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Extended Warranty or Mechanical Breakdown Insurance


Most major repairs occur after the manufacturer warranty expires. If you are a like most consumers, you're keeping your cars longer and repair costs keep rising. In-order to avoid out-of-pocket costs for these repairs some sort of extended coverage is a necessity!
The big question is how long you anticipate owning your car. If the car you've just bought is new, take a close look at its factory warranty before making a decision on more coverage. If you plan on keeping the car long, or if you put a lot of miles on your car commuting after the factory warranty expires, Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) may be a good investment.



 What is the difference - Extended Warranty and Mechanical Breakdown Insurance?

A warranty is the first layer of mechanical breakdown coverage on any new vehicle. The coverage is provided, at no cost to the buyer by the Manufacturer. A warranty has a specific term expressed in months or miles. and usually protects the entire vehicle against defect in workmanship and material. This is known as "bumper to bumper" protection.
An extended warranty - also known as a service contract can cost you in the thousands and most consumers collect very little of that. It extends the mechanical breakdown protection beyond the basic warranty term, and applies to specific assemblies contained within the vehicle. A good example is the powertrain warranty. In this case, only the powertrain (engine, drive axle, transmission) is protected for an additional length of time or miles such as 6 years or 60,000 miles. These cost extra and are sold separately.
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance is a true insurance product. Like personal auto or homeowners insurance the MBI creates a direct relationship between the vehicle owner and the insurance company. MBI coverages and premiums are regulated by state insurance departments.

Another warranty is known as vehicle service contracts and are written agreements between the vehicle buyer and the dealership. This contract is often mistakenly called an extended warranty. The dealer becomes responsible for providing mechanical breakdown coverage or reimbursement to the vehicle owner. Most service contracts are restrictive and conditional. The dealer is allowed to set the actual price of the contract at whatever level he chooses.




 Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Through DCU

If you will be keeping your car for a while Mechanical Breakdown Insurance is a good deal. Sold through the credit union they are fairly priced for new and used car coverage. This cost is about half what a dealer would charge you for a typical extended warranty. And Mechanical Breakdown Insurance, usually lets you go to your repair shop, where dealer warranties limit work to specific dealerships.
DCU is making MBI available to our members, here are some of the features:
  • You can buy coverage on both new and used vehicles.
  • Competitive pricing compared to plans offered by many auto dealers.
  • A choice of three protection levels, with several term and mileage plans, each plan offers a choice of deductible and optional benefits.
  • All MBI plans also include 24-hour roadside assistance, car rental coverage, and trip interruption coverage.
  • Hassle-free claim payments made directly to licensed repair facilities.
  • Coverage may be transferred if the vehicle is sold to a private party.
  • 3 plans to choose from - Premier Blue, Ultra Gold, and Plus Gold Program designed exclusively for DCU members.
  • Nationwide protection.
  • One of the most comprehensive coverage in the industry.
  • Low deductible.
  • Car rental coverage.
  • 100% refundable within 60 days, can be canceled at any time with a pro-rated refund.




 Ultra Gold and Plus Gold Coverage

Ultra Goldcovers named components with wear & tear for new and eligible pre-owned cars
  1. Engine - Diesel and Rotary - Interanlly lubricated engine parts including, but not limited to: pistons, piston rings, piston pins, crankshaft and main bearings, connecting rods and bearings, camshaft and bearings, timing chain, timing chain tensioner and guides, timing gears, intake and exhaust valves, valve springs, valve guides, oil pump, push rods, rocker arm shafts, hydraulic and solid lifters, distributor shaft and housing, balance shaft, accessory shaft, engine block and heads. The following external parts are also covered: mounts, timing belt, timing belt tensioner, intake manifold, harmonic balancer/crank pulley, serpentine belt tensioner, valve covers, timing gear cover, vacumm pump, air cleaner, sensors. Rotary engines also include rotors, rotor seals, rotor chamber, eccentric shaft and bearings and all other internal parts of a rotary engine.
  2. Cooling System - Heater core, radiator, thermostat, water pump, heater control valve, cooling fan motors, fan, fan clutches, sensors.
  3. Fuel Pump - (Mechanical or Electric); Housing, diaphragms, springs, valves and actuating lever.
  4. Fuel Injection - Fuel tanks and lines, fuel injector metering pump, fuel injectors, and fuel distributor, pulsator, sensors, fuel pressure regulator, fuel rail, IAC motor.
  5. Turbo Charger - Internal parts, vanes, shafts, bearings and housing if damage is caused by a breakdown of any of the above covered components.
  6. Transmission - Automatic - Internal parts including, but not limited to: bearings, bushings, bands, clutch plates, friction and steel drums, oil pumps, servo units, valve body and plate, governor, rings, valves, flex plate and/or ring gear, case. The following external parts are also covered: vacuum modulator, mounts, solenoids, transmission controller. Manual - Internal parts including, but not limited to: bearings, bushings, shafts, spacers, main drive gear, main shaft, shift forks, synchronizing drum, mounts, gears and all units within the overdrive housing, case. Coverage does not include the clutch assembly, clutch pressure plate, flywheel, pilot bearing and throwout bearing.
  7. Transfer Unit (4 x 4) - Internal parts including, but not limited to: bearings, bushings, sprockets, chains, sleeves and gears, case viscous coupler, shift forks.
  8. Driver Shaft, Center Support and Universal Joints - Including constant velocity joints and tripod joints.
  9. Drive Axles - Internal parts including, but not limited to: ring and pinion gears, spider gears, side gears, bushings, bearings, spacers, yokes, axle shafts, lock rings, retainers and axle bearings. The differential housing is also covered if damage is caused by a breakdown of any of the covered components.
  10. Steering - Manual and Power - Internal parts in rack and pinion, internal parts in recirculating ball housing, power steering pump, steering main and intermediate shafts, pivot joint, power cylinder assembly, power steering cooler, control valve and cylinder. Pitman arm, idle arm, tie rod ends drag link.
  11. Front Suspension - Upper and lower control arms, control arm shafts and bushings, upper and lower ball joints, steering knuckles, stabilizer shafts and bushings, king pins and bushings, strut bar and bushings, spindle supports, radius arm bushings, MacPherson struts and mounts, torsion bars.
  12. Brakes (non ABS) - Master cylinder, power assist boosters and valve, wheel cylinders, calipers, combination valve, steel lines and fittings, and backing plates. Vacuum assist pump, springs, clips and retainers, self adjusters, rear activators and parking brake linkage and cables.
  13. Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) - The non ABS covered components listed above plus the following: Booster and pump, master cylinder, control processor and solenoids, sensors, solenoid valve block/PMV valve.
  14. Air Conditioning - Compressor, internal assembly including: pistons, rods, valves, bearings and shafts clutch, soil and pulley. Orifice tube, condenser and evaporator core accumulator, expansion valve, hi/low pressure line, pressure switch* Note: If system has R-12 refrigerant, R-12 will be used for replacement while supplies last. If R-12 is not available, the system will be converted to use R-134a refrigerant to meet environmental standards. If replacement is due to covered component, it will be covered. If due to a non-covered component, customer is responsible.
  15. Electrical and Electronics - Alternator, generator, voltage regulator, front wiper motor (including stater drive, internal circuit board, relay and delay switch), starter motor and solenoid, manually operated mechanical switches, power window switches, power seat switches, horn button, ignition lock cylinder and switch, cruise control switch, emergency warning flasher switch, fuel gauge sending unit, power seat motors, power window motors and regulators, power door lock actuators, power sun roof motor, convertible top motor, electronic ignition module, igniter, computerized timing and mixture control unit, anti-detonation sensor, electronic instrument cluster, and instrument panel, printed circuit board, 4x4 engagement switch,coil pack. Electronic driver information display module, electronic level control compressor and its sensors and limiters, factory installed compass and thermometer.
  16. Seals and Gaskets - Seals and gaskets are covered for components and or parts listed.
  17. Wear and Tear - A failure will be deemed to have occurred when a covered part has worn beyond the manufacturer's tolerances allowed for the particular vehicle at the mileage when the problem occurs.


  18. Plus Gold includes the above and:

  19. Sport Utility Vehicle Coverage - Step bumpers and mounting brackets, spare tire carrier, swing arm, pivots, latches and locks, running boards, swing-out mirror arms and mounts, pop-out or sliding side/rear window latches and hinges, convenience bed liner (not warpage), tailgate handle, lock, cables, hinges, latches and edge protectors, cargo lamp and tie-downs.
  20. Rear Suspension - MacPherson struts and mounts, control arm and ball joint springs and torsion bar, wheel bearings, electronic level control compressor and its sensors and limiters, shackle bushings and eye bushings, torsion bar bushings.
  21. Enhanced Front Suspension to include - Links and bushings, MacPerson strut mounts, springs and torsion bars, wheel bearings, electronic level control compressor and its sensors and limiters, shackle bushings and eye bushings.
  22. Enhanced Air Conditioning to include - Sunroof wiring harness, power antenna motor and mast.
  23. Enhanced Steering to include - Couplings, and gear housing.




 How To Get Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

Please consult with one of our loan representatives to discuss the Mechanical Breakdown Insurance program in more detail. Or, call us at 508.263.6700 or 800.328.8797.


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Digital Federal Credit Union
Digital Federal Credit Union
220 Donald Lynch Boulevard
PO Box 9130
Marlborough, MA 01752-9130
508.263.6700 • 800.328.8797
DCU is an Equal Housing Lender    Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.  National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency.  Select for more information.

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