Premier Complete Auto Care is a maintenance plan, not insurance
Premier Complete Auto Care is a service contract offered by some dealerships and independent shops that covers routine maintenance tasks on your vehicle for a set period or mileage limit. You pay upfront or in installments, and the shop performs covered work at no additional charge when you bring your car in. It is not insurance — it does not cover accidents, breakdowns, or repairs caused by wear and tear beyond normal maintenance.
The plan works best if you know you will return to the same shop for regular service and want to lock in labor costs before they rise. If you plan to change shops, move, or sell the vehicle before the contract ends, you may not recoup what you paid.
Key Takeaways
- Premier Complete Auto Care typically covers oil changes, filter replacements, fluid top-ups, and inspections — the tasks listed in your vehicle's maintenance schedule.
- You pay a flat fee upfront or monthly, then pay nothing when you bring the car in for covered services, though parts may still cost extra depending on the plan.
- The contract is tied to the shop or dealership that sold it, so you must return there for service or lose coverage.
- Plans have mileage or time limits — coverage ends when you hit the stated miles or the contract expires, whichever comes first.
- Read the fine print to confirm what counts as "routine" and whether wear items like brake pads, wiper blades, and batteries are included or cost extra.
What is typically covered under a Premier plan
Most Premier Complete Auto Care plans cover the maintenance tasks that appear in your vehicle's owner manual maintenance schedule. This usually includes oil and filter changes, tire rotations, fluid level checks and top-ups (coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer), air filter inspections, and multi-point inspections. Some plans also cover cabin air filter replacements and battery testing.
What is not covered varies by plan. Wear items — brake pads, wiper blades, spark plugs, transmission fluid flushes — are often excluded or charged separately. Repairs caused by accident, neglect, or parts failure are never covered. If your transmission fails or your engine overheats because you did not maintain it, the plan does not pay for the repair. Read your contract's coverage list before signing, because "routine maintenance" means different things to different shops.
How much you pay and what happens at service time
Premier plans typically cost between $500 and $2,000 upfront, depending on the vehicle, the length of the contract, and what is included. Some shops offer monthly payment options instead. Once you own the plan, you bring your car in for scheduled maintenance and present your contract. The shop performs the covered work and charges you nothing for labor; you may still pay for parts if they are not included in your plan.
The shop schedules you like any other customer, so you cannot skip appointments and come back later — if you miss a service interval, you may void the plan. Keep all service records and your contract paperwork in case there is a dispute about what was covered.
Mileage and time limits that end your coverage
Every Premier Complete Auto Care contract has an expiration date. Coverage ends when you reach the stated mileage limit (commonly 36,000 to 100,000 miles) or when the time period expires (usually 3 to 5 years), whichever comes first. Once the contract ends, you pay full price for all maintenance at that shop, or you can take your car elsewhere.
If you drive very little, a time-based limit may expire before you use all the covered miles. If you drive heavily, you may hit the mileage cap before the time runs out. Check which limit applies to your plan and estimate your annual mileage to see whether you will actually use the coverage.
When a Premier plan makes financial sense
A Premier plan saves money if the total cost of covered maintenance over the contract period exceeds what you paid upfront. For example, if you paid $1,200 for a plan and the shop would normally charge $1,800 for oil changes, tire rotations, and inspections over three years, you break even and save money on anything beyond that. Use your vehicle's maintenance schedule and call the shop for labor rates to do this math before you buy.
A plan also makes sense if you value predictability — you know exactly what you will pay for maintenance each month or year, with no surprise bills. It is less useful if you plan to sell the car before the contract ends, because most plans do not transfer to a new owner and you cannot get a refund for unused coverage.
Transferability and what happens if you sell the car
Most Premier Complete Auto Care contracts are non-transferable, meaning they end if you sell the vehicle. Some shops offer limited transfer options to a family member, but this is rare and usually requires the new owner to meet certain conditions. Check your contract to see whether transfer is possible.
If you sell the car before the contract expires, you lose the remaining coverage and cannot get a refund. This is one reason to calculate the break-even point before buying — if you plan to keep the car for only two years but the plan runs for five, you may not recover your investment.
How Premier plans differ from dealer maintenance packages and extended warranties
A Premier Complete Auto Care plan covers only routine maintenance listed in your owner manual — oil changes, filters, inspections, and fluid checks. It does not cover repairs or parts that fail. An extended warranty, by contrast, covers unexpected repairs and part failures after the manufacturer's warranty expires, but it does not include routine maintenance.
Some dealerships bundle maintenance and warranty coverage into a single package. Read the contract carefully to see what each part covers. A maintenance plan and a warranty serve different purposes: maintenance keeps your car running on schedule, and a warranty protects you if something breaks unexpectedly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Premier plan at a different shop if I move?
No. Premier Complete Auto Care contracts are tied to the specific shop or dealership that sold them. If you move or change shops, you cannot transfer the plan. You will need to pay out of pocket for maintenance elsewhere, or you can try to sell the unused portion of the contract back to the original shop, though most do not offer refunds.
What happens if I do not follow the maintenance schedule?
Skipping scheduled maintenance may void your plan. Shops use the maintenance schedule to track what you owe, and if you miss an appointment, they may refuse to honor the contract. Keep all service records and stick to the recommended intervals to stay covered.
Are brake pads and wiper blades covered?
It depends on the plan. Some Premier contracts include wear items like brake pads, wiper blades, and spark plugs; others charge extra or exclude them entirely. Ask the shop for a complete coverage list before you buy, and confirm whether wear items are included at no charge.
Can I get my money back if I do not use all the coverage?
Most Premier Complete Auto Care plans do not offer refunds for unused coverage. Once the contract expires or you sell the car, any remaining value is forfeited. This is why it is important to estimate your mileage and driving habits before purchasing.
What if the shop closes or goes out of business?
If the shop that sold you the plan closes, your coverage typically ends and you have no recourse. Some plans may be honored at a sister location or partner shop, but this is not may provide. Ask the shop about their policy on closures before you sign.