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What does ALA Gold Warranty cover? What to look for in extended Car Warranty

13 December 2023

Written by Simon England

|  5 Minutes

You never want to find out that your car warranty doesn’t protect you when you need to claim for an expensive repair, which is why we offer generous component cover at market-leading prices. You don’t have to break the bank for a comprehensive car warranty when your manufacturer’s warranty expires.

Our Gold policy suits drivers looking for great value, comprehensive coverage, reliability and transparency. Jargon-filled policy wordings and exclusions can be challenging to navigate when shopping online for the best deal. So, we outline exactly what the ALA Gold package includes so you’re clear about the cover you’re buying and its limitations.

Is ALA Gold Warranty Worth It?

Insurance products are designed to come in handy when you least expect it. It’s impossible to predict when your vehicle might break down, so the more coverage you can get, the more likely you are to avoid a financial predicament. The sensible choice would be to opt for the highest coverage option within your budget for worry-free driving but we know how tricky this can be for older cars or ones with a high mileage.

Aftermarket warranties are not a legal requirement – you can choose to cover the cost of replacement parts and labour yourself but it can rack up a hefty bill, especially for modern, prestige or electric vehicles. A warranty policy won’t cover absolutely everything that could go wrong. However, many drivers choose to pay the extra cost for the peace of mind that most of the common issues are included.

The Gold Warranty offers a generous named component cover at a fair price. You can benefit from coverage for vehicles which are under 12 years old and with a mileage of less than 100,000 (at the policy start date). ALA has no ongoing mileage limits, so once the policy is in place coverage will continue even if your older car surpasses 100,000 miles or 12 years during your term.

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What vehicle parts does ALA Gold Warranty cover?

The following comprehensively details all of the covered components under the ALA Gold Warranty. Items are separated into Gold-only components and Silver & Gold components for an overview of how levelling up affects your coverage.

System

Silver and Gold Cover

Additional Gold Cover

Electrics

Starter Motor, Alternator, Electric Window Motors, Electric Window Switches, Sunroof Motor, Sunroof Switch, Front & Rear Windscreen Wiper Motors & Washer Motors, Ignition Coils

Start/Stop Technology, Convertible roof motors & sensors, Heater fan motor Multi-function stalk switch Horn.

Steering & suspension

Steering (Including PAS) Steering Rack / Steering Rack & Pinion, Steering Box PAS Pump (Power Assisted Steering Pump), Suspension Wheel Bearings, Coil Springs, Active Suspension

Electronic Power Steering

Air conditioning (factory fitted)

N/A

Air Conditioning and Climate Control Systems, (up to £500 or 50%, including VAT, of your claim limit, whichever is reached first).

Engine

Cylinder Head, Cylinder Head Gaskets, Camshaft & Followers, Oil Pump, Pistons & Rings, Con Rods Crankshaft / Crank Shaft

Rocker Assembly, Hydraulic Followers, Inlet & Exhaust, Valves, Valve Springs & Guides, Timing Gears & Chains, Cylinder Bores, Gudgeon Pins, Inlet Manifold, Flywheel, Turbo

Cooling system

Water Pump, Coolant, Temperature Sensor

Engine Cooling Fan, Thermostat, Radiator Engine Oil Cooler, Heater Matrix

Brakes

Brake Master Cylinder Wheel Speed Sensor

Brake Servo, Anti-Locking Brake System (ABS), ABS Modulator

Fuel system

Airflow Meter, Injectors Oxygen Sensor, MAP Sensor (Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor)

Mechanical or Electrical Fuel Pumps, Tank Sender Unit NOX Sensor, Catalytic Converter, Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), EGR Valves

Gearbox

Drive Shaft, Manual Gearbox, Automatic Gearbox / Automatic Transmission, Differential

Universal Joints & Couplings, Suspension Half Shafts, Torque Converter

Gold Extended Warranty also covers in-Car Entertainment Systems & Sat Nav (up to £500 and hybrid batteries (excludes standard 12/24v lead acid batteries) up to £1,000. Both of these items are covered up to 50% of your claim limit, including VAT, if this is reached first.

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What does ALA Gold Warranty not cover?

Gold polices don’t insure any component which isn’t listed in the above component cover. In addition, ALA Insurance warranties don’t cover the following:

  • Wear & tear (covered under Platinum only).
  • Repair cost for damages occurring before the service contract start date.
  • Repair cost for damages caused by adverse weather, fire or collision (this should be covered on a comprehensive motor insurance policy).
  • Repair for damages caused by negligence or lack of routine maintenance (you are expected to service your car yearly to keep your policy valid).

Specific component exclusions under this policy are as follows:

  • Air conditioning: pipes, unions, wiring, receiver and drier (only re-gassing is covered).
  • Engine: cracks and porosity, overheating, de-coking, burnt, pitted & sticking valves.
  • Turbo/Anti-lock brake system: wiring and connection faults.
  • Fuel system: fuel contamination, emission test failures, fuel lines, injectors, glow plugs, spark plugs, high-pressure pipes, injection timing, adjustments, calibration and bench testing.
  • Prop shaft, drive shaft, front & rear-wheel drive: gaiters and bushes.
  • Suspension: gaiters, bushes, oil leaks, tracking & balancing.
  • Catalytic converter: damage caused by impact or improper fuel use.
  • Differential: viscous couplings & fluid differentials.

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What should you look for in a car warranty policy?

When choosing between the levels of cover available, the most important consideration is your budget. Higher tiers of coverage will provide the greatest reassurance. The vast majority of ALA customers choose Platinum warranty because it covers the widest range of faults, including wear and tear.

Your warranty provider should offer a payment plan to split the cost. All policies, including Gold warranty cover from ALA, have the option of 0% APR finance. This makes higher component cover even more accessible.

The best extended warranty providers will offer the following features:

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the warranty cover on an electric car?

All electric cars are covered for their equivalent parts. Electric Vehicle Warranty covers the EV system as listed below:

  • Electric drive motor
  • Vehicle control module
  • Power inverter module
  • Power converter
  • Onboard charger

In addition, cover will apply to the suspension, brakes, steering, electrical systems and more. Hybrid batteries up to £1,000 are also covered on the Gold policy.

Can you pay monthly on the Gold plan?

You can split the payment across nine interest-free monthly instalments, which can make it even more affordable. It all depends on your cash flow and financial situation, but paying in full will conclude the transaction there and then.

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How does Gold warranty compare to silver or comprehensive car warranties?

The main differences between the tiers of cover are their eligibility requirements and component coverage.

  • Platinum warranty is available for cars up to 8 years and 80,000 miles. It covers almost all vehicle components and parts, including wear and tear items, with a market value claims limit.
  • Gold Warranty is available for cars up to 100,000 miles and 12 years and covers the vast majority of named components, excluding wear and tear but including hybrid batteries and in-car entertainment systems up to £500.
  • Silver warranty is available for cars up to 16 years and 150,000 miles but offers standard component coverage without hybrid batteries, in-car entertainment and wear and tear cover.

Are wear and tear issues covered by gold car warranty policies?

No, wear and tear is not covered on Gold policies, but Platinum policies include it. Any part that fails due to wear and tear, provided the vehicle has been regularly serviced, will be repaired under Platinum ALA warranty only.

Is a gold extended warranty plan worth it for older cars?

Yes, the Gold extended warranty is perfect for older cars as it balances generous cover and eligibility. You can cover a car up to 12 years or 100,000 miles, making it even easier to protect yourself from a significant repair bill.

When is an extended warranty for your car not worth buying?

There is no point buying an extended warranty if your car is covered by its manufacturer’s warranty. However, all types of vehicles can benefit, including older, high-mileage cars and prestige brands. Even reliable car models can get great deals on car warranty.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to whether you could afford to pay for repairs out of pocket in the event that it arises.

What happens if my vehicle needs repairs that exceed the claim limit?

You will receive up to the claim limit for repairs, so if there is a discrepancy, you will have to cover this amount yourself. To avoid unnecessary expenses, select the higher claim limit. With Gold policies, you can choose either £2,000 or £5,000 per claim.

Is there a waiting/cooling-off period before I can make a claim?

One of the many benefits of our extended warranty is that you can get cover from day one of your policy – there is no waiting period or pre-inspection. If your existing warranty expires, you can drive without worrying about coverage gaps.