Save thousands on vehicle repairs with Endurance.
Get a FREE Quote

Celebrity Car Breakdowns: How Extended Warranties Could Have Helped

BY: Michael O'Connor
Close-up side view of an red luxury sports car on the road

Every car owner knows that a breakdown every now and then is unavoidable. No matter how well you take care of your car, eventually, a problem will arise that will have to be repaired, and it may even leave you stranded on the side of the road.

If there’s one comfort you can find in this inevitability, it is that car troubles happen to everyone, no matter how wealthy or famous they might be. In recent years, several stories have been in the news about some of the biggest American celebrities dealing with breakdowns and car trouble, even with their high-end, high-dollar automobiles.

While many celebrity car accidents can be taken care of with tow trucks and money for repairs on their expensive exotic and luxury vehicles, that doesn’t mean that they couldn’t use a little peace of mind. An extended warranty, which is more accurately called a vehicle service contract (VSC), can provide comfort and help during a breakdown, even to those who have the status and cash flow to make any kind of repair.

Knowing how an extended warranty could have helped some of the most notable Hollywood car breakdowns will help you decide if it is right for you and your vehicle.

Justin Bieber’s Lamborghini Aventador Breakdown

In September 2018, Justin Bieber’s Lamborghini Aventador broke down in the Hamptons, an upscale region of New York State. After the breakdown, Bieber was photographed by paparazzi looking frustrated with the situation and waiting to have the exotic vehicle towed away. Because of the high-end nature of the car, which could have a price tag of over $500,000, the event got quite a bit of media attention and showed just how susceptible a vehicle can be to a breakdown, even at that price point.

While it is unclear exactly what happened to Bieber’s Lamborghini, an extended warranty that covers highline luxury and exotic vehicles could have been a big help. This is especially true for the specific issues that are common with these vehicles, such as electrical problems and overheating, even in relatively mild conditions. Plus, if Bieber had an extended warranty that included 24/7 roadside service, he could have saved some money on what was sure to be an otherwise expensive repair.

Kim Kardashian’s Rolls-Royce Ghost Failure

Kim Kardashian is a celeb known for sharing the details of her personal life with humor and composure, and the breakdown of her Rolls-Royce Ghost in July 2021 was no exception. The star took to social media to detail the breakdown of her supercar, featuring a massive 6.75-liter V12 engine and an incredibly luxurious interior, which occurred in Calabasas, California, while she and her sister were out for a drive. The vehicle experienced a mechanical failure that left the two stranded and highlighted how everyone is susceptible to car trouble, even when they have such a high-performance, top-tier vehicle.

Since Kardashian’s Rolls-Royce experienced a mechanical failure, the odds are good that a part needed to be replaced in order to get it back up and running again. With a high-quality vehicle protection plan, she could have gotten her vehicle to a certified shop that had access to parts that a top-notch car like the Rolls-Royce Ghost needs and get them replaced so it could get back on the road. Plus, getting a tow would have been faster and easier, and she may not have even had time to post the videos and photos on social media, for better or worse.

Lady Gaga’s Mercedes-Benz Breakdown

Lady Gaga is one of the most well-known singers and actors in the world, but that doesn’t mean that she’s immune to car trouble. In 2018, Gaga’s Mercedes-Benz broke down on the highway in Los Angeles. Anyone who lives in or has visited the City of Angels knows how harrowing this experience can be with the city’s immense traffic congestion and high-speed driving on its snaking network of highways. Gaga shared the experience on social media with a specific emphasis on the inconvenience of waiting for roadside assistance while the other cars on the highway honked and sped by.

If Gaga had an extended warranty for her Mercedes-Benz, she would not have had to worry about the long wait for a tow truck with gawkers and fans equally upset and thrilled to see her. A quality extended warranty provider will make it as easy and fast as possible to get the roadside assistance you need, whether that is a tow, a battery charge, or locksmith services.

While this can be convenient if you are a star in a high-priced, high-performance luxury vehicle, it can be a lifesaver for anyone. Having a provider on your side with good customer service and prompt roadside assistance can ease the stress of a highway breakdown, no matter who you are.

Jay Leno’s Classic Car Issues

Jay Leno has been one of the most recognizable stand-up comedians and talk show hosts for over 40 years. While he is well-known for his work on television and on stage, he is equally well-known for his incredible collection of antique and classic cars, some of which would be more at home in a museum than on the highway. Over the years, he has had some public car troubles, including a notable incident in 2020 when his 1906 Stanley Steamer, which runs on steam power, had a mechanical issue in Los Angeles. He has also shared his experiences with having trouble getting the right service for his antique vehicles and finding a reliable shop to work on them.

Even as one of the most famous collectors of vintage cars, Jay Leno has trouble finding a reliable shop, but with a good extended warranty on his side, he could have avoided some of his car problems. With a protection plan that includes access to a network of vetted, highly regarded shops, you can protect your vintage vehicle and get it the best possible care. Plus, you can be sure that the new parts will be covered, even if they are relatively difficult to source and need specialized labor to be installed.

Katy Perry’s Tesla Model S Malfunction

While electric vehicles, and Teslas specifically, have become status symbols and are known for being high-end vehicles, they are just as susceptible to breakdowns as any other car. In January 2021, pop singer Katy Perry was driving her Tesla Model S in Beverly Hills when it experienced a mechanical failure and simply came to a stop. Perry posted videos and pictures on social media expressing her frustration with the situation and with being stranded on the side of the road with what was, at the time, an incredibly pricey EV.

If you have an electric vehicle, it is important to remember that even the world’s most famous pop stars have trouble with their EVs, and it can happen at any time. Having an extended warranty in place that covers electric vehicles will help ensure that you don’t end up stuck on the side of the road. If Katy Perry can get stuck with an immobile EV, you could find yourself in a similar situation and it is a good idea to have the protection you need. Plus, Perry could have gotten her rental car covered while the Tesla was being fixed if she had access to excellent coverage.

Extended Warranties: A Lifesaver for Everyone

An extended warranty or vehicle service contract is your best bet for keeping your car in good working order, whether or not you are involved in a celebrity car accident. With an auto protection plan in place that offers comprehensive coverage on a wide range of mechanical components, you can rest easy knowing that you are covered for all kinds of automotive issues. Many providers offer different tiers of coverage and you can choose between basic powertrain protection or bumper-to-bumper plans that cover nearly every component.

Having the financial safety net of a vehicle service contract will give you the peace of mind you need so that you won’t have to break the bank to keep your car running. While some of the world’s biggest celebrities might not have to worry about an expensive breakdown, the rest of us should do everything possible to prevent a large, expensive repair bill.

Everyone, from the richest, most high-profile stars to the everyday folks you see at the grocery store, loves convenience and confidence in their vehicles. With the right extended warranty coverage, you can be sure that you can get the help you need in all kinds of situations.

With the right protection plan, you can get great repair coverage as well as extra perks like roadside assistance, rental car coverage, and trip interruption protection in case of a mechanical breakdown or car crash. These factors make having an extended warranty a good option for everyone, regardless of their level of fame and fortune.

Great Coverage With Endurance, No Matter What

While you and the famous people you know and love are not immune to car problems, that doesn’t mean that either of you have to worry about breakdowns or high repair bills. By having a good extended warranty on your side, you can rest easy knowing that you can get your car fixed and get help when you need it most.

Endurance offers a wide range of auto protection plans for cars and drivers of all kinds. With everything from the most basic powertrain protection to exclusionary coverage, there is coverage for everyone, whether you have a high-mileage vehicle or a high-end luxury car. Plus, Endurance will cover vehicles that other providers won’t, such as Canadian Gray Market cars, cars with a rebuilt or salvage title, and vehicles used for commercial purposes like rideshare or delivery.

Endurance also offers a comprehensive suite of standard perks and benefits that come with every plan. These include things like 24/7 roadside service and towing, trip interruption coverage, and rental car reimbursement. For a small activation fee, you can also get access to the Elite Benefits program. This includes extra perks such as tire repairs, key fob replacement, and up to $1,000 in total loss coverage for the ultimate protection on the road.*

If you want to benefit from Endurance’s complete coverage, contact our award-winning customer service team at (800) 253-8203 or request a FREE quote. You can also visit the online store for an instant price preview.

For even more resources and information, be sure to check out the Endurance blog. There, you will find FAQs, provider comparisons for other luxury cars like Porsche and Ferrari, mechanical breakdown insurance guides, DIY maintenance tips and tricks, and much, much more.

Get started with a FREE quote.

    • Select Year First...
    • Select Make First...
    Get a FREE Quote