AUL Warranty and GWC Warranty: What to Know Before You Buy or Cancel

AUL and GWC are dealer-sold extended warranty administrators. Both offer real coverage, but dealer distribution adds 30-60% to the price. Here is what you need to know about both products.

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What is AUL Warranty?

AUL (American Lending Center) is a vehicle service contract administrator based in Rancho Cordova, California, that has been in the extended warranty business since 1990. AUL sells exclusively through car dealerships - new car dealers, used car dealers, and independent dealers.

If you encountered AUL, it was because a dealership's finance and insurance (F&I) manager presented it as an extended warranty option during the car-buying process. AUL's coverage tiers include powertrain-only and more comprehensive exclusionary plans, similar to the industry standard.

The key issue with dealer-sold warranties

AUL does not set the retail price you pay - the dealer does. A standard mid-tier VSC with a wholesale administrator cost of $800-$1,200 might be sold to you at $2,500-$3,500 through the dealer's F&I process. The dealer markup is profit, not coverage.

What is GWC Warranty?

GWC Warranty was founded in 1995 and became well known for offering extended warranty coverage on used vehicles that other administrators would not touch - older model years, higher mileage, and cars sold through independent used car dealers (BHPH lots, independent dealers, online auctions).

GWC was acquired and its business is now transitioning under Protective Asset Protection, a subsidiary of Protective Life Corporation. The GWC brand still appears on some contracts and dealer materials.

GWC's willingness to cover higher-risk vehicles is genuine, but it comes with trade-offs: higher claim dispute rates, more restrictive pre-existing condition language, and more scrutiny of maintenance records than tier-1 direct providers apply to comparable vehicles.

AUL / GWC vs. Direct Provider Comparison

Factor	AUL (dealer)	GWC / Protective (dealer)	Direct Provider
Distribution channel	Dealer F&I only	Dealer / Independent dealer	Direct to consumer
Price vs market	30-60% above direct	20-50% above direct	Baseline / best value
Customer service	Via dealer	Via dealer / Protective	Direct support lines
Online quote / purchase	Not available	Not available	Available 24/7
Claims dispute rate	Above average (BBB data)	Above average (BBB data)	Lower (varies by provider)
Coverage range	Standard VSC tiers	Higher mileage / older vehicles	All vehicle ages and mileage
Free-look cancellation	30 days (most contracts)	30 days	30 days

Red Flags When Evaluating Any Dealer Warranty

Price significantly above $2,500 for a standard 3-year/36,000-mile plan on a mid-size sedan

Deductible higher than $200 per repair visit

Plan requires all repairs at a specific single-location shop

Long waiting period before coverage begins (more than 30 days / 1,000 miles)

No prorated refund option after the free-look period

Verbal coverage promises that differ from the written contract

High-pressure close at the dealership with limited time to review the contract

Already Have an AUL or GWC Warranty? What to Do

Keep your current plan if:

✓ You bought it recently (under 6 months) and the prorated refund is small
✓ The coverage terms and price are actually competitive (verify against direct quotes)
✓ You have already made a successful claim
✓ The vehicle is difficult to cover elsewhere due to mileage or age

Consider cancelling if:

✗ You overpaid significantly vs. direct market rates
✗ You are in the first 30 days (get a full refund, buy direct)
✗ The refund amount is still substantial and a better plan exists
✗ Your claims experience has been difficult

Refund calculation reminder:

Refund = (Price Paid x Remaining Term / Total Term) - Cancellation Fee (~$75)

Compare Direct Providers

Provider	Coverage	Repair Network	Max Mileage	Cost/Mo	Rating	Quote
Chaiz	Powertrain/Major/Comprehensive	Any licensed shop	200K	$75-$180	★★★★★	Get Quote
Endurance	6 tiers	ASE-certified	200K	$90-$200	★★★★☆	Get Quote
CarShield	7 plans	20,000 shops	300K	$99-$150	★★★★☆	Get Quote
CARCHEX	5 plans	30,000 shops	250K	$100-$220	★★★☆☆	Get Quote
autopom!	19 plans	2,600 shops	No limit	$80-$190	★★★★☆	Get Quote

See How Much Less Direct Coverage Costs

Equivalent coverage from a direct provider typically costs 30-50% less than dealer-sold plans like AUL and GWC. Get a comparison quote in minutes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is AUL warranty?▼

AUL (American Lending Center / Automobile Owner's League) is a vehicle service contract administrator based in Rancho Cordova, California. AUL is one of the longer-running VSC administrators in the industry, primarily distributing extended warranties through car dealerships and independent dealers. AUL plans are not sold directly to consumers - they are sold through dealership finance offices (F&I). If a dealer quoted you an AUL warranty, you were buying through the dealer's F&I process, not directly from AUL.

What is GWC Warranty?▼

GWC Warranty (now operating under Protective Asset Protection after Protective Insurance acquired GWC's parent company) is a vehicle service contract administrator that historically focused on used car dealership distribution, particularly for older and higher-mileage vehicles. GWC became well known for offering coverage on vehicles that other administrators would not cover - higher mileage cars, older model years, and vehicles bought from independent used car dealers. The GWC branding has been transitioning to Protective Asset Protection.

Is AUL warranty worth it?▼

AUL warranty plans can provide legitimate coverage, but the value depends heavily on the specific plan you were sold and the price. Because AUL distributes exclusively through dealerships, there is typically a significant dealer markup (30-60%) built into the price compared to buying the same coverage directly from a third-party administrator. If you were quoted an AUL plan, compare the coverage and price against direct-to-consumer providers before accepting.

How do I cancel an AUL warranty?▼

To cancel an AUL warranty, contact the dealer where you purchased it first - they are the point of sale and hold the cancellation paperwork. You can also contact AUL directly in writing at their Rancho Cordova, CA address with your name, contract number, and VIN. Under most VSC contracts and state law, you are entitled to a prorated refund minus a cancellation fee (typically $50-$75) if you cancel after the free-look period (first 30 days). If the car was financed, the refund typically goes toward your loan balance.

Is GWC Warranty (Protective) a reliable provider?▼

GWC / Protective Asset Protection has a mixed reputation. GWC built its business serving higher-risk vehicles - older, higher-mileage cars from independent dealers. This market segment tends to generate more claims disputes because vehicles have more pre-existing conditions and deferred maintenance. The claims process has historically drawn more complaints than tier-1 direct-to-consumer providers. Coverage itself is legitimate when claims are approved, but claim approval rates and customer satisfaction scores are lower than providers like Endurance or CARCHEX.

How does AUL compare to Endurance or CARCHEX?▼

AUL and GWC/Protective are dealer-distribution administrators - they sell through dealership F&I. Endurance, CARCHEX, and providers available through Chaiz sell direct to consumers. The key differences: direct providers typically cost 30-50% less for equivalent coverage (no dealer markup), have stronger customer service ratings, and offer online quote and purchase. Coverage quality between reputable providers is similar - the main differentiators are price, claims process experience, and customer support.

What should I do if I already have an AUL or GWC warranty?▼

If you already have an AUL or GWC/Protective warranty, keep documentation of all maintenance to avoid claim denials for maintenance-related failures. File claims promptly when a covered component fails. If the price you paid was substantially higher than market rates, evaluate whether cancelling and purchasing from a direct provider makes financial sense based on the prorated refund you would receive. Use the refund calculation (remaining term / total term x price paid minus cancellation fee) to determine your refund amount.

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