High Performance Tires and Wheels; Complex In-Vehicle Technology Benefits Increase

Protective Asset Protection, a provider of F&I programs, services, and dealer-owned warranty programs, announced today results of the second part of its recent survey addressing consumer and dealer trends in Vehicle Service Contracts and Ancillary Protection Plans. According to the survey, 42% of respondents estimate their protection plan has saved them an average of $1000 - $2000 in savings on repairs or parts replacements.

The results show that Vehicle Service Contracts and Ancillary Products show great value for drivers, especially on specific aspects of a vehicle. The top areas most likely covered under a Vehicle Service Contract include steering (47.2%), technology feature service (44.4%), brakes (44.4%), electrical components (41.7%), and drive axels (41.7%). Areas such as transmission and suspension repairs (27.8%) showed the smallest responses from drivers using protection plans.

Nearly half of those surveyed (51%) said they have purchased a protection plan for their vehicle, and of those opting for a vehicle service contract, over half (53%) said they have needed to use their benefits on their current vehicle. The majority of respondents (34%) said they currently drive a small CUV/SUV for their vehicle. Most said they’ve used their benefits on general repairs (58%), while another 22% said they’ve used benefits on parts replacements.

Regarding Ancillary Protection Programs, 69.4% said they’ve needed to have repairs on tires and wheels, 58.3% said windshield repairs, and 47.2% said exterior appearance products such as paintless dent removal. Respondents said they’ve needed to use Ancillary Benefits due to road hazard repairs (39%), accidents (17%), and parts replacement (11%).

“Vehicle service contracts can be extremely valuable to drivers, especially since there are so many reasons out of the driver’s control that cause them to go into effect,” said Rick Kurtz, Senior Vice President – Distribution, Protective Asset Protection. “With high-performance tires more sensitive to road hazards, and increasingly complex vehicle technology, there are a bevy of reasons why extra protection can equate to thousands in savings over the life of a vehicle. And for a dealer, these F&I products offer help with shrinking margins, as well as improved customer satisfaction. We find these benefits to dealer and car-buyer are amplified when the dealer can brand them as their own, with more control over the administration of the protection programs.”

ABOUT PROTECTIVE ASSET PROTECTION

Protective Asset Protection provides vehicle protection plans, GAP, and credit insurance through vehicle dealerships. Protective Asset Protection has been serving dealers for more than 55 years and currently provides products and services to automobile, marine, RV and powersports dealers. Protective Asset Protection is part of the financial services holding company, Protective Life Corporation.

For more information about Protective Asset Protection call 800-323-5771, or visit www.ProtectiveAssetProtection.com.

ABOUT PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION

Protective Life Corporation provides financial services through the production, distribution and administration of insurance and investment products throughout the U.S. The flagship subsidiary, Protective Life Insurance Company, was founded in 1907. Protective’s home office is located in Birmingham, Alabama. As of December 31, 2017 the Company had assets of approximately $79.6 billion. Protective Life Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. (TSE:8750, “Dai-ichi”). For more information about Protective, please visit www.Protective.com.