To purchase a GM Protection Plan or Mechanical Repair Protection, contact your local GM dealer.
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About Service Plans |
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This page provides valuable information about vehicle service and maintenance contracts. Scroll down the page or click on one of the links below to go to a specific topic. |
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| What are vehicle service and vehicle maintenance contracts? Vehicle service contracts are known by several names including mechanical service agreements, extended service contracts and extended warranties. These products were developed in response to consumer needs for mechanical breakdown coverage and ancillary services after the expiration of the manufacturer's warranty. Dependent on the manufacturer, vehicle maintenance contracts may cover basic maintenance during the warranty peroid. A vehicle service contract pays the cost of vehicle repairs. A maintenance contract is limited to known, scheduled maintenance expense such as oil changes or tire rotations. |
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| Do I need a vehicle service contract? Most likely you'll own or lease your vehicle beyond the manufacturer's warranty. Unexpected repair costs can be costly, not to mention the difficulty of being without your vehicle. GM vehicle service contracts can reduce the hassle and inconvenience of a breakdown or repair by providing:
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| Cost and Convenience With the technology used in today's cars, repair costs have risen and will probably continue to do so. One major out-of-warranty repair can exceed the cost of buying a vehicle service contract. Not only will the GM Protection Plan minimize or even eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for covered repairs, your GM dealer will handle the claim, so you have no paperwork. |
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| Other Benefits Vehicle service contracts provide customers with financial security against unanticipated vehicle repair expenses. Depending on the coverage, additional benefits may include:
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| Can I purchase a Vehicle Service Contract on my used vehicle? Yes. Additional protection is available on Used and GM Certified Used Vehicles and can be tailored to any level of coverage; Major Guard, Value Guard or Basic Guard depending on the age and mileage of the vehicle, the desired deductible amount, and intended length of time for ownership. Learn more > |
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| Why is the company offering the contract important? Regardless of the type of coverage selected, the company behind the plan is very important. A service contract is a promise to pay, in the future, for covered repairs and services. That contract is only as good as the company that backs it. The GM Protection Plan is fully insured by member companies of GMAC Insurance Holdings, Inc. When you buy a service contract, you transfer the risk of future repair costs to a company, trusting them to pay your covered repairs sometime in the future. The company must be in business for the long haul, well into the future. The GM Protection Plan is administered and underwritten by member companies of the GMAC Insurance Group, subsidiaries of General Motors with more than 75 years experience serving GM customers. That's strength and stability. To learn more about GMAC Insurance, click here. |
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| About the Contract | |
| A vehicle service or maintenance contract has several parts to consider when making the decision to buy and when comparing competitive plans. These include: | |
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| Limits of Coverage | |
The extent of the repair services coverage depends on the vehicle service contract.
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| Deductible | |
| Some contracts offer a choice of deductibles. The deductible may be zero ($0), meaning that nothing is owed on a covered expense, or as high as $200 for the out-of-pocket amount paid by the customer. Deductibles may apply per individual repair or per claim. | |
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| Rental | |
Many vehicle service contracts offer rental or alternate transportation reimbursement. Rental conditions and benefits usually vary according to:
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| Roadside Assistance | |
Roadside Assistance provisions include more services than simply towing a disabled vehicle. Additional benefits may include:
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| Time and Mileage | |
| Vehicle service and maintenance contracts cover a specific amount of time and mileage. Generally, a customer will be able to select from a number of time and mileage options. The time is the "term" and is referred to in months or years. The contract will be in effect until either time or mileage is reached. | |
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| Cancellation Policy | |
| All vehicle service and maintenance contracts should have a clear, easy-to-understand cancellation policy.
In some cases, there is a "free look" period during which the customer may cancel the contract and receive a full refund as long as a claim has not been filed. The GM Protection Plan and Mechanical Repair Protection have a 60-day "free look" period. This is one of the most consumer-friendly policies in the industry. Many vehicle service contracts charge a fee when canceling on a "pro rata" basis (the contract cost is based on the percentage of time or mileage used of the total contract). A pro rata cancellation fee is used when the "free look" period has expired. Some company plans are non-cancelable. The GM Protection Plan is cancelable. However, when the plan chosen is part of a sales promotion, the refund will not be given to the plan holder. |
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| Financial Strength and Rating | |
| The company backing the plan is very important. It is the entity you have contracted with to pay repair claims and services. If the company is unreliable or goes out of business, so goes the protection you thought you purchased. The companies who issue the GM Protection Plan or Mechanical Repair Protection are fully insured by members of the GMAC Insurance Holdings,Inc. This means any GM Protection Plan or Mechanical Repair Protection you purchase is completely secure . . . all backed by more than 75 years of experience serving the GM family of satisfied customers. | |
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| Tips for Shopping Smart | |
Buying a vehicle service or maintenance contract is an important decision. Here are some tips to help you shop smart:
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| Find out which plan is right for you. Click here.
* Kentucky state law requires coverage be limited to defects in materials and workmanship. | |
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