We’ve all been in this situation before: You have finally found the car that you want after days, maybe even weeks of searching, and you are ready to buy. The handshakes have been exchanged, you let out a sweet sigh of relief, and begin to imagine yourself cruising around town in your new vehicle. But before you throw ambition to the wind, you still have to sit down with the Finance and Insurance (F&I) manager and discuss a few more things. But hopefully, knowing what you’re in store for will allow you to face your options head-on and know what you do need and what you don’t need.

When buying a new or used vehicle many dealerships now offer a variety of protection and insurance plans that can purchased at the time of sale. Unfortunately, with so many plan options available you may be overwhelmed when trying to decide which options are right for you. By gaining a better understanding of these plans, and how they will affect you, you can be sure that you’re making an informed decision before you decide to accept or decline any available options.

Tire Warranties

The life of your tires can be affected by many factors such as defects, premature tire wear, and damage caused by hazardous road conditions. By purchasing an extended tire warranty for your tires they can be replaced, or repaired, free of charge in the event of circumstances such as these. Most tire warranties provide coverage that lasts for a predetermined amount of years or based off your vehicle’s mileage.

Fabric Protection

Fabric protection reinforces your vehicle’s interior by repelling stains that could have otherwise caused permanent damage. When purchasing this Fabric Protection, your vehicle’s interior will be treated with a special solution that can prevent stains from penetrating its upholstery by improving its stain-fighting abilities.

Paint Sealant

Paint sealant can protect your car by preventing rust, scratches, chipping and other damages that can occur to its paint job. A professional will apply the paint sealant, made from a waxpolymer-based glaze, to extend the life of your paint job. Paint sealant is a higher quality wax, compared to over the counter waxs, but the procedure must be performed every few years, in most cases, in order for the warranty to remain void.

Window Etching

Window etching is a service that permanently etches your vehicle’s VIN number to your car’s window. This service can make it easier for authorities to track your vehicle in the case of theft and may help to ward off potential criminals.

Rust Proofing & Undercoating

Rust proofing and undercoating is a protective coating that’s applied to your vehicle’s undercarriage, along with its wheel wells, to prevent rust formation and corrosion. The undercoat is professionally applied by the dealership and is often backed by warranty in the event of failure. Rust Proofing & Undercoating is designed to protect your car from the detrimental effects of sand and other debris that can damage your car’s undercarriage over time.

Gap Insurance

In the event that your vehicle is totaled or stolen GAP Insurance will ensure that you receive full compensation for the value of your car so that a new vehicle can be purchased. Gap Insurance covers the difference between the payments you’ve already made and the remaining value of the vehicle so that you receive fair compensation. The insurance is often bundled into your monthly premium or it may be charged initially as part of your down payment for the vehicle.

Credit Insurance

In the event of a car owner’s death, Credit Insurance ensures that a leased or financed vehicle will be payed off completely due to the circumstances. Credit Insurance will guarentee that any debt you owe will not be transferred to your surviving family members. This insurance will cover the entire remainder of any payments not yet made on the vehicle.

Before you purchase a new or used vehicle you’ll want to think twice before purchasing any additional plans that are offered to you by a dealership. Although it won’t be necessary to choose every single option, in many circumstances certain plans can be advantageous to you as a driver. This depends solely on your individual needs and what you’re looking to get out of any protection or insurance plan.

As with any option offered to you by the dealer, examine your own needs and decide whether you truly believe you need it or not. Also examine whether or not the dealership will roll these added costs into your payments. Many times, dealers will roll in these add-on items as well as your extended auto warranty into the total cost of the vehicle. And if you are financing your car, it means you will be paying interest on anything added to the total as well. This is why we suggest buying here over the dealer.

About Endurance:

Endurance Vehicle Protection is nation’s premier provider of extended vehicle coverage. By administering our very own Endurance coverage plans, we are able to “cut out” the middleman and pass along these savings onto our valued customers. This also means that throughout the entire life span of your contract with us, you will be dealing directly with us and not a third-party company. In addition to these benefits, we are proud to announce that Endurance is both B+ rated by the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and gold-certified by the VPA (Vehicle Protection Association). We believe in empowering confidence for the road ahead but we also believe in empowering consumers to buy with confidence.