No one except an arsonist really expects his home to burn to the ground, yet we dutifully buy house insurance. How does this apply to outboard motors and stern drives? Simple. No one expects their brand new marine engine to give up the ghost immediately after the warranty expires. Otherwise they’d be buying another, more reliable brand name. Even so, it still makes good sense to at least consider an extended warranty plan for an outboard motor or stern drive..

If you religiously maintain running gear, you can expect long service life and therefore the need for an extended warranty plan fades into the background. Adequate marine engine maintenance requires regular checking and topping off of vital fluids. Even more importantly, it means thoroughly decommissioning the power head when it’s not going to be run for four or more weeks, even when the dormant period falls in the middle of the boating season. Without fogging oil protecting the cylinder walls and piston rings, they’re prone to rust, which hastens the death of a motor. On the other hand, if you shamelessly neglect your motor, an extended warranty plan is a cheap investment.

In general, extended warranty plans cost from a couple of hundred dollars to as much as $4000. The bigger the outboard motor or stern drive, and the longer the coverage the more expensive the premium. While you don't' have to sign on the dotted line at the same time you buy a new motor, doing so saves a considerable sum of money. Procrastination up to six months will cost from $100 to $1000 more than the base price, again the bigger the motor, the more you’ll pay. Keep in mind, you can add the cost of a extended protection plan to the purchase price of the motor, thereby including it in your monthly payment.

Evinrude Mercury, Yamaha and Suzuki all offer extended warranties. Depending on the company, one, two, three and four year plans are available. Besides engine manufacturers, extended warranty protection is also available from third parties. Consult your local dealer for specific information.

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