart, usually at the most inconvenient time possible. A car can depreciate by almost half its cost as soon as you drive it off the lot, so you want to take care of it for as long as possible. For many people, a car is in good shape until the transmission falls out and needs to be professionally shoved back in. However, the best way to maintain a car's value is to consistently keep it in good condition. An auto extended warranty not only ensures that you keep your car running well. It also takes care of the unexpected costs, breakdowns, towing and wear and tear.
    An auto extended warranty may seem like an unnecessary expense at first, but keep in mind that the question is not "Will something break?" but rather "When will something break?" An extended warranty will cover costs that may be double or triple the amount that you initially paid. Keep in mind that labor fees can be almost one hundred dollars an hour depending on the service. Some warranties cover mechanical breakdowns, but it's also important to get coverage for wear and tear as well. Parts such as CV joints tend to wear down and fail after a certain amount of time and therefore wouldn't be covered under the "breakdown" category.
     An auto extended warranty can be cheaper depending on where you buy it, too. If you buy from a car dealer you may end up paying two or three times as much as you would if you bought it directly from the factory. The car dealers are trying to make more on large sales and commissions, so instead buy directly from the source. If you get a good deal you can also get the warranty to provide roadside assistance and towing.
   A car is one of the biggest investments you can have, so it's important to pay attention to maintenance and upkeep. An auto extended warranty will outline a plan that ensures you get regular tune-ups, while covering the cost of major repairs.