Engine internals
I look at how a plan words the parts inside the block, from the crankshaft to the timing chain.
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What a service contract may cover
A look at the systems plans tend to name, the costs they leave with you, and the plan styles you are likely to see.
What I do
Systems I help you check in a contract
Transmission and drive
I check whether the gearbox, torque converter and axles appear by name or hide in a general phrase.
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Electrical parts
I point out which motors, sensors and modules a plan lists, and which ones it quietly leaves off.
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Heating and cooling
I read how a contract treats the compressor, condenser and blower so summer brings no surprise.
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Breakdown or upkeep
Where plans tend to draw the line
Service contracts are built for sudden failures. Routine care and worn parts almost always stay with the owner.
Plans may look at
Depending on the wording, a claim can include:
- The sudden failure of a listed part
- Labor tied to a covered repair
- Diagnosis when the failure turns out to be covered
- Towing or a rental car when the plan offers them
Usually stays with you
Most contracts leave these costs to the owner:
- Oil changes, filters and scheduled service
- Brake pads, wiper blades and tires
- Damage from a crash, weather or neglect
- Problems present before the contract started
Have a contract in hand
Let me look at the terms with you
Share a few details about your car and I will help you spot which parts and limits matter most.
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Plan styles
Three ways contracts are usually written
Powertrain plans
The narrowest style. It focuses on the parts that make the car move: the engine, the transmission and the drive system that sends power to the wheels.
Good to know
- Often the lowest price of the three styles
- Electrical and cooling parts are usually left out
- A common pick for older cars with lots of miles
Stated component plans
This style names every part it covers. If a part is missing from the list, the plan will not pay for it, no matter how closely it sits to a listed one.
Good to know
- Read the list slowly, one part at a time
- Two plans with similar names can hold very different lists
- Ask how the list treats seals and gaskets
Exclusionary plans
The widest style. Instead of listing what is covered, it lists what is not, and everything else falls inside the plan.
Good to know
- The exclusions page is the one to study closely
- Wear items and routine upkeep still sit outside
- Often the highest price of the three styles
Coverage questions
What drivers ask me about coverage
Many contracts have a waiting period before the first claim. The exact rule usually sits near the front of the contract.
The plan administrator reviews the claim, usually after the shop explains what caused the failure.
Most plans allow it, and some return part of what you paid. Look for the cancellation section in your copy.
Some do when the failure turns out to be covered. Others leave that cost with you either way.
Many follow the vehicle, and some can move to a new owner when you sell. The contract spells out how that works.
Your current mileage, your service receipts and a rough idea of how long you expect to keep the car.