Other Vehicle Warranties

Did you know that you can get a warranty for vehicles other than cars and motorcycles? Like standard vehicle warranties, a warranty for a boat, ATV or other vehicle is a guarantee from a manufacturer, dealership, or third-party company to repair or replace defective parts within a specific period of time.

For information on warranties for more common vehicles, please visit our guides to:

Other Vehicle Warranty Types

For non-standard vehicles such as boats, trailers, personal watercrafts (PWCs), or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), you have a few different warranty options:

  • A manufacturer's warranty: Provided by the manufacturer at no additional cost at the original time of sale.
  • A manufacturer or dealership extended warranty: Extends the original warranty and is backed by either the manufacturer or dealership for an additional cost.
  • A third-party extended warranty: Additional coverage that covers repairs and other services after the expiration of the original manufacturer's warranty. It is not affiliated in any way with the manufacturer or dealership, and all costs are in addition to the purchase price.

Manufacturer Warranties for Other Vehicles

Unlike car warranties, manufacturer warranties for other vehicles can vary depending on a number of factors. These include:

  • The model of the vehicle.
    • A warranty for a yacht might not be the same as it is for a sport boat—even if it's made by the same manufacturer.
  • A fragmented warranty.
    • It isn't uncommon for the engine of a boat to be covered by a company other than the manufacturer.
  • Portions of the warranty that are not transferrable.
    • For example: The hull blister portion of a warranty is often only covered for the original buyer.

Here's an example of what a manufacturer's warranty from a top industry seller would cover. The duration for these types of warranties may vary among providers. They have been included here to give you a general understanding of what's typically offered.

Example Manufacturer Warranty: Boat

Model: Sea Ray Sport Cruiser (original owner)

  • Hull/deck warranty 10 years:
    • Covers any defect to the fiberglass or other substantial structural defect.
  • Hull blister warranty 5 years:
    • Includes repairs to the gel coating of the surface of the hull caused by laminate blistering.
  • Cosmetic exterior warranty:
    • Repairs cosmetic defects caused by materials or workmanship such as:
      • Stress cracks.
      • Crazing.
      • Air voids.
      • Other defects to exterior finish of the deck or hull.
  • Limited warranty for specific parts.
    • Covers specific parts not listed under the exclusions of the contract.

Manufacturer Extended Warranties

Some (but not all) manufacturers offer extended warranties that kick in after your original warranty has expired. Although these warranties require a separate purchase, it can offer the same protection as your original warranty for several additional years.

Keep in mind that when you purchase an extended warranty through a manufacturer, you may be required to:

  • Have repairs made at a certified dealership only.
  • Purchase the warranty before the original manufacturer's warranty expires.
  • Replace parts with factory certified parts only.

Extended warranties through a manufacturer can vary depending on the type of vehicle you're purchasing and on the manufacturer itself. To get a better idea of what you can expect, here is an example of what a top industry seller would cover.

Example Manufacturer Extended Warranty: Personal Watercraft

Model: Sea-Doo Performance PWC

  • Flexible contracts.
  • Covered items include parts related to:
    • Engine.
    • Ignition and starter.
    • Electrical components.
    • Transmission and propulsion.
    • Suspension and drive system.
    • Fuel system.
    • Brakes.
  • Unlimited mileage.
  • Transferable.
  • Repairs made by certified technicians.
  • Emergency assistance, including:
    • Toll free line.
    • Towing.
    • Battery failure.
    • Fluid delivery.
    • Lost key assistance.

Third-Party Extended Warranties

An extended warranty from a third-party company is a service contract that can help to offset repair costs after a manufacturer warranty expires. Third-party warranties have no business relationship with the manufacturer and are often backed by insurance companies or other providers.

Though you'll need to be sure that the extended warranty you choose is backed by a reputable dealer, some of the advantages a third-party warranty can provide include:

  • More choices for coverage options.
  • Can be purchased at any time.
    • In most cases, purchasing before the manufacturer's warranty has expired will give you a better rate.
  • Repairs are not required to be made at a dealership.
    • Prior authorization for repairs may be required.
  • Can be purchased for new or used vehicles.
  • Lower rates.

Example Third-Party Extended Warranty: ATV

Model: Extended Pinnacle ATV

  • New vehicle plans for up to 7 years.
  • Used vehicle plans for up to 7 years.
  • Coverage includes repairs and parts* related to:
    • Engine.
    • Waterpump.
    • Turbo/Supercharger.
    • Transmission.
    • Primary drive.
    • Front and rear suspension.
    • Steering.
    • Brakes.
    • Electrical.
    • Gauges.
    • Fuel system.
    • Seals and gaskets.
  • Vehicle pickup and delivery reimbursement for component failures.
  • Emergency assistance.
  • Transferable protection.

*Specific parts covered may vary depending on type of vehicle - snowmobile, motorcycle, ATV, personal watercraft etc.

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