Transmission replacement
$6,238–$6,764
One of the costliest repairs on most vehicles
For Used Car Owners
Used Car Protection Plans: Get Covered After You Buy
Bought from a dealer, a private seller or online? You don’t have to buy coverage the day you buy the car. A used car protection plan from Atlas can help cover eligible repairs after your factory warranty runs out.
Coverage options for cars, trucks and SUVs you already ownUse qualifying repair shops nationwide24-hour roadside assistance on every plan
Serving drivers since 2021
20,000+ customers helped
$1,000,000+ in claims paid
ASE-certified repair shops nationwide
Sample contracts available before you buy
Before you buy anything
Bought Used? Here’s What Coverage You May Already Have
Bought at a dealership
You may have been offered a service contract at signing. Saying no then doesn’t close the door; you can compare options after purchase.
Check what’s left of your factory warranty in 4 steps
- 1Find the vehicle’s in-service date (when it was first sold new) on the warranty booklet or by asking any brand dealer with the VIN.
- 2Compare the date and odometer to the manufacturer’s bumper-to-bumper and powertrain terms. Coverage ends at whichever limit comes first.
- 3Ask whether any coverage is limited to the original owner; some manufacturers shorten powertrain coverage for later owners.
- 4Run the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for open recalls. Recall repairs are done free by the manufacturer and don’t require a protection plan.
Coverage gap ahead? See what a plan would cost before it ends.Get My Free Quote
Repair Cost Insights
What Common Used Car Repairs Cost
A used car comes with someone else’s miles. These are national estimate ranges for common component replacements.
Fuel pump replacement
$1,344–$1,513
A failure can leave the car unable to start
A/C compressor replacement
$1,081–$1,463
More than a refrigerant recharge
Water pump replacement
$891–$1,135
Failure can lead to overheating
Alternator replacement
$809–$1,088
Often mistaken for a dead battery
Starter replacement
$565–$796
The car may not crank at all
Source: RepairPal estimates, updated September 2026. National ranges; actual costs vary by vehicle, location and shop. A repair listed here is not automatically covered; coverage depends on your contract.
Coverage gap
Still Making Payments? Your Warranty May End First
Your loan and your factory warranty run on separate clocks. On a used car, the warranty may expire, or already have expired, while you’re still making payments. A major repair then lands on top of the car payment.
Your loanEnter a date
Factory coverage leftEnter a date
Not sure? A quote shows your coverage options in about two minutes.
Regular maintenance matters, but even a well-maintained car can have an unexpected breakdown.
Illustrative only, based on the dates you enter. If you add a mileage limit, it assumes about 12,000 miles a year. Check your warranty booklet for your exact terms.
Coverage Options
Popular Plans for Used Cars
Exclusive
Best for: late-model used cars that qualify for our most complete coverageEvery part is covered unless the contract specifically lists it as an exclusion.
Exclusionary coverageElectrical and tech24-hour roadside
Deluxe
Best for: commuters who’d need a rental during repairsBroad coverage for major mechanical and electrical systems.
Major systemsRental car benefitsTrip interruption
Essential Plus
Best for: newer used cars driven every dayPowertrain protection plus brakes, steering, cooling, A/C and suspension.
PowertrainBrakes and steeringA/C and cooling
Powertrain Choice
Best for: older used cars on a budgetYour car’s most vital parts: engine, transmission and drivetrain.
EngineTransmissionDrivetrain
Coverage, limits and exclusions vary by plan and are defined in your contract.
How Atlas Car Protection Plans Work
1
Get your free quote
Tell us about your vehicle and see the plans it qualifies for in about two minutes.
2
Choose your coverage
Compare four levels, read the sample contract and pick a payment option that fits.
3
Drive with a plan
If a covered part breaks, take your car to a qualifying shop. Approved covered repairs may be paid directly to the shop. See how claims work.
Included with every plan
Repair Coverage That Fits Your Car and Budget
Every Atlas plan comes with more than repair coverage.
Towing
If your vehicle can’t be driven, we’ll arrange a tow to the closest approved repair facility.
Your choice of repair shop
Qualifying ASE-certified facilities or dealerships nationwide.
Direct repair payments
Approved covered repairs may be paid directly to the shop.
Budget-friendly payments
Spread the cost over time.
Coverage that travels
Move or cross state lines, and your protection stays in place.
Used Car Protection Plan FAQs
Can I get a protection plan for a used car I already own?
Yes, if your vehicle is eligible. You don’t have to buy coverage when you buy the car. Eligibility depends on age, mileage, condition and vehicle type.
Does a used car’s factory warranty transfer to me?
Factory warranties usually stay with the vehicle until their time or mileage limits run out, but some manufacturers shorten certain coverage for later owners. Check the warranty booklet or ask a brand dealer.
Will a protection plan cover problems the car already had?
Plans generally don’t cover pre-existing problems. That’s why it helps to get coverage before something goes wrong.
I bought from a private seller. Can I still get coverage?
Yes. Where you bought the car doesn’t decide eligibility; the vehicle’s age, mileage and condition do.
Is there a waiting period?
Some plans do. For example, the Essential Plus sample contract has no coverage during a waiting period of 30 days and 1,000 miles, or 90 days and 250 miles, after the purchase date. Check the waiting period in your plan’s sample contract before you buy.
What happens if I sell the car?
Some plans can be transferred to the next owner, with conditions. In the Essential Plus sample contract, you request a transfer form within 15 days of the sale, send the required documents within 30 days and pay a $50 transfer fee. It can’t be transferred to or from a motor vehicle dealer. Check your plan’s sample contract for its terms.
More questions? See all FAQs
Related guides
Know Your Coverage Before You Buy
Is an Extended Warranty Worth It?
The pros, cons and real math, plus a 30-second self-check.
Read guide
What Does a Car Warranty Cover?
What factory warranties include, what they leave out and what happens when they end.
Read guide
Vehicle Service Contract Buying Checklist
What to review before you sign: coverage, exclusions, deductibles and claims.
Read guideProtect the Used Car You Already Own
See the plans your car qualifies for in about two minutes. No commitment, and you can read the sample contract before you buy.
Four coverage levels to choose from, for cars, trucks and SUVs24-hour roadside assistance on every planQualifying repair shops and dealerships nationwideRead the sample contract before you buy
Eligibility depends on vehicle age, mileage, condition and type.
Takes about 2 minutes · See plans for your vehicle
Deductibles and exclusions may apply. Some vehicles may not be eligible, and not every repair is covered under every plan. Review your contract for complete terms, limits and exclusions. Atlas Vehicle Protection sells vehicle service contracts, which are not manufacturer warranties or insurance.