Deciding whether or not to buy an extended warranty requires an analysis of your driving needs, the length of time you plan to keep the vehicle, and an assessment of how much benefit you will get from a Ford service warranty. In an April 2014 article in Consumer Report on a 2013 survey on 2006 to 2010 model vehicles, respondents who bought an extended warranty were more likely to have their auto maintained and repaired during the life of the policy than those without extended coverage.

Here are some reasons you should consider when determining the value of a Ford Protect Extended Service warranty for your car, pickup, or SUV.

1. Standard factory warranties end at 36 months/36,000 miles. At that time, without an extended service warranty, the total repair bill will come out of your pocket. On the other hand, extended warranty protection plans can take over when the standard warranty ends, saving you from unexpected breakdown expenses on extended service-covered components.
2. Pay for reputable and trustworthy coverage from Ford or Lincoln. When you purchase a factory-backed manufacturer’s extended service warranty from Ford or Lincoln, you can be confident the terms of the warranty will be fulfilled. Ford|Lincoln Protect’s reputation is important to the company and its customers. Unlike many third-party warranties that require you to pay repairs upfront and apply later for reimbursement of repairs from the warranty company. Also, when you have a genuine, factory-backed Ford|Lincoln extended warranty there is no wasted time getting quotes from different repair shops to obtain approval for the repairs. Ford or Lincoln pays your dealer directly for the repairs and you simply pay the deductible of your chosen plan. The Consumer Report National Research Center survey also found that respondents who purchased automaker-backed coverage were substantially more satisfied than those who bought extended coverage from a third party.

3. Comprehensive coverage protection based on your needs. Ford and Lincoln offer Ford|Lincoln Protect Extended Service Plans to suit your pocketbook, mileage needs, and the length of time you plan to own the vehicle. You choose from different levels of coverage — PremiumCare covering more than 1,000 parts, ExtraCare with coverage of 113 parts, BaseCare covering 84 key components and PowertrainCare covering more than 29 components — for new, used, and certified vehicles. You also have a choice of deductibles — $0, $100, and $200. It’s important to note, according to the Consumer Report survey, purchasers of so-called bumper-to-bumper coverage were more satisfied than buyers who purchased less comprehensive warranty plans.
4. Repair costs often exceed the cost of a Ford protection and service warranty plan. As your vehicle ages, the cost of repairs can often surpass the original cost of the extended service warranty. Furthermore, Powertrain components, LEDs, high-tech electronic systems and other modern technologies used in today’s trucks, SUVs and cars are expensive to repair and require installation of original parts by qualified Ford or Lincoln technicians.
5. Warranty extras ease frustration of unexpected breakdowns. An important part of Ford|Lincoln Protect Extended Service Plans is the peace of mind you get from the Roadside Assistance services included in the plans. Not only do the Ford and Lincoln extended warranty plans this roadside services which cover emergency towing, battery jump starts, flat tire changes, lockouts, and out-of-fuel delivery, Ford|Lincoln Protect Extended Service Plans also provide rental assistance and trip allowance for lodging and meals while waiting for repairs when broke down more than 100 miles from home.
6. Coverage for all family vehicles, regardless of brand. Ford and Lincoln also offer vehicle service warranty protection for the most competitive makes and models. By covering all of your family’s vehicles with genuine Ford|Lincoln Protect Extended Service Plans you can be sure of the warranty coverage because Ford and Lincoln recommend repairs using original equipment parts installed by qualified competitive brand technicians. Vehicles requiring an inspection, however, must be inspected by a qualified Ford or Lincoln service technician before a Ford or Lincoln plan can be applied to such vehicles.
7. Warranty choice is based on likely ownership of the vehicle. First, consider how long you usually keep your cars, trucks, or SUVs. If your vehicle is new the extended warranty start date is the in-service date (the purchase date of the original owner). With this information in mind, multiply your estimated yearly driving mileage by the number of years you plan to keep the vehicle and add the result to the current mileage to determine which plan fits the length of your driving needs. If your vehicle is used, the extended warranty start date is the day the plan is bought. Simply multiply your estimated yearly driving mileage by the number of years you plan to keep the vehicle to determine the right plan for you. Finally, the most important thing is to wisely choose an extended warranty that will maximize the worth of the service plan in maintaining the value, safety, and reliability of your vehicle.