Tennessee woman says her $1,633 car warranty offered just $347 toward a $955 repair

A Tennessee woman who bought an extended car warranty to protect her investment said she was left borrowing money for repairs — and waiting more than a year for a refund.

Tina Kirk paid $1,633 for the coverage, but when her car needed a $955 repair, the company offered just $347.05 toward the bill.

Here's what to know

The warranty plan Kirk bought had no deductible and a term of five years or 100,000 miles, according to NewsChannel 5 Nashville. Kirk, who lives in Decherd, purchased it shortly after paying cash for a 2012 Chevy Equinox.

Kirk said she was promised 24-hour roadside assistance along with full payment for repairs.

"He was just a really good salesman ... and said, 'Buy it today, you can get it for $1,600,'" she recalled.

Kirk said the warranty company would not pay the full bill for a fuel-pump repair despite a second estimate that put the cost at a similar amount. The pump failed a month after she bought the warranty.

More background

Kirk told NewsChannel 5 that she had waited more than a year for a refund after canceling the warranty. She had to borrow money to pay for the repair.

In 2025, the Tennessee Attorney General's office received 617 complaints about vehicle warranties and repairs. That total exceeded the complaint counts for landlord-tenant disputes, health services, and used car sales.

Kirk also said she had trouble reaching someone who could resolve the problem.

"I don't know that they're even legitimate. You call, they answer, but then they want to put you through to this department or that department and nobody answers," she told NewsChannel 5.

What's being done?

The state could have reason to investigate if other consumers report similar experiences. NewsChannel 5 said it helped Kirk file a complaint with the Tennessee Attorney General's office.

The warranty company said it would provide a prorated refund after receiving missing documents.

"I need my money. They didn't provide the service they were supposed to, so they should reimburse my money," Kirk said. "That's a lot of money to me. A lot of money to me."

Where can I learn more?

Kirk isn't alone in facing repair bills she expected her warranty to cover. These stories describe car owners and homeowners dealing with denied coverage, disputed warranty terms, and costly repair quotes for vehicles and air-conditioning systems.

• A BMW X5 owner bought extra engine coverage but faced repairs exceeding its value.

• A Honda Accord owner says years of denied claims preceded a $5,000 head-gasket quote.

• A Canadian Toyota owner says a $13,000 transmission repair went uncovered over 370 miles.

• A homeowner with a 10-year AC warranty was told coverage expired.

• In Texas, a homeowner expecting warranty coverage received a $5,600 repair quote.

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