Your vehicle’s electrical system is vital, and the more your car relies on technology, the more essential the battery is. No matter how well you care for your vehicle, the battery will eventually wear out and need to be replaced.
Most of the time, you can expect a car battery to last anywhere between three and five years, but if you live in an area that has a lot of extreme weather or you put a lot of miles on your vehicle every year, you may need to replace it sooner rather than later. When that time comes, it is a good idea to have coverage that will help you get a suitable replacement.
When you need a new battery for your vehicle, having an extended car warranty or auto protection plan in place can help you save a lot of money. Whether your used car is still covered under the factory warranty or you are considering an extended warranty, having the help you need is the best way to get your vehicle back on the road.
Knowing how different coverage options deal with battery replacements will help you make the right decision for yourself and your car.
Manufacturer Warranties: Initial Protection
When you buy a brand new car, it almost always comes with a factory warranty provided by the manufacturer. This new car warranty protects you from issues from the automaker, factory, or overall design flaws with the car and will usually last between three years or 36,000 miles and five years or 60,000 miles. If a problem arises while your vehicle is still under warranty and the repair is covered, you can take it to the dealership, and they will fix it at no cost to you.
There are different kinds of factory warranties, and your vehicle will usually come in a few types. The bumper-to-bumper warranty includes nearly every component of the car and will generally have the shortest term. A powertrain warranty covers the most basic parts of the vehicle, such as the engine, transmission, and drive axle. This car warranty will likely be longer and, in some cases, will be good for up to ten years or 100,000 miles. Your vehicle may also come with a corrosion warranty, which will cover certain parts of the exterior in the event of premature rust or deterioration.
Whether or not your factory warranty will cover a battery replacement will depend heavily on the type of coverage that comes with your specific vehicle. In some cases, a battery will be considered a wear-and-tear item. Since it is expected to wear out eventually, it may be excluded from your coverage. Check the warranty information for your particular vehicle to find out if a new battery is going to be covered under bumper-to-bumper protection.
Extended Warranties: Expanding Your Coverage
Once your factory warranty has run out, you have the option of getting extended coverage. While you can purchase an extended warranty from the manufacturer, you can also widen your options by getting a vehicle service contract (VSC) from a third-party provider, like Endurance Warranty.
VSCs come in many forms and have varying levels of coverage and components included in the plan. Many providers also offer extra perks like 24/7 roadside assistance and rental car coverage, which can make the cost worth it if you break down while on the road.
Many VSC providers will not specifically cover batteries since, like with the manufacturer’s warranty, they are considered wear-and-tear items. That being said, if you constantly have to replace your battery due to a faulty component like the alternator, which can prematurely wear your battery, having extended coverage that can help you repair the root of the issue is incredibly helpful.
Some VSC providers, such as Endurance, have coverage plans that will help you with battery replacements. The Advantage plan, for example, includes a one-time covered replacement of a car battery and routine maintenance services, which is rare in the world of extended warranties. On top of the battery replacement, the Advantage plan also includes roadside assistance and battery jumping to help you make sure you will never be stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery. Looking for a plan that will help you with the issues that you are most likely to come across will help you get the protection you need.
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance: Coverage in California
If you live in an area where vehicle service contracts are not available, such as California, you can get similar protection with mechanical breakdown insurance (or MBI). MBI works much in the same way as an extended warranty, except for how it is regulated. It generally operates under the same standards as traditional extended warranties and offers protection in the event of a malfunction or a needed repair. Instead of protecting you from repair costs due to an accident like regular car insurance, MBI covers repairs due to age or extended use.
For California drivers, whether or not MBI will cover a battery replacement will change from plan to plan. MBI may cover a single battery replacement or help with the repairs of electrical components that have been damaged due to a worn or faulty battery. If the provider offers extra perks like battery jumps or roadside assistance with your MBI coverage, you may also have access to them.
Do Warranties Cover Batteries?: Typical Exclusions and Limitations
If you have coverage for battery replacements with your warranty, there will almost always be exclusions and limitations on what constitutes a covered replacement. Exclusions will change depending on the plan and the provider, but some circ*mstances are more common than others. Knowing what these are will help you be ready when the time comes to get a new vehicle battery.
1. Lack of Maintenance
Batteries need to be maintained like any other vehicle component. Car batteries have water reservoirs that need to be topped off with distilled water from time to time to keep them cool. The battery terminals will also develop oxidation that needs to be brushed away to ensure a tight fit with the terminal cables. Failing to do battery maintenance can void the warranty, so it is important to keep up with it.
2. Aftermarket Replacements
If you replace your battery with a non-original equipment manufacturer (OEM) version, you could void the warranty and will not be able to get another replacement covered. If you need to replace your battery before getting it approved by your warranty provider, do not use an aftermarket unit. Use the original battery brand and type that came with the vehicle so you can have the best chance of getting the replacement covered by the provider.
3. Normal Wear and Tear
Since batteries are meant to wear out and will almost always need to be replaced once every three to five years, you will most likely not be able to get a covered replacement if the unit simply wears out. Most warranty coverage will only cover the replacement if the battery wears out early or stops holding a charge due to a manufacturing issue or malfunction. If, however, you have a plan like Endurance’s Advantage plan, which includes a one-time replacement specifically, you will be able to have the new battery covered.
4. Time and Mileage
Time and mileage will also play a big part in whether or not your warranty terms cover a battery replacement. If a battery is old or you generally put a lot of miles on your vehicle every year, this may exclude you from getting covered replacements. Be sure to read the fine print of what your car warranty covers before you try to file a claim with your provider for a new battery.
The Process of Claiming a Battery Replacement
The process of filing a warranty claim for a battery replacement will differ from provider to provider, but some things will remain the same. For the most part, taking your vehicle to a certified repair shop that is included in your plan’s network should be your first step. Whether this is the dealership or another shop of your choice, make sure that it is included in your vehicle’s coverage.
Once there, speak to the service manager and find out if your plan will cover a battery replacement. They will be able to work with your provider and let you know if you have a car battery warranty. If it is, you will only have to pay your usual deductible for a visit to the shop to get your new battery installed.
If you need a new battery and cannot get your car to the shop, contact your extended auto warranty provider and find out what steps you should take. This is why it is so important to work with a company with a stellar reputation for customer service.
If you are going to replace the battery and file a claim later, be sure to hold onto your receipts and any other documentation having to do with the replacement. This way, you can present all the proof you need to the warranty company when the time comes to file the claim.
Extended Warranties Offering Comprehensive Battery Coverage
No matter what kind of car you have, it is essential that you have coverage that protects you from expensive repairs and unexpected breakdowns. If your factory coverage has run out, a protection plan from Endurance that includes a battery replacement will help keep your vehicle running and ensure that you won’t get stuck with a dead battery. The Advantage plan from Endurance consists of a one-time battery replacement as well as up to $3,500 in maintenance coverage, so you can do everything you can to protect yourself and your vehicle.
A high-quality extended vehicle warranty will also cover you in the event of a bigger, more serious repair. Depending on the plan you decide on, you can get coverage for everything from the most essential components like the engine, transmission, and drive axle all the way up to comfort components like the air conditioning and infotainment system. Knowing that you can get your car repaired as soon as an issue arises will give you the peace of mind you need whenever you are behind the wheel.
Protect Your Battery and Other Essential Components With Endurance
When you need coverage for your vehicle’s battery or other vital components, Endurance Warranty is here to help. With auto protection plans for nearly every kind of car and driver, you can shield yourself from expensive breakdowns and unexpected repairs, whether you have an older car with a lot of miles on the odometer or a high-end luxury vehicle.
Endurance has plans ranging from the most basic coverage to near bumper-to-bumper protection at low monthly rates and varying deductibles. We also cover vehicles that other providers won’t, such as Canadian Gray Market vehicles, cars used for rideshare or other commercial purposes, and vehicles with a salvage title. Plus, every Endurance plan comes with a collection of standard perks like 24/7 roadside assistance, towing coverage, rental car reimbursem*nt, and trip interruption coverage to help keep you safe no matter where you are.
Every Endurance customer can also get access to the Elite Benefits program for a small activation fee. These extra perks include useful features like tire repairs, key fob replacement, and up to $1,000 in total loss coverage.
If you need the best protection on the market, contact our award-winning customer service team at (800) 253-8203 for a FREE quote. You can also use our online store for an instant price preview to get an idea of what coverage is available to you.
You can also check out the Endurance blog for FAQs, warranty provider comparisons, mechanical breakdown insurance guides for California drivers, DIY maintenance tips and tricks, and more.
