Compare high-mileage car warranty insurance

What is a car warranty?

Car warranty cover is a type of insurance policy that covers the cost of repairs to your car if parts fail or it breaks down. 

Warranties are usually included when you first purchase your car, but these may run for as short a time as a few months (in the case of a used car) or a fixed time period and mileage limit. The warranty on a new car generally lasts longer, typically three years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. 

Note: some manufacturer warranties last up to seven years and continue to cover the car even after it’s been sold to a new owner as a used vehicle subject to mileage and certain terms and conditions (such as whether the car has been serviced by the dealer). Check when purchasing a used car to see if it is still covered by its manufacturer’s warranty.

If you travel a lot you may reach that limit quite quickly, which is where a high-mileage warranty comes in. It continues to offer protection for repairs and parts beyond the manufacturer’s warranty limits.

Do I need a warranty insurance policy?

If your car is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, there’s no need to purchase additional insurance. If you’re not covered, then ask yourself whether you can afford any unexpected repair bills or the cost of replacing broken parts.

It’s possible in some cases that the price of a warranty policy may exceed the cost of paying for repairs out of your own pocket, in which case this kind of insurance is unnecessary.

Unlike car insurance, a car warranty is not a legal requirement. However, warranty insurance can sometimes save you a significant amount of money if your car needs expensive repairs.

Bear in mind that due to the number of conditions and exclusions on car warranties, you may end up paying a lot for cover that won’t pay out when you need it to.

What is covered?

When you buy car warranty cover, you can choose a policy that lasts from as little as a month to as long as five years. Most run for one year with the option to renew when the policy ends.

Your car warranty policy usually covers repairs to the:

As well as cover for repairs, high-mileage warranty cover may also include:

Cover levels vary widely depending on the policy you choose, so check the insurer's summary of cover and the policy documentation before you buy.

What is excluded?

A car warranty doesn’t usually cover the cost of any repairs required due to accidental damage, loss or theft, which are usually covered by the car’s insurance. 

Other exclusions vary from provider to provider, but some common examples include:

Check your policy documents when you compare warranty insurance quotes. Look out for exclusions even on items that seem at first glance to be covered – for example, some insurers cover general electrical faults but not in-car stereo systems.

What is consequential loss?

Warranty providers use this term to mean any damage to an insured part that’s caused by an uninsured part breaking.

For example, your exhaust (insured) gets damaged because your catalytic converter (not insured) breaks.

Some car insurance warranties don’t cover consequential loss, so check your policy documents carefully to verify if this is the case or not.

Find the cover you need

When getting quotes, check the following:

Here’s more on what a car warranty can cover.

How much does a car warranty cost?

The cost of your warranty premiums depends on your insurance provider, so compare quotes to find the best deal.

Most car warranty providers offer three levels of cover, with premium policies naturally costing more. Along with your mileage, the cost of your warranty insurance is also based on:

A cheaper warranty usually provides less cover, so be prepared to pay more to get the protection you need.

Don’t forget to work out if the cost of a warranty is more expensive than paying the cost of any repairs yourself.

How to get a warranty if your car has a high mileage

High-mileage warranties offer the same cover as standard warranties, but are valid even if your car has plenty of miles of the clock. 

To find a high-mileage car warranty, you’ll need to work out the level of cover you need, the price you’re prepared to pay, and then compare quotes to find the one that works for you.