DO I NEED A GOLF CART EXTENDED WARRANTY?

When it comes to getting a warranty over and above what may be offered from the manufacturer, when it comes to cars, appliances or electronics, there are basically 2 types of consumers – those that always buy a warranty, and those that do not.

The same applies to golf carts. Those that sleep better at night with the peace of mind that comes with purchasing a comprehensive extended warranty at a fair price have protected themselves against the potential risk of expense in repairing their vehicles.

In today’s marketplace, a buyer can purchase the added protection of an extended warranty on new and used vehicles, whether it’s a golf cart, UTV, or electric, low-speed vehicle, just as you can when you buy a car. And also, just like in a car purchase, the consumer needs to really learn what the warranty they’re considering covers and does not cover to avoid any hassles down the road.

Most major manufacturers like Yamaha, E-Z-GO and Club Car, offer limited warranties on their products. The tricky part is in reading the exact terms for each part or system on your vehicle. While there may be a 4-year warranty on the model you’re shopping for, the majority of the actual coverage on individual parts or systems may be only 2 or 3 years. This is why it is critical to read the itemized details of what is covered, and for how long.

If you’ve ever heard of the theory of “planned obsolescence”, you may have a better understanding of extended warranties for golf carts.

Nothing lasts forever, and there is considerable information available on the overall durability and life expectancy of golf carts of all makes and models. Manufacturers are acutely aware of how long their carts are expected to perform over their lifetime, and they do not want to end up paying for a replacement part or system repair for

something they knew was designed and built to last for 2 or 3 years.

It is typical for standard cart warranties on a new vehicle to warranty something like the electric motor or controller to have a 4-year warranty, but something like the headlights or taillights may only be covered for 2 years.

Whether you buy an electric or gas-powered cart also makes a difference in the coverage of your extended warranty. Different parts and systems carry varying coverage from one to the other. Batteries in electric vehicles also generally carry different warranty terms that those that apply to other parts on the vehicle. Since the batteries represent such a major financial portion of the cost of the cart, reading this section is imperative before you purchase the warranty.

Of course, just like in any other contractual agreement, the section about things that can void your extended warranty is critical to fully understand. If you’ve modified your cart – even if you just added a simple lift kit – your warranty may not cover any manufacturer’s defects or failed parts. The section about “normal wear and tear” can also present an issue when you go to make a claim. If the warranty company feels you did not use proper care or attention in maintaining your vehicle, they may balk at paying your claim.

Some providers of third-party extended golf cart warranties will even cover transportation of your cart to an authorized service dealer if it ever needs repairs. But another example of understanding all the agreement’s fine print is that any damages that occur while the cart is in transit on a flatbed may not be covered.

Some third-party extended golf cart warranties are transferrable, meaning an added incentive to potential buyers when you decide to sell your cart.

An electric cart should have a way to tell the number of hours of service logged by the vehicle’s batteries, just like the motor on a boat. If you’re buying a used cart and anticipate that the batteries or any other system on the vehicle may not last much longer, buying an extended warranty can make sense to save money down the road.

Founded in 2016, EWG Corporation, for Electric Warranty Group, realized early on that the standard warranties that are offered by major cart manufacturers left a lot to be desired when it comes to protecting the consumer. EWG offers warranties for electric and gas carts, LSVs and other electric vehicles for periods of 1 to 4 years beginning at just $199.00. The company sells warranties for Yamaha, E-Z-GO, EPIC, Star and Club Car carts. There is no deductible to the consumer for warranty service to gas carts, and a $50.00 deductible for gas cart owners. EWG warranties offer a $50.00 credit for an authorized dealer to transport your cart from your location to the service center and take it back to the owner. The company has experienced impressive growth and market share since its inception, with over 600 authorized dealers and sales of more

than 9,000 active warranties.

Greg Lewis is the Vice President of Sales for EWG and has seen how the ability to offer a comprehensive extended warranty for carts and other electric vehicles is a big advantage for their nationwide dealer network. Dealers find that offering the extended warranties increases a customer’s confidence in the dealer which results in more sales and serves as an added revenue source.

“We offer warranties that are custom-designed for different cart classifications, so the end user gets the protection they need,” said Lewis. “We have warranties for refurbished or modified carts that start at a 6-month term, warranties for small to mid-sized cart manufacturers to enhance their existing warranties and extended 4-year warranties for carts from all manufacturers that kick in after the original warranty runs out,” he explained. “There is no segment of the golf cart market we don’t have a warranty product for.” EWG’s warranties are designed to cover basically any part, component or operating system that makes the cart function. Things that are not covered include cosmetic or other items like a soundbar, seat covers and similar accessories. A cart’s batteries are not covered under an EWG warranty, Lewis explained, because most manufacturers today include a 5-year warranty on their OEM batteries.

Whether you’re buying a used or refurbished cart or a new model right off the showroom floor, investing in an extended warranty makes sound financial sense. The added peace of mind that comes from knowing you won’t be hit with expensive repairs should something on your cart malfunction, and the fact that it is transferrable gives your cart an increased value.

The right extended warranty for your golf cart means years of hassle-free enjoyment with a feeling of security in your investment. Be sure to read and fully understand all the agreement’s terminology and coverage in limits before you buy, and you’ll be playing every round with a renewed feeling of serenity.