How to Spot Car Warranty Scams

December 22, 2021 · 3 min read

You’ve likely received a call or letter in the mail in recent months regarding extended service warranty notices about your vehicle.

Are these calls and letters legitimate? In most cases, the answer is no. Here’s what to look for the next time you are contacted about extended service warranty for your vehicle.

What Are Extended Service Plans?

First off, it’s important to know that extended service plans are legitimate plans that are available when you purchase a vehicle. These plans protect drivers from major vehicle repair expenses.

Einspahr’s General Manager, Matt Einspahr, explains extended service plans in this way:

“Vehicles are built better every year, but when repairs to those vehicles come up, they can be more costly due to the technology and parts required. Extended service plans cover everything from repairs to rental vehicles and towing in case something on your vehicle breaks down.”

For a few dollars a month, you can be covered and have peace of mind that you won’t need to fork over an arm and a leg to repair your vehicle in the event that a major repair is needed.

Spotting Vehicle Service and Warranty Scams

When you receive a call or letter in the mail about these plans, the company contacting you may know your vehicle make and model, making the notice sound somewhat legitimate. They may even mention the dealership from which you purchased the vehicle.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that this data is public data that can be obtained by state motor vehicle records and purchased by data collection companies. (Note that at Einspahr, we never give your information to anyone!)

Do’s and Don’ts of Evaluating Car Extended Service Plans

Do be skeptical of letters or calls using language such as “Urgent” or “Immediate.”

Don’t give your personal and financial information to anyone you don’t trust.

Do check your current service plan coverage so that you know what you’re paying for.

Don’t purchase an extended service plan or extended warranty plan without talking to the dealership where you bought your vehicle first.

Many outside companies also offer legitimate limited service coverage plans. Unfortunately these plans can come at extremely inflated prices. In many cases the service plan doesn’t even cover the expensive components of a vehicle and the length of time and mileage offered don’t match the driving habits of customers.

Contact Einspahr with Extended Service Plan Questions

When in doubt, give our finance team a call. At Einspahr Auto Plaza, we offer Extended Service Contracts from both Ford Motor Company and Stellantis (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram), in addition to CNA (the 5th largest insurance company in the world).

With all of these options, we can find the right plan that covers the components on your vehicle for the right length of time that also matches the amount of miles you put on your vehicle. Why pay for a plan that gives you 30,000 miles per year when you may only drive 12,000 miles?

Plus, we offer the ability for customers to purchase extended service contracts that allow you to pay over the course of 36 months with zero interest! This is just one example of how you know we are looking out for you at Einspahr.

Still have questions? We’d be happy to look at a letter you received regarding extended service plans or hear about a call you received from an outside company, as well as answer any extended service plan questions you may have.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CAR FINANCE AND WARRANTIES »

Jul 07, 2023

Introducing: The 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie

n Image Credit: ramtrucks.com/ram1500/ n In the market for a truck? Have you been looking for one that can match your lifestyle and it doesn’t skip out on technology and power? n n Look no further than the new 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie. Packed with cutting-edge technology, enhanced capabilities, and luxurious features, the 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie is poised to conquer the roads and redefine the standards for pickup trucks. n We’re so excited to have the 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie at our dealership and want to share the specs on it to our Brookings community. See the truck inside and out in our walkaround video. Check it out! n n n n Captivating Exterior n The exterior design of the new 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie gives a sense of strength and confidence. Its muscular body lines and aggressive front grille showcase its dominance on the road, while the sleek LED headlights and taillights add a touch of modern sophistication n n The Most Luxurious RAM 1500 Yet n They spared no expense on the RAM’s interior. Experience pickup truck comfort like never before with luxurious leather seating and intricate interior design. n n The team at RAM thought so much about this latest model, they added things you’ve been wanting. The 1500 models come with intricate and thoughtfully designed storage options, a 10-square-foot dual-pane panoramic sunroof, and an available Uconnect 5 NAV with 12-inch touchscreen with stunning 3D graphics to help you identify points of interest quickly. n n What’s Under the Hood? n Under the hood, the 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie boasts an impressive lineup of powerful engines. The standard offering is a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering ample horsepower and torque for any task. n Looking for more power? No worries! RAM offers an available 6.2-liter V8 engine, ensuring uncompromised performance in any driving condition. The RAM 1500 Laramie’s towing and hauling capabilities are second to none. It allows you to confidently tackle any job or adventure with ease. n n Innovative Technology n RAM has been at the forefront of technology and the same thing goes with the 2023 RAM 1500 Laramie. Stay connected constantly with the Laramie’s available technology. The stereo comes with voice recognition. With the touch of a button on your steering wheel, it will keep you connected on your smartphone with hands-free calling. n n The Laramie also comes with a 4g wi-fi hotspot and a power station to keep your phones fully charged! n n Find Your RAM 1500 n Ready to find your next upgrade? Great! Find it at Einspahr Auto Plaza. We have a great selection of new RAMs, Chryslers, Dodges, and Jeeps to choose from. n n Shop New RAMs »

Aug 23, 2023

Get Your Kid Ready for School (Vehicle Checklist)

Summertime is almost over! As summer’s warmth gradually gives way to the cool embrace of fall, parents across the country find themselves gearing up for another academic year. Before you send them back to learn trigonometry and quadratic equations, make sure that their transportation situation is up to snuff. Here at Einspahr Auto Plaza, we understand how stressful and foreign the automobile industry can be. That’s why we decided to provide our Brookings community with a vehicle checklist for going back to school. Car Maintenance Checklist You don’t want to have your kids stranded on their way to school, right? Make sure their vehicle is performing at its best. We recommend that you either bring in the vehicle for a service appointment or even check certain parts of the vehicle yourself. Here is what we recommend to check before having your kids drive their vehicle into school. Check the Vehicle’s Oil Level Make sure that you engine’s oil level is not low. Also check to see the quality of it based on the mileage since your last oil change. Check the Headlights Always check to see if your high beams and low beams are functioning properly. It’s a major safety concern and could lead to a ticket. Check the Brakes See how thick the brake pads are on your vehicle. If they are looking pretty thin, it’s probably not safe for travel. Check the Fluids Make sure your engine oil, coolant, power steering, brake , transmission, and winsheld washer fluid levels are ok. Check the Battery You don’t want to deal with being stranded on the road because of a bad battery. Make sure that the voltage coming from the battery is sufficient enough to power your vehicle. First Time Drivers Whether you’re buying your first vehicle or you’re a parent trying to find a good first ride for a new driver, it can be a challenge to actually know what vehicle is the best fit. We’ve come up with a few questions for you to consider before deciding on your perfect vehicle. How Safe and Reliable is The Vehicle? We understand that first time drivers will most likely drive a car that’s more affordable but that doesn’t mean the quality of that vehicle should be terrible. Make sure that the vehicle you are looking at has a full history report on it. If they don’t have the full report, ask the dealer information about the vehicle How Does the Vehicle Drive? The best way to be sure the vehicle drives well on the road and feels right for the driver is to get to the lot and take a test drive for yourself. Easily schedule your test drive online and get the look and feel of the vehicle for yourself. How Will You Use the Vehicle? Another thing to consider when deciding on first vehicles is how the vehicle will be used. Thinking some of these through can help you narrow down your options to just what you need. Are you planning on long road trips to college with this vehicle? You should find something with less miles on it with great MPG. Does the vehicle need to be larger to fit more people or more cargo, or is a simple sedan all the space that’s needed? Consider this when deciding between certain body styles. College Kid Checklists Sending your kid to college is a little bit different than sending your kid to high school. In most cases, college is pretty far away. If they are dealing with a situation far from home, it’s unreasonable to think that you can be there to save the day. So before your kid heads off to future learning and tailgates in the fall, make sure that their vehicle is ready to go. 1. Vehicle Information It’s important to make sure that your college student has all available information on their vehicle. Picture this, your child gets pulled over by policemen, and they say “Driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance!” If they aren’t familiar with that information, they are going to be in big trouble. Make sure they have that information available at all times when driving. We recommend keeping it in the glove compartment of your vehicle. 2. Emergency Pack Checklist Being far away from home, it is important to make sure that they take precautions in case of an emergency. For example, on the drives back to and from home during winter and spring break and the car breaks down — what do you do?. Make sure that they pack an emergency kit with things such as: Flashlight Extra clothing Food Water Jumper cables Get Your Kid a Vehicle for School Still looking for a vehicle for your kid? Find it right here in Brookings at Einspahr Auto Plaza. We have a great selection of used vehicles that are reliable and affordable. Shop Used Vehicles »

Jun 19, 2023

Introducing: The New 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid

n Looking for a new SUV for family road trips this summer? Look no further than the 2023 Ford Escape Hybrid. We’re so excited to have one of Ford’s new vehicles at our dealership in Brookings! Check out our walkaround tour of the Escape. n n n n Find Your Perfect Engine Match n Whether you are looking for an engine that is thrill-inducing, mile-squeezing, or maybe just a little bit of both, you’ll find that in our options with the new Escape. Ford’s newest models offer Ecoboost, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options for the Escape! n n Extra Space for Cargo and Passengers n Need space for cargo? Passengers? How about both? Even though the Ford Escape is a compact SUV, it still provides a lot of space. With 65.4 cubic feet of available cargo space and second row seating, you can be assured that you’ll be able to fit you, your family, and what amenities you need on your summer excursions! n n Take Your Digital World on the Road n From what street you are on to what music you are jamming out to, it all comes together in the new Escape. This SUV comes with a 13.2” center stack touchscreen and 12.3” digital cluster. The Escape also provides visibility when you have to deal with tight spots. There is a 360 degree camera with split view available to give you a birds eye view of whatever surrounds you and the vehicle! n n Get Your New Ford Escape in Brookings n Ready to take on your summer adventures with the new Ford Escape? n Stop on by for a test drive today or put in your vehicle order on our website so you can get the exact Ford you want. n n Find Your Escape »