You know the pitch by heart if you’ve ever sat in a dealership’s hot seat. The salesperson leans in and asks in a low voice, “Would you like more protection for your car?” All of a sudden, you have a contract in front of you that is thick enough to be a doorstop. Extended car warranties promise to give you peace of mind, but do they really? Let’s get our hands dirty and cut through the jargon to get to the heart of the matter. This page.

First stop: information about coverage. “Powertrain” and “bumper-to-bumper” are terms that every corporation uses as if everyone already knows what they mean. The truth is that no strategy covers everything. Contracts that are stripped down might simply cover your engine and transmission. The more expensive and flashy packages say they will protect you from repair costs for everything save a few “wear and tear” items. But study the fine print—sometimes exclusions are there in front of you, like Waldo in a crowd.

Then comes the approval of the claim. This is where real-life stories take an unexpected turn. Some people make their assertions without any trouble. Others have to deal with a lot of red tape, such having to go through many inspections, fill out a lot of paperwork, wait weeks for replies, or even get outright denials. A common complaint is that claims are refused because of “pre-existing conditions.” That’s warranty-speak for problems the firm believes happened before the coverage started. What does that mean? Not very transparent, like muddy water.

The second thing to look at closely is the price. Some plans persuade drivers to sign up by offering low upfront costs, but they don’t pay out much when you really need support. On the other hand, paying more each month can sometimes mean that repairs are easier to deal with. If you’re smart, you’ll look at the deductibles, what each repair covers, and any limits on payouts. A warranty that makes you pay as much as you would without one isn’t really helpful.

There are a lot of different viewpoints about the quality of service. A brief look at the reviews shows that some people are happy with speedy, pleasant help, while others have been waiting for a call back for ten years. The kind of store you can utilize makes a tremendous difference. Some designs let you park your car anywhere, while others make you utilize specified garages. A driver informed me they had to transport their car 40 miles to find a repair shop that was approved. That’s enough to spoil anyone’s day.

Another shocker is the rules for canceling and getting your money back. You might sell your car or find out that the warranty doesn’t cover what you need. Some businesses give back the money for the part that wasn’t used, while others demand costs that are higher than a stack of pancakes. Don’t think you’ll get all your money back.

Why do people even get these warranties? Some people prefer the peace of mind that comes with knowing they won’t have to pay a huge cost if something large breaks. Some people want to never use it, but they prefer having a safety blanket. But reviews suggest that people are split. Most of the time, happy anecdotes come from those whose big repairs are paid for. Unhappy stories often come from getting left out, having to wait a long time for claims to be paid, or getting less money back than you thought you would.

So, how can you get rid of the noise? Talk to your friends. Read forums for consumers that aren’t prejudiced. Look for patterns that are always the same, including quick claims, good payouts, and nice operators, or a lot of complaints. Don’t let flashy ads or fast-talking salespeople change your mind. It’s your automobile, so you can choose. Just make sure you read the fine print before you sign.

What it all comes down to? People have experiences that are great and some that are so annoying that they want to bang their heads against the wall. It’s important to read all of the fine print on extended car warranties since the devil is in the details.