Fidelity Car Warranty Services

Jalopnik Gist:

• This review gives Fidelity Warranty Services 4.1 out of 5.0 stars.
• Deductibles range from $0 to $250 per repair visit.
• You can either get a Fidelity Vehicle Service Contract or a High-Mileage Service Contract with Fidelity.

A Fidelity car warranty is an excellent extended warranty option if you’re looking for comprehensive coverage and nice perks. The company has a solid reputation among industry experts and drivers and is backed by a reputable insurance company.

While Fidelity’s vehicle protection services are superior to some competitors and well above average, you may find more flexible coverage and better mileage options by looking elsewhere. Here’s a breakdown of how we rate Fidelity car warranties in several categories:

Fidelity Warranty Services BBB

FWS has largely positive reviews. The company holds an A- rating and accreditation with 3.7 out of 5.0 stars from the BBB, which shows that the provider knows how to handle and respond to customer complaints effectively.

Our team looked at customer reviews submitted on the BBB website to get an overall view of Fidelity’s customer service experience. Positive customer reviews highlight customer service representatives’ knowledge of the claims process. Negative customer reviews highlight issues with denied claims that purportedly should have been covered under a Fidelity car warranty.

Positive Fidelity Warranty Services Reviews

Positive and negative reviews are to be expected when it comes to customer feedback. To avoid any surprises, be sure to understand the ins and outs of your contract before signing on the dotted line.

“Excellent service and follow up. Fidelity did a wonderful job following up on my claim. Very pleased with outcome….Easy to communicate and response was timely.”
– from Ernest R. via BBB

“Service was easy, which is a plus. Everything was amazing.”
– Victoria F. via BBB

Fidelity Warranty Services Complaints

“Fidelity would not cover damage to parts of my vehicle. The oil leaked on and damaged the floor cover. Fidelity wouldn’t pay for the replacement.”

– from Lila S. via BBB

“They denied a rightful claim without explanation. I appealed and apparently to investigate it further they contacted the warranty broker instead of the shop where the car is. It is disgusting to treat customers in this manner.”
– Gregorio S. via BBB

A provider of warranty products and services for over 40 years, Fidelity Warranty Services Inc., based in Deerfield Beach, Florida, offers vehicle protection plans at dealerships nationwide. Drivers can choose a Fidelity car warranty from two extended service options broken down into a total of five coverage levels. 

FWS–which covers repairs at more than 6,000 participating repair shops nationwide–says it paid out more than $525 million in claims in 2019 alone.

Drivers can choose from five levels of Fidelity car warranty coverage. The company breaks the coverage levels into two groups: the Fidelity Vehicle Service Contract for newer vehicles and the High-Mileage Vehicle Service Contract.

Fidelity Vehicle Service Contract

The Vehicle Service Contract includes three Fidelity car warranty options. These vehicle protection plans are designed for newer cars and offer up to 120,000 miles of coverage depending on the age and mileage of your car.

Fidelity High-Mileage Vehicle Service Contract 

The High-Mileage Vehicle Service Contract is a Fidelity car warranty for older cars and used vehicles. It begins on the purchase date and expires according to the term or mileage selected, whichever comes first. The vehicle service plan covers up to 48,000 miles of protection and features two coverage levels.

Other Fidelity Plans 

Along with traditional car warranties, FWS offers the following types of coverage, which are less comprehensive and more specialized:

• Road Hazard Tire and Wheel: Repairs or replaces tires damaged by road hazards, road surface conditions, and road debris
• Road Hazard Tire and Wheel Bundle: Comes in four levels of coverage that can protect your vehicle’s interior and exterior
• Term Care Select: Protects your new car for items not covered under a manufacturer’s warranty
• Car Care Service Plan: Features valuable maintenance services such as lube, filter and oil changes, cleaning and adjusting brakes, a multipoint vehicle inspection, and tire rotation
• Theft Deterrent System: Helps protect your car from thieves 

Fidelity Car Warranty Benefits 

All Fidelity car warranties come with additional features, including: 

• Towing reimbursement: Reimbursement of up to $100 in towing charges after a covered mechanical breakdown
• Alternate transportation coverage: Reimbursement of up to $40 per day for up to 10 days for public transportation, rental cars, or rideshare services after a covered mechanical breakdown
• Travel coverage: Reimbursement of up to $100 per day and up to $500 per occurrence for food and lodging if your vehicle breaks down more than 100 miles away from home
• Fluids coverage: Replacement of necessary fluids, oils, greases, lubricants, and approved air conditioner gases needed after a covered repair
• Financing: Plan cost can be included in the financing of your vehicle

Fidelity Warranty Services does not provide cost information on its website. The best way to learn what you may pay for a Fidelity protection plan is to call a dealership that sells the company’s warranties.

Warranty companies weigh a host of factors to determine the cost of their vehicle service contracts. These include:

• The type of car you drive 
• The age and mileage of your vehicle
• Your location 
• The coverage plan you choose
• Your deductible ($0, $50, $100, or $250 per repair visit)

Fidelity car warranties are also subject to dealer markups since they are sold through participating dealerships only.

FWS partners with more than 3,800 U.S. dealerships, which sell its vehicle service contracts. Fidelity car warranty costs will vary depending on the dealer, so cost information isn’t directly available to consumers. For a Fidelity car warranty quote, you can contact a participating dealership in your area. 

If your car breaks down, Fidelity recommends bringing your vehicle to your selling dealership for repairs. If this isn’t possible, the company suggests contacting the customer service number found on your contract to find a participating repair facility. 

Once repairs are made, Fidelity will pay the service center directly. You’ll only have to pay the deductible that you selected when choosing your coverage plan. 

If you’re unsatisfied with your Fidelity car warranty, you can contact your dealership to find out about cancellation options. If you choose to sell your car while it’s still under warranty, your coverage is transferable to the new owner. Your vehicle service contract should include exact details about the transfer process and any applicable fees.

This review went over the protection plans offered by Fidelity Warranty Services. The company breaks its extended warranties into two separate categories. For newer vehicles, there are three levels of vehicle service contracts to choose from. For older cars, Fidelity has two warranty plans under its High Mileage Protection Plan umbrella. Because it only sells warranties through certain dealers, the best way to get a quote is to contact a dealership directly.

Top Recommendations For Extended Car Warranties

Before you commit to an extended car warranty, it’s a good idea to shop around and get multiple quotes to compare your options.

Our team thoroughly reviewed every major extended auto warranty provider in the industry by looking over plan options, costs, customer reviews, and more. From this, we recommend drivers consider Endurance and CARCHEX, both of which are featured in our review of reputable extended car warranty companies and our review of the top extended warranties for cars over 100,000 miles.

Endurance: Best Coverage 

Unlike most warranty providers, Endurance creates and backs its plans. This means no other administrators are involved. The company offers six levels of service that can last up to 200,000 miles: 

• Supreme: Exclusionary bumper-to-bumper coverage 
• Superior: Covers hundreds of parts for most major systems 
• Secure Plus: Mid-level option with the shortest waiting period for coverage
• Secure: Covers the basic powertrain components, such as the engine, transmission, and drivetrain
• Select Premier: Designed for drivers with up to 150,000 miles on their vehicles
• EnduranceAdvantage™: Extensive component and maintenance coverage

The warranty company also provides extra perks to new customers by enrolling them in one year of free Endurance Elite Benefits when they sign up for any Endurance vehicle protection plan. Key features include 24/7 roadside assistance, key fob replacement, and tire repairs and replacements.

CARCHEX: Best For Used Cars

In business for more than 20 years, CARCHEX is one of the most respected warranty providers in the nation. The company has thousands of positive reviews and partners with companies such as CARFAX and Kelley Blue Book.

CARCHEX offers five coverage levels extending as high as 250,000 miles: 

• Titanium: Exclusionary coverage, similar to a bumper-to-bumper warranty
• Platinum: Highest stated-component coverage for hundreds of parts
• Gold: Mid-tier coverage targeted to higher-mileage vehicles
• Silver: Powertrain coverage
• Bronze: Basic powertrain coverage

Plans also come with roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage. CARCHEX is only one of two providers on our list that offer full extended warranty coverage in California.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Fidelity Warranty Services:

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of extended auto warranty providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a warranty company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

• Reputation: It’s important that an extended car warranty company is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) score well in this category. Established providers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
• Coverage: Our team of experts looks at the number of extended warranty plans available, as well as term limits, exclusions, and added benefits like roadside assistance. Ratings also take into account the availability of maintenance coverage.

• Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact vehicle service contract pricing. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and plans and consider available deductibles.

• Transparency: Our team evaluates the availability and transparency of each company’s contracts, as well as whether each provider offers a money-back guarantee.
• Customer Experience: We listen to real customer sales calls and comb through reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Warranty companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the availability of mobile apps and chat features.