“Peace of mind.” And that selling line sells more warranties than any list of features ever will. Peace of mind there is, but on condition. Continue reading reviews, people do not discuss warranties calmly. Either because they believe they have dodged a bullet… or because they have been shot in the wallet.

A colleague of mine has said that it is because of his warranty that he did not spend $3,000 to repair his car. Transmission trouble. No warning. Just another rattle and quick regret. He paid out a small deductible, the rest was paid. It was the best decision I ever made, he said.

Then his brother related some other story. Same type of plan. Claim denied. Reason? “Wear and tear.” It hurt as well as it is funny, like stepping on a Lego in the dark, he laughed. So much that word-wear and tear-appears. Wear or tear are not covered in a great number of warranties. But strange, because cars, get old. You are insuring your shoes against the worn sole as if you were.

Read the exclusions. That’s where the truth hides. Parts lists can be very impressive at first sight, pages of parts, interesting words, but space between parts is what really counts. There are sensors, seals, electronics–they are all there, they are none of them. And the new vehicles are electronically powered. The failure may be as trivial as a snowball becoming a giant bill.

Claims are another story. Some companies act fast. Approval comes through. Work gets done. You retreat with minimal levels of stress. Others? Traffic on one of the Mondays. Waiting, telephone calls, inspections. Always waiting. And there is your automobile, and there is your temper. A friend was correct when he said: The repair was quick. The approval took forever.” That sums it up.

Payment matters too. The mechanic will be paid by other plans. Simple. The others will charge you a fee and file claims to receive reimbursement. Awesome as long as your savings account is not bad. Otherwise it is headache in receipts.

Friction rules exist in repair shops. Can you pick your own mechanic or is that a list? Once you believe in your own garage, limits are as much as telling you where to eat dinner.

And cost? Monthly payments may seem harmless, pocket change, but this amount does add up. Other people will find themselves paying more on the warranty than the repairs.

However, going without a warranty is not always a good idea. No old age lacks surprises, strange noises, warning signs in bad taste. In these cases, a warranty can act as a safety net in terms of finances. Newer cars? Coverage may be manufacturer coverage, which you already possess. It would be redundant to include a plan.

The reviews are lovely, but emotional snapshots. They are also written when individuals have either won a big or lost frustratingly, but not after typical Tuesday mend. In that case abandon perfection–consistency seek. A few accusations of repudiated assertions? Pay attention. Praise for fast service? Note that too.

Warranty is a thin ice gamble after all. Read–or forget to trouble yourself.