Why Vehicle Protection Matters for Used Car Buyers
When you buy a pre-owned vehicle, the original factory warranty may already be expired — or close to it. A single major repair to a transmission, engine, or air conditioning system can cost thousands of dollars out of pocket. A vehicle service contract from First Automotive helps protect you against those unexpected costs, covering repairs to mechanical and electrical components based on the coverage level you choose.
At Shaver Preferred Motors in Merrillville, IN, we offer two First Automotive protection programs — Standard and Xtended Care — so you can match coverage to your vehicle and your budget. Whether you’re purchasing a conventional gasoline vehicle, a hybrid, an all-electric, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), or a fuel-cell vehicle, there’s a coverage option designed for it.
Two Programs at a Glance
First Automotive offers two vehicle service contract programs. Both cover conventional and alternative-fuel vehicles, and both include roadside assistance, transportation reimbursement, trip interruption, and towing at every tier. Here’s how they compare:
| Standard Contract | Xtended Care Contract | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Tiers | 5 tiers: Powertrain → Classic → High-Tech → Elite → Wrap | 4 levels: Level I → Level II → Level III → Elite |
| How It Builds | Each tier includes everything below it, plus new component groups | Each level includes everything below it, plus new component groups |
| Top-Tier Option | Wrap / Certified Wrap / Diesel Wrap — covers ALL mechanical and electrical parts (excl. factory warranty items) | Elite — covers ALL mechanical and electrical parts |
| EV/Hybrid Coverage | All tiers — components scale with coverage level | All levels — components scale with coverage level |
| Rental/Transport | $30/day, 5 days max ($150). Covers rental cars, taxi, transit, rideshare | $40/day, 5 days per occurrence. Does NOT cover rental, taxi, transit, or rideshare |
| Trip Interruption | $75/day, 3 days max ($225). Lodging and meals. | $100/day, 3 days per occurrence. Lodging, meals, and transportation. |
| Mileage Limit | See contract for eligibility | Level III: 125K mi at sale (175K with basket option) |
| Optional Add-Ons | Autonomous Driving Systems • Lifted/Lowered Vehicle (Up to 8″) • Transportation Expense Upgrade | |
Key Difference: The Standard contract’s transportation benefit covers rental cars and rideshare at $30/day. The Xtended Care contract pays $40/day but does not cover rental, taxi, transit, or rideshare services. Ask our team which program fits your situation.
First Automotive Standard Vehicle Service Contract
The Standard vehicle service contract offers five coverage tiers. Each tier builds on the one before it — so Classic includes everything in Powertrain, High-Tech includes everything in Classic, and so on. Choose the level that matches the depth of protection you need.
Tier 1: Powertrain Coverage
Foundation tier — core drivetrain protection
| Component Group | What’s Covered |
|---|---|
| Engine Components* | Oil pump, distributor shaft and housing, harmonic balancer, valve covers, timing cover, water pump, intake manifold, and all internal lubricated parts. Block and heads covered only if damaged by failure of an internal lubricated part. Also covers select PHEVs with ICE engines used solely to charge the battery. |
| Turbo/Supercharger* | All internal lubricated parts of the factory-installed turbocharger/supercharger. Housing covered only if damaged by failure of an internal lubricated part. |
| Transmission | Torque converter, vacuum modulator, and all internal lubricated parts (automatic and manual). Covers, pans, and cases covered only if damaged by failure of an internal lubricated part. |
| Transfer Case* | All internal lubricated parts of the transfer case or AWD mechanism. Housing covered only if damaged by failure of an internal lubricated part. |
| Front & Rear Differential* | Axle shafts, CV joints, propeller shaft, and all internal lubricated parts. Differential case covered only if damaged by failure of an internal lubricated part. |
| Alt-Fuel Vehicle | Generator motor assembly, drive motor assembly, and traction motor assembly for hybrid, EV, PHEV, and fuel-cell vehicles. |
*Applicable surcharges must be selected and paid for full coverage. Seals and gaskets apply only to covered components. See your vehicle service contract for complete details.
Tier 2: Classic Coverage
Includes everything in Powertrain, plus:
| Component Group | What’s Covered |
|---|---|
| Steering | Manual and power steering gear assembly, control valve, rack assembly, power steering pump, column shafts, cooler, pitman arm, idler arm, tie rod ends, couplings, and drag link. |
| Suspension | Upper and lower control arms, control arm shafts and bushings, ball joints, stabilizer shaft linkage and bushings, spindles, and spindle supports. |
| Brakes | Master cylinder, power assist booster and valve, wheel cylinders, calipers, combination valve, steel lines and fittings, self-adjusters, parking brake linkage and cables. |
| Electrical | Alternator, voltage regulator, starter motor, starter drive, starter solenoid, front wiper motor (including internal circuit board), relay/delay switches, manual switches, and wiring harnesses. |
| Factory A/C & Heating | Compressor, clutch, clutch coil and pulley, orifice tube, condenser, and evaporator. |
| Alt-Fuel Vehicle | Onboard battery charging system and battery isolator for hybrid, EV, PHEV, and fuel-cell vehicles. |
Tier 3: High-Tech Coverage
Includes everything in Powertrain and Classic, plus:
| Component Group | What’s Covered |
|---|---|
| Advanced Suspension | MacPherson struts, Chapman struts, shackle and eye bushings, leaf and coil springs and bushings, torsion bars, wheel bearings, auto leveling compressor, level sensor, and limiter valve. |
| Advanced Electrical | Rear wiper motor, heater blower motor, sunroof motor, convertible top motor, power antenna motor, keyless entry module, cruise control servo/module/transducer, compass, thermometer, ECM, oxygen sensor, ignition module, electronic instrument cluster, power window motors/regulators, power door locks, power seat motors, and speedometer head. |
| ABS Components | Electronic control unit, ABS computer module, wheel speed sensors/exciters, proportioning valves, high-pressure hydraulic pump, electro-hydraulic proportioning control valves, and accumulator. |
| Advanced A/C & Heating | Expansion valve, POA valve, drier, accumulator, hi-low pressure cut-off switch, ducts and outlet hoses, and automatic temperature control programmer. |
| Cooling | Radiator, fan clutch, fan blade, cooling fan motors, and heater core. |
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel injector metering pump, fuel pump, fuel injectors, fuel distributor, diesel injection pump, fuel tank, metal fuel lines, and fuel sending unit. |
| Interior/Exterior | Glove box door and hinge, seat tracks, interior/exterior door handles, door hinges, map/courtesy light assembly, and hood/trunk gas struts. |
| Alt-Fuel Vehicle | Battery temperature sensor, inverter water pump, blower motor, inverter assembly, converter assembly, regenerative braking system, MCU, and PEM for hybrid, EV, PHEV, and fuel-cell vehicles. |
Tier 4: Elite Coverage
Near-total protection
Maximum protection. If you select Elite coverage and select and pay all applicable surcharges and options, your contract covers necessary repairs to ALL mechanical and electrical parts of your vehicle, except items listed under “What Is Not Covered” in your contract.
Tier 5: Wrap, Certified Wrap & Diesel Wrap
The most comprehensive Standard option
Covers ALL mechanical and electrical parts, except items listed under “What Is Not Covered” in your contract. Wrap, Certified Wrap, and Diesel Wrap coverage specifically exclude components already covered under the factory warranty. Additional conditions and exclusions may apply — see your Standard vehicle service contract for complete details.
First Automotive Xtended Care Vehicle Service Contract
The Xtended Care vehicle service contract offers four coverage levels with detailed component-by-component protection. Like the Standard program, each level builds on the previous one.
Level I Coverage
Foundation level — core drivetrain and engine protection
| Component Group | What’s Covered |
|---|---|
| Engine | Engine block, mounts, timing, connecting rods and bearings, crankshaft and bearings, pulley, cylinder block and heads, liners, dipstick/tube, oil pan, gaskets, valve lifters, main bearings, expansion plugs, flywheel and ring gear, harmonic balancer, intake manifold, oil pump, pickup screen, piston pins/rings/pistons, push rods, rocker arms/shafts/bushings, valves/guides/springs/seals/retainers, water pump, distributor shaft and tube, and all internal lubricated parts. |
| Turbo/Supercharger | All internal lubricated parts of the factory-installed turbocharger/supercharger. Housing covered only if damaged by failure of an internal lubricated part. |
| Drive Axle | All internal lubricated parts of the transfer case or AWD mechanism. Housing covered only if damaged by failure of an internal lubricated part. |
| Transmission/Transaxle | Torque converter, vacuum modulator, transmission mounts, and all internal lubricated parts. Oil pan and case covered only if damaged by failure of an internal lubricated part. |
| Drive Shaft/Axle | Drive shafts, universal joints, CV joints (unless caused by torn/contaminated CV boot), propeller shaft, axle bearings, and all internal lubricated parts. Case covered only if damaged by failure of an internal lubricated part. |
| Hybrid/EV/Fuel Cell | Generator motor assembly, drive motor assembly, and traction motor assembly for hybrid, EV, PHEV, and fuel-cell vehicles. |
Level II Coverage
Includes everything in Level I, plus:
| Component Group | What’s Covered |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Upper and lower control arms, shafts and bushings, ball joints, stabilizer shaft linkage and bushings, spindle, spindle support, and wheel bearings. |
| Steering | Power cylinder, rack and pinion gear, power steering pump, pitman arm, idler arm, tie rod ends, drag link, steering column shafts and couplings, and all internal lubricated parts of the steering gear box. |
| Brakes | Master cylinder, power brake cylinder, vacuum assist booster (excluding hydro boost), disc brake caliper, wheel cylinders, compensating valve, and metal hydraulic brake lines. |
| Electrical | Alternator, voltage regulator, starter motor, starter solenoid, and starter drive. |
| A/C Components | Compressor, compressor clutch and pulley, condenser, and evaporator. |
| Hybrid/EV/Fuel Cell | Onboard battery charging system and battery isolator for hybrid, EV, PHEV, and fuel-cell vehicles. |
Level III Coverage
Includes everything in Level I and Level II, plus:
Mileage Eligibility: Level III coverage is available for vehicles with 125,000 miles or fewer at time of sale. If the Level III Basket (125K–175K) option is selected and paid, coverage extends to vehicles with fewer than 175,000 miles at time of sale.
| Component Group | What’s Covered |
|---|---|
| Fuel System | Fuel delivery pump (excluding sending unit), diesel injectors, electronic vacuum pump, electronic fuel injectors, fuel system control units, injector sensors, throttle position sensors, oxygen sensor, fuel pump, and metal fuel delivery lines. |
| Cooling System | Fan/fan clutch, engine cooling fan motor, and heater core. |
| Advanced Suspension | Torsion bars and bushings, MacPherson struts, Chapman struts, and strut bushings. |
| Self-Leveling/Height | Compressor, damping/leveling sensors, control module, actuating solenoids, damping actuator, and mode selector switch. |
| Advanced Steering | Gear steering shaft and couplings, power cylinder and pump, steering sensors, ECU/solenoid, phase control unit, stepper motor, steering box/control valve/rack, rear tie rods and ends. |
| Advanced Brakes | Hydraulic control unit, electronic control processor, wheel-speed sensors, and hydraulic pump/motor assembly. |
| Electronics/Power | Power window motors, power seat motor, convertible/sunroof motor (excl. regulators/frame), power door lock actuator, power antenna motor (excl. mast), electronic instrument cluster, distributor, electronic combination entry, computerized timing control, and electronic cruise control module. |
| Hybrid/EV/Fuel Cell | Battery temperature sensor, inverter water pump, blower motor, inverter assembly, converter assembly, regenerative braking system, MCU, and PEM for hybrid, EV, PHEV, and fuel-cell vehicles. |
Applicable deductibles must be selected and paid for all coverage to apply. See your contract for details.
Elite Coverage
Maximum Xtended Care protection
Covers ALL mechanical and electrical parts of your vehicle when you select and pay all applicable surcharges and options, except items listed under “What Is Not Covered” in your contract.
Additional Benefits Included with All Coverage Levels
| Benefit | Standard | Xtended Care |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside Assistance | Up to $100/service. Towing, jump-start, flat tire, lockout, fuel/oil/fluid delivery. | Up to $100/service. Towing, jump-start, flat tire, lockout, fuel/oil/fluid delivery. |
| Transportation | $30/day, 5 days max ($150). Covers rental, taxi, transit, rideshare. | $40/day, 5 days/occurrence. Does NOT cover rental, taxi, transit, rideshare. |
| Trip Interruption | 100+ mi from home. $75/day, 3 days max ($225). Lodging and meals. | 100+ mi from home. $100/day, 3 days/occurrence. Lodging, meals, and transportation. |
| Towing | Up to $100/repair visit. | Up to $100/repair visit. |
Check your specific contract to verify Roadside Assistance is included; some contracts do not provide this benefit. Certain Roadside Assistance benefits may not apply to hybrid, all-electric, PHEV, or fuel-cell vehicles. Benefits, limits, and availability vary. See your vehicle service contract for complete terms and conditions.
How to Choose Your Coverage Level
| Your Situation | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Newer, low-mileage vehicle with remaining factory warranty | Powertrain or Level I | Your factory warranty covers most systems. Powertrain/Level I protects the most expensive components (engine, transmission) when the factory coverage expires. |
| Mid-mileage vehicle, daily driver | Classic/Level II or High-Tech/Level III | Steering, suspension, brakes, and A/C components see more wear as mileage increases. These tiers cover the systems most likely to need attention on a vehicle you drive every day. |
| Higher-mileage vehicle you plan to keep long-term | High-Tech/Level III or Elite | Broader coverage protects electronics, fuel systems, cooling, and interior components — systems where repairs add up on older vehicles. Note: Xtended Care Level III requires 125K miles or fewer at sale (175K with basket option). |
| Want maximum peace of mind | Elite or Wrap | Covers ALL mechanical and electrical parts (with specified exclusions). One contract, near-total coverage. Standard’s Wrap option specifically excludes factory-warranty components for vehicles with active warranty coverage. |
| Hybrid, EV, PHEV, or fuel-cell vehicle | Any tier — alt-fuel components included at every level | Both programs cover EV/hybrid components at every tier. Higher tiers add inverter, regenerative braking, MCU, and PEM coverage. Discuss your specific vehicle with our team for the best match. |
Not sure which program or tier is right for your vehicle? Our team can walk you through the options and help you match coverage to your vehicle’s age, mileage, and how long you plan to keep it.
A Note on Exclusions
Every vehicle service contract has a “What Is Not Covered” section that lists specific exclusions. These vary by program and coverage level. We encourage you to review the full contract terms before purchasing. Our team at Shaver Preferred Motors is happy to walk through the details with you so there are no surprises.
Ask About Optional Coverage Add-Ons:
Autonomous Driving Systems • Lifted/Lowered Vehicle (Up to 8″) • Transportation Expense Upgrade
Protect Your Next Vehicle Purchase
Talk to the team at Shaver Preferred Motors about adding a First Automotive vehicle service contract to your purchase. Call us at 219-235-8687 or visit us at 5701 Broadway in Merrillville, IN.
