In the past, mail was a joy to receive because it contained messages from loved ones and was a method to stay in touch. In today’s world, it’s safe to state that nothing positive ever arrives in the mail. A good example is a vehicle repair notification.
The extended warranty policy that you purchased with your car is the source of the service notification. For now, the policy is only for a short period of time, and you’ll eventually have to make a decision on whether or not to renew it.
However, a service notification for a car might be a scam in more than one way. From the time you were offered an extended warranty to the time you opened the notice letter, I’ll show you the most prevalent symptoms that you’re dealing with a scam.
Motor Vehicle Service Notification – How The Scam Works
In order for the manufacturer to inform you that your extended warranty is about to expire, they send you a vehicle service notice. In many ways, it’s similar to a contract for internet service, cable television, or a mobile phone service.
The letter may appear to be authentic, with all of the proper stamps and markings, and even a secure seal. The notification contains information about your vehicle that isn’t available to the public, so be sure to read it. If you need to extend the service, there is always a 1 800 number for you to call.
Some tips for spotting bogus notifications:
- The letter doesn’t start with your first and last name – it may say “Dear Ford owner” or other generic phrases.
- The body of the letter is authoritative and even threatening, with the intent of making you act quickly and without thinking.
- Lack of sensitive information, like the purchase date, contract code, engine number, etc.
- Includes seemingly sensitive information that can easily be found through a VIN check.
- The only means of contact are a phone number.
- Lack of company details on the letter.
When it comes to scams involving vehicles, the victim’s personal information is the key selling point. It’s also possible to get a lot of the information you need from a VIN check.
Observe the bottom of your driver’s-side windshield for a few seconds, and you’ll see a little portion of numbers and letters. On a public parking lot, the scammer can readily copy your car’s VIN number.
When looking to buy a secondhand car, the vehicle identification number (VIN) can provide a wealth of information about the vehicle. Among the most prominent VIN checkers, Carfax will supply you with information about:
- Vehicle registration history
- Title information
- Odometer readings
- Accident history
- Service, repair, and inspection history
- Vehicle usage status (lease, rental, taxi, etc.
In the context of a letter from the dealership or manufacturer, this information could readily be misunderstood to make you assume that it is authentic. In order to con you out of a warranty claim because your automobile has exceeded its mileage limit and has to be repaired or replaced, the fraudster possesses your car’s make, model, engine type, and last recorded odometer reading.
If you transfer money to them, you’ll never hear from them again. This is a blatant larceny fraud. However, most frauds are genuinely lawful. They entice you to sign up for an insurance policy, but they construct the contract so that you will never be able to claim the benefits of that insurance policy you paid for. In order to void your warranty, the most common tactic is to allege that your car has been misused, regardless of the problem, which results in an immediate void.
Motor Vehicle Service Notification – What Should You Do?
The most perplexing aspect of the service notification process is that it is still delivered in the form of a physical letter. With every automobile purchase, the dealership asks for a lot of personal information so that they can get in touch with you. Think about it: wouldn’t an email or a phone call be more convenient for the dealership than a letter?
Get in touch with the place you purchased your extended warranty from, which is most likely the dealership, as soon as you receive one of these notice letters. Inform them that you’ve got the letter and ask if it was sent by them. Then, if you’d like to renew your contract, you can do so.
In my personal opinion, I would never call the phone number mentioned in the letter, even if it is 100% legitimate. Listen to the chat in the video below to get a sense of what to expect if you decide to make the phone call.
Do You Need The Extended Car Warranty?
Having discussed the service notices, let’s now talk about the extended car warranties. This insurance policy is not a guarantee, but rather a form of protection for the buyer in case expensive repairs and components are needed.
The manufacturer (OEM) or a third party may offer extended insurance policies.
You can receive powertrain or bumper-to-bumper insurance through OEM coverage. The engine and gearbox are covered under the powertrain insurance, whereas the bumper to bumper policy additionally protects the electronics and other systems in the vehicle’s interior as well. Packages from third parties are typically less expensive than those offered by the manufacturer, but there is a risk that repairs and parts used are not up to the manufacturer’s standards.
Is that something you really need?
The answer is contingent upon the age and model of the vehicle you intend to purchase.
Reasons Not To Get An Extended Car Warranty
To encourage you to buy an extended warranty, auto dealerships will do anything they can to get you to buy a new car that already has a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty. By delaying the purchase of an extended warranty by 2. 5 to 3 years, you will still have full coverage.
Because extended warranties bring in the greatest commissions for dealers, they’ll go out of their way to convince you to buy one. Up to half of the money you spend on the extended warranty goes to the dealer, resulting in a coverage that is twice as expensive as it should be.
Take a look at your shopping patterns. For how long are you planning on keeping the vehicle? If you’re intending to sell the product before the extended warranty kicks in, you don’t need it. The warranty can be as expensive as the car itself for some secondhand cars, therefore it’s meaningless to have one.
The only time an extended warranty is worth the money is when it’s utilized to pay for a costly repair.
When you think about it, it’s a great idea. To save money, don’t buy an extended warranty on a car from a brand known for its reliability, like Honda or Toyota. Even if your car breaks down, you’ll have the money to fix it, but selling the automobile will allow you to keep the majority of the money you’ve saved.
Reasons To Get An Extended Car Warranty
If you’re buying a car that’s prone to breakdowns or has pricey parts, you’ll want to invest in an extended warranty.
Mercedes Benz and BMW are expensive to maintain, whereas British automobiles have a reputation for breaking down. You might save a lot of money if you get an extended warranty for your car.
Cars that have been optimized to offer maximum power tend to have a shorter lifespan since you can’t get it all without sacrificing something. So, because of this, they are ideal candidates for an extended car service contract to take benefit of high-quality replacement parts.
FAQs
What is motor vehicle protection?
This type of insurance is not an extended warranty, but rather an insurance add-on that protects you from paying for damages caused by an accident in which you were not at fault. Injury to the driver and passengers, lost wages, property damage, and other things are all covered under this insurance policy.
What happens when you cancel a vehicle service contract?
At any time, you can cancel your extended car warranty and receive a prorated refund for the remaining coverage period. The monthly payment is not reduced by an insurance policy that is part of the vehicle loan; instead, the payment time is shortened. Find out if you’ll have to pay a cancellation charge if you decide to cancel your vehicle servicing contract.
How do warranty companies get my information?
With the help of publicly available data, warranty businesses are able to develop a thorough personal profile of their customers. Google the firm to determine whether they’re a legitimate business before contacting them.
Does my car need a warranty?
Your car’s make, model, age, and luck all play a role in the answer. Purchasing a car from a well-known manufacturer with a track record of building dependable vehicles eliminates the need for an additional warranty.
Why do I keep getting phone calls about my car warranty?
Due of the insurance company’s advantageous position, car warranties are a lucrative industry. If you buy a warranty, the person who sold it to you is going to make a large commission, so they’ll be even more persistent.
Summary
Getting a quick response isn’t necessary while responding to a car service notification. Instead, call the dealership or insurance company where you purchased the coverage and verify that the notice was sent by them. Otherwise, it’s a marketing ploy that is legally not a scam, so you can disregard it.
Many motorists opt to get an extended warranty in order to alleviate any financial concerns they may have in the future. It’s possible that despite paying for insurance, you won’t receive it if your insurer determines that your driving was to blame for the accident’s consequences. An extended car warranty should only be purchased from a trustworthy vendor.
