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Home / FAQs / Don't fall for warranty traps - read our guide on ASC Extended Car Warranty

Don't fall for warranty traps - read our guide on ASC Extended Car Warranty

Nicholas Hinrichsen - Published: December 1, 2023

Overview of the Fidelity Warranty Services Car Warranty (VSC Plan)


Our goal is to help you build financial strength by making the right financial choices when it comes to your car. We wrote in-depth articles on a variety of VSC plans (Vehicle Service Contracts, and also known as aftermarket warranties) so you can compare the different carriers, lower your monthly payments, decide whether a VSC contract is right for you, and get the best plan at the lowest rate possible. If you're looking for ways to manage your Fidelity Warranty Services VSC, you might be interested in one of these quick links:

Manage your VSC Plan

Managing your extended auto warranty plan isn't always easy! Sometimes all you�re left with is the phone number and contact details for your aftermarket warranty provider. To reach Fidelity Warranty Services you can call (800) 327-5172.

This VSC provider doesn't have an online portal unfortunately. You'll need to call in or email a representative to get answers

Get a Quote for Coverage

Not every provider is able to give a quote directly to its members (known as direct providers). Many times you�ll need to purchase an aftermarket warranty at the time of sale, and through a dealership. There are several reasons why a warranty company will only sell through a dealer: The car is in a known condition, there is no adverse selection (e.g. the dealership is selling a warranty before an issue has arisen), and the dealership has repeated experience with the warranty company so that pricing can reflect the risks of �the vehicles that a dealer sells�. So if a dealer tends to sell vehicles that need additional repairs, the warranty company can adjust prices accordingly to the dealership as a broader group.

Make a Claim

The process of making a claim is pretty straightforward with Fidelity Warranty Services. You can find details of how to submit a claim here - https://web.ascwarranty.com/page/customer-claims.

The process is like most VSC providers where:
  • First contact the claims department (normally via email, phone call, or through an app)
  • The repair facility will then communicate with Fidelity Warranty Services with an initial estimate before repairs are made
  • A claims adjuster will then submit/give approval for the authorized repairs in scope


Cancelling your Fidelity Warranty Services Insurance Policy

You can cancel your Fidelity Warranty Services insurance policy anytime after you�ve purchased. You�re entitled to a full refund within the first [30] days, and afterwards entitled to a prorated refund. In order to cancel the contract just ensure to have your policy number, current vehicle odometer, and other plan details ready.
You�ll need to contact Fidelity Warranty Services directly through one of the contact methods listed below to complete your cancellation.


Get in Touch with Fidelity Warranty Services

If you want to just get in touch with Fidelity Warranty Services there�s the formal channels:
  • Email: mygapclaim@jmagroup.com
  • Phone: (800) 327-5172
  • Address: 500 Jim Moran Boulevard, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Or you can find some of the more informal channels to get their attention on social media.
These are the social links listed below:



Background on Fidelity Warranty Services Warranties & VSC�s


Fidelity Warranty Services warranty and VSC company has a storied history:
  • It was founded in the year 1978 originally named Tender Loving Care
  • Its founder is Jim Moran
  • Company headquarters are located in Deerfield Beach
  • Currently employes around: 750+
  • Has a current estimated revenue of: $19 Billion for the broader family group


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What plans are available from Fidelity Warranty Services?


Fidelity Warranty Services has a variety of plans available for coverage for your car. You can find a complete list of coverage options by going here: https://www.fidelitywarrantyservices.com/products/vehicle-protection

In general VSC coverages generally fall into several categories (but are all relabeled something else):



  • Exclusionary Coverage Plans: These plans are generally the highest coverage plans available for used cars and they re labeled exclusionary plans because they generally provide coverage for everything �except� what�s listed in the plan. So rather than listing what components ARE covered, the plans list what IS NOT covered (or excluded). These plans are most similar to the bumper to bumper coverage that normally comes with the vehicle. Reading the fine print is often easier for these plans, but they also tend to be more expensive.

  • Inclusionary Coverage Plans: These plans work oppositely from the exclusionary coverage plans. These plans only cover what is explicitly mentioned in the plan. So if the plan covers �Pistons and Crankshaft� but not �Crankshaft Shell Bearing� you may end up paying for lots of components that need replacement but weren�t explicitly mentioned. Often these plans exclude electrical components, gaskets and seals, turbochargers, and other high expense items.

  • Powertrain Coverage Plans: These plans can be either inclusionary or exclusionary, but these plans cover only the drivetrain of the car. This is generally limited to the Engine, Transmission, Differential and drive axles. This more limited coverage is generally less expensive, but obviously excludes a large portion of the vehicle.

How to contact Fidelity Warranty Services for customer service or claims


To contact Fidelity Warranty Services for customer service, there�s several means to reach them:

You can find various means to contact Fidelity Warranty Services Get in Contact :
In general there may be several departments you mind need to reach:

Fidelity Warranty Services warranty and VSC plan reviews and ratings


Fidelity Warranty Services has mostly good, but there are some negative reviews reviews if you look online. While its often considered a better alternative to other VSC providers, there are items in its review history worth examining.

Reviews for Fidelity Car Warranty are a little mixed. This warranty coverage tends to be for older and higher mileage vehicles which are more likely to experience. Understandably, many of these affordable plans also have larger exclusions and so customers have ended up believing they have coverage without reading through the entirety of the fine print. That said, Fidelity is part of the ultra-large JM&A conglomerate which manages a series of business doing over 15Bn in annual sales. The companies warranty rating, and overall services across the group are great, but Fidelity seems to be positioned as a more "budget" option, and often consumers seem to think these budget options don't have compromises (which they do).

You can find some more complete review, and find other details on accreditation through looking at these resources:

  • BBB Reviews are Located Here: Link
  • Yelp Reviews are Located Here: Link
  • Motor1 Reviews are Located Here: Link
  • Consumer Affairs Reviews are Located Here: Link

Picking the right plan from Fidelity Warranty Services Warranty


Most aftermarket VSC, and protection plan companies have multiple coverage plans. We�ll cover only the most popular options here. Fidelity Warranty Services has three major plans for covering your auto repairs:

High Mileage Vehicle Protection
For higher mileage cars - you can still purchase up to 48,000 miles of additional coverage. There's over 6,000 authorized repair centers for these plans. The "Owners Select" high mileage plan is a named coverage plan that covers not only drivetrain components but also common components in the braking systems, air conditioning systems, hybrid systems, as well as select seals and gaskets. Not that the plan includes only named systems, so its still likely any break or repair will require some additional parts and repairs need to auxiliary and supporting components. You can see complete details here: https://www.fidelitywarrantyservices.com/brochures/high-mileage-vehicle-protection

Gold
The "Gold' plan is intended to offer more coverage than just a powertrain warranty, but by being more restrictive than an exclusionary plan it still saves some money. In addition to the engine, transmission, and drive-axles the plan also covers braking systems, steering systems, cooling system, as well as the air conditioning and electrical systems. For a complete list of what's in the named policy you can see coverage options here: https://www.fidelitywarrantyservices.com/products/vehicle-protection

Platinum
The Platinum plan is Fidelity's highest coverage tier. This is an exclusionary plan, and items excluded seems to be pretty short, including just these components: Brake linings, brake drums and rotors, disc brake pads, standard manual transmission clutch friction disc, pressure plate, pilot bearing, throw-out bearing and arm, air bags, solar powered devices, glass, lenses, sealed beams, body parts and/or panels, weather stripping, trim, moldings, lock cylinders, tires, wheels, all batteries except Hybrid/EV/Hydrogen High Voltage batteries as listed under Gold Coverage, light bulbs, upholstery, paint, bright metal, freeze plugs, filters, heater and radiator hoses, exhaust system, catalytic converter, shock absorbers, work such as front-end alignment or wheel balancing (except when required in conjunction with a mechanical breakdown), safety restraint systems, audio/security or other systems not factory installed, or vinyl and convertible tops.

Many of the aforementioned excluded items are simply regular wear and tear items that need regular maintenance rather than repair.

Choosing the right plan obviously depends on your level of comfort with contracts and coverage, but we have a few general pieces of advice for extended warranty buyers.
  • If you�re buying a named coverage plan, its very important to understand exactly what is covered, and understand there is additional expense often associated with each repair. E.g. often gaskets and seals are excluded
  • For most VSC plans we recommend the plan only if the consumer experience is �ruined� by expensive repairs. If the thought of a $1,500 repair could severely dampen your ownership, its worth considering paying for insurance. But remember that on average VSC plans are money-making, and so these plans are more for peace of mind and ownership management than a savvy financial decision.


    • Getting a quote from Fidelity Warranty Services Warranty


    To get a free quote started, you�ll need your vehicle�s VIN and exact mileage. Then you can:

    Call to get a quote: (800) 327-5172

    Or you can visit the online quote portal here: Online Quote Portal

    • You�ll need to enter your make and model
    • Then enter the estimated annual mileage
    • You�ll then be prompted to enter your contact information. Please note its often not possible to get a quote estimate without an email or phone number and the quote is not returned online.

      • Competitors and Alternatives to Fidelity Warranty Services Warranty


      Fidelity Warranty Services isn't the only extended service contract company. In fact there are many large national players. A few of the largest (which Fidelity Warranty Services is a member of) are listed below:

      • ASC
      • Endurance
      • GWC
      • Fidelity
      • Carmax
      • Alpha
      • Route 66
      • Warranty Solutions
      • AUL
      • Proguard
      • Zurich
      • AAA
      • SilverRock
      • Warranty Group
      • CarShield
      • CarChex

      Who should get an Fidelity Warranty Services VSC or warranty plan


      In order to determine whether a VSC from Fidelity Warranty Services is right for you, you�ll need to answer several questions first:

      • What is the expected repair costs of the vehicle you are purchasing and how does that compare to the warranty cost?
      • Could you handle the cost of a large repair without undue financial stress?
      • Can you find an alternative service contract or warranty for cheaper?
      • How much is convenience worth to you?
      Question 1: What is the expected repair cost of the vehicle you are purchasing and how does that compare to the Endurance Warranty cost?

      On average, Fidelity Warranty Services warranties are making money. So on average the Fidelity Warranty Services customers spend more money buying a service contract than what the warranty pays out in repairs after factoring in for the deductible, denied claims, and un-cancelled contracts. For a normal dealer these plans make about $500-1000.

      But, these figures are AVERAGES and so often there�s examples where the Fidelity Warranty Services Warranty is underpriced relative to the expected repair costs. In order to find some of the expected repair costs for a given make model, RepairPal is one of the best resources to find these costs, as well as Edmunds.

      Question 2: Could you handle the cost of a large repair without undue financial stress?

      Since warranties are often money-makers on average it's generally a good idea NOT to get them. That said, often these warranties can be a good means for financial discipline and protecting against extreme downside that might ruin your car experience and cause undue financial stress. Let�s take a money-making warranty case to make a point below.

      Suppose you�re about to buy a 2010 Mercedes SL63 where the engine fails 1 percent of the time at a cost of $20,000. So, the average repair costs is $200 (.01 x $20,000). As a company, Fidelity Warranty Services can make money on the warranty by charging $500. And on average, this warranty is not a good financial decision since the repairs costs are only $200 expected vs. $500 cost.

      However, if you ARE the 1 customer who has a $20,000 engine failure, you would be ecstatic to pay the $500. Not to mention, a $20,000 bill would cause other financial stress, and you may not even have the money to pay for this expensive repair. So now you�re left having to sell a broken vehicle, find new transport, and your perception of the Mercedes SL63 will be forever ruined.

      So if the �bad luck� of expensive repairs could bankrupt you, cause undue stress, or ruin the vehicle experience than an Extended car warranty could be a safe means to buy peace of mind and avoid �car induced bankruptcy�.

      Question 3: Can you find an alternative extended service contract or warranty for cheaper than the Endurance Warranty?

      Up until now, we�ve focused on whether to buy �the Fidelity Warranty Services warranty� or not to buy. The reality is there�s a third alternative - buy an extended warranty/service contract through another third party. Before buying the warranty from Fidelity Warranty Services, you can also compare warranty options through a variety of different warranty companies mentioned earlier.

      Make sure to be comparing plans with similar plans, deductibles, and mileage limits to get comparable costs. Additionally, ensure you vehicle doesn't already have some existing factory warranty coverage. For many car companies, the manufacturer's warranty is often still valid until 36,000, 50,000, or 100,000 mile intervals for the new car.

      Question 4: How much is convenience worth to you?

      Another benefit of Fidelity Warranty Services warranty - you don�t need to think too hard when your car requires unscheduled repairs. Instead of price shopping repairs, getting cost estimates, and renting a car while yours is in for repair - you can just drop off your car at your favorite ASE certified repair shop and get a rental car through Fidelity Warranty Services. Additionally, if your vehicle fails on the side of the road - an extended warranty often covers roadside assistance, towing expenses and other emergency roadside needs.

      So while it might be possible to find cheaper alternatives, save money on repairs longterm, the Fidelity Warranty Services warranty just helps reduce the need for you to think too hard about repairs and maintenance.

      When does Fidelity Warranty Services deny or make claims difficult


      Like any company that specializes in losses (insurance companies, warranty providers, bond services) - Fidelity Warranty Services needs to ensure its not simply paying out in all cases. This can be extremely frustrating as a consumer but generally a warranty company falls into several categories when it comes to claims:

      • The company makes money by making it �difficult� to file claims and get reimbursement.
      • The fine print in the contracts makes it extremely difficult for the consumer to understand what�s covered and what�s not - often revealing hidden costs only at time of repair
      • The company makes its best full faith effort to make claims easy, painless and transparent before and during a claims process.
      Judging by Fidelity Warranty Services reviews: Fidelity has very low ratings when compared to its peer group of warranty and VSC coverage. With an average of 1-2 starts out of 5, consumers seem constantly frustrated by (a) The limited options for repair facilities (b) The fine-print exclusions on the warranty contract (c) The lack of customer service and support available. Not surprisingly customer happiness was directly related to whether Fidelity approved claims, was easy to deal with, and paid on time.

      Some customers had particularly bad things to say about Fidelity Warranty Services: "I would give 0 stars if I could. I paid $5,000 for a "Gold" warranty for 4 years for a $45,000 Audi A7 from the Audi Dealership. My sunroof got stuck and the warranty does not cover and the charge to fix it was $428.00. My hood also wouldn't open and a cable had snapped. Guess what? The warranty doesn't cover that either. Looks like I just wasted $5,000 for a warranty that doesn't cover anything. What a joke!"

      This has to be balanced against the good things customers have said like: "This is the best 3rd party warranty service that i have ever used. It's almost like a factory warranty quality. I have a very expensive audi and I am glad I bought this warranty. I picked the top of line, platinum coverage for a coverage of 7 years. 2 years later, my car required a repair which was surprisingly expensive, almost 14k! Fidelity stepped it, got everything approved for my independent mechanic (who has never worked with fidelity before), paid and now my car is repaired as good as new! " undefined
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