Frequently Asked Questions
American Auto Repair Coverage provides Vehicle Protection Plans and is not affiliated with any automotive manufacturers. The Vehicle Protection Plans offered by AARC are commonly referred to as vehicle service contracts. They are not vehicle manufacture's warranties.
The following information is about some vehicle warranty programs. This content is provided solely for the purpose of providing general information with respect to typical warranty programs by the originating automotive manufacturers; it provides general information that may not be specific to your individual car warranty and is not representational of the Vehicle Protection Plans offered by AARC.
Auto Repair Coverage FAQs
What is a Vehicle Protection Plan (VPP)?
Think of it as health insurance for your vehicle. Vehicle Protection Plans protect your budget from expensive bills service stations charge for mechanical and electrical break downs. Your VPP will pay for the cost of repairs, parts, labors and sales tax for covered repairs. A vehicle protection plan works a lot like the warranty you get from the manufacturer when the car is brand new. The plans offered by AARC also include benefits such as emergency roadside assistance, towing, trip interruption, tire hazard, and rental car while your vehicle is in the shop.
Where can I take my vehicle for repairs?
We recommend you bring your vehicle to your respective dealership, however, in the event that you prefer an independent shop, our coverage plans are honored at any ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified facility. You can have your vehicle fixed and back on the road almost anywhere.
How are repairs paid for?
Claims are paid directly to the repair facility via corporate credit card. Payment is upfront and in-full. The only amount a customer is asked to provide for a repair is the agreed upon deductible or discounted price. Customers will be responsible for their portion of payment only after the repairs have been completed.
Why do I need a VPP?
Can you afford to be without your vehicle? Do you have the money to pay for repairs in full out of your own pocket? Vehicle protection plans are designed to protect your budget from costly repair bills. With new advances in automobile technology, it is becoming more and more costly to work on vehicles. With today's cars, trucks, SUV's and vans being predominately electronic and computer dependent, the common driver is no longer able to work on their own vehicle. The cost of labor and parts for repairs are higher than ever, and with a protection plan from American Auto Repair Coverage, you can keep your vehicle in good running condition longer and without worry about the next breakdown.
What happens if I sell my vehicle?
Lots of people prefer to keep their car as long as they can, in order to stretch their original investment as far as it can go. However, if you decide to sell or trade you vehicle, you have two options:
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Transfer the Policy - the policy is specific and unique to the vehicle. You can transfer the policy to the new vehicle owner, raising your resell value and increasing your benefits for the sale.
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Cancel the Policy - the policy will no longer be active on the vehicle, and you will receive a pro-rated refund of the unused portion of the coverage. These refunds are typically used to purchase a protection plan for the next car our customer purchases.
I have auto insurance, why do I need a VPP?
Auto insurance is completely different from a vehicle protection plan. Our coverage will protect you from surprise mechanical and electrical repair bills, which would NOT be coverage under your auto insurance program. Auto insurance covers you in the event of an accident, act of God, or cosmetic damages to your vehicle.
How do I figure out which VPP is right for me?
American Auto Repair Coverage has multiple levels of protection available to accommodate most vehicles. The year, make, model and mileage of your vehicle plays a role in the level of coverage we can qualify your for your vehicle. Contact us at 1-855-897-AARC to speak with a licensed vehicle service contract representative to discover the best plan for your needs.
How does the claims process work?
When your vehicle breaks down, the claims process starts immediately. Contact the Concierge Claims Service number on your personalized ID card for more information. Once your vehicle is at the ASE certified facility of your choice, the service manager or mechanic will provide the claims department with the diagnostic report of your vehicle's repair needs. Claims will verify and confirm covered repairs, and pay the shop directly for the services. You are only responsible for the deductible or agreed upon discount of your covered repairs after they have been completed by the shop.
How do I know what is covered?
All American Auto Repair Coverage vehicle protection plans outline the coverage in great detail. If you have any additional questions on your coverage, you can call our customer service department at:
Can I have more than one vehicle covered under the same plan?
No. All plans are specific to the vehicle based on the year, make, model, mileage, VIN and your primary ZIP code. American Auto Repair Coverage does offer discounts fro customers that choose to protect multiple vehicles.
Auto Warranty Facts & Information:
What is a car warranty?
A manufacturer's warranty is coverage you receive when purchasing a new vehicle that comes directly from the manufacturer of that vehicle. It is typically built into the sale price of the car. At the time of purchase, most new vehicles come with a comprehensive three-year, 36,000 mile "bumper-to-bumper" auto warranty.
The bumper-to-bumper car warranty involved specific coverage terms determined by each individual manufacturer. Although the typical domestic manufacturer's warranty is 3-years/36,000, many manufacturers change or update their auto warranty programs from year to year. In addition, some components of the vehicle may have longer warranty service coverage periods. Auto warranty programs vary from country to country.
What defines an auto warranty?
A vehicle warranty generally covers major mechanical systems like the engine, transmission, and brake systems. Every vehicle or car warranty has a specific list of covered components and parts. Most auto warranty programs provide bumper-to-bumper coverage for this specific list of covered components.
Normal "wear and tear" considerations are sometimes included or excluded. Some car warranty programs offer power-train coverage only. Under this type of vehicle warranty, the coverage provides repairs and parts in the event of a major mechanical failure alone. More often than not, a vehicle warranty excludes coverage for parts such as brake pads, spark plugs, and tires, which are the responsibility of the vehicle's owner to maintain. A typical auto warranty also excludes components such as windshield wipers, lighting systems, and upholstery.
How does a vehicle warranty work?
All auto warranty programs are specific to the vehicle manufacturer. A typical vehicle warranty is backed by a highly-rated insurance company, allows for repairs to be made at any certified service station, and pays claims in-full and up-front. Some auto warranty programs also provide roadside assistance, trip interruption benefits, and rental car reimbursement services. For terms, coverage and conditions specific to your manufacturer's auto warranty, please refer to your vehicle owner's manual.
Note: It is important to read your complete auto warranty carefully so that you can understand exactly what is covered. All covered and uncovered components will be outlines carefully.
What else should I know about my car warranty?
Most auto warranty programs require the vehicle owner to complete all routine maintenance specified by the vehicle owner's manual. Neglect of the routine maintenance or servicing of the car is a frequent cause for claim denial. It is advisable that all vehicle owners familiarize themselves with the service routine as outlines in the owner's manual, so that in the event of a mechanical failure, there will be no deviation from the terms outlines in the auto warranty agreement. It is also advisable that all vehicle owners keep accurate records and receipts for any works they have completed on their vehicle.
Regular services allows your vehicle to run more efficiently and upholds the terms and conditions of the vehicle warranty. Your service record and receipts will be important documentation in the evens that a service call for any components covered under the car warranty program is ever warranted.
What happens after my auto warranty expires?
Once the manufacturer's vehicle warranty expires, a third-party vehicle protection plan may be purchased to provide for future repairs of covered components over the course of a specific time period. Typically, a vehicle protection plan is an agreement that provides for repair and/ or replacement of covered components, including labor.
Note: If your vehicle is currently covered by the manufacturer's auto warranty, and you would like to purchase an ongoing vehicle protection plan, the best course of action is to time the purchase of the vehicle protection plan so that it matches up with the end date of your current manufacturer's auto warranty.
Common Vehicle Warranty Terms:
In-Service Date
The date when you take possession of your car from a dealer. This starts the clock ticking on your manufacturer's warranty period.
Deductable
This is the amount the vehicle owner pays for any covered repair under the terms of some auto warranty programs. If a service deductible is $150, and a repair is $650, then the vehicle owner would pay the first $150 and the auto warranty would cover the remaining $500 for the service call. The deductible amount often has an impact on the premium.
Transferability
Some manufacturer's auto warranty programs are transferable. While the existence of a transferable vehicle warranty will not directly impact the "blue book" value of a vehicle, some potential buyers may feel more comfortable purchasing a car if the vehicle is still covered by the original car warranty from the manufacturer or an extended vehicle protection plan from American Auto Repair Coverage.
Types of Auto Warranty Programs:
Basic Warranty
Also known as bumper-to-bumper, the specific terms established by each manufacturer may vary, but the basic car warranty is typically 3-years, 36,000 miles for domestic vehicles. The basic warranty covers repairs on vehicles for a specific time and/ or mileage period. Most factory-installed parts and some dealer-installed accessories are covered for defects and workmanship. Items such as tires, spark plugs, filters, wiper blades and the battery are generally not covered under a basic warranty, although some of these components may have their own product warranties.
Powertrain Warranty
This is a separate warranty that offers protection beyond the basic warranty. The powertrain warranty is applicable for major components such as the engine, transmission, and drive shafts. In some cases, the powertrain warranty is valid for a greater period of time or mileage than the manufacturer's basic warranty. Some powertrain warranty coverage lasts as long as 10-years, 100,000 miles.
Emissions Warranty
The emissions warranty may offer coverage for the catalytic converter, electronic emissions control unit and any onboard diagnostic device. The length of the emissions warranty may depend on the state where you reside with the vehicle. Please refer to your owner's manual for specific information on any included emissions warranty.
Corrosion Warranty
Typically offered in cold climates, regions or areas with harsh environmental conditions, the corrosion warranty offers coverage for rust-through perforation on sheet metal for a specified term. Manufacturers usually state that all body sheet metal components are warranted against rust-through corrosion for a number of years or an amount of miles driven, whichever comes first. Please refer to your owner's manual for specific information on any corrosion warranty in place.