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Unexpected car repairs can be a major inconvenience and can put a serious dent in anyone’s budget. Since people often keep their cars as long as possible, many drivers invest in extended car warranties to cover the costs of common repairs. Numerous companies offer vehicle service contracts that vary significantly in terms of coverage and price. These companies also receive a wide range of reviews when it comes to customer service.
It can be overwhelming and confusing to sort through all that information. That’s why we decided to compare many of the best extended warranty providers to find out which perform the best. We put together a list of our top picks to make it easier for drivers to make sense of it all.
Safe-Guard Products International is one of the many companies we’ve researched, although it should be noted that Safe-Guard warranties are purchased through dealerships rather than directly by the consumer. Read on to find out what we learned about Safe-Guard auto protection plans.
To go ahead and get free quotes from our top recommended warranty companies, click below.
Safe-Guard Products International was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company has over 25 years of experience in the finance and insurance industries, and its contracts protect more than 13 million consumers.
Safe-Guard Products International offers several extended warranty plans that allow customers to purchase only the coverage they want. That approach may appeal to you if you’re concerned about specific breakdowns but don’t want to pay a lot of money for a plan that includes other coverage you may not need or want.
Safe-Guard Products International offers vehicle service contracts for cars and motorcycles. Its plans can cover many repairs related to mechanical breakdowns that drivers would otherwise have to pay for out of pocket. Extended warranties are available if you have a current auto loan or lease and to those who own a vehicle outright.
Its vehicle service contracts offer several levels of coverage and can pay for parts, labor, roadside assistance, towing, and rental cars. The company can also reimburse customers for emergency travel. Members can choose to have a vehicle service contract in effect at the same time as the manufacturer’s warranty to cover repairs excluded by the manufacturer’s warranty.
Although Safe-Guard Products International has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2012 and has received an A+ rating, it has also received its fair share of complaints. Several consumers noted they experienced poor customer service, including problems getting claims approved and refunds processed. However, this is not uncommon in the auto warranty industry.
There are many Safe-Guard auto plans with various levels of coverage to protect you from unexpected repair bills. Here are the highlights:
Safe-Guard Products International sells its vehicle service plans through car dealerships. Customers can purchase an extended warranty when they buy or lease a new or pre-owned vehicle.
Plan prices depend on a vehicle’s make, model, and mileage. Many of Safe-Guard Products International’s plans don’t have deductibles, but some do. Service contracts may expire after a specified number of months or years or when the vehicle has reached a certain number of miles. A dealership representative can provide information on eligibility, pricing, and other details about individual plans.
Some vehicle service plans require a customer to receive prior authorization before a mechanic begins any repairs. If you purchase an extended warranty and your car needs repairs, don’t let anyone begin working on it until you have gotten in touch with a representative to avoid having your claim denied.
If you need to file a claim for a covered repair, you can speak to a customer service representative during Safe-Guard Products International’s business hours or fill out a form online.
Safe-Guard Products International does not allow customers to transfer an existing vehicle service contract to another vehicle. If the owner sells the vehicle to another private party, the service contract can be transferred to the buyer. Refer to your agreement to confirm if your coverage is transferrable and view any applicable transfer fees.
Many contracts can be cancelled. In some cases, the customer will have to pay a fee. If a customer cancels a plan, Safe-Guard Products International will issue a refund to the dealer. The refund can be applied to the customer’s loan balance, or the customer can be given a refund.
Despite its accreditation and A+ rating on the BBB, Safe-Guard Products International has received a number of negative reviews online from current and past customers. As we mentioned, this is not uncommon in the auto industry. The claims process can be a stressful time for customers.
Here are excerpts from some complaints submitted to the BBB:
“I cancelled the extended warranty for my car on 8 April 2019. Have yet to receive my refund …”
“Warranty would not pay for two new tires, only one, even though we were told since we have an AWD car two were needed for the car to safely operate. Poor warranty and even worse customer service …”
Below are excerpts from some reviews on Yelp:
“Do NOT buy it (extended warranty) under any circumstances – just take that money and self insure. You’ll probably save a ton! …”
“I see tons of negative reviews in regards to this company, however if you do what they explain to you and be proactive, you shouldn’t have a single problem.”
Safe-Guard Products International offers extended warranties that cover a wide range of repairs, as well as others that are more limited. It may be an appealing choice if you’re looking for a vehicle service contract but don’t want to pay for a plan that covers repairs you would be willing to pay for out of pocket, if necessary. The variety of plans makes it easy for customers to choose the coverage that fits their needs and budget.
In our review of online comments from people who have purchased extended warranties from Safe-Guard Products International, we found that a large percentage reported problems dealing with customer service. Consumers complained about impolite staff who didn’t return phone calls and difficulty getting claims paid and refunds issued. Safe-Guard Products International has, however, earned top marks from the BBB for resolving complaints in a satisfactory manner.
Before you purchase a Safe-Guard auto plan, you should compare plans from several companies. Many businesses offer vehicle service contracts with a wide array of coverage options and price points. Companies also vary in terms of how well they process claims and handle complaints from customers.
We took an in-depth look at many of the most popular extended warranty companies in the U.S. to save you some time and effort. Our research helped us narrow the list down to a handful of top contenders.
It should be noted that these warranty providers sell plans directly to consumers, where Safe-Guard works with dealerships. The right coverage for you will depend on the experience you are looking for. Here are details on a couple of the providers we recommend.
In our study, we found CarShield to be a popular plan because of the high number of online reviews it has received and the fact that its plans have protected over a million vehicles since 2005. Like CARCHEX, CarShield offers extended warranties from several providers and serves as a middleman to connect consumers with the insurance companies that administer the plans.
CarShield offers protection plans for new and used vehicles, specialty vehicles, and high-tech systems. Its service contracts have low or no deductible and include roadside assistance, and it pays repair facilities directly for drivers’ covered claims to spare its customers the hassle of having to pay out of pocket and wait to be reimbursed.
CarShield offers six distinct plans, low or $0 deductibles, and multiple payment options, making it our choice for Best Value among extended warranty providers.
CARCHEX has been accredited by the BBB and has earned an A+ rating. It offers plans from administrators that are highly rated and fully insured. CARCHEX has also received several customer service awards and endorsements from industry leaders such as Kelley Blue Book, CARFAX, and Edmunds.com.
One reason why CARCHEX stands out is its commitment to transparency. Many people get frustrated because companies offer multiple vehicle service plans that cover different types of repairs and have confusing pricing models. CARCHEX has shown a commitment to making things easy to understand with its No-Haggle, Low-Price, Everyday Guarantee™. The company also says that if you call to request information, its customer service representatives won’t pressure you to purchase a plan.
CARCHEX has five customizable extended warranty plans, excellent customer service, and great added perks. We recognize CARCHEX as the Best for Used Cars.
Olive is an upstart extended warranty company hoping to pull the industry into the modern era. Based on the provider’s 4.7-star average customer score on Google Reviews, the plan appears to be catching on.
The provider’s chief calling card is its simplicity. A digital-first interface simplifies the process of filing a claim, while below-average rates make payments easier to bear. Add on Olive’s lack of a waiting period before filing a claim, and the company appears ready to shake up the extended auto warranty space.
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
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