GM Extended Warranty Review

Once the new vehicle warranty on your vehicle expires, the best place to find a plan to cover unexpected repairs on your vehicle may be from its own brand. The GM Extended Protection Plans are good examples.

GM Extended Protection Plans offered by GM Financial cover GM vehicles (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac) and extend the coverage of your vehicle by up to 10 years. GM administers this plan, but the plans are sold through GM’s authorized resellers and GM dealerships. GM’s Extended Protection Plan earned a spot on Car Talk’s list of the Best Extended Car Warranty Companies in the industry.

What’s important to note here is that unlike products offered by third party providers, this is not a service contract. The GM Extended Protection Plan is a true extension of the term (in months and mileage) of the ORIGINAL warranty provided by General Motors, protecting you against defects in their cars. You’re simply paying a fee to extend that original warranty.

Pros and Cons

What is Covered by GM Extended Protection Plans?

(*) These examples provided by General Motors.

Which GM Extended Protection Plan is Right for Me?

GM offers three extended protection plans. The first is an extension of the 3-year, 36K bumper to bumper warranty. Chevrolet’s is called the Chevrolet Extended Limited Warranty. At the time of a new vehicle purchase, a shopper can opt to extend coverage to 5-years or 60,000 miles.

GM offers two additional extended protection plans called Platinum and Silver. These are open to owners of GM vehicles that have yet to exceed 84 months or 100,000 miles. Chevrolet states that “There are a number of time and mileage options from which to choose.” These durations of coverage available include:

• 24 Months/24,000 miles
• 36 months/36,000 miles
• 48 months/48,000 miles
• 60 months/60,000 miles

Additional Benefits Included in All GM Extended Protection Plans

• Rental Car Coverage – Up to $40 per day, with a maximum benefit of $280 per repair visit.
• Towing and Roadside Assistance – Up to $150 per occurrence.
• Trip Interruption – In breakdowns that occur more than 100 miles from home, the plan reimburses you up to $200 per day for meals and lodging, with a maximum of $800 per occurrence.
• Lost Key and Lockout – If your keys are lost, stolen, broken or locked inside the vehicle, the plan reimburses up to $35 for locksmith services.

Platinum Plan From GM Extended Protection Plans

GM’s Platinum plan is comprehensive, meaning it covers just about anything any such plan can cover. However, it is also an exclusionary plan. Many items are specifically not included and the sample contract shows that list. Also, this is not a maintenance plan. So don’t expect things like a scheduled timing belt service to be included. Over 1,000 items are included by GM’s Platinum Protection Plan. Here are some examples of what is included:

• Big powertrain items like the engine and transmission are included
• Subsystems in the powertrain like turbochargers and superchargers
• The infotainment system including the screen is included
• OnStar and MyLink
• Electrical systems
• Adaptive cruise control
• Steering systems
• Brakes other than wear items
• Airbags
• Ride control suspension systems

Silver Plan From GM Extended Protection Plans

GM’s Silver Protection Plan offers coverage for a short list of mainly large powertrain components. This plan is not comprehensive and we recommend that shoppers carefully consider this plan before buying. One of the most common reasons for a denied claim is that a plan does not cover the needed repair.

Here is a Sample GM Extended Protection Plan Contract.

How Much Does a GM Extended Protection Plan Cost?

We found pricing examples of GM’s Platinum Extended Protection Plans online. Note that your price will vary depending on your vehicle, its mileage and age, and your location.

(*)Price Source (**)Price Source (***)Price Source

How to File a GM Extended Protection Plan Claim?

With a GM Extended Protection Plan in place, you don’t need to carry paperwork or special membership cards. Using your vehicle identification number, any authorized GM dealership in the country can access your plan level and provide services using their factory-trained technicians, and service your vehicle with GM-specific parts.

Is My Car Eligible for a GM Extended Protection Plans?

What disqualifies a car?

• Due to state restrictions, GM Financial does not offer Extended Protection Plans in California, Maine, Minnesota, and Florida.
• Modified vehicles (hot rods and those with off-road lift kits and the like) are not eligible for a GM Extended Protection Plan.
• Limited to vehicles with less than 100,000 miles or up to 84 months old.

Most Common Reasons Why GM Extended Protection Plan Claims Are Rejected

• The vehicle has not been properly maintained. To avoid this problem be certain you have proof all of the needed work has been completed and that you have all of the maintenance records for the vehicle since it was new before you sign a GM Extended Protection Plan contract. Always follow the manufacturer’s maintenance requirements.
• The contract does not cover the needed repairs. Be certain to read, understand, and agree with the terms of the contract before you sign. If you buy the cheaper option and a part or system fails that is excluded, you have no recourse.
• The contract term has expired. Note that it is always the lesser of the miles or months the contract term includes that ends coverage.
• The vehicle was modified. If you add a lift kit, a performance chip, a loud exhaust, or a new intake and air filter, you should not expect your contract to be honored.

Should You Get a GM Extended Protection Plan?

Extended protection plans are good for some vehicle owners. Those include folks that will have a hard time managing a large, unexpected repair bill. For those owners, a prepaid plan can be a way to help make their vehicle more of a fixed cost. Also, those who need to finance will find that plans are almost always available on a pay-per month basis. One other group of customers who may benefit from such plans are those who own a vehicle they love, but that has a known defect, or a reputation for expensive repairs. We have placed a simple-to understand infographic to help with your decision in this article.

Read our full recommendations for the Best Extended Warranty Companies here.