Extended warranty
The common name for coverage bought after the factory warranty — usually a vehicle service contract, not an extension of the factory policy.
Part of the Plans & alternatives cluster.
What it means
“Extended warranty” is the everyday name for a service contract purchased to cover repairs after — or alongside — the factory warranty. Despite the name, most are not warranties from the manufacturer but separately priced contracts with their own administrators, exclusions, and deductibles.
Why it matters
What you are actually buying determines who pays and who decides claims. Ask who the obligor is, what is excluded, and whether the contract is insurance-backed — then compare the price against simply funding the same repairs yourself.
What it is NOT
It is not a factory warranty extension, not free, and not insurance. The legal category matters — see warranty vs service contract for the distinction.
Related terms
Terms in this glossary describe general warranty practice and US norms — they are informational, not legal advice, and not a reading of your specific warranty booklet.