Cars & Stripes
Peace of mind, included

How your warranty
actually works.

Plain-English guide to your Vehicle Service Contract, backed by Alpha Warranty Services. Learn how to file a claim, what's covered, and the few rules that matter most.

Quick facts
Coverage up to
175,000 mi
Repair network
ASE · 50 states
You pay
Deductible only
Roadside
24 / 7
01 / Start here

What this warranty actually is.

Your warranty is a Vehicle Service Contract (VSC) issued by Alpha Warranty Services — not insurance. It pays to repair or replace specific mechanical parts listed in your contract when they break down from normal use.

If your vehicle still has factory coverage, the VSC sits behind it and kicks in when the manufacturer's warranty expires. On used vehicles with no factory coverage left, it starts the day you drive off our lot.

Eligible

Most cars & light trucks up to 175,000 miles.

Not eligible

Salvage or rebuilt titles. Vehicles over 175k miles.

02 / Built for you

Every plan is customized.

Four dials. We set them with you at the desk based on your vehicle's age and mileage.

01
Plan tier

Powertrain → Powertrain Plus → Extended → Full Coverage. Higher tiers cover more parts.

02
Term

Months and miles — whichever comes first. Pick the length that fits how you drive.

03
Deductible

$0, $50, $100 (most common), or $200. Lower deductible = higher monthly. Per visit, not per part.

04
Add-ons

Commercial use, diesel engines, seals & gaskets — added if your situation calls for it.

The four tiers, simplified
Tier 1
Powertrain

Engine, transmission, drive axle. The fundamentals.

Best for older / higher-mileage vehicles.
Tier 2
Powertrain Plus

Powertrain + key add-ons like A/C, electrical, fuel system.

A common middle-ground.
Tier 3
Extended

Adds steering, suspension, cooling, brakes (mechanical).

Solid coverage for daily drivers.
Broadest
Tier 4
Full Coverage

Exclusionary — covers everything except a short list of items.

Closest thing to bumper-to-bumper.

Eligibility for each tier and term depends on your vehicle's year and mileage at the time of sale. We'll walk you through what you qualify for.

03 / When something breaks

The claim process, in five steps.

If you remember nothing else, remember Step 2: the shop calls Alpha before they touch the car.

  1. 01
    Take it to any ASE-certified shop.

    No restricted network. Use your usual mechanic, the dealership down the street, anywhere ASE-certified — nationwide.

  2. 02
    The shop calls Alpha — before any work begins.

    Adjusters are reachable at 800.662.5519 or online. The shop opens the claim and waits for approval. This step is the one that protects your coverage.

  3. 03
    Alpha reviews and decides.

    The decision flows back: Alpha → Shop → You. Most straightforward claims get a same-day answer.

  4. 04
    You pay the deductible. Alpha pays the shop.

    Alpha pays the repair facility directly by credit card. No reimbursement paperwork, no fronting the cost.

  5. 05
    Sign off and drive away.

    You confirm the repair is complete, and you're back on the road.

04 / Read these

Three rules that prevent denied claims.

Don't authorize repairs early.

Letting the shop tear into the engine before Alpha approves the claim is the #1 reason claims get denied. Always wait for the green light from the adjuster.

Keep every maintenance receipt.

Your contract requires maintenance to manufacturer specs. Save oil changes, fluids, filters, scheduled service — paper or digital. No records means denial risk if the cause is debated.

After-hours? You have an option.

If a covered breakdown happens outside business hours, you can wait until Alpha opens — or follow the emergency reimbursement path: complete the repair, then fax the invoice to Alpha for review.

05 / Coverage

What's in, what's out.

Exact lists vary by tier. The themes don't.

Covered

Mechanical breakdowns of parts listed in your contract tier.

  • · Engine
  • · Transmission
  • · Drive axle
  • · Electrical
  • · A/C compressor
  • · Fuel system
  • · Cooling system
  • · Steering
Not covered

Routine upkeep and wear, plus things outside normal use.

  • · Oil changes
  • · Brake pads, wipers
  • · Tires & alignment
  • · Damage from neglect
  • · Modifications
  • · Pre-existing issues
  • · Cosmetic damage
  • · Commercial use*

*Unless the commercial-use add-on was selected.

06 / The money

How payment actually works.

Deductible per visit

One deductible per repair visit — not per part. Multiple things fixed in one trip = one deductible.

Direct shop payment

Alpha pays the shop on a credit card. You don't front the bill or chase a reimbursement.

Rental reimbursement

Included on most plans, with a daily cap. Call 800.662.5519 to confirm before you rent.

24/7 roadside

On most plans. The number is in the top-right corner of page 1 of your contract.

07 / If things change

Transfer or cancel.

Selling the car?

Your warranty is transferable to a private-party buyer — a real bump to your resale value.

You'll need
  • · Written transfer request
  • · All maintenance records
  • · $100 assignment fee

Transferred contracts are non-refundable.

Need to cancel?
  • ·Within 60 days, no claims filed: full refund.
  • ·After 60 days or after a claim: pro-rata refund minus a 10% admin fee.
08 / Bookmark these

Tools to keep close.

09 / Quick answers

Frequently asked.

Can I use my own mechanic?

Yes. Any ASE-certified shop nationwide. There's no restricted network — go where you trust.

Do I pay upfront and get reimbursed?

No. Alpha pays the shop directly by credit card — you only pay your deductible.

What if I'm out of state when something breaks?

Coverage is nationwide. Take it to any ASE-certified shop, and they'll call Alpha to open the claim.

How long does claim approval take?

Usually same-day for straightforward claims. Complex repairs may need an inspection, which adds a day or two.

What if my claim is denied?

The shop can submit additional information — diagnostic findings, maintenance records — to the adjuster for a second look. Denials aren't always final.

Does this cover oil changes?

No — routine maintenance is the owner's responsibility, and your contract requires it. Keep those receipts.

Still have questions?

Stop by the lot, give us a call, or email — we walk every customer through their contract before they drive off.

This page is a summary for convenience. Your actual coverage, deductible, term, and exclusions are governed entirely by your signed Vehicle Service Contract with Alpha Warranty Services. Refer to your contract for binding terms.