Are you thinking about spending a lot of money on a long-term car warranty? You are not alone. Like clockwork, the continuous pitches, sales calls, and “don’t get stuck with a huge repair bill” letters come in. It seems like your car tells companies every time your usual warranty runs out. The question is whether these warranties really save you money or just make you read fine text and go through phone menus. Get started.

Let’s be honest: most people read reviews to get to the truth. Patterns come up: Drivers who are angry about claims that were turned down. Others were happy to hear that a plan came in to cover a new transmission nearly as soon as the tow truck left. What are the results? Definitely mixed.

There are a lot of choices when it comes to coverage. Some plans are like a strong umbrella that covers everything but has “exclusions” that swirl around like leaves after a storm. Do you need a new water pump? Yes, maybe. Did your electronic device go crazy? Maybe. Engine block that is cracked? A lot of readers were left out in the cold at that point. When you read the list of things that aren’t allowed, it can feel like reading poetry written by a tired mechanic.

Another big topic is cost. Monthly payments may seem easy to handle, but if you add them up over a few years, you’ll have enough money to buy a nice espresso machine or even a secondhand scooter. Some drivers said they paid more for peace of mind than for the actual repairs on their cars.

A lot of evaluations go off the rails when it comes to customer service. One customer was happy that aid came quickly, while another was angry that they had to wait longer than it takes to cook a turkey for the holidays. The sly person behind a lot of nasty reviews? Terms that are hard to understand and contracts that are hard to read. A lot of clients said they signed up quickly, only to find out later that their plan wouldn’t cover the essential maintenance.

Here’s the kicker: a few reviewers said they were glad they read every. single. sentence. People who read the policy carefully, like teenagers who read TikTok comments, knew exactly what would and wouldn’t be covered by their warranty’s “we got you covered” promise.

Sometimes, the recommendation sections on automotive forums look like food fights: A happy motorist says, “Worth every penny!” “Total waste—just save your money for repairs!” says another, throwing a virtual tomato. There are a lot of arguments about whether small stores or “approved locations” are better, how long it takes to get your money back, and whether extras like roadside help made the price worth it.

Some respondents said that warranties are useful for folks who worry about what might happen. Some people were okay with putting money aside for a rainy day instead of paying for something that might never break. A savvy reviewer noted they only buy warranties for cars that are known to break down more often than a smartphone that has had three owners.

In short, reviews of extended car warranties are generally a mix of warnings, success stories, and everything in between. People feel cheated by loopholes or happy when they get money quickly. Anyone who wants to dive in needs to be very careful, have a lot of patience, and maybe a small notebook to write down questions. A warranty can be a warm safety net or simply another bill. What you do depends on what you drive, how worried you are, and how well you read the instructions before you click “buy.”