Car dealer add-ons explained
What are the extras a dealer offers, and do you need them? Search or filter the common ones, from rust proofing and GAP insurance to tire plans and extended warranties. Each shows what it is, what it usually covers, who it may suit and what to ask before you say yes.
What were you offered?
10 results
Protects the car
Rust proofing and undercoating
A coating sprayed under the car and into body cavities to slow rust.
- What it usually covers
- Rust that starts from the inside or from road salt. Most new cars already have a corrosion warranty from the maker for rust-through, so ask what the add-on adds.
- Who it may suit
- Someone keeping a car for many years in a region that salts the roads, and who will have it re-checked regularly.
- Ask before you say yes
- What does the maker's corrosion warranty already cover?
- Who does the work, and for how long is it guaranteed?
- Does the product need yearly inspections to keep the guarantee?
Protects the car
Paint and fabric protection
A sealant applied to the paint, and sometimes a spray on the seats and carpets.
- What it usually covers
- Helps against bird droppings, light stains and fading. It is not insurance against dents, chips or damage.
- Who it may suit
- Someone who wants a cosmetic treatment and has compared it with a good wax or a professional detail.
- Ask before you say yes
- What exactly is applied, and is it a product or just a spray?
- What does the guarantee cover, and what voids it?
- Could a detailer do the same for less?
Insurance on the loan
GAP insurance
Insurance that pays the difference between what you owe on the loan and what the insurer pays if the car is written off or stolen.
- What it usually covers
- The shortfall when a car is worth less than the loan, which is common in the first years or with a small down payment.
- Who it may suit
- Someone with a small down payment, a long loan or a large amount rolled in from a previous car. Some insurers offer similar cover as part of the policy, so compare.
- Ask before you say yes
- Is this cheaper from my own insurer?
- Does it cover the deductible too?
- What happens to it if I pay the loan off early: do I get a refund?
Pays for repairs or losses
Tire and rim (road hazard) protection
A plan that pays to repair or replace tires and wheels damaged by potholes or road debris.
- What it usually covers
- Damage from the road, such as a bent rim or a punctured tire. It does not cover normal wear.
- Who it may suit
- Someone with low-profile tires or large wheels on poorly kept roads, where damage is costly.
- Ask before you say yes
- How many claims can I make, and is there a deductible?
- Do I have to use the dealer's shop?
- Is the repair cost lower than the price of the plan for the tires on this car?
Pays for repairs or losses
Extended warranty (mechanical breakdown)
A plan that pays for certain repairs after the factory warranty ends, or alongside it.
- What it usually covers
- The parts listed in the contract. Exclusions are common, and some plans cover only the engine and transmission.
- Who it may suit
- Someone keeping a car well beyond its factory warranty who wants to even out a large repair bill.
- Ask before you say yes
- Which parts are covered and which are excluded?
- Does it overlap the factory warranty, and can the price be lower if it starts later?
- Can I cancel and get a refund? Who pays for the repair shop's work?
Insurance on the loan
Credit life, disability and critical illness insurance
Insurance that pays your loan if you die, become disabled or are diagnosed with a serious illness.
- What it usually covers
- Loan payments in the situations listed in the policy. These policies usually have limits, waiting periods and exclusions.
- Who it may suit
- Someone who has no other cover and would struggle with the payments if they could not work. Check any life or disability insurance you already have first.
- Ask before you say yes
- What are the limits, waiting periods and exclusions?
- Is it cheaper to get through my own insurer?
- Is it optional, and will the loan still be approved without it?
Pays for repairs or losses
Key and fob replacement
A plan that pays to replace a lost or damaged key or fob.
- What it usually covers
- The cost of a new key or fob and its programming. Modern fobs can be expensive to replace.
- Who it may suit
- Someone who has lost keys before, or whose car has an expensive fob.
- Ask before you say yes
- What does a replacement cost without the plan?
- How many claims can I make?
- Is a spare key cheaper than the plan?
Pays for repairs or losses
Windshield and glass protection
A plan covering chip repair or replacement of the windshield and other glass.
- What it usually covers
- Chips and cracks. Many auto insurance policies already offer glass cover as an optional extra.
- Who it may suit
- Someone who drives long distances on gravel-prone highways and does not already have glass cover.
- Ask before you say yes
- Does my insurance already cover glass?
- Is there a deductible?
- Does it include cars with driver-assist cameras, which cost more to replace?
Protects the car
Anti-theft devices, VIN etching and tracking
A steering wheel lock, a tracker, or the VIN etched onto the windows.
- What it usually covers
- Makes theft harder or helps recover the car. Some insurers lower the premium for approved devices.
- Who it may suit
- Owners of models that thieves target, or anyone whose insurer gives a discount for the device.
- Ask before you say yes
- Will my insurer give a discount for it?
- Does the tracker need a subscription, and for how long?
- Could I buy the same device for less elsewhere?
Convenience
Prepaid maintenance plan
Oil changes and routine services paid for in advance.
- What it usually covers
- The scheduled services listed in the plan, usually at the dealer.
- Who it may suit
- Someone who will do all their servicing at that dealer and drive enough to use every visit.
- Ask before you say yes
- What is the price of each service without the plan?
- What happens to unused visits if I sell the car or move?
- Can I use another shop?
Most of these are optional, priced well above their cost to the dealer and open to negotiation. You can usually decline them, and many can be bought later or from your own insurer for less. None of this is financial or legal advice.
Keep going with Uobo
Uobo is your personal car agent. Text it what you need and it does the research and the checks, asks dealerships about availability, condition and price for you, and helps you decide. This is the text you would send:
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On a computer? Text (289) 819-4586 from your phone and paste what you copied. Standard message rates apply. Reply STOP any time to stop.
How it works
Find the add-on you were offered by name, or filter by kind: ones that protect the car, insurance on the loan, ones that pay for repairs or losses, and convenience plans.
Each entry explains it in plain words and lists questions to ask. Tap I was offered this to put it in the message you can text to Uobo.
No prices are given, because they vary by dealer and lender and are negotiable. The point is to help you decide whether a product fits your situation before you see the price.
What this does not cover
- These are general explanations. A product's value depends on its contract, so read the exact terms before you decide. The extended warranty calculator shows what a plan really adds.
- Rules differ by province, including how some of these products must be sold and whether they can be cancelled.
- This is not financial, insurance or legal advice.
Common questions
Do I have to buy the add-ons a dealer offers?
No. Add-ons such as rust proofing, protection plans and extended warranties are optional. They should not be a condition of the loan or the price. Look out for products pre-filled on a contract.
What is GAP insurance and do I need it?
GAP insurance pays the difference between what you owe on the loan and what the insurer pays if the car is written off or stolen. It can matter if you have a small down payment or a long loan. Some insurers offer similar cover, so compare.
Is rust proofing worth it?
It depends on how long you keep the car and where you drive. Most new cars already have a corrosion warranty from the maker, so ask what the add-on adds, who does the work and what voids the guarantee.
Can I buy these add-ons later or somewhere else?
Often yes. Many can be bought later, from your own insurer or from an independent shop, sometimes for less. You rarely have to decide at the dealership.