Safeguard My Car Reviews

Safeguard My Car sells vehicle service contracts that help cover repair costs after a factory warranty expires. Over the past 20 years, the company says it has served more than 3,000 customers. Safeguard My Car’s website is basic, so there’s not much to see online about the company.

The company is pretty transparent about its contracts, though; you can review sample agreements on its website to get a better idea of its coverage and exclusions.

Safeguard My Car sells three warranty plans: Powertrain Protection, Used Stated Coverage and New Exclusionary.

Powertrain Protection covers the key components of a vehicle. Used Stated Coverage covers a wider range of parts, and New Exclusionary effectively offers the same coverage that the manufacturer provides for a new vehicle. As a general rule, exclusionary plans offer the highest level of coverage.

All plans include:

• $100 deductible per repair visit
• 24-hour roadside assistance
• Towing, lockout service, fuel delivery service, battery boost/jump assistance, tire assistance
• Nationwide repair coverage
• Reimbursement for lodging and meal expenses ($75 per day for up to three days)

Rental reimbursement ($30 per day for up to 11 days) is available in some cases.

To get a cost estimate, you’ll have to call the company directly. Unlike some other auto warranty companies, Safeguard My Car doesn’t offer a free online quote system where you can get an estimate on your monthly or annual price.

Discounts

Safeguard My Car doesn’t specify any discounts online, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t offer any. When you call to get a quote, make sure to ask about discount options. Discounts may be available for:

• Military members
• Health care professionals
• Police and firefighters

Each plan has its own sample contract with exclusions. For Powertrain Protection, the biggest exclusion is any repair without accurate records proving you’ve maintained the vehicle in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. Other exclusions include:

• Repairs if the odometer is broken and can’t be properly read
• A breakdown that is reasonably determined to have happened before coverage started
• If the vehicle was used as a taxi, shuttle or hauling vehicle
• Repairs if there was an accident, vandalism, theft or an act of God
• Personal liabilities
• If the vehicle is under the manufacturer's warranty
• Repairs needed because of rust or corrosion
• Gradual reduction in performance due to wear and tear
• Damage caused by overheating

This is not an exhaustive list. Read your sample contract for a full list of exclusions.

Safeguard My Car offers sample contracts for customers to review. The sample contracts are just examples, so remember that terms could differ in the one you receive — and it’s important to read your final contract thoroughly.

Here are a few paraphrased lines from the sample Powertrain Protection contract:

• You must change your oil within 60 days of signing, then again every six months or 5,000 miles to stay eligible for service.
• You can cancel within 30 days for a full refund.
• Every repair service is subject to a $100 deductible.
• The company will not pay out more than $12,500 per contract term. If your car is worth less than that, it will only pay up to the amount it’s worth.
• You need to keep all maintenance records. Safeguard My Car’s contract states that it will not reimburse for repair costs or expenses if you cannot provide accurate records proving that you have maintained the failed covered part.
• You can transfer coverage for $50. If you sell your vehicle, simply call the company and pay the $50 transfer fee in order to transfer the coverage.

If your vehicle breaks down, you’re expected to take all reasonable steps to prevent further damage — that means calling a tow truck or parking the car in a safe area. You can take it to any licensed repair facility, but that company must call your warranty provider for approval before work begins. Any work completed without authorization may not be covered.

The company doesn’t guarantee when claims will be reimbursed, so it’s hard to tell how long the process will take.

Safeguard My Car is a straightforward option if you’re after a selection of plans and coverage options, with prices starting as low as $99 monthly. This may be high compared with comparable warranties, but the company offers a few additional benefits (like the free roadside assistance) which may make the cost worthwhile to you.

Because the company doesn’t offer quotes online, you’ll need to contact the company directly for a cost estimate. For those who want to compare prices at a glance online, the process can feel inconvenient.