Compare protection plans & prices across carriers!
You pick the mechanic and Custom Warranties pays for the repairs. Get peace of mind and save thousands of dollars with a Vehicle Service Contract.
Custom Warranties is your “One Stop Shop” for determining the best Service contract coverage for your vehicle. We have hand selected the nation’s top Vehicle Service Contract Providers and put them all together so you can see the very best coverages available specific to your car.
A Vehicle Service Contract (VSC) is commonly referred to as an “Extended Warranty”. The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is the only entity that can really provide a “warranty” based on their workmanship. The OEM’s all offer “Extended” Warranty coverage through their Dealerships at the point-of sale that provide additional time and miles of coverage.
VSC are technically “Service” contracts where an Administrator creates a product that will provide the “Service” of paying for your mechanical repairs, without being considered “Insurance”. VSC are licensed on a state by state basis, so Custom Warranties needs to know your state of residence to select the correct plans that are available in your state. We have chosen only the finest VSC providers for you based on their A.M. Best rating (A-) or better AND their claims handling experience to insure you actually get your claim paid for quickly and that they are financially stable!
We should typically list the name of the coverage, not necessarily the administrator, and usually never the underwriter. Example (Compass Platinum, Compass Gold etc…)
There are two types of VSC coverages.
Exclusionary: This is an “ALL” risk contract. Everything on the car is considered to be covered EXCEPT the items specifically excluded. Typically this includes 4 major sections:
Other than those 4 categories everything else is assumed to be covered for breakdowns.
Component: All plans that are not “Exclusionary” are considered to be named component coverages. This means the plan specifically lists all the component groups, and all the parts that ARE covered. If a part or component is not listed then it is NOT covered. Most VSC plans are “Named Component”
Cause/Effect Coverage: All VSC plans have language that tell you how they handle claims where a CAUSE/EFFECT relationship is involved. For example a covered component may fail and cause damage to another covered component that may or may not have failed. Additionally a covered component may fail, causing damage to a normally not covered item, like a water hose, or wires.
This is a major consideration when comparing two different companies. Paying for this is expensive and believe it or not many claims have this causal relationship. If one provider appears cheaper and they DON’T cover Cause and Effect then it is NOT a better value. Here are the possible situations:
Administrator: This is the name of the VSC plan provider. They design the Plan, Coverage levels, Deductibles and manage the claim center that handles the phone calls from repair facilities to pay for your repairs. They then contract with an (A) rated insurer to handle the premium and fund the claims as they are paid out to the repairer.
Provider: This is the same as the Administrator.
Deductible: This is the amount stated on the front of your VSC contract that you must pay out of pocket for each repair. They usually range from $0 to $100 per repair. This keeps customers from filing small frivolous claims for only very small items. If your repair is more than the deductible, the Administrator pays the repair facility the excess amount based on the approved repairs only.
Be aware, that some cheaper Administrators will charge you a deductible per part repaired, not per repair visit. This is another way to make their plan less expensive, yet it is not the proper way to assess a deductible. Our plans always apply the deductible to the entire repair tickets, so any/all parts that need repair are covered over and above your one deductible payment.
Coverage Terms: The coverage term is the time for which your VSC contract pays for your covered repairs. It is sometimes stated in Months or Years. The actual term start date is stated in one of two ways, and you need to be VERY cautious in understanding what you are actually getting. Many VSC administrators make their programs appear less expensive by playing games with the contract start date. There are only two ways to start a service contract.
Coverage Miles: Again, when you are considering a VSC plan’s true cost to you on a per year basis AND for the miles you are actually getting. There are two ways mileage is stated and you need to be VERY cautious in understanding what you are actually getting. Many VSC administrators make their programs appear less expensive by playing games with the mileage start date. There are two ways to cover mileage.
All Coverage levels include these additional benefits listed below
WEAR & USE Included in all coverage levels, is the replacement of covered components resulting from the gradual reduction in performance due to normal wear and use, when the wear exceeds the manufacturer’s specification.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE In the event of a mechanical breakdown of a covered part, you will be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred for substitute transportation up to $35.00 per day, for five (5) days, not to exceed $175.00 per occurrence.
TRIP INTERRUPTION ASSISTANCE Provides reimbursement up to $225 for meal and lodging expenses incurred when a covered breakdown disables your vehicle more than 100 miles from your hometown.
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE Compass Protection Plan provides National Roadside Assistance through Nation Safe Drivers for towing and other emergency needs. If you have a breakdown or need other assistance, call the toll free number 24 hours a day.
FUTURE CONTRACT GUARANTEE If you choose to extend the Compass Protection Plan beyond the term of your first contract, you may purchase a new contract up to 30 Days and 1,500 miles before expiration.
CONTRACT TRANSFERABILITY In the event you sell the covered vehicle to another private party, you may apply for transfer of coverage to the new owner. Refer to the service agreement section terms & conditions for necessary procedures.
FLEXIBLE DEDUCTIBLES Choose the deductible that fits your budget and your driving needs.
ACCEPTED NATIONWIDE Compass Protection Plan service contracts are accepted by repair facilities anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. Claims can be paid by corporate credit cards to expedite your repair.
These benefits are provided for the term of your service agreement for up to $50.00 per occurrence, with no annual fee.
When towing is necessary, the covered vehicle will be towed to the destination of your choice.
If a battery failure occurs, a jump-start will be applied to start the covered vehicle.
Tire service includes removal of the flat tire and its replacement with the covered vehicle’s spare tire.
An emergency supply of coolant, oil, water or fuel will be delivered to your covered vehicle at place of disablement. You will pay the cost of the actual fluid or fuel when delivered.
If your keys are locked inside the covered vehicle, assistance will be provided to gain entry to the vehicle.
Just sign and go, there are no receipts to submit for reimbursement.
When you need it 24 hours a day 365 days a year, just call 1-866-330-0760.
The information contained is intended to provide only an outline of the plans, exclusions, and limitations of your mechanical repair agreement. You are encouraged to read your agreement paperwork, if applicable, upon receipt for specifics.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE In the event of a mechanical breakdown of a covered part, you will be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred for substitute transportation up to $35.00 per day, for five (5) days, not to exceed $175.00 per occurrence.
TRIP INTERRUPTION ASSISTANCE Provides reimbursement up to $225 for meal and lodging expenses incurred when a covered breakdown disables your vehicle more than 100 miles from your hometown.
CONTRACT TRANSFERABILITY In the event you sell the covered vehicle to another private party, you may apply for transfer of coverage to the new owner. Refer to the service agreement section terms & conditions for necessary procedures.
FLEXIBLE DEDUCTIBLES Choose the deductible that fits your budget and your driving needs.
ACCEPTED NATIONWIDE American Guardian service contracts are accepted by repair facilities anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. Claims can be paid by corporate credit cards to expedite your repair.
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE Roadside Assistance benefits are provided for the term of the Agreement for up to $50.00 per occurrence. You are entitled to one (1) Roadside Assistance service per 72-hours. Assistance includes:
TOWING ASSISTANCE When towing is necessary, the covered vehicle will be towed to the destination of your choice.
BATTERY SERVICE If a battery failure occurs, a jump-start will be applied to start the covered vehicle.
FLAT TIRE SERVICE Tire service includes removal of the flat tire and its replacement with the covered vehicle’s spare tire.
EMERGENCY FLUID/FUEL DELIVERY SERVICE An emergency supply of coolant, oil, water or fuel will be delivered to your covered vehicle at place of disablement. You will pay the cost of the actual fluid or fuel when delivered.
LOCK-OUT ASSISTANCE If your keys are locked inside the covered vehicle, assistance will be provided to gain entry to the vehicle.
The information contained is intended to provide only an outline of the plans, exclusions, and limitations of your mechanical repair agreement. You are encouraged to read your agreement paperwork, if applicable, upon receipt for specifics.
SEALS AND GASKETS All seals and gaskets for named components in the appropriate coverage level except when the cause of failure is the result of overheating, lack of lubrication or lack of required fluids.
Many customers ask the age old question “Why” do I need a VSC? Shouldn’t I just take my chances?” My common response is that YES you should, it will be the MOST used coverage you purchase in your life. It is nearly impossible to live without any insurance coverage(s) at all in your life. Consider Homeowners/Renters Insurance, Car Insurance, life insurance, disability insurance etc….
Homeowners: Everyone has it, yet the norm is that you may only file one or two small claims in your entire lifetime, and that is typically for a new roof, or if you have some water damage etc… Tornado, Hurricane or fire losses are extremely rare!
Car Insurance: It is required in nearly all states now to drive a car, yet let’s look at what you are really getting for your money.
Life Insurance:
Think about it….you NEVER get to use your own life insurance, only your family.
VSC:
So, if you were to gamble, the best bet would be to invest in a VSC….you have a 7 times greater chance to need it than car insurance. It is not cancellable for excessive claims, and once you buy it, the price cannot ever change. Peace-of-Mind is important too….think about just having a flat-tire, dead battery or even running out of gas. These are common every day occurrences we assist you with, even on top of paying for a major repair when they occur. Imagine having a rental car so you can get to work, while your car is being repaired!
Simple! VSC providers price your plan based on the risk, so if you still have some Factory Coverage, they change their pricing down. You get protection that seamlessly picks up the day or mileage that your Factory Plan runs out. Many people want to wait until right at the end of Factory coverage, and then forget. Once you are out of Factory coverage the prices jump significantly and in some cases your level of protection diminishes too. All our VSC plans pay for additional coverage items like (Road Service/Towing) while the Factory coverage is paying for repairs, so you get the best of both worlds. See Additional Coverage section for details.
All our VSC plans will pay ANY licensed repair facility of YOUR choice. Take your car to your chosen repairer, and simply show them the contract and the claims hotline. Once they have identified your needed parts and labor costs, they will call our Administrators claims hotline and get the repairs authorized. They will then pay YOUR repairer with a VISA card….no different than your own…the nice thing is that the bill is NOT on your card. They pay directly to the repairer.
If they refuse to make a simple phone call and take a VISA card over the phone, then you may want to choose another repairer. If however, you are in dire need for repairs and they won’t comply our plan STILL has to pay. Our VSC provider will take the call from you, and ask for a fax or email of the repair order. They will authorize it, and send you a check immediately to reimburse you personally.