What Does a Bumper-to-Bumper Extended Warranty Cover?

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When you’re shopping for an extended warranty, chances are you will run across the term “bumper-to-bumper extended warranty.” Before purchasing such a policy, it is important to understand what “bumper-to-bumper” actually means.

This article will review the basics of a bumper-to-bumper extended warranty. Find out what to expect from bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage, including typical costs and standard exclusions. We’ll also recommend a few of the best extended car warranty providers for those looking to purchase a bumper-to-bumper extended warranty.

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All new cars come with a factory warranty. Many manufacturers have two separate warranties for vehicle components: a bumper-to-bumper warranty and a powertrain warranty. These two warranties are promises that the manufacturer will cover the cost of parts and labor to replace or repair any components that malfunction. The difference between the two warranties is what is covered.

A powertrain warranty covers the parts of the car that make it move. This includes the engine, transmission, and drive axle. Some plans will cover additional components like the air conditioning, fuel system, and cooling system.

A bumper-to-bumper warranty covers nearly every vehicle component, with certain exceptions. When a manufacturer offers separate powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranties, the powertrain warranty will typically last a couple of years longer.

A bumper-to-bumper extended warranty is a vehicle service contract that promises to help customers pay for auto repair costs. The term “bumper-to-bumper” indicates that most vehicle components (from the front bumper to the rear bumper) are included in the extended warranty coverage.

Ironically, bumpers themselves are rarely covered by bumper-to-bumper warranties.

When a vehicle’s manufacturer warranty expires, many drivers opt for extended coverage. Third-party providers generally offer a number of different service contracts. The most comprehensive contracts may be referred to as “bumper-to-bumper coverage.”

You can purchase a bumper-to-bumper extended warranty directly from most manufacturers or from third-party providers.

Manufacturer bumper-to-bumper extended warranties typically cover most of the components that were covered under the new vehicle warranty. Usually, these warranties must be purchased at the time you buy your vehicle. But in some cases, they can be purchased after the fact, so long as your car is still covered under its original factory warranty.

Most manufacturer extended warranties will add an additional two to three years of coverage and cost anywhere between $2,000 and $4,000. Exact coverage details are different for each manufacturer.

A bumper-to-bumper extended warranty from a third-party provider usually has more flexible term options. Contracts can stretch anywhere from three to 15 years, depending on the provider.

In general, third-party warranties are less expensive than manufacturer’s warranties. The average price for a third-party warranty varies depending on the deductible and coverage term. Most plans come with a $100 deductible and cost between $650 and $1,000 per year of coverage. Some plans offer deductibles ranging from $0 to $500 and allow you to choose the best option for your budget. Typically, the higher your deductible, the lower your monthly rates for coverage are.

Bumper-to-bumper extended warranties are certainly worth it for some customers. Consider the annual cost of maintaining your vehicle and weigh that against the annual cost of an extended vehicle service contract. Then, consider the peace of mind that a bumper-to-bumper extended warranty offers.

In many cases, a service contract may not entirely pay for itself in covered repairs. However, a service contract does help customers budget for repairs and serves as a safeguard against having to pay large repair fees all at once. With an extended auto warranty, you can budget the cost of repairs on a monthly payment plan and insure yourself against the unexpected.

For some people, the peace of mind provided by an extended warranty is worth it even if a warranty is more expensive in the long term.

Endurance offers a total of six levels of coverage. Our Endurance Review found that the first five are extended warranties with varying levels of coverage to protect against mechanical breakdowns. The last Endurance plan, EnduranceAdvantage™ is a combination between an extended auto warranty and a maintenance contract.

Warranty plans come with 1-year free of Elite Benefits including roadside assistance, total loss protection, collision discount, key fob replacement, tire repair/replacement, and access to the Endurance mobile app.

CarShield offers service contracts in every state except California. There are six levels of coverage that range from basic powertrain to exclusionary bumper-to-bumper coverage. CarShield customers even have the option to purchase extended warranty plans for motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.

Our CarShield review found that this provider has some of the longest contract terms. When we reached out for a quote, we were offered a bumper-to-bumper extended warranty contract with an unlimited term length for about $130 per month.

CarShield also offers powertrain plans for customers with older vehicles and those on a tighter budget. CarShield’s Gold has some of the lowest monthly payment options we’ve seen. We received the following quotes for a 2013 Dodge Caravan with 88,000 miles:

Protect My Car has some of the best long-term financing options. Monthly payment plans can extend as long as 60 months. While this results in a higher overall cost, it is a nice option for those with a limited monthly budget. Protect My Car sells three levels of coverage, including a bumper-to-bumper protection plan called Supreme.

In our Protect My Car review, we contacted the provider for a quote on a Ford Explorer with 45,000 miles and were offered the following terms: