True Auto Protection Extended Vehicle Warranty

Auto Warranty and Maintenance Blog

Why the Warranty is Worth It

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auto-extended-warranty-pros-and-cons

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, but 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?" A

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.

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Topics: auto warranty quote, automobile warranty, Extended Vehicle Warranty, Regular Vehicle Maintenance

4 Tips to Ensure Winter Weather Vehicle Safety

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Safe Winter Weather Driving Tips

Have you ever been stuck on the side of the road due to bad weather? We've all been there, but we are here to make the best out of a bid situation. These tips will ensure you and your car safety during the winter months. 


Winter Car Services

Get your vehicle’s oil changed according to either the mileage on your odometer or the length of time it has been since your last oil change. When you have this done professionally, the car services company will also check the pressure in your tires, tighten any loose belts or hoses, replace any dirty filers, top off any liquids, and ensure your windshield wipers are working properly.

Being proactive and taking the time to schedule and get these car services done before the first blizzard hits will help to maintain your vehicle and make your car safer on the wintry roads for both you and the other drivers. 

Winter Emergency Kit Items

If you have to pull over and wait for a tow truck or get off the road due to hazardous weather, you’ll want to be sure you have a Winter Emergency Kit in your vehicle's trunk and that it is fully stocked with these items:

  • a warm blanket
  • extra winter clothes: hats, gloves, socks, and boots
  • bottles of water and snacks: trail mixes, hard candies, crackers
  • an ice scraper, a shovel, and a flashlight with new batteries
  • windshield washer fluid and new wipers
  • flares, jumper cables, and a tool kit
  • a good spare tire, a jack, tire chains, and a tire gauge
  • a first-aid kit
  • a bag of sand to use as traction if a tire gets stuck in snow
  • an emergency-use cellphone 

Vehicle Breakdown Protection Plan

It doesn’t matter whether you are driving a brand new vehicle or are behind the wheel of one you’ve been driving for a few years now, vehicles can and do break down ~ and always at the most opportune times.

Being smart and proactive by investing in a vehicle protection plan before you need it will eliminate undue stress in your life and, should your vehicle needs the car services provided within the plan ~ you can rest assured knowing that the minor vehicle repair hiccup in your day is no big deal.

Getting stranded, but staying safe

If you don’t know where you are or how far you are from the nearest gas station or open store, don’t leave your vehicle and start walking aimlessly. As you wait for help to arrive, stay with your vehicle, light two flares (from your Emergency Kit) and place one on the road in front of your vehicle and the other on the road behind your vehicle. Bundle up with your extra winter clothes, and stay warm under the blanket.

If your gas tank still has a lot of gas in it, run the engine and the car’s heater for about 10 minutes, then shut it off for a few minutes. Open a window a little bit to stop it from sealing completely shut from the ice and temperature. To prevent your mouth from becoming dry, drink some water and suck on the hard candy you packed. If your regular cellphone’s battery has gone out, use the emergency cellphone you have in your safety kit.


Click HERE to request a  free quote or call 877-397-1022 to find out how we can make you and your vehicle a priority. If your current warranty is about to expire, please consider True Auto for your future automobile extended warranty. 

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Topics: extended warranty, car warranty, Warranty, Best Extended Car Warranties, Auto Warranties, auto car warranty, extended auto warranty, vehicle warranty, used car, auto warranty quote, automobile warranty

Increase Your Car's Worth With These 5 Tricks

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Boost the overall value of your vehicle

As soon as a vehicle is purchased and drives off the dealer's lot, it drops in value. That is just part of the nature of vehicles. Very few vehicles end up more valuable than the original purchase price, and it typically takes decades for this to happen. For anyone who is looking to sell their vehicle and wants to do everything in their power to increase the car's value before selling, there are ways to boost the overall value of the vehicle. Small issues when selling a used car can drastically bring down the potential asking price. 

Put money back in your pocket 

  1. Vehicle TuneupTaking the vehicle in for a tuneup is a must. Buyers at a used car lot can spot common problems and knock all sorts of cash off of the price, while private buyers will want to have it inspected and likely not even buy the vehicle if there are substantial problems. A vehicle tuneup costs money up front, but it makes it much more valuable when selling (like selling a house, sometimes an owner needs to spend a little bit of money to receive a much better return). 

  2. New TiresNew tires can be an instant selling point, especially when selling a vehicle in colder climates where snow and ice are a problem. It is possible to keep an eye out for sales on new tires which instantly increase the value of the vehicle.

  3. DetailedDetailing the vehicle brings out the inner shine and gives it the roof to fender cleaning, inside and out. It increases its marketability and really catches the eyes of interested buyers. it is amazing how a little bit of cleaning can go a long way in boosting the asking price. 

  4. Print Out the Car FaxPrinting out the Car Fax can help when selling a vehicle privately. The main holdup private buyers have is not knowing the history of the vehicle. By having it readily available, car buyers now what to expect and are willing to part with more money when they know the vehicle has an excellent history. 

  5. Avoid the Extreme Add-OnsAdd-Ons can actually reduce the value of a vehicle as it alienates buyers away from the vehicle. Oversized rear fins, bright undercarriage LED lighting and other add-ons drop the value when selling the vehicle. 

Click HERE to request a FREE QUOTE from True Auto and find out how we can make you and your vehicle a priority. If your current warranty is about to expire, please consider True Auto for your future automobile extended warranty. 

If you read this and thought to yourself, "I want more of my money in my pocket" contact us today! Visit www.trueautoprotection.com or call 877-397-1022

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Topics: extended warranty, Warranty, Auto Warranties, auto extended warranty, vehicle warranty, used car, automobile warranty

How to Choose the Correct Extended Warranty for Your Car

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The perfect extended warranty from True Auto Protection

When you own a vehicle, there are many different things that you need to take care of in order for you to get the most use and enjoyment out of that vehicle. To keep costs down and still have yourself covered, you should get an extended warranty that will provide the extra coverage that many car owners need. The best extended car warranty for you and your vehicle will have certain features, so make sure that these features are in the policy before you sign up and pay for a new policy. Here is a list of what you should look for in a contract with a new provider.


Having an extended warranty can provide extra coverage for car owners

When you have an older car that has been well-maintained, can it be covered in a similar manner like newer model cars are? Not many companies will cover older cars with an extended warranty, but a few will. Is your vehicle's model young enough to be covered under a policy for services at or near the same level of coverage that newer model cars are covered? If updates to the interior of your vehicle are covered under individual warranties from the manufacturers, amenities being excluded from coverage by a policy might not need to be a deal-breaker if the frame and motor is covered by that policy.

Affordability plus coverage of parts and labor should be included under policy benefits. Some policies have you pay for the labor, forcing you into paying whatever price their pre-approved service center charges, and sometimes that can be expensive. Read the fine print in the policy before you sign and see exactly what is offered for your car or truck's make and model. Finding the best extended car warranty and purchasing a policy can help you prevent this problem.

When you travel out of your home state, will you still be covered? Will you be required to have repairs done only at an approved shop, or are you free to take your vehicle to any repair shop that is licensed and qualified to do the work? This is a very important, and also cost-reducing, aspect of any policy. If you are required by your policy to have work done only at certain pre-approved shops, or only in a certain geographic area, this can cause you extra frustration in locating such a place. It can also end up costing you a great deal if you must have your vehicle towed a long distance just to have work performed, plus it can ruin a business trip or vacation, costing you in lost reservations and clients. Make sure you can have work done in any state you might travel to with your vehicle.

Finding a policy that pays the shop performing the repairs directly, instead of reimbursing you after you've paid to retrieve your vehicle, can be beneficial in many ways. You'll receive your vehicle much quicker, you won't be out the cost of repairs waiting for a check in the mail, and the cost of parts and labor will be set by the policy company and the shop itself, eliminating the need for you to negotiate with the shop, and also any surprise work that 'needs' done.

Always read the fine print to make sure that you understand the policy you are about to sign, and ask any questions about aspects that you don't understand. Having an extra policy won't do you any good if you've bought one that can't or won't provide benefits when you need it most but finding the best extended car warranty for you will solve more problems than another policy might create.


 

Click HERE to request a FREE QUOTE or Call 877-397-1022 to find out how we can make you and your vehicle a priority. If your current warranty is about to expire, please consider True Auto for your future automobile extended warranty needs.


 

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Topics: extended warranty, car warranty, auto warranty, Warranty, Best Extended Car Warranties, auto car warranty, vehicle warranty, extended car warranty, automobile warranty, used car warranty

Minimizing Repairs on Used Vehicles

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 Minimize used car repiars with True Auto Protection

Having an extended warranty for used cars is the best protection a person can have against costly repairs.

There is more a person can do to minimize the need for repairs to their used vehicle and possible extend its life and raise its value. In addition to having an extended warranty, regular maintenance is essential to the vehicle’s longevity and in keeping it out of the repair shop.


Extended warranties and regular maintenance are essential for longevity

Following these steps to keep a car, truck, or SUV running its best:

  • Avoid aggressive driving like slamming down on the gas to accelerate and hard braking. This will extend the life of the brakes, suspension, tires, transmission, and engine.

  • Avoid driving in city traffic and for very short distances as much as possible. This extends the life of the brakes, transmission, and the engine.

  • Keep the vehicles exterior and paint clean by regularly washing and waxing the vehicle. Removing pollution, sludge, and road salt will prevent rust and the corrosion of metal parts.

  • Use seat covers and floor mats, condition leather seats, and keep your interior clean. Doing so prevents wear and tear and extends the life of the vehicle’s interior.

  • Add thousands of miles to the life of the vehicle’s tires by keeping them properly inflated and rotating them regularly.

  • Change the oil and filter in the vehicle according to the vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule. This can add years and thousands of miles to the life of the vehicle’s engine. *This is possible the most important maintenance task.  

  • Replace the vehicle’s thermostat and change the engine’s coolant based on the vehicle’s maintenance schedule. Doing this improves the vehicle’s performance, prevents overheating, and extends the life of the cooling system and engine.

  • Change the vehicle’s transmission fluid and filter regularly based on the recommended service intervals. This extends the life of the transmission.

  • Regularly replace the air filter, drive belts, and the spark plugs to improve the vehicle’s gas mileage and extend the life of the exhaust system and the engine.

  • Replace the water pump and the timing belt based on the vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule. This helps prevent damage to the engine’s internal components and prevents overheating while improving engine performance.


Even the most rigorous preventative maintenance schedule cannot prevent all repairs. Vehicle owners should have an extended warranty for used cars to help mitigate the cost of unexpected repairs. 


 

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Topics: extended warranty, car warranty, auto warranty, extended auto warranty, vehicle warranty, automobile warranty, used car warranty

Avoiding Unexpected Breakdowns

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How to avoid unexpected breakdowns 

Most of us have experienced being left on the side of the road with a broken-down car. It's always inconvenient, and sometimes even scary. If you've gone through this even once, you will no doubt want to try to prevent it from happening again. 

Here are a few tips to help prevent breakdowns:

  • Do scheduled maintenance and yearly tune-ups. Whether you do them yourself or take your car to a mechanic, tune-ups and scheduled maintenance are opportunities to catch problems before they leave you stranded. While under the hood, you or your mechanic can look for cracking or bulging hoses, shiny belts, and other signs of potential problems. In addition, staying on top of regular maintenance can also prevent problems from becoming big enough to strand you.
  • Listen for problems. Always pay attention to how your car sounds and how it feels to drive it, and look for the cause whenever you notice significant changes. Sometimes a new noise can give you enough warning to have something fixed before your car actually breaks down somewhere.
  • Visually inspect your car every time you drive it. Make it a habit to look at your car every time you walk up to it to drive somewhere. Look at all four tires to make sure none are flat, and look for fluids leaking out from underneath. Look at your parking spot after you pull out of it for signs of fluids, too. You might be able to catch a problem before you drive away, just by paying attention.

Of course, sometimes no matter how vigilant you are, your car may still break down. Not all problems can be seen coming or prevented with regular maintenance. If it does happen, you'll want to have a Plan B: a cell phone and someone you can call to come rescue you.


In the event that your car does leave you stranded, help is just a phone call away when you have a vehicle breakdown protection plan already in place.  If your extended car warranty is soon to expire, please consider True Auto Vehicle Breakdown Protection with your next extended warranty. Click HERE to recieve a FREE Quote or CALL one of our team members at 877-397-1022.

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Topics: car extended warranty, extended warranty, car warranty, auto warranty, Warranty, Best Extended Car Warranties, Auto Warranties, auto car warranty, vehicle warranty, extended car warranty, used car, resale value, automobile warranty, car warranty quote

Pricing a "New-to-You" Used Car

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Pricing a new to you used car

 

How exactly do you go about pricing a new-to-you used car?

Nothing beats the feeling of driving away in a new car. Even if the vehicle is technically used, when new to you, it offers an entire world of new opportunities. But how should someone price a new to them used vehicle? After all, it is not like going directly to the car manufacturer's website and pricing a vehicle before heading out to the dealership. Buying a used car requires a bit more investigating, but it also lends itself to helping car buyers save a considerable amount of money. 



Tracking Down the Right Vehicle

When shopping for a used vehicle, it is important to take note of having an idea for what kind of vehicle make and model you want. Do your research through services like Consumer Report and other vehicle review websites in order to determine what vehicles run into the fewest problems. Some vehicles are constructed to last a very long time, while others are designed more to impress immediately, but don't necessarily have a very long shelf life. For someone on the market for a used truck, they should look up how used Fords, Chevys, Toyotas and others fair over an extended period of time. This way, it is less likely the person will need to spring for expensive repairs immediately upon buying the truck (or shortly after). 

Once someone starts looking at the vehicle style they are interested it, they need to write down all of the general specs of the vehicle when one interests them. This doesn't just include the make, model and year, but also trim variations and any added upgrades. They should look at the tires to see if these need to be replaced soon. Also, they should take note if the wheels are steel or aluminum. Steel wheels are far less valuable than the aluminum wheels. Once all of this information is obtained, they can plug it into a service such as Kelly Blue BookKBB provides some of the most accurate pricing information on used vehicles. Here, the individual simply needs to plug in all of their findings, note any damages or upgrades and if they are buying from a dealer or independent seller. This way, they are able to come up with what the average vehicle is going for. 

Get the Car Fax

If the price is right and a potential buyer has found a lone vehicle they are interested in, it is time to check the Car Fax. To obtain this information, the VIN is required. The VIN can be found on several areas of the vehicle, ranging from the lower driver's corner of the windshield to the interior, driver's door panel or the glove box. The VIN records all work the vehicle has received, accidents and other possible problems. If the vehicle has seen a large number of drivers over a short period of time, it might reflect serious problems under the hood. It does cost money to obtain the Car Fax, but it is always a good decision before purchasing a vehicle as it gives the best idea at what it should cost.

Buying From a Dealer or Independent Seller

There are pros and cons with each. When buying from a dealer the vehicle is going to cost more, but usually comes with some sort of vehicle warranty. Typically there are fewer potential problems connected with the vehicle. On the other hand, an independent seller can offer a better price, but there is no warranty and there is always the problem of an expensive repair down the road. Always have the vehicle inspected when buying from independent sellers. 


If you are looking for a company that specializes in Automobile Extended Warranties, look no further than True Auto Vehicle Breakdown Protection. Coverage plans will protect your new, used and new-to-you used vehicle.  

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Topics: extended warranty, car warranty, Warranty, extend your car warranty, resale value, auto warranties used cars, automobile warranty, extended warranty options

Lemon Law: What You Need To Know from an extended warranty company

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Toyota Truck

 

 

When life gives you lemons, the common advice people give is to make lemonade. However, when it comes to automobiles and other consumer items that turn out to be lemons, the result may not be so sweet. If you have purchased a defective car or other product that is not functioning properly, you may have heard of the “lemon law” and wondered if you could get an explanation about it might protect you as a consumer.

 

Lemon laws are federal and state statutes that fall under the category of consumer protection laws. Each state sets up its own lemon laws, which vary in the ways that they are set up to protect people. In order to qualify, the car typically must have a major defect while still under warranty coverage and that cannot be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts. For example, your car might be considered a lemon if it failed within the first two years or 24,000 miles and has been in the repair shop for 30 days out of a year. Consumers with cars that qualify are subject to getting a refund or a replacement vehicle.

 

Basically, the lemon law covers three aspects of consumer protection. First, the law will specify what types of vehicles are covered, such as motorcycles, mobile homes or cars. Second it will note the period of coverage, such as a certain number of years or the number of miles on the vehicle’s odometer. Third, the lemon law specifies how many times you have tried to get the car repaired and how long it was out of service during these repairs.

 

If you think that your car is a lemon, contact the attorney general’s office for your state to see if your particular situation is covered under the law. If your state’s lemon laws do not apply to your vehicle, you may be afforded protection under the national lemon law, also known as the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act.

 

You will need to make detailed records of the types of repairs you attempted to make, and how long the vehicle was unavailable for you to operate. Contact the manufacturer or your dealer and mention that you are thinking of using the lemon law to make a claim on the car. If you cannot get satisfaction from the dealer or manufacturer, it’s prudent to contact a lemon law lawyer to assist you.

 

It can be frustrating trying to deal with a lemon car, with the time and effort you make to try to get it fixed as well as having to arrange for alternative transportation while the car is in the shop. Fortunately, the lemon law is designed to minimize the hassle and get you back on the road with a replacement car or a refund to buy another vehicle yourself.

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Topics: Best Extended Car Warranties, Auto Warranties, auto extended warranty, extended auto warranty, vehicle warranty, automobile warranty, car warranty quote, used car warranty

How Much Should I Pay For Extended Warranty? - PriusChat Forums

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happy familyWhen getting your car extended warranty, you are going to want to ask yourself a few questions, namely: How old is my car? Does it have manufacturer warranty on it? How long am I planning to have the vehicle? Lastly, how much wear and tear am I going to see on this car?

How you answer will tell you how much you specifically are going to want to, and should, pay for your car’s extended warranty.

Now, the lower the mileage on your car, the lower the cost of warranty. As you use a car, the warranty price will go up, and the manufacturer warranty will run out. So, always check for manufacturer warranty. Usually it will cover the first 3 years or 36,000 miles. Buying an extended warranty is for the purpose of extending the duration of that warranty, or for getting additional coverage. Some vehicles will have great manufacturer warranty, others will cover the bare minimum, like faulty parts. Look for exclusionary policies that give you short list of what they don’t cover, as that means the cover everything else.

If you plan on holding on to the car for say 2-3 years, and the manufacturer’s warranty is pretty decent, you might be set. If you do get extended warranty, make sure to check if the warranty can be transferred.

The length of time you might foreseeably be holding on to your vehicle will also tell you how much wear and tear you might see happening. Good extended warranty should cover you for this.

When shopping around for your car’s extended warranty, you’re going to be looking for a) an exclusionary policy, b) one that has nationwide coverage where you to choose where you go (and lets you pay directly to the repairer), and c) says who covers additional expenses like time and labor costs of the repairer. Buying warranty through your dealership might not be the best, as they often are just in-between sales persons.

The Toyota Prius, being a hybrid, can start adding up in out-of-pocket expenses once your 3-year manufacturer warranty runs out. Get it covered before that happens. As with all things, you do get what you pay for, and so you’re going to have to weigh what you really need covered, versus excess stuff. $2200-$3
000 is certainly reasonable for a 7-8 year warranty, especially if you get roadside assistance and car rental reimbursement.

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Topics: car extended warranty, Best Extended Car Warranties, automobile warranty

Toyota recalls inspire regulations to standardize push-button ignition

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describe the imageLast year, Toyota had to recall 2.3 million vehicles for an issue that caused accelerator pedals to get stuck, leading to sudden unintended acceleration. Popular Mechanics reports that this problem caused a number of accidents, but while the issue has been handled, unintended acceleration can be caused by any number of things - such as defective throttle cables, cruise controls or even floor mats.

A new rule recently proposed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests that all vehicles equipped with push-button ignitions should be standardized so drivers will be able to easily turn off their vehicles in the event that their vehicles are accelerating unintentionally or if they leave the engine on, according to Bloomberg.

"At issue are drivers' inability to stop a moving vehicle in a panic situation, and drivers who unintentionally leave the vehicle without the transmission being 'locked in park,' or with the engine still running, increasing the chances of vehicle rollaway or carbon monoxide poisoning in an enclosed area," the regulator said in the proposal, the news publication reported.

The rule sets out to standardize the amount of time a driver must hold down a push-button ignition to disengage the engine. Even if the proposal becomes law, drivers will still be at risk of accidents, which is why it can be wise to purchase an extended car warranty/VSC. This way, drivers won't have to worry about the cost of repairs should they get into a car wreck.

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Topics: Best Extended Car Warranties, auto extended warranty, extended car warranty, automobile warranty

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