AUL Corp vs MaxCare

Founded in 1990, AUL built their reputation as a dealership-based vehicle service contract provider before being acquired by Protective Life Insurance Company in 2022. Today, AUL-branded contracts are administered through Protective Asset Protection and remain available exclusively through franchised and independent dealerships. This means consumers cannot buy plans directly online, and pricing depends on the selling dealer, vehicle, coverage tier, deductible, and any dealership markup. AUL’s biggest strength is the breadth of their coverage lineup. Their catalog includes powertrain, stated-component, wrap, exclusionary, lifetime, hybrid, and EV, and technology-focused plans. Some products also offer Any Year Any Mileage eligibility, while most plans begin on the day of purchase with no standard waiting period. Benefits may include roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, trip interruption coverage, transferable contracts, online claims submission, and same-day claims payment on approved repairs. However, customer feedback is mixed, with concerns around claim denials, inspection delays, rental reimbursement limits, cancellation complexity, and pricing transparency. AUL may appeal to dealership buyers who want broad coverage options, but reviewing the contract carefully before signing is essential.

MaxCare is an extended vehicle service contract introduced by CarMax in 2009, available exclusively at the time of purchasing a vehicle through their dealership network. Unlike many third-party warranty providers that offer multiple plan tiers, MaxCare uses a single exclusionary coverage model, similar to a factory bumper-to-bumper warranty, covering most mechanical and electrical components except for a defined list of exclusions. Contracts are tailored to each vehicle, with coverage typically extending up to 75,000 to 150,000 total odometer miles. While CarMax facilitates the customer experience, the plans are administered by third-party providers such as Fidelity Warranty Services and CNA National Warranty Corporation. Key benefits include 24/7 roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, transferable coverage, and flexible payment options, including rolling the cost into monthly financing. A $50 deductible discount is also offered when using CarMax service centers or RepairPal-certified shops. Customer feedback is mixed, with many reporting strong coverage for major repairs, while others cite delays, strict claim requirements, and challenges when working with independent repair facilities.