> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ekhodealer.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Add Protection Plans > Add extended warranty and protection coverage to your vehicle ## Overview Add protection coverage to your vehicle purchase to guard against unexpected repair costs. Protection packages bundle products like extended warranties, GAP insurance, and tire & wheel protection into tiers (Basic, Plus, Premium). Select the coverage level that fits your needs, or decline protection entirely. ## How It Works Protection is offered during your checkout process. You'll review available protection tiers, see how each affects your total cost or monthly payment, and make your selection. Your choice is added to your purchase, and you proceed with finalizing your order. ## View Protection Options You will see this page if protection packages are available for your vehicle during checkout. **Available Tiers:** Most protection offerings include these tiers: **Basic** Essential coverage at the lowest price point. Typically includes basic extended warranty (powertrain coverage) with shorter coverage terms (e.g., 3 years / 36,000 miles). Best for budget-conscious buyers who want minimal protection. **Plus** Balanced coverage, most popular choice. Typically includes comprehensive extended warranty and GAP insurance with longer coverage terms (e.g., 5 years / 60,000 miles). Best for most buyers seeking solid protection without maximum cost. **Premium** Comprehensive protection with all available products. Typically includes extended warranty (maximum coverage), GAP insurance, tire & wheel protection, key replacement, windshield protection, and longest coverage terms (e.g., 7 years / 100,000 miles). Best for buyers who want maximum peace of mind and complete coverage. **No Protection** Decline all additional coverage. No products, \$0 added to your purchase. Best for buyers who don't want additional coverage. Always available. **Comparing Tiers:** Easily compare what products are added at each level, how much more coverage costs, payment differences between tiers, and which tier offers the best value for your needs. The exact tier names, products included, and pricing depend on your vehicle and available protection offerings. Not all tiers may be available for every vehicle. ## Understand Protection Products Learn what each type of protection product covers. Covers mechanical breakdowns after your manufacturer warranty expires. **Example details:** * Coverage can include comprehensive bumper-to-bumper protection or specific components like powertrain, electrical systems, electronics, climate control, steering, suspension, and technology features * Coverage terms: "5 years / 60,000 miles" * Deductible: "\$100 per visit" or "\$0" * May be transferable when selling your vehicle * Normal wear and tear typically not covered Covers the difference between your vehicle's actual value and your remaining loan balance if your vehicle is totaled. **Example:** Vehicle totaled, insurance pays \$12,000, loan balance \$15,000 * **Without GAP**: You owe \$3,000 * **With GAP**: Difference covered, you owe \$0 **Example details:** * Coverage term: Duration of your loan * Coverage limit: Up to 125% of vehicle value * May be cancellable if you pay off your loan early Covers damage from road hazards including tire and wheel damage, replacement costs, and mounting/balancing services. **Example details:** * Coverage term: 3-5 years * Deductible: \$0 * May have claim limits: "Up to 4 tire replacements per year" * Normal wear and tear typically not covered Replacement tires and wheels can cost \$200-\$500+ per tire, especially for performance vehicles or EVs. Covers lost or stolen keys, damaged key fobs, replacement programming, locksmith services, and emergency lockout assistance. **Example details:** * Coverage term: 3-5 years * Deductible: \$0 or low (e.g., \$50) * Claim limits: Unlimited or capped per year Modern key fobs cost \$300-\$500 to replace, plus \$100-\$200 in programming fees. Covers windshield cracks, chips, replacement, repair services, and labor costs. **Example details:** * Coverage term: 3-5 years * Deductible: \$0 * Claim limits: Unlimited Windshield replacement can cost \$300-\$1,000+, and vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) require expensive recalibration. Covers paint scratches and chips, interior stains and damage, professional detailing, dent repair, and upholstery repair. **Example details:** * Coverage term: 3-5 years * Includes professional application and repair services * May have per-claim maximums Covers minor exterior damage including dents, dings, paintless dent repair (PDR), and touch-up paint services. **Example details:** * Coverage term: 3-5 years * Repair type: Non-invasive paintless dent repair * Claim limits: Per-panel or per-incident Not all products are available in every tier or for every vehicle. Your specific options depend on your vehicle type and available protection offerings. ## Select Your Protection Tier Choose the coverage level that works for you. Look at each tier card to see what's included and how much it costs. **Consider:** * What products are most important to you * How much additional cost you're comfortable with (monthly or total) * Your vehicle type and expected usage * Your budget and risk tolerance You understand what each tier includes and costs. Choose the tier that best fits your needs by clicking on it. You've selected the tier you want. Check how your selection affects your total cost or monthly payment. **If Financing:** * Original monthly payment (before protection) * Additional monthly cost for your selected tier * New total monthly payment **Example:** * Original: \$280/month * Protection: +\$45/month (Plus tier) * New Total: \$325/month **If Paying Cash:** * Original total price (before protection) * Additional cost for your selected tier * New total purchase price You know the updated price. Click the "Continue" button to save your selection. Your protection selection is saved and you're ready to continue. **Selecting "No Protection":** If you don't want additional coverage: * Select the "No Protection" tier * No products are added * No additional cost is added * Your total purchase price or monthly payment stays the same * Continue to finalizing your order ## How Protection Affects Your Purchase Understand how protection products are added to your total purchase amount. ### If Financing **Original Loan Example:** ``` Vehicle Price: $15,000 Down Payment: -$2,000 Taxes & Fees: +$1,500 ───────────────────────────── Loan Amount: $14,500 Loan Terms: - 5 years (60 months) - 6% APR - Monthly Payment: $280/month ``` **With Protection:** ``` Vehicle Price: $15,000 Down Payment: -$2,000 Taxes & Fees: +$1,500 Protection Products: +$2,500 ← Added ───────────────────────────── New Loan Amount: $17,000 ← Increased Loan Terms: - 5 years (60 months) - 6% APR (same rate) - New Monthly Payment: $328/month ← +$48/month ``` **What Changes:** * Total loan amount increases by the cost of protection products * Monthly payment increases based on the added cost * Loan term and APR remain the same * Products are financed over the same period as your vehicle **Payment Breakdown:** ``` Vehicle Sale Price: $15,000.00 Protection Products: +$2,500.00 - Extended Warranty: $1,500.00 - GAP Insurance: $1,000.00 Taxes & Fees: +$1,500.00 Down Payment: -$2,000.00 ───────────────────────────────────── Total Financed: $17,000.00 Monthly Payment: $328.00/month Term: 60 months APR: 6.0% ``` ### If Paying Cash **Original Cash Purchase:** ``` Vehicle Price: $15,000 Taxes & Fees: +$1,500 ───────────────────────────── Total Cash Due: $16,500 ``` **With Protection:** ``` Vehicle Price: $15,000 Taxes & Fees: +$1,500 Protection Products: +$2,500 ← Added ───────────────────────────── New Total Cash Due: $19,000 ← Increased ``` **What Changes:** * Total cash amount due increases by the cost of protection products * Protection products are paid upfront along with your vehicle * You receive all protection coverage immediately **Payment Breakdown:** ``` Vehicle Sale Price: $15,000.00 Protection Products: +$2,500.00 - Extended Warranty: $1,500.00 - GAP Insurance: $1,000.00 Taxes & Fees: +$1,500.00 ───────────────────────────────────── Total Cash Due: $19,000.00 ``` ## Track Your Protection Products See your selected products throughout your order and receive your coverage documentation after purchase. **Where You'll See Your Selection:** **Payment Summary:** Protection products itemized as line items, individual product prices shown, total protection cost displayed, and added to your total purchase amount. **Order Status:** Protection products listed in your order details, shows what coverage you've purchased, and displays product terms and details. **Purchase Documents:** Products listed in your contract or invoice, costs broken down, and terms and conditions included. **What You'll Receive After Purchase:** **Digital Documents (Email):** Product certificates (PDF), terms and conditions, coverage details and limitations, claim instructions, provider contact information, and policy numbers. Delivered within 1-2 business days after purchase. **Physical Documents (Mail):** Coverage cards, certificates, provider information, and claim forms. Delivered within 1-2 weeks after delivery. **What To Do:** * Save all documents in a safe place * Keep coverage cards in your vehicle * Review coverage details and limitations * Note provider contact information for future claims * Store policy numbers for reference ## File Claims When you need to use your protection coverage for repairs or service, you'll file a claim directly with your product provider. Learn how to submit claims, coordinate repairs, and get the most out of your coverage: [File Protection Claims](/buyer-docs/protect/file-protection-claims) ## Troubleshooting & FAQ **If Financing:** * Products are added to your financed amount * Costs are spread over the life of your loan * You'll see the monthly payment impact **If Paying Cash:** Protection products for cash purchases are coming soon. You can select "No Protection" to decline all additional coverage. There's no penalty for declining, and you can proceed with your purchase without any protection products. The "No Protection" option is always available and adds \$0 to your purchase amount. Consider these factors: * **Budget**: How much additional monthly payment are you comfortable with? * **Risk Tolerance**: How much peace of mind do you want? * **Vehicle Use**: How will you use your vehicle? More miles = more potential for issues * **Vehicle Type**: Performance and electric vehicles may benefit from comprehensive coverage **Popular Choice**: The "Plus" tier is often recommended as it provides balanced coverage (warranty + GAP) at a reasonable price. Take your time reviewing each tier's details and the "Learn more" link for additional information. Yes, before you finalize your purchase, you can go back and change your protection selection: 1. Use the "Back" button 2. Return to the protection options page 3. Select a different tier 4. Submit your new selection 5. Your order will be updated with the new amount 6. New documents will be generated if financing Your total purchase amount (or monthly payment if financing) will be recalculated based on your new selection. No. Once you've finalized your purchase, your protection selection is locked in. **If Financing:** Changing your selection would require rewriting your entire loan contract, which is typically not possible or practical. **If Paying Cash:** Once your payment is processed, you cannot modify your protection selection. Lenders and dealers partner with different warranty and insurance providers, so available products vary: * Different lenders and dealers have relationships with different product providers * Some lenders offer their own GAP insurance * Pricing may vary based on lender and dealer partnerships * Product availability depends on lender and dealer agreements * In multi-dealer networks, the dealer assigned to your order determines which coverage vendor provides your protection plans The protection packages shown are specific to the dealer and lender handling your order. Generally no. Protection packages are offered as part of your initial checkout process and must be purchased with your vehicle. After your purchase is complete, you typically cannot add these specific products to your order. If you're financing, you cannot add them to your existing loan. **Alternatives:** * Purchase extended warranties separately from third-party providers * Add coverage through your insurance company * Contact product providers directly However, these aftermarket options may be more expensive than purchasing during your initial checkout. Consider these questions: **Extended Warranty:** * How long do you plan to keep the vehicle? * Will you exceed the manufacturer warranty coverage? * Can you afford unexpected repair costs? * Is this a performance or complex vehicle? **GAP Insurance:** * Are you financing a large portion of the vehicle price? * Did you put down a small down payment? * Do vehicles in this category depreciate quickly? **Other Products:** * How expensive are tires/wheels/keys for your specific vehicle? * Do you live in an area with rough roads or extreme weather? * Does your vehicle have expensive technology (ADAS, smart keys)? Protection provides peace of mind and guards against expensive out-of-pocket costs. Calculate your potential risk vs. the monthly payment increase. Coverage start dates vary by product type: * **Extended Warranty**: Often starts after your manufacturer warranty expires (e.g., after 3 years) * **GAP Insurance**: Typically starts immediately at purchase * **Tire & Wheel Protection**: Usually immediate or at vehicle delivery * **Key Replacement**: Immediate * **Windshield Protection**: Immediate * **Other Products**: Check your specific product terms Review your coverage certificates for exact start dates and terms. If the protection options page fails to load or shows an error: **Possible Reasons:** * No protection packages available for your vehicle * Technical issue fetching available products * Lender doesn't offer protection * System timeout **What Happens:** * You may be automatically taken to the document signing page * Protection is skipped * You proceed without protection options **If You Want Protection:** * Try going back and re-accepting your financing offer * Refresh the page * Contact Ekho support if the issue persists The system will not charge you for protection if the selection page doesn't work properly. If you see an error when clicking "Continue": **Try These Steps:** 1. Click "Try Again" to resubmit 2. Check your internet connection 3. Go back and reselect your tier 4. Refresh the page and start over 5. Contact Ekho support if the problem continues **Why It Might Fail:** * Network connection issue * Product became unavailable * Pricing changed * System timeout * Order already processed Don't worry—if your selection doesn't submit successfully, you won't be charged for protection products. No, your APR (Annual Percentage Rate) remains the same whether you add protection products or not. **What Changes:** * Total loan amount (increases by product cost) * Monthly payment (increases based on added cost) * Total amount financed **What Stays The Same:** * APR/interest rate * Loan term (length in months) * Down payment requirement The protection products are simply added to the amount you're financing at your existing loan terms. It depends on your specific warranty terms: **Extended Warranty:** * Some require approved/authorized repair facilities * Others allow any licensed repair shop * Provider may have a network of preferred shops * Check your warranty terms for requirements **Best Practice:** * Contact your warranty provider before getting repairs * Confirm the repair shop is approved * Get pre-authorization for major repairs * Follow claim procedures to ensure coverage Using non-approved shops without authorization may result in denied claims. Common exclusions across most products: **Extended Warranty:** * Normal wear and tear (brake pads, wiper blades, etc.) * Maintenance items (oil changes, tire rotations) * Damage from accidents or abuse * Pre-existing conditions * Modifications and aftermarket parts **GAP Insurance:** * Extended warranties or other products added after purchase * Overdue loan payments * Additional charges beyond loan balance * Negative equity rolled in from previous vehicle (sometimes excluded) **Tire & Wheel:** * Normal wear and tread wear * Improper inflation damage * Cosmetic damage (unless affecting function) * Racing or off-road use (if not covered vehicle type) **All Products:** * Racing or commercial use (unless specifically covered) * Intentional damage * Neglect or lack of maintenance Review your specific product terms for complete exclusion lists. Several resources available: **During Purchase:** * Click the "Learn more" link on the protection options page * Opens Ekho help documentation about protection packages * Explains benefits and coverage details **Product Documentation:** * Review terms and conditions for each product * Read coverage certificates when received * Check provider websites for FAQs **Contact Support:** * Ekho support: Questions about purchasing protection * Product provider: Questions about coverage, claims, terms **Before Purchase:** * Ask questions in Ekho chat/support * Request additional information about specific products * Take time to understand what you're purchasing Don't hesitate to ask questions before making your selection. In most cases, yes. Cancellation terms depend on your specific contract with the protection plan provider, so please refer to your contract for the most current information. Ekho supports refunds for any contracts that include refund provisions as part of their terms.