A 74-year-old Florida man was pressured into a $3,000 extended warranty on his truck. He canceled in time — but months later, still no refund

What began as a promise of peace of mind for a Florida man has turned into a months-long battle to get his money back. The 74-year-old says he bought an extended auto warranty he didn’t need in February — and is still fighting to get a refund.

Tom Saylor told WFTV Action 9 News (1) he felt pressured into spending thousands for an extended warranty on his 2017 Ram pickup truck. He signed the agreement with Exclusive National Auto Club, after the company claimed there were problems with the company he originally signed his warranty with.

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Saylor says he paid more than $3,000 upfront and that the company informed him he’d be “totally taken care of” if anything went wrong with the vehicle. The warranty was set to kick in after a 30-day waiting period, but it took just a few days for Saylor to begin regretting his decision.

He decided to cancel within the 30-day waiting period. According to Saylor, he first tried to cancel by phone but was told the request had to be submitted in writing. He says he followed the company’s instructions and submitted the required paperwork, yet months later he was still waiting for his refund.

Protection under Florida law

Despite being commonly referred to as extended warranties, most aftermarket vehicle protections — like the one Saylor signed — are really service contracts. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (2), contract sellers agree to perform or pay for certain repairs or services outlined in the agreement. Oftentimes, they don’t cover damage from accidents or normal wear and tear on vehicles.

While some national warranty laws exist, the laws regulating extended warranties vary from state to state and impact consumer protections. Currently, 42 states have adopted (3) some version of the Service Contract Model Act, which provides a general framework for regulating third-party warranties.

Florida, California and New York have significantly stronger consumer protections compared to other states. In Florida, extended car warranty providers must offer at least a 60-day window for customers to cancel their contracts and receive a full refund, so long as the driver hasn’t made any claims.

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Legal options may not always be practical

Florida attorney Patrick Cousins told WFTV that he’s heard many complaints about service contracts over the years.

“I’m not saying they’re all bad, but in many cases the customer pays for something that they never get to take advantage of,” Cousins explained. While Florida law provides cancellation rights, Cousins notes that impacted consumers are forced to take legal action — something that may not be worth the time or expense.

Exclusive National Auto Club has an F rating with the Better Business Bureau. The company did not respond to Moneywise’s request for comment in time for publication. However, a customer service manager told Action 9 News “[all] agreements made with our company were legitimate and authorized by the customer.”

The manager also claimed a refund check was sent to Saylor in May, but he says he hasn’t received anything.

Tips before agreeing to extended warranties

Whether you’re buying a new car or considering an extended service contract, reading the fine print and understanding your state’s consumer protection laws are important.

The FTC warns (2) that dealers often mention auto service contracts and other “add-ons,” after customers have already spent a long day at dealerships. There are also instances in which dealers may try to include these warranties in paperwork without first discussing it with you.

To avoid paying for something you don’t need — or want — it’s important to be clear on what exactly you’re signing. The FTC advises consumers to compare extended warranties with the manufacturer warranty that comes with your vehicle. Be sure to understand what the extended warranty covers, when it expires and what your rights are when making claims.

It’s also important to research the reputation of the company you’re signing with to ensure they are reputable and will comply with state laws. Understanding your cancellation rights and carefully reviewing any service contract before signing could help you avoid an expensive dispute down the road.

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WFTV (1); Federal Trade Commission (2); Consumer Affairs (3)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.