| Manufacturer Extended Warranty | Third-Party Vehicle Service Contract |
|---|---|
| Typically must be purchased before the manufacturer’s new vehicle warranty expires |
Can be purchased at any time |
| Requires that the vehicle be serviced exclusively at dealerships | Vehicles can generally be serviced at any ASE-certified repair shop |
| Typically more expensive | Typically less expensive |
| Typically offer more comprehensive coverage that’s tailored to vehicles’ unique needs |
Plans not usually tailored to a specific brand |
| Term limits rarely exceed 100,000 miles | Term limits as high as 250,000 miles |
| Usually only one or two coverage levels | Usually three to five levels of coverage |