Carefree Auto Expense Protection Plan vs Pre-Paid Car Maintenance Plans
When you make a significant purchase like buying a new or used vehicle, you want to protect your investment for years to come. In addition to securing a standard warranty and vehicle insurance, you'll need to anticipate additional costs that stem from routine maintenance or unexpected repairs. Get to know your options, and weigh the pros and cons of purchasing an expense protection plan from Carefree Auto or a prepaid vehicle maintenance plan.
Carefree Auto Expense Protection Plan
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Even when you purchase a brand new vehicle considered to be one of the most reliable on the market, you're bound to hit a few bumps in the road. That's why the Carefree Auto expense protection plan helps you deal with just about everything your vehicle might encounter.
Routine Maintenance Savings
When your car is running smoothly, it's easy to forget that your vehicle needs routine maintenance in order to stay that way. Stop putting off maintenance, and schedule that oil chance or brake service right away. With Carefree Auto, you'll get up to 20 percent off standard maintenance at participating service centers.
Repair Compensation
If your vehicle needs a mechanical or electrical repair, you don't want to wait longer than necessary for a fix. Carefree Auto makes repair reimbursements easy. Have your choice of repair shops do the work, and you'll receive a check for 30 percent of the cost, for a maximum of $500 per repair.
Tire Protection and Replacement
Tires and wheels are some of the most critical components of your vehicle, but they're also some of the most susceptible to damage. From nails to potholes, road hazards can puncture or damage your tires at any time. Since the costs of repairing or replacing tires can add up quickly, Carefree Auto offers up to $350 per year to address flat, punctured, or damaged tires. You'll also receive up to $150 per wheel replacement, too, as long as it's damaged as a result of a covered road hazard.
Roadside Assistance
If you've ever had car trouble while you're driving on the highway or more than a few miles from home, you know how important reliable roadside assistance is. Carefree Auto offers complete assistance, including 24/7 emergency calls, fuel delivery if you've run out of gas, jump starts if your battery is on the fritz, and lock-out assistance if you've misplaced your keys. You'll even get coverage for up to $100 in emergency services up to three times per year.
Rental Car Deals
Whether your vehicle is in the shop for a day or a few weeks, you still need to get to work and pick the kids up from school. Carefree Auto makes sure you can still get around by offering discounts on rental cars. Rent through an approved program like Avis or Budget Rent-A-Car, and you can save up to 25 percent off base rates.
Prepaid Vehicle Maintenance Plan
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Unlike Carefree Auto's comprehensive expense protection plan, prepaid vehicle maintenance plans can be all over the map. Read the fine print, and you just might find that a prepaid plan includes only a fraction of the services and savings.
Routine Maintenance Discounts
Rather than covering a wide range of routine maintenance services, some prepaid plans cover just one or two. If the one you're considering just includes oil changes or tire rotations, there's a good chance it isn't worth the added expense.
Repair Compensation and Roadside Assistance
Like their name suggests, prepaid maintenance plans usually include set prices on maintenance. That means you won't receive compensation for unexpected repairs, roadside assistance in an emergency, or deals on rental cars.
Limited Service Centers
At the end of the day, prepaid maintenance plans aren't typically geared toward keeping your vehicle on the road or ensuring your safety while you're behind the wheel. Instead, plans offered by dealerships often focus on customer retention. That means you might only be able to receive discounts on maintenance at the dealership's service center, which could cost you more in the long run.
Don't let maintenance or repair costs catch you off guard or throw your budget off balance when you least expect it. Invest in a Carefree Auto expense protection plan, and you'll protect your investment by securing everything from tire replacement help to roadside assistance to rental car discounts.
