Owner Responsibilities Under a Vehicle Protection Plan

Who enjoys taking their car in for service? You probably don't agree with that. A car's overall performance and longevity depend on regular maintenance. The importance of this increases if you have a vehicle protection plan or the most reliable warranty.

Isn't an extended vehicle warranty or vehicle protection plan supposed to cover repairs if something goes wrong with your vehicle? According to the contract, yes. The warranty does not cover mechanical or electrical problems caused by lack of maintenance or neglect. Your claim will likely be denied if that is the case. 

You need to know what your obligations are if you have or plan to buy an extended coverage plan. By carefully reading the sections in your contract that describe your responsibilities as an owner, what to do after a breakdown, and how to file a claim, you can avoid having your claim denied. These sections may differ in title from contract to contract, but they will be clearly labeled.

How do you take care of your vehicle?

While your responsibilities as a vehicle owner may vary depending on your most reliable warranty and your vehicle's owner's manual, there are some key points regarding the maintenance and repair of your vehicle. Let's take a look. An extended vehicle warranty or vehicle protection plan will explain your responsibilities as an owner. For specific requirements for your situation, please refer to your contract and your vehicle owner's manual.

Maintenance

Always keep track of your scheduled service appointments! You should check your vehicle's owner's manual every so often to see what service is due when, but how often do you do so? When maintenance items need to be performed on each car and contract, there are specific guidelines. Changes in oil and other fluids are especially important as running out of oil or being low on fluids can lead to severe mechanical or engine failures. 

Your vehicle will perform better and last longer if you follow the manufacturer's recommendations for oil and fluid changes. Oil and fluid changes should be performed according to the required time and mileage intervals. You cannot exceed either limit, or your claim will be denied.

Continuation of Vehicle Use

You must act immediately if your car breaks down or you discover a mechanical problem. Almost certainly, your claim will be denied if you cause further damage to your vehicle after a breakdown or mechanical/electrical issue occurs. In order to protect your vehicle (and your bank account), it is crucial to take all reasonable measures to prevent further damage. It might be necessary to call roadside assistance or to have your vehicle towed. 

Certain issues, such as a blown or flat tire, stalling, etc., force you to pull over and figure out how to get your vehicle to a mechanic. Check engine lights that indicate overheating, however, might not be as clear-cut. It's important not to take any chances here. Get a tow truck at the first available safe area. You could cause catastrophic damage to your vehicle if you continue to drive. Furthermore, you will be denied your claim. 

When deciding whether to tow or continue driving your vehicle, it is better to err on the side of caution. If you have a vehicle protection plan, towing may be included.

Records

The storage of all of your maintenance records, repair orders, invoices, etc., is important for many reasons, especially if you have the most reliable warranty or vehicle protection plans. A major repair claim could be denied or paid based on your records.

Updates

Modifying your vehicle is fun. If you want to be sure you get the extended protection you paid for, keep your vehicle in stock during the term of your contract. The use of custom equipment, oversized tires, exhaust modifications, performance tuning, and the like can result in a denial of your claim or worse, void your contract.

Breakdowns

Take your vehicle to a repair facility, or have it towed, when something goes wrong in it - a strange noise, an oil leak, a check engine light, etc. Get it fixed right away. Provide your contract booklet to the service advisor and ask them to call the claims number in the book before any repairs are carried out. Your vehicle should not be removed from the repair facility until the repairs have been completed (unless the Administrator gives permission). Make use of the vehicle rental assistance offered by many vehicle protection plans.

Authorization of repairs

It is safe to assume that you should not authorize any repairs until the service advisor has filed a claim with your most reliable warranty and has been authorized to proceed with the requested repairs.

Got a question? Contact Protection Gurus!

Have questions about your vehicle protection plan? Wondering what your responsibilities are as an owner? Please feel free to call, email, or text them with any questions you have. The staff at Protection Gurus can help if you don't yet have the most reliable warranty or vehicle protection plan, but are interested in learning more! Their agents are ready to assist you in finding the right plan for your vehicle and budget.