'A' Rated: A term often used as rating reference for Insurance Companies.

Administrator: The administrator is the department that accepts your claims and works with the repair facility to ensure that your claim is handled properly. For example, Direct Buy Warranty is the Administrator of your vehicle service contract. We are the company that will work directly with your repair facilty as well as we pay your repair facility directly for all covered claims.

A.M. Best & Co: A.M. Best Company is the leading source for insurance company ratings, analysis and information.

ASE Certified: A certification developed by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence to designate competent mechanics. Prospective candidates must pass at least one exam and provide proof of two years of relevant work experience. To remain certified, those with ASE credentials must be retested every five years. www.ase.com

Authorization: The authorizations department must give prior-authorization before repairs are started.

Bumper to Bumper: This is an expression commonly used when referring to exclusionary or new automobile protection. The expression means nearly all mechanical, electrical and computer related items between the front and rear bumper is protected, unless it is specifically excluded. This is the most comprehensive coverage available. Examples of exceptions are paint, oil changes, and tires. You should read your contract carefully to understand what you have purchased.

Consumable Item: Items that are typically not covered under a vehicle service contract or automobile protection contract because they wear out during use. For example, batteries, wiper blades, tires, etc…

Deductible: An agreed upon amount that a vehicle owner must pay to the repair facility for work to be done on the vehicle. Depending on the program the deductible could be $100, $50 or $0.

Diagnostics: The exploration the repair facility performes in order to determine the necessary repairs needed for your vehicle.

Drivetrain: The group of components that send power from the engine to the wheels of the vehicle. This includes the transmission, driveshaft, differentials, and u-joints.

Drivetrain Plan: A vehicle service contract that covers parts of your engine, transmission, and drivetrain assembly.

Inclusionary Coverage: Automobile protection that lists every vehicle part that is covered by the plan. If the part is not on the list then it is not covered by the plan.

Insurance Company: A company that insures that the administrator will be able to financially fulfill the obligations for the vehicle service contract and pay for the repairs to your vehicle. Also referred to as the obligor.

Lemon Law: Vehicles that repeatedly fail to meet standards and guidelines are referred to as ‘lemons’. There are Lemon Laws set in each of the states to help protect consumers from these vehicles. Please refer to your local, state and federal lemon laws for additional information.

Maintenance Guidelines: The routine maintenance that is recommended by the manufacturer of the vehicle to keep it in top running condition. This includes oil changes, tire rotations, fluid levels, wheel alignments, hoses, belts, tune-ups as found in the vehicle’s maintenance book.

Make: The make of a vehicle is the manufacturer or a division of the manufacturer that built the vehicle.

Manufacturer: The company that made your vehicle. Manufacturers often have several divisions of their companies.

Model: The model of the vehicle is a particular type of vehicle made by the manufacturer. This is frequently defined by a particular car body style.

Plan Term: The amount of time in months or the mileage that your vehicle Service Agreement will protect for. Whichever comes first.

Rebuilt Title: A title notation that an insurance company issues once a salvaged vehicle has been repaired and/or restored to operating condition.

Rental Benefit: The contractual amount you will receive for expenses spent on substitute transportation while your vehicle is being repaired. Generally this benefit is on a reimbursement basis.

Repair Facility: The customer may choose a dealership, local mechanic, or national repair facility.

Roadside Assistance: A program that provides the motorist with assistance in the event that their vehicle breaks down or there is another vehicle emergency. Roadside assistance provides a 24 hour 7 day a week toll free number for services such as towing, battery assistance, fuel assistance, flat tire assistance, assistance with keys locked in vehicle.

Salvage Title: A notation issued by an insurance company when a vehicle has been in a bad accident or has been damaged to the point of being declared a total loss.

Transferability: The ability to transfer automobile protection from one owner of a vehicle to a new owner of the vehicle. This adds a huge incentive when selling your vehicle. You may even transfer the warranty to a new vehicle that you purchase. Direct Buy Warranty NEVER charges a transfer fee.

Travel or Trip Interruption Benefit: If your vehicle experiences a covered mechanical breakdown when traveling more than 100 miles from home, this is the amount you will be reimbursed for lodging and meals while your vehicle is being repaired. Each vehicle service contract will vary on distance for coverage. Not all plans come with this additional benefit.

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): A unique 17 digit number assigned to your vehicle. The VIN can be found on documentation like the car title or insurance card but a VIN should always be verified by locating it on your vehicle. The VIN generally can be found in the driver’s side dashboard.

Vehicle Service Contract (VSC): An agreement that covers the parts and labor costs associated with the repair of a covered mechanical failure after the factory warranty has expired. A Vehicle Service Contract is often referred to as an extended warranty.

Warranty: Every new vehicle comes with a standard factory warranty. It covers all factory installed parts against defects and mechanical failure. A typical manufacturer’s warranty will cover a vehicle for 3 years or 36,000 miles. The term "warranty" is often improperly used when referring to a vehicle service contract or automobile protection.