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After you purchase a automobile, you may obtain letters and cellphone calls from firms that wish to promote you an prolonged guarantee. Now, there are respected firms on the market, however there are additionally ones you need to keep away from. So, which sort is Fenix Defend?
Let’s look at the corporate’s protection plans and customer support. We’ve reviewed a variety of the hottest prolonged auto guarantee suppliers and can see how Fenix Defend compares. Every firm is completely different, so we encourage you to get quotes from not less than three firms earlier than deciding on a plan. We advocate beginning with these three main suppliers.
Desk of Contents:
- Fenix Defend Protection Ranges
- Value of Fenix Defend
- Is Fenix Defend a Rip-off?
- Conclusion: Ought to You Get a Fenix Defend Guarantee?
Fenix Defend Protection Ranges
Fenix Defend is a automobile service contract supplier primarily based in Addison, Texas, that has been in enterprise for over a decade. It sells plans backed by Black Diamond Administrative Firm, and Fenix Defend actually performs off the diamond and gem theme in its plan choices.
There are six plan ranges for brand spanking new and used vehicles. Drivers can get fundamental powertrain protection, bumper-to-bumper exclusionary protection or something in between. Right here’s a abstract of the plans:
| Fenix Defend Plan | Eligibility | Particulars |
| Triple Diamond | New vehicles underneath 70,000 miles | Exclusionary protection for nearly all mechanical and electrical elements on the automobile |
| Double Diamond | New vehicles underneath 80,000 miles, used vehicles underneath 100,000 miles | Highest stated-component contract consists of most main techniques on the automobile |
| Diamond | Used vehicles underneath 125,000 miles | Enhanced powertrain plan covers many many techniques |
| Emerald | Used vehicles underneath 150,000 miles | Mid-tier plan covers powertrain and another techniques |
| Ruby | Used vehicles underneath 175,000 miles | Low-level plan covers the powertrain and some different elements |
| Sapphire | Used vehicles underneath 500,000 miles | Naked minimal powertrain protection |
You’ll discover that the Sapphire plan supplies protection for an enormous variety of miles. Sure, protection can prolong as much as 500,000 miles. This plan simply covers the naked necessities, although, and we think about it could be costly for an engine that had 300,000 miles or extra.
One factor we observed is that Fenix Defend doesn’t present any pattern contracts on its web site. You’ll find pattern contracts on Black Diamond Administrative Firm’s web site as an alternative, however the Fenix web site doesn’t hyperlink on to the Black Diamond web site.
Plans require surcharges for autos outfitted with 4WD/AWD, turbochargers or diesel engines. Drivers may add protection for audio techniques and rear air conditioners.
Plan advantages
All Fenix Defend plans include roadside help, which incorporates:
- Bounce-start service
- Lockout help
- Flat tire change
- Cellphone concierge companies
- Fluid supply
- Towing
So far as perks go, that’s all of the Fenix Defend web site lists. Nonetheless, the corresponding contracts on Black Diamond Administrative Firm’s web site record just a few extra companies:
- Rental automobile reimbursement ($30 per day as much as $150)
- Journey interruption ($50 per day as much as $150)
- Extra towing protection of $100 per incidence
Maybe these advantages aren’t provided for Fenix Defend clients or are solely provided in some circumstances. So, take this info with a grain of salt.
Drivers can go to any licensed restore facility to acquire protection. That features dealerships and mechanics licensed by the Nationwide Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
What Isn’t Lined
Regardless of which plan you choose, there shall be some exclusions. Right here’s a non-exhaustive record of some exclusions you’ll see on Fenix Defend contracts:
- Put on and tear
- Common upkeep
- Put on objects (batteries, bulbs, hoses and related)
- Harm from misuse, neglect or lack of upkeep
- Harm from environmental occasions
- Beauty objects
- Trim
- Hybrid elements (together with batteries)
- Pre-existing situations
- Paint and physique panels
- Any restore performed with out prior authorization
- Infotainment, contact screens and heads-up shows
- Any lined half broken by a non-covered half
- Any non-covered half broken by a lined half
These final two factors warrant some clarification. Let’s say you might have a non-covered battery that leaks onto a lined half in your engine, inflicting corrosion. That injury wouldn’t be paid for.
Likewise, if a lined half in your engine failed and by some means broken your battery, the battery wouldn’t be lined.
Car service contracts aren’t all created equal. Some contracts have extra exclusives than others. And a few firms spend much less time going by every level with potential clients.
In case you don’t perceive one thing, it’s a good suggestion to hold up the cellphone and browse by the contract with a pal or member of the family. If an organization gained’t ship you a pattern contract earlier than you buy the plan, that’s a purple flag.
Value of Fenix Defend
Like most prolonged auto guarantee firms, Fenix Defend doesn’t record costs on its web site. That’s as a result of pricing relies on the automobile you might have, its situation and what kind of protection you need.
When wanting by evaluations, we observed that many shoppers stated Fenix Defend labored with them to discover a pricing plan they might afford. Some clients stated they paid between $150 and $250 monthly, and others stated complete prices had been between $2,000 and $3,000.
Is Fenix Defend a Rip-off?
As we had been researching this supplier, we observed that the phrase “rip-off” got here up as a advised search time period in Google after typing “Fenix Defend.” That’s not signal. We don’t suppose this enterprise is a rip-off, however clearly many individuals are questioning simply that.
Fenix Defend is one other commerce title for the enterprise American Automotive Service Options (AASS). Each organizations share the identical tackle, and Fenix Defend redirects to AASS within the Higher Enterprise Bureau’s (BBB) database.
AASS/Fenix Defend evaluations on the BBB present a sample of complaints. The Fenix Defend BBB score is a B+, however many shoppers have complained about receiving deceptive advertising letters that seem to come back from an official supply or producer.
These letters typically say that the recipients’ guarantee has already expired and so they solely have a short while to take care of protection. Advertising practices like this aren’t distinctive to this firm, however AASS didn’t reply to the BBB when it reached out relating to this subject, and that’s not good.
Firm Response
When individuals submit complaints on the BBB about these advertising letters, the customer support group denies that the letters come from AASS. They put the burden of proof on the shopper to answer with a photograph or scan of the letter.
The group claims that AASS doesn’t do any outbound advertising. The corporate in all probability makes use of a advertising company to do its mailers, so from the corporate’s perspective, the issue isn’t its fault.
The customer support group will then ask the reviewer to delete their overview. However from the recipients’ viewpoint, the letter nonetheless says it got here from Fenix Defend or AASS.
Whereas it is a legit enterprise, these advertising letters might encourage seniors or individuals who don’t know the standing of their guarantee to buy a plan unnecessarily. From what we’ve seen, Fenix Defend does pay for lined repairs and supply roadside help to clients.
CarShield prolonged warranties are very talked-about with drivers, however the firm has additionally been flagged by the BBB for this similar subject. The distinction is that CarShield responded to the BBB and is engaged on fixing the issue. CarShield’s web site additionally has a web page with clear directions on how one can choose out of mailings. Fenix Defend doesn’t.
Constructive Fenix Defend Evaluations
Even with all the problems we simply talked about, many shoppers have given Fenix Defend optimistic scores. The corporate has a four-star score on Trustpilot from over 400 evaluations, although most of them appear to be in regards to the course of of shopping for a plan. Listed below are some examples:
“Glorious service throughout. Workers was very pleasant and answered all of my questions. Thanks!” – Ryan, Trustpilot
“The complete expense of the transmission restore besides my deductible was paid in full, per the Fenix Defend Car Service Contract. On account of their actions, I made a decision to proceed my two present VSCs with Fenix Defend.” – Ronnie S., Trustpilot
Unfavourable Fenix Defend Evaluations
“AASS makes mailings seem like they arrive from a automobile producer and say the ultimate guarantee expired. I’ve 10,000 miles on my automobile, it’s not out of guarantee, buddy. Good attempt.” – L.W., BBB
“Within the midst of journey, work, making ends meet and private priorities, I acquired quite a few letters and Ultimate Notices, which made me panic. I used to be pressured into taking a 6-year contract for a complete of over $3,000.” – Buyer through BBB
Conclusion: Ought to You Get a Fenix Defend Guarantee?
The brief reply is: in all probability not. We predict there are various higher suppliers on the market when you’re in search of an prolonged guarantee. Fenix Defend presents a variety of plans, which is sweet. Nonetheless, its advertising practices and its response when individuals complain about these practices aren’t excellent.
Fenix Defend’s customer support group denies sending letters and asks individuals to delete unfavorable feedback. That makes us surprise how customer support brokers deal with clients in different areas. You may name to get a quote and resolve for your self, however all in all, we expect you might have higher choices for prolonged protection than Fenix Defend.
CARCHEX and Endurance are two prime suppliers within the business, and each have completely different benefits. Our CARCHEX vs. Endurance overview covers every firm intimately.
You may check out our overview of the greatest prolonged guarantee firms to get a head begin on procuring round. We examine protection, costs and buyer evaluations for every firm. After that, get quotes from a number of suppliers and examine which plans are greatest in your scenario.
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