Making a Car Repair Claim

Where to Get Car Repairs Done

First, when you buy an extended car warranty, be sure to check where you can get your repairs done.

If you’ve bought it from a car dealer, your choices may range from at the selling dealer only, at any dealer of your make of car, at any new car dealer, or at your choice of new car dealer or independent repair shop.

Since consumers tend to be more satisfied with vehicle repairs at independent shops than with repairs at new car dealers, it’s good to have the option of using an independent car repair shop.

Warranty Direct allows you to use any one of their 22,000 car repair centers. If your favorite car repair shop down the street doesn’t have a relationship with them, some warranty companies will call and make arrangements. It’s important to check first, though.

How Claims Get Paid

Under some extended car warranty contracts, the car repair shop simply bills the contract company; under others, you must pay the shop, then seek reimbursement – often long-delayed – from the contract company.

Even if a service contract company says shops can bill it directly, check with repair shops you might use to be sure they will in fact bill the contract company; most independent shops have long since decided not to put up with the hassle of collecting from service contract companies.

Shops will be more willing to deal with contract companies that allow the shop simply to charge the repairs to the contract company’s Visa or MasterCard. You just pay your deductible, the repair shop calls the company, they make payment, and you’re on your merry way.