- Fidelity Warranty Services, Inc offers a good range of warranty options at very competitive prices.
- You can only purchase a Fidelity car warranty through participating dealerships.
- While Fidelity warranties do come with perks, you can only have your vehicle fixed at predetermined service stations.
In this article, we at Motor1 will outline the types of coverage available with a protection plan from Fidelity Warranty Services, Inc. – taking a closer look at its credibility, estimated costs, and Fidelity car warranty reviews – so you can decide if it’s the right option for your needs.
Our expert review team spends countless hours analyzing extended warranty providers. We pore over online reviews, mystery shop companies to understand consumer experiences, and collect quotes and survey data from a provider’s past clients to determine the best extended car warranty providers on the market. With 1,475 hours of research backing our methodology, we’ve given Fidelity Warranty Services an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5.0 stars.
Our Fidelity Car Warranty Review And Methodology
After researching Fidelity Warranty Services, we applaud the company’s options for high-mileage vehicles, as well as its added coverage options. Fidelity car warranty reviews show that customers really feel like they’re getting a tailored plan. However, you can only purchase a Fidelity warranty through participating dealerships. In addition, there are around 6,000 available repair facilities, which is quite limited compared to other warranty companies.
How We Rated Fidelity Car Warranty
To give you the most up-to-date information, we update our review standards several times each year. Our warranty research evaluates providers in the following categories:
Industry Standing
Fidelity Warranty Services was founded in 1978, and with over 45 years of experience in the auto industry, it is a well-known and reputable provider. It holds both accreditation and an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and is partnered with Jim Moran & Associates. For these reasons, we’ve awarded Fidelity 4.0 out of 5.0 stars for their industry standing.
Coverage
We give Fidelity Warranty Services 4.3 out of 5.0 stars for coverage due to their solid lineup of policies available to consumers. Offering three levels of coverage through their Vehicle Service Contracts (VSC), Fidelity also offers VSCs for high mileage vehicles. Coverage perks include fluid coverage in conjunction with a covered repair on your vehicle, towing coverage, travel coverage, and alternate transportation coverage.
Cost
Cost is where Fidelity Warranty Services showcases its excellence, offering cheap car warranties in comparison to its competitors. Deductible options range from $0 to $250, and while no discounts are listed on its website, financing is available for all plans. Due to these factors, we’ve awarded Fidelity 4.8 out of 5.0 stars for cost.
Transparency
Our methodology on transparency is simple – if a provider offers a money-back guarantee, shares sample contracts, and offers detailed plan outlines for warranty offerings, they’ll receive strong scores. Unfortunately, Fidelity Warranty Services only offers their VSCs through authorized dealerships, so we couldn’t find any online sample contracts for consideration. In addition, there is no money-back guarantee with Fidelity. For these reasons, we’ve given it a 2.5 out of 5.0 stars for transparency.
Customer Service
We’ve awarded Fidelity Warranty Services 3.8 out of 5.0 stars for customer service. It has a rating of 3.6 out of 5.0 stars with the BBB, which can be considered high compared to other extended warranty companies. However, Fidelity doesn’t offer online chat like other leading providers, so you’ll have to call or email to receive support.
Is A Fidelity Car Warranty Worth It?
While Fidelity offers five extended auto warranty plans, one significant downside is that Fidelity vehicle service contracts are only sold at authorized dealerships. Another drawback is that the provider has a high deductible compared to other third-party extended warranty companies. If you need to file a claim, Fidelity’s customer service is not open 24/7, so you may have to extend the time it takes to repair your car.
Fidelity Car Warranty Quick Facts
- Founded: 1978
- Headquarters: Deerfield Beach, Florida
- Coverage options: Five VSC coverage levels
- Coverage terms: Up to 120,000 miles depending on your chosen plan
Is A Fidelity Car Warranty Legit?
Fidelity was founded in 1946 as an investment firm. In 1978 the company expanded into the vehicle service contract industry when it founded Fidelity Warranty Services. Fidelity Warranty Services is a BBB–accredited company with an A+ rating and over 40 years of industry experience.
Fidelity Car Warranty Customer Reviews
Online warranty services reviews for Fidelity are mixed. Some customers felt that they were denied coverage for more basic items that other companies would otherwise cover. Other customers were pleased with the easy claims process and the company’s efficiency.
Fidelity Car Warranty Positive Reviews
“Fast payment. Hassle-free. Very happy that my Jeep was covered with the bumper-to-bumper warranty.”
– Deborah S. via BBB
“Fantastic warranty company. Very impressed that they went deeper into the problem to make sure it was fixed right the first time. Had to make a claim within 3 days of purchase. They handled everything. I would highly recommend this company. I will buy from them again.”
– James J. via BBB
Fidelity Car Warranty Complaints
“They work hard to deny every claim. Their exclusions work to leave consumers in the lurch.”
– John K. via BBB
“Horrible experience! I have waited almost eight weeks for a refund after canceling my gap insurance due to the sale of my car. Zero communication from this company and still no check. I am pursuing legal options available to me in order to obtain my refund.”
– Jeffery P. via BBB
Fidelity Extended Warranty Coverage
Fidelity Warranty Services offers five coverage plans at dealerships across the country. You can choose a vehicle protection plan, which consists of three coverage levels and provides protection for up to 120,000 miles, or high-mileage vehicle protection, which consists of two coverage levels and provides protection for up to 48,000 miles. In the following sections, we describe the specific parts covered by Fidelity’s multiple extended warranty plans, as well as additional benefits that come with each plan.
Fidelity Car Warranty Plans
The right extended warranty for your vehicle depends on the components of your car you want to protect. To help you choose the right plan for you, we have researched each Fidelity extended warranty plan, the coverage options, and the parts protected. The following sections have detailed lists of each part covered for every Fidelity vehicle service contract.
Fidelity Vehicle Protection Plans
Fidelity’s Vehicle Protection Plan program offers three plans: Powertrain, Gold, and Platinum, with each offering different levels of coverage. Coverage begins when you purchase the vehicle service contract, and it ends when the term ends or you exceed the mileage limit. Find below the parts excluded or covered in each of Fidelity’s plans, which range from basic powertrain coverage to Fidelity Platinum coverage, which is close to a factory warranty.
Fidelity Warranty Plan |
What It Covers |
|---|---|
Powertrain |
Common parts of the vehicle’s engine, transmission, drive axle, transaxle, and transfer case are covered. |
Gold |
Takes care of basic powertrain coverage in addition to cooling, steering, brakes, air conditioning, front and rear suspension, and electrical components. In addition, this plan covers hybrid, plug-in electric, compression natural gas, and hydrogen components. |
Platinum |
As a bumper-to-bumper, exclusionary plan, the Platinum coverage applies to most components – but not excluded items include brake linings, drums, rotors, tire wheels, upholstery, paint, heater and radiator hoses, exhaust system, air bags, glass, and batteries, among other components. |
Fidelity High Mileage Vehicle Protection Plans
Under a high-mileage plan, you’re able to extend the useful life of an older or used car. Americans drive an average of nearly 13,500 miles per year, and those miles add up quickly. There are two plans under Fidelity’s high-mileage program: Drivetrain Plus and Owner Select. Below is a description of each high-mileage car warranty plan and the parts covered.
| Fidelity Warranty Plan | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Plus | Covers vital parts of a vehicle’s engine, transmission, transaxle, transfer case, and drive axle. It also covers hybrid and plug-in electric internal engine and transmission components. |
| Owner Select | Cover all parts included in the Drivetrain Plus plan, in addition to coverage for steering, braking, air conditioning, and additional hybrid and plug-in electric components. |
Fidelity Car Warranty Benefits
All Fidelity warranty plans are transferable and can be canceled by request. You’ll also get 24/7 roadside assistance and other peace-of-mind benefits, including towing, rental, and trip interruption reimbursement up to a certain dollar amount per day. Vehicle fluids are covered in addition to parts and labor.
If you’re looking for specialized coverage, other available options include:
- Road Hazard Tire & Wheel
- Total Loss (GAP) Waiver
- Lease Excess Wear & Tear
- Theft Deterrent System
- Car Care Service Plan
What Does A Fidelity Warranty Not Cover?
Exclusionary contracts with Fidelity Warranty Services will cover everything in your vehicle except the components listed. If you choose a stated component plan instead, you’ll only have coverage for listed components in your contract, nothing more.
If you choose to purchase an extended warranty through Fidelity, it will not pay or reimburse you for breakdowns caused by misuse, abuse, negligence, improper towing, lack of regular maintenance, lack of coolant or lubricants, and more. It’s best if you check your service contract for a full list of complete details regarding what your warranty does and does not cover.
Fidelity Warranty Claims
When it’s time to file a claim, either bring your vehicle to your purchase dealer or call your given toll-free number for assistance from a claims analyst. Be aware that the Fidelity Warranty Services claims analysts are not available 24/7. They have set business hours, and you won’t be able to reach a claims analyst on a Sunday.
Fidelity Warranty Services Authorized Service Centers
Fidelity does not have the largest selection of repair facilities to choose from, but you can bring your vehicle to one of 6,000 participating service centers. Your claim payment will be made directly to the repair shop. All contracts are backed by insurance, and you’ll still be covered even if your dealership goes out of business.
Fidelity Car Warranty Cost
Extended warranty costs vary by plan, mileage, vehicle model, and model year. Fidelity Warranty Services does not provide direct quotes online, as contracts are sold by dealerships rather than the company’s office. If you’re ready to ask about protection plan prices, then you must contact your participating dealership to get a direct quote for your needs.
How Much Does A Fidelity Car Warranty Cost?
While you must contact a participating dealership in order to get a quote from Fidelity Warranty Services, we obtained quotes for Powertrain, Gold, and Platinum plans for a 2017 Honda CR-V and 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. See below for more information on the quotes we were provided.
| Vehicle | Fidelity Car Warranty Plan | Term Length | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Honda CR-V | Powertrain | 5 years 60,000 miles | $51 a month $1,224 total price |
| 2017 Honda CR-V | Gold | 5 years 60,000 miles | $65 a month $1,560 total price |
| 2017 Honda CR-V | Platinum | 5 years 60,000 miles | $34 a month $816 total price |
| 2017 Chevrolet Silverado | Platinum | 5 years 60,000 miles | $45 a month $1,080 total price |
The quotes we received are for vehicles with 45,000 miles on them and with a payment term of 24 months. In addition, we found that you’ll need to provide a down payment at your time of purchase equal to three months worth of payments. The prices we obtained from Fidelity Warranty Services are all considered low in comparison to the quotes we’ve gathered from other reputable extended warranty providers.
The infographic below is based on our 2022 consumer extended auto warranty survey, and presents our findings on initial purchase prices of extended warranties from both third parties and dealerships.
Fidelity Extended Warranty Reviews: Conclusion
In this article, we reviewed Fidelity’s extended car warranties. We explained Fidelity’s warranty plans, including cost, coverage, the claims process, and vehicle service center locations. While Fidelity has affordable warranty plans, other third-party vehicle service contract companies like Endurance and CarShield offer more coverage options at similar prices.
Our Recommendations For Extended Car Warranty Coverage
Our team has thoroughly researched the extended warranty market, and we recommend getting quotes from Endurance and CarShield due to their affordability, industry standing, and exceptional customer reviews.
Endurance: 4.6 Stars
Endurance offers six distinct levels of coverage, which are available for cars up to 8 years old or with 200,000+ miles. Endurance is a unique provider – you won’t have to worry about a middleman or underwriter, as it offers direct-to-consumer extended warranties. In addition to a 4.6 out of 5.0 star rating, we’ve named Endurance as the best coverage provider on the market today.
CARCHEX: 4.4 Stars
A wonderful customer experience made CARCHEX our pick as the provider that’s best for used cars. The popular provider is accredited by the BBB with an A+ rating and holds a number of awards and industry endorsements. Offering five plans that come with perks such as 24/7 roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, trip interruption, and more, you’ll have peace of mind on the road with this reputable warranty provider.
Fidelity Car Warranty Reviews: FAQ
Below are some common frequently asked questions about Fidelity’s extended warranties:
*Data accurate at time of publication.