When you make any large purchase, you usually have a checklist of things to consider. You want to make sure the product you choose will fit your needs, and often, your budget. The same principle applies to a pre-paid
maintenance plan. A maintenance plan is a plan that will pay for your regular maintenance items such as engine oil and filter changes, tire rotations, brake inspections, and more. The amount of services that a maintenance plan will cover depends upon the level you choose.
When you are considering if a maintenance plan is right for you and what plan will best fit your need, here are a few things that you should consider.
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Does your car come with free scheduled maintenance? If you just purchased a brand new vehicle, see if it comes with free scheduled maintenance. Many manufacturers will offer scheduled maintenance to their customers for the first few years. If your new car doesn't come with scheduled maintenance, or you purchased a used car, you may want to consider purchasing a prepaid maintenance.
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Consider what coverage will fit your needs. Just like an extended auto warranty, a prepaid maintenance plan has several different coverage levels. You can opt for the basic level that will cover oil changes and tire rotations, or you can go with a higher level plan that will cover inspections, fluid level checks, and windshield wiper replacements. Note that higher level plans will cost more than the basic plans. The good news is that if you buy a maintenance plan when you purchase your vehicle, they can roll the cost into purchase price of your car. This should only raise your monthly payments a few dollars a month.
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Where can maintenance be performed? Many maintenance plans are backed by the vehicle manufacturer. This often means that you will have to have your maintenance performed at a dealership. For some people, getting to the dealership where the maintenance plan was purchased can prove to be difficult or inconvenient. Find out if you can have the maintenance performed at any service center that is certified by the manufacturer of your vehicle.
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What exactly is covered? Each person needs a different level of coverage for their vehicle. Figure out what is covered in each plan. Some plans that cover just oil changes and tire rotation while others will cover numerous services, replacements and inspections.Once you have looked over the different plans, choose the plan that will best fit your needs.
Consider all your options before making a decision on a maintenance plan. If you have access to the internet, use it. See what plans the manufacturers offer. This will help make the actual purchasing process a little faster.
