GMC Extended Warranty
In the market for a GMC Extended Warranty or mechanical breakdown protection? Didn't opt for the extra protection when you made the original purchase? Hello, my name is Nate Waterfalls and I will try to help you answer the question "Do I need to purchase a extended coverage? Here is what I will cover in this short article:
- GMC History
- GMC Warranties
- GMC Reliability
- Do I Need GMC Extended Warranty Protection?
- Options for Extended Protection
GMC History
GM purchased a truck company to develop General Motors Truck Company in 1909. This later became simply GMC Truck. GMC is the brand name for trucks, vans and SUVs sold by General Motors. In an effort to keep up with growing consumer demand, GMC has also expanded to include hybrid drive systems. During GM's restructure in 2009, GMC narrowly avoided the axe with sister brand Pontiac. GMC was preserved.
GMC Warranties
GMC will back your new vehicle with its no-deductible, bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. The entire vehicle is warranted for repairs, including parts and labor, to correct problems in materials or workmanship, for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first (excluding normal maintenance).
GMC will warrant each 2007 through 2009 model year GMC powertrain for 5 years, or 100,000 miles/160,000 kms with no deductible, from the original in-service date of the vehicle, for warrantable repairs which are required as a result of defects due to material and/or workmanship to the Powertrain components
You will want to consider the remaining time and mileage on your GMC warranty to determine your need for an extended vehicle warranty. Remember, the manufacturer's warranty will expire whenever time (months) or mileage (whichever comes first) reach the thresholds described above.
You can find complete GMC Warranty information at the GMC website
The next thing that you will want to consider is the reliability record of your vehicle.
GMC Reliability
Although GMC is often regarded as a “strong, reliable American brand” there is still a basic need for extra protection. One of the biggest factors in determining the relative need for either the GMC extended warranty or vehicle service contract is vehicle reliability. Although GMC trucks and vans have a strong reputation for quality, this is somewhat offset by high part cost. For example, the average transmission replacement on the Acadia costs $4000.
The Sierra, which is basically marketed as a “high class” version of the Chevrolet Silverado, has seen about as much success as its Chevy counterpart.There are a lot of complaints from owner of both types of trucks about the steering and suspension. Drivers often have several alignment problems, take that from someone who not only worked on them but also owned one.
The Acadia, another popular GMC model, also has a fairly solid record for reliability, but has a very expensive parts list, with only a simple alternator replacement sometimes costing upwards of $800.
Before making any decision, research your specific model and year to ensure reliability. Certain cars are known to be unreliable, making the extended protection decision a no-brainer. Check out the the U.S News and World Report. for current reliability ratings.
Another easy to find out about a product's reliability in the age of the Internet is to check with a community of people that have the same product. People in these groups tend to be very outspoken. In the case of automobiles one such community is Edmunds.com.
Use the links below to research your specific model for known problems.
Do I Need GMC Extended Warranty Protection?
Those who purchase GMC's, especially those who purchase trucks, demand a great amount of service from their vehicle. They put their vehicle to work, and depend upon it to handle a certain level of "abuse".
Choosing to purchase extended protection for your GMC is ultimately a personal decision. However, here are some things to consider:
- The manufacturer's original warranties
- The age and mileage of your GMC
- The reliability record of your particular GMC model
- How many miles you drive
- How long you plan to own your GMC
- Your risk tolerance
- Your financial ability to pay for unexpected repairs
Here are two additional resources to help determine if extended protection is right for you:
- POMCalc! Check your peace of mind
- How to determine if a vehicle extended warranty is right for you.
If you decide that extended protection is a good “bet” for you then be sure to purchase it before the original GMC warranty expires. The sooner you do it the less it will cost you. If the GMC warranty expires, your options may be limited. However, you don't have to purchase a GMC extended warranty – there is another option: Mechanical Breakdown Protection.
Options for Extended Protection
You have two basic options when it comes to extended protection for your GMC.
- GMC Extended Warranty
- Third Party Mechanical Breakdown Protection Plan
The extended GMC warranty is only offered by the manufacturer and is usually sold through the dealership. A vehicle service contract for extended protection may be purchased from a third party company. Coverage between the two options is usually comparable.
The main difference between the options is the price and the fact that the mechanical breakdown protection plan lets you have your service done at any repair facility. The GMC extended warranty requires that you service your vehicle at the dealership or other GMC authorized repair facilities. This tends to limit your options.
Third party mechanical breakdown protection plans tend to offer more value and can be found at a lower price with similar coverage. However, it is important to purchase mechanical breakdown protection from a reputable company.
The GMC extended warranty is a solid choice but a vehicle service contract from a reputable third party my serve you best if you need the flexibility of choosing your own service location or personal mechanic.
Nate Waterfalls
For additional information on determining your need for extended protection please review the following pages:
Although, you will pay more, the manufacturer's extended car warranties are usually a solid choice. However, if you decide that mechanical breakdown protection is a better option for you, I recommend the folks at autoPOM! and Mercury Insurance Group.
autoPOM! backed and administered by Mercury can provide you with repair service comparable to the manufacturer's extended warranty. Not surprising, autoPOM! pricing is far less than dealer pricing and offers the flexibility of allowing you to choose the repair facility that you're most comfortable with.
autoPOM! has an A+ rating from the BBB and Mercury has a A+ rating from A.M. Best.See 10 Reasons To Choose autoPOM! and Mercury.
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