NASHVILLE, TN., (April 28, 2010) – Baker Curb Racing announced today that Scott Lagasse Jr.’s No. 43 Ford Fusion will promote WarrantyDirect.com, one of the largest and most established extended vehicle warranty companies in North America in Friday night’s Bubba Burger 250 at Richmond International Raceway. Lagasse Jr. currently ranks 10th in the NASCAR Nationwide driver point standings after eight races, having gained 22 spots over the last seven races.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to promote WarrantyDirect.com through this partnership with Baker Curb Racing and Scott Lagasse Jr.,” said Tara Williams, Senior Vice President of Warranty Direct. “NASCAR fans are passionate about their sport and are very brand loyal to the companies that support their favorite teams. Scott is off to a great start to the 2010 season and we look forward to seeing the WarrantyDirect.com No. 43 Ford Fusion up front in Richmond on Friday night.”

About Warranty Direct
For nearly 30 years, Warranty Direct has been part of one of the largest and most established extended vehicle service companies in North America. We’ve also been the company that customer’s turn to when they want reliable, comprehensive coverage for their cars, trucks, and vans. Since the beginning, our goal has been to provide exceptional personal service, eliminate hassles, and develop the gold standard for extended vehicle service plans. How do we do it? It actually begins with you. We make it our point to put ourselves in our customers’ shoes and ask what we would want from an extended vehicle service company. Then, we go above and beyond to deliver precisely that experience to every person that has one of our plans. For more information visit: http://www.warrantydirect.com

About Baker Curb Racing
Combining speed and sound, Baker Curb Racing brings a unique tune to the Nashville and the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Owners Gary Baker and Mike Curb combine for over 100 years of experience in NASCAR and national marketing and branding. The team became a vision of Baker and Curb’s passions for racing and a desire to bring a new professional team to the landscape of Nashville and to help satiate the desires of local NASCAR fans. To keep up with all the happenings of the team, visit www.bakercurb.com

For more information:
Andy Gee
315-566-9034 or agee@bakercurb.com

Take advantage of our March 8th Sales Promotion to save a lot on your vehicle service contract (extended auto warranty).

• $500 Off all plans we offer
• 5% Down (normally 10% down is required)
• 0% Financing

This offer is available today only (March 8th, 2010) until 8:00 PM EST. (Discount offer not available in Florida or California.)

Call 800-632-4222 or visit Warranty Direct today!

According to US News & World Report, you don’t need to purchase a warranty the moment you buy the car. If you want one, you can easily buy it later from a reputable third-party company. “The dealer’s extended warranty isn’t necessarily the best deal; in fact, it usually costs more. Plus, you’re in a high-pressure situation at the dealer and might not be able to read the fine print. Finally, if you buy the dealer’s extended warranty, you might be required to return to that dealership to get it honored – which could become a problem if you move.” So contact Warranty Direct and buy direct from us and save.

If you need a vehicle service contract (generally known as an extended warranty), call Warranty Direct first and let us help you get protected  from unexpected repair bill costs when a break down occurs. You can reach us at (800) 632-4222 or visit www.warrantydirect.com to find out more.

What do you do now? The future of Saturn is bleak to say the least. A deal to sell the division of General Motors fell apart on September 30th and it was announced that production of the brand would come to an end.  The ability to go to your local dealership for repair work may not be possible and where does that leave your factory warranty?

“After months of negotiations aimed at saving the Saturn brand, General Motors said Wednesday it will stop making Saturn vehicles this year and wind down the brand by the end of 2010.” (see below for a link to the entire story at USA Today)

We understand your concerns and we have a solution for you. A vehicle service agreement provides protection against the ever increasing cost of repairs your vehicle will need. You work hard and deserve better than this and from Warranty Direct, you will get it!

Warranty Direct is the direct to consumer division of Interstate National Dealer Services, one of the oldest and largest independent automobile vehicle service agreement providers in the US. Our expertise is unmatched with nearly 30 years of experience, nearly 2 million vehicle service contracts sold and over 1 billion dollars paid in claims. In addition to offering our vehicle service contracts direct to consumers, over 2,200 manufacturers, dealers, banks and credit unions choose to market our coverage. Here are just a few of the many benefits that we offer:

• Coverage available for every budget and every car
• Insured by an A-Excellent AM Best insurer
• A+ Rated by the Better Business Bureau
• Use of the repair facility of your choice
• Claims paid directly to your repair facility
• Complimentary roadside assistance and travel interruption protection provided with every plan
• Car rental reimbursement
• Satisfaction guarantee

We are confident in our financial strength and automobile knowledge to service your vehicle. You can still protect the investment in your Saturn, it’s not too late.

Warranty Direct and the family of Interstate National Dealer Services have been providing services to automobile owners for 30 years.  You will be protected and you will be taken care of. We are sincere in our approach to offer you the best value, while ensuring you the stability and strength of a leader in this industry. Don’t put your trust in just any company. Let us earn your business today!

Read more about Saturn at USA today: GM to shut down Saturn after deal with Penske falls apart

Independent Research Firms

A company’s transparency with their customers is key. During online research, searchers are bound to come across web sites that profess to perform “independent” research, when in actuality they are simply a portal site for an extended auto warranty broker. They’re easy to spot when they conveniently recommend only one “Editor’s Top Choice” throughout the site or blog while claiming to be an independent research firm. Often, these sites print misinformation about other warranty companies in an effort to fool the consumer.

Become a Well Informed Auto Warranty Buyer

WarrantyInfo.com has always clearly stated that we are the official blog of Warranty Direct. We use this blog to give you clear, factual information about extended auto warranties so you, the consumer, will be well informed and able to make the best decision on your extended vehicle warranty purchase.

What You Need is the Truth

We were shocked and dismayed that one new “independent research” site printed several pieces of misinformation about Warranty Direct. One of our loyal customers let us know about a disengenuous site, AutoWarrantyResearch.com. The site states inaccuracies and deceptions that we feel we must respond to.

1. Warranty Direct plans are backed by insurance companies that have A- Excellent ratings with A.M. Best. Warranty Direct is NOT “self-insured” nor are our plans backed by a Risk Retention Group. 
2. Warranty Direct is the direct-to-consumer division of Interstate National Dealer Services, Inc. Interstate has been in business for over 28 years and supplies extended warranties to car dealers, financial institutions and leasing firms across North America.
3. This disingenuous web site links to an erroneous business report about Interstate/Warranty Direct despite being told that it contains errors. While we are a privately held company, our sales last year were well in excess of $100 million and our asset base is in excess of $350 million. Our 28 year track record of paying claims and customer satisfaction are well documented throughout this site.
4. Several of the pages on the WarrantyDirect.com web site have a counter that ticks off the amount of claims we have paid since the inception of our business. Today, it stands at over $600 million and increases by almost $100,000 each day. The “independent research” site would try to have you believe that we are claiming to have paid that amount this year. We find that notion plain silly.

Of course we hope that you’ll decide Warranty Direct is the right company for you. As our customer, we pledge to give you the best value and service in the industry.

Give us a call, we’re happy to answer any of your questions about our coverage, the claims process, etc… You can also get a free extended auto warranty quote on our website at WarrantyDirect.com.

Bumper-to-bumper: Often called the basic warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers virtually every component on a new car. Most exclude regular maintenance, like fluid top-offs and oil changes, but a few luxury brands — most notably BMW and Saab — have separate free-maintenance provisions. Bumper-to-bumper warranties usually expire faster than powertrain warranties. American and Japanese cars typically come with a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty while luxury and more upscale brands carry a 4 year/50,000 mile warranty.

Powertrain: Don’t be fooled, a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn’t promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine, transmission and drive axles. This represents about 20% of your vehicle. Some systems NOT covered include air conditioning, electronics, steering, suspension and high tech electronics.

Roadside Assistance: Most automakers include roadside assistance with their new car warranties. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump starts and towing.

Corrosion: This covers body panels that have rusted through. Such policies generally last five to six years and have no mileage limits. They only cover complete perforation — a relatively rare occurrence with today’s rust-proofing — so you’ll probably be denied a claim for sheet metal that’s only partially rusted.

Emissions: Since 1972, the government has required all cars to have emissions controls like oxygen sensors and catalytic converters. Two types of warranties exist: performance warranties and design and defect warranties. Performance warranties require automakers to repair or adjust emissions controls for at least two years or 24,000 miles if the car fails an emissions test. If emissions controls fail independent of a test, the design and defect warranty covers them for at least two years or 24,000 miles. Major components like catalytic converters and engine control modules are covered for performance and defects for eight years or 80,000 miles. On some items, California residents are eligible for additional coverage.

Hybrid components: Components in the hybrid drivetrain include the high-voltage battery pack along with the hybrid assist motor and the electrical connections in between.These components may be prohibitively expensive to repair or replace, so automakers offer generous warranties, in most cases 8 years and from 80,000 to 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Seat belts and airbags: A lot of carmakers include seat belts and airbags with powertrain or bumper-to-bumper warranties. Others make separate provisions, and the warranties sometimes carry no expiration date. Seat belts are generally covered for operating usability only, so don’t expect a replacement for discoloration or other cosmetic defects.

Extended Warranty Administrator – This is the company that actually issues the warranty and is responsible for paying any claims. This is the company that should come under the closest scrutiny by consumers. Buying coverage direct from an administrator offers the most security as your money goes directly to the company responsible for fulfilling the obligations under the warranty contract. You will also be able to obtain the same coverage they sell through car dealers and avoid the car dealer’s markup. Administrators will offer you pre-sale counseling and after sale support.

There are many warranty administrators (national and regional) with varying business models. You should select a company that offers their coverage through many different channels and not just the Internet. Like insurance companies, the larger the pool of warranty holders, the more likely the company is financially stable and has adequate funds to pay future claims.

Regional warranty administrators tend to be small and have a smaller base of customers. National warranty administrators will offer coverage through car dealers, financial institutions (banks, credit unions) and may even handle warranty programs for manufacturers. With a larger, more diverse customer base, these companies are more financially sound. When a warranty administrator handles coverage for banks, credit unions and manufacturers, you can bet those companies did a lot of research before selecting a warranty partner.

 More and more states are regulating the sale of extended warranties. Larger states like California, Florida and New York have licensing requirements and have done the homework for you. If a company is licensed in all of these states, that is a good indication of a stable company and one dedicated to compliance.

* * * *

Internet Only Warranty Companies – Based on our 14 years of selling coverage direct to consumers on the Internet (and 28+ years through car dealers, banks and credit unions), we have seen companies with this business model come and go. While the Internet allows consumers to buy products at more affordable prices than traditional selling channels, companies that only do business on the Internet present a risky business model.

Internet only companies are loosely regulated and some are not regulated at all. As they do not sell through car dealers or other channels, they are able to bypass the regulatory requirements that more and more states are implementing to protect consumers. These regulatory requirements most often deal with the company’s financial health.

By only selling car warranties on the Internet, these companies are not able to amass a large customer base and often are not able to set aside appropriate funds to pay future claims. They take in money on Monday to pay claims on Tuesday. Couple this with a lack of regulatory over-sight and you have a recipe for disaster.

Questions you should be asking…

How long has the warranty administrator been in business?
Have they been around long enough to have been through several claims cycles?
Do they set aside adequate funds to pay future claims?
Do you sell your products only on the Internet?
When you type their company name into a search engine, what are their customers saying about them?
Are they members of the Better Business Bureau?
How many complaints do they have on file?
Are they members of WebAssured.com?
Are they Dun & Bradstreet verified?
Are they able to do business in all 50 states?
Are they recommended by reliable, trusted automotive web sites?
Do they have a formal complaint resolution process in their contract?

About Warranty Direct

Founded in 1980, Warranty Direct is the direct-to-consumer division of one of North America’s leading providers of service contracts and extended warranties for automobiles. Through its automobile extended warranty portals, www.warrantydirect.com, www.carwarranty.com, www.warrantyinfo.com and www.warrantydirect.ca , Warranty Direct leads the industry in efficient and expedited claims handling, impeccable customer service and a technology infrastructure that far surpasses the industry standard. Coverage is available in all 50 states and many parts of Canada.

For a free, instant online extended warranty rate quote, please click here.

 1. How long have you been in business?
2. Do you pay the claims or are you a broker? What company actually is responsible for paying the claims?
3. Are you able to offer coverage in all 50 states?
4. Are you a Better Business Bureau accredited business?
5. How many warranty contracts has your company sold?
6. Do you sell through car dealers and financial institutions or only on the Internet?
7. Do you cover wear and tear failures or only mechanical breakdowns?
8. Do you cover seals and gaskets?
9. Do you cover damage due to overheating?
10. Do you include $100 towing benefits with your plans? What about a full roadside assistance plan?
11. Can I preview the actual contract online?
12. What companies endorse your company?

While there are many other questions one can ask in evaluating warranty companies, the 12 above will provide a great start.

The $1,800 extended warranty will end up costing you about $2,650 with a 5 year loan at 8% interest. And, that figure doesn’t even included the commission that you will be paying to the salesman, the finance guy and the dealership for acting as the broker!

The Alternative to High Priced Dealer Sold Extended Warranties.

Buy direct and buy smart. Take advantage of Warranty Direct, offering consumers the same extended warranties sold by dealers without the middleman markup. Even better, you can read the actual warranty contract before you buy. With a track record that is second to none, why not get a free quote today?

There are many factors one should consider before selecting a car warranty company. Longevity and a proven track record are two important factors. Warranty Direct is the consumer division of  Interstate National Dealer Services, Inc, one of the oldest and largest independent automobile warranty providers in the US. Our expertise in car warranties is unmatched with 28 years of experience, nearly 2 million car warranty contracts sold and over $600,000,000.00 in paid claims.

Warranty Direct is the exclusive warranty provider at Edmunds.com, Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com), NADAguides and Yahoo Autos! These industry heavyweights thoroughly investigated Warranty Direct before adding them to their sites. You will also find Warranty Direct recommended by hundreds of other automotive web sites, blogs and forums.

When MotorWeek, the leading automotive TV show for over 25 years, decided to do a story about automobile extended warranties, they began their research by contacting the various warranty companies, much like you are doing today. When the dust settled, MotorWeek chose to exclusively feature Warranty Direct. 

Warranty Direct is proud to have the best Better Business Bureau report in the industry. To put the report into perspective, in the 3 years that the report covers, we have paid out over 252,000 claims.
Another measure of consumer satisfaction is WebAssured.com, an independent company that oversees Internet commerce. Warranty Direct’s report can be viewed here:
A 3 time Forbes Magazine Top 200 Company. This speaks to our financial stability.

Dun & Bradstreet verified. Another measure of our financial stability.

2005 Consumer Reports Car Buying Guide:
“If you are considering an extended warranty, you don’t have to buy it from the dealer. Eliminate the middleman by purchasing directly from a warranty company, direct sellers like Warranty Direct. Their contracts are often both much cheaper and better than what the dealer offers.”

America’s Car Show with Tom Torbjornsen has featured Warranty Direct 3 times on their show.

AutoWeek Magazine 2006 Buyer’s Guide.
“The dealership is not your only option if you’re looking for mechanical insurance. Aftermarket extended warranty companies such as Warranty Direct are often more affordable and offer additional forms of coverage. One big advantage that Warranty Direct offers is it allows you to use the repair shop of your choice, be it a dealership, chain store or your favorite local garage.”

Fortune Small Business Magazine (June 2006) wrote ”
….companies that set the standard in today’s business marketplace- companies like Warranty Direct.”

Licensed in Florida, California and New York. Take the guess work out of selecting your warranty provider. Florida, California and New York have the strictest licensing and financial requirements for warranty companies. These states routinely audit Warranty Direct to insure proper funds are available and set aside to pay future claims, not to mention our claim handling practices.  In addition, Warranty Direct exceeds the financial and/or insurance requirements in ALL states where warranty providers are regulated. No other company offering coverage on the Internet meets all of these requirements.

Warranty Administrator – This is the company that actually issues the warranty and is responsible for paying any claims. This is the company that should come under the closest scrutiny by consumers. Buying coverage direct from an administrator offers the most security as your money goes directly to the company responsible for fulfilling the obligations under the warranty contract. You will also be able to obtain the same coverage they sell through car dealers and avoid the car dealer’s markup. Administrators will offer you pre-sale counseling and after sale support.

There are many warranty administrators (national and regional) with varying business models. You should select a company that offers their coverage through many different channels and not just the Internet. Like insurance companies, the larger the pool of warranty holders, the more likely the company is financially stable and has adequate funds to pay future claims.

Regional warranty administrators tend to be small and have a smaller base of customers. National warranty administrators will offer coverage through car dealers, financial institutions (banks, credit unions) and may even handle warranty programs for manufacturers. With a larger, more diverse customer base, these companies are more financially sound. When a warranty administrator handles coverage for banks, credit unions and manufacturers, you can bet those companies did a lot of research before selecting a warranty partner.

More and more states are regulating the sale of extended warranties. Larger states like California, Florida and New York have licensing requirements and have done the homework for you. If a company is licensed in all of these states, that is a good indication of a stable company and one dedicated to compliance.

* * * *

Internet Only Warranty Companies – Based on our 14 years of selling coverage direct to consumers on the Internet (and 27+ years through car dealers, banks and credit unions), we have seen companies with this business model come and go. While the Internet allows consumers to buy products at more affordable prices than traditional selling channels, companies that only do business on the Internet present a risky business model.

Internet only companies are loosely regulated and some are not regulated at all. As they do not sell through car dealers or other channels, they are able to bypass the regulatory requirements that more and more states are implementing to protect consumers. These regulatory requirements most often deal with the company’s financial health.

By only selling warranties on the Internet, these companies are not able to amass a large customer base and often are not able to set aside appropriate funds to pay future claims. They take in money on Monday to pay claims on Tuesday. Couple this with a lack of regulatory over-sight and you have a recipe for disaster.

Questions you should be asking…

How long has the warranty administrator been in business?
Have they been around long enough to have been through several claims cycles?
Do they set aside adequate funds to pay future claims?
Do you sell your products only on the Internet?
When you type their company name into a search engine, what are their customers saying about them?
Are they members of the Better Business Bureau?
How many complaints do they have on file?
Are they members of WebAssured.com?
Are they Dun & Bradstreet verified?
Are they able to do business in all 50 states?
Are they recommended by reliable, trusted automotive web sites?
Do they have a formal complaint resolution process in their contract?

FAQ: I understand that  <warranty company>  is a warranty broker. Who am I actually purchasing the warranty from?

It is important to note that <warranty company> is a broker of auto warranties and has negotiated the best price and coverage for you with the actual warranty provider. We do not process or pay for any claims. These matters are handled by your warranty company. You are actually purchasing the warranty directly from the warranty provider you’ve selected and any claims should be directed to their claims department. Please keep the warranty company claims phone number provided in your vehicle in the event you need to have repairs done.

By purchasing a warranty through <warranty company>, no contract is made between you, the purchaser and <warranty company>. You are actually purchasing the warranty from the warranty company and not <warranty company>. <warranty company> does not agree to and is not liable for payment of any claims and is not liable or responsible for insolvency of any warranty company.

Warranty Direct is NOT a broker or an Internet only company.  When you purchase from us, we agree to be liable for and pay your claims. It’s what we do and have done…for 27 years.