General information only. This page summarizes the AMA contract we reviewed (form E7470E, September 2019) and iA's AMA brochure (June 2023) as we read them on September 28, 2026. It isn't a contract or an offer of coverage, and it isn't legal advice. Coverage and terms can vary by province and change between contract editions. Where this page and your contract differ, your contract governs. Auto Warranty Experts is not the warranty provider or administrator.
More about the company behind this plan: iA Dealer Services extended warranties.
Who provides it
iA Dealer Services is a division of iA Financial Group, a business name and trademark of Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. The contract we reviewed names SAL Marketing Inc. (SMI) as the obligor and administrator. SMI is described there as an affiliated company of Industrial Alliance Pacific General Insurance Corporation. Claims are handled by iA's claims administrator, reachable at 1-888-444-0301.
AMA at a glance
| Auto Mechanical Assistance | |
|---|---|
| Type of coverage | Exclusion-based: all parts except those the contract excludes |
| Vehicles | New and pre-owned |
| Options | 24/7 roadside assistance with rental; seals and gaskets; diagnostics; high-tech package (basic or deluxe; iA's brochure says availability may vary) |
| Claim limits | Per repair visit and in total, shown on your contract (see "Deductible, limits and term") |
| Deductible | Shown on your contract, per repair visit |
| Term | Shown on your quote and contract |
| Where it applies | Canada and the continental United States |
| Transfer | Once, in a private sale, for terms of 12 months or more |
If "exclusion-based" coverage is a new term, see exclusionary vs. named-component coverage.
What's covered
AMA covers the repair or replacement of any part that breaks down, except those the contract excludes. iA's brochure lists these groups as covered: engine, turbocharger/supercharger, transmission, transfer case, drive axle, steering, brakes, electrical, air conditioner, fuel system, front and rear suspension, cooling system and enhanced electrical.
What the base plan leaves out. Some parts people assume are covered are on the contract's exclusion list:
- Navigation systems and back-up cameras, entertainment systems (radio, DVD/CD) and speakers.
- Electronic transmitting and receiving systems, such as key fobs, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and tire pressure monitoring.
- Sensors and relays, except cam, crank and knock sensors, oxygen sensors, mass air flow and manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensors and temperature sensors.
- Shock absorbers, MacPherson struts, safety restraints including airbags, the throttle body, and exhaust and emission control systems.
- Seals and gaskets, and diagnostic costs, unless you add those options.
If you drive a hybrid. Hybrids are eligible for AMA. For hybrids and electric vehicles, iA automatically adds its Hybrid Electric Endorsement (form E7535E) to the contract. It extends coverage to the applicable hybrid and electric vehicle components. A residential charging station is covered if it's bought at the same time as the vehicle. Ask us for the endorsement wording with your quote.
Options
| Option | What the contract says |
|---|---|
| 24/7 roadside assistance and rental | Up to 5 roadside benefits per contract: mechanical first aid, changing a tire with your inflated spare, a battery boost, delivery of gas, oil or coolant (you pay for the fuel or fluid), towing up to 50 km to a destination of your choice, and a locksmith if your keys are locked inside. Available on a public roadway or maintained campground road. Rental is up to $50 a day to a maximum of $250 per repair visit, taxes included, with the number of days based on the repair cost (1 day up to $200, up to 5 days over $1,000). No deductible applies |
| Seals and gaskets | All seals and gaskets, except parts the contract excludes. Seepage isn't covered |
| Diagnostics | Justified diagnostic costs for an eligible breakdown, per the national labour time guide, up to $100 per claim including taxes |
| High-tech (basic or deluxe) | Listed in iA's brochure as an option. The brochure says availability may vary. Check that it's shown on your contract |
Deductible, limits and term
- Deductible: the amount on your contract, paid per repair visit, plus any taxes. If a breakdown takes more than one visit, you pay it once. For a claim in the United States, you pay it in US dollars.
- Per repair visit: the lesser of the amount on your contract or your vehicle's Canadian Black Book wholesale value at the time of the repair.
- In total: the lesser of the amount on your contract or the retail price you paid for the vehicle (not including tax, title and licence fees). This doesn't change if the contract is transferred.
- When coverage starts and ends. On a new vehicle, coverage begins when the manufacturer's original warranty expires (by date or kilometres) and ends on your contract expiry date. If your new vehicle reaches the factory warranty's kilometre limit before its end date, the contract says you can contact the claims administrator to adjust the AMA start date so your coverage continues. On a pre-owned vehicle, coverage begins on the contract purchase date.
- Term and kilometres: shown on your quote and contract.
Things to know before you buy
- Call first. Authorization from the claims administrator is required before any repair, teardown or rental. Repairs without prior authorization aren't covered, and the contract has no emergency-repair exception.
- Approved repair facilities. The contract defines a repair facility as the selling dealership you bought the vehicle from, or a fully licensed and approved repair facility. It excludes repairs done by private parties (including you), by facilities the claims administrator hasn't authorized, or by unlicensed facilities.
- Report on time. A breakdown must be reported within 15 days of when it happens, and before your contract expires.
- Maintenance. Have the vehicle maintained by a licensed repair facility on the manufacturer's schedule. The contract highly recommends the severe-driving schedule in Canada's climate. Keep every invoice or work order showing the date, odometer reading, VIN, your signature and the services performed. Do-it-yourself maintenance and repairs aren't permitted. Keep the manufacturer's warranty in force for its full term.
- Not covered: maintenance items, batteries and cables, belts and hoses, brake linings, rotors and drums, clutch parts, glass, lights, tires and wheels, body and trim, filters and fluids (unless needed for an eligible repair), and aftermarket accessories.
- Damage and wear. Collision, fire, theft, weather, rust and corrosion, contaminated fluids, road hazards and physical damage aren't covered. Neither are misuse, missed maintenance, sludge, failure to protect the vehicle after a warning light, or repairs meant to improve compression or reduce oil use.
- Modifications. Lift kits, oversized or undersized tires, frame or suspension changes, trailer hitches, and engine, exhaust or emission modifications aren't covered. Unlike some iA plans, AMA has no surcharge route for lift kits or oversized tires.
- Other coverage first. Repairs another warranty, service contract or insurance policy covers, and conditions the manufacturer has taken responsibility for through recalls or bulletins, aren't covered. Pre-existing conditions aren't covered either.
- Registration and residence. The vehicle must be insured and registered in Canada. You must be a Canadian resident, and the vehicle can't be used outside Canada more than 180 days a year.
- Parts and labour. Replacement parts may be new, remanufactured or of like kind and quality. Labour is paid up to an approved labour guide.
- Acceptance. The contract is effective unless the administrator notifies you otherwise within 90 days of purchase.
Eligibility
- New vehicle: at least 1 month and 1,000 km left on the manufacturer's original full warranty.
- Pre-owned vehicle: the make, model, age and kilometres must meet the administrator's eligibility rules. The vehicle must also pass an inspection. iA accepts a certified inspection by a Red Seal mechanic. Your quote confirms whether your vehicle qualifies.
- Bought after the vehicle ("aftersale"): allowed when the Aftersale box is checked on your contract and the vehicle passes that inspection. No claims are accepted in the first 30 days after you buy the contract.
- Not eligible: alternative fuel models (the contract carves out gasoline and hybrid, which are eligible); vehicles over 6,125 kg GVW; vehicles used for racing; vehicles ever declared a total loss, write-off or salvage, or not built for Canada or the US; and vehicles whose manufacturer's warranty has been voided, except US imports with the applicable charge.
- Business use: a single driver's light commercial use is allowed with a surcharge. Uses such as daily rental, courier or delivery, taxi and ride-share, snow plowing, towing (other than as the manufacturer recommends), police, tow trucks and construction aren't eligible.
How a claim works
- Prevent further damage. Pull off the road safely and shut off the engine when a warning light or gauge shows a problem, or you notice unusual noises or performance.
- Call the claims administrator at 1-888-444-0301 to be directed to an approved licensed repair facility near you.
- Take the vehicle to the repair facility and give them your contract or contract number.
- The shop gets an authorization number from the claims administrator before any disassembly or repair. The authorized amount is the most that will be paid. Anything more needs approval first. A previously reported but unconfirmed failure must be resubmitted within 30 days.
- Approve any teardown. If the shop needs to inspect or take apart the failed parts, you authorize it and pay for it if the failure isn't covered. iA may require an inspection first.
- Review what's covered with the service department.
- Pay your deductible. iA pays the shop the authorized cost, less your deductible plus any taxes. Repair orders and paperwork must reach the claims administrator within 60 days.
Transfer and cancellation
- Transfer: if your term is 12 months or more, you can transfer the contract once when you sell the vehicle privately. It can't be transferred if the vehicle is sold or traded to a dealership, leasing company or other vehicle business. Within 30 days of the sale, send the administrator the transfer form and the $100 fee plus tax. Any remaining factory warranty and your maintenance records go to the new owner. Transfers are only allowed for vehicles registered in Canada.
- Cancellation: under the contract we reviewed, you can cancel only within the first 30 days, through the selling dealership or the administrator. You get a full refund if no claim has been authorized. If one has, the refund is less a $100 fee plus tax and any claims paid. After 30 days, only a lienholder (if the contract was financed) can cancel, for non-payment, total loss or repossession. The refund is pro-rated on the lesser of the remaining days or kilometres, less claims paid and a $100 fee plus tax, and it's paid to the lienholder. If your province's law requires different terms, the contract says iA will comply by endorsement.
- Disputes: the contract refers disputes to arbitration under your province's Arbitration Act. iA's complaint process is at www.iasal.ca/complaints.
Common questions about Auto Mechanical Assistance
What does iA Auto Mechanical Assistance cover?
It covers the repair or replacement of any part that breaks down, except the parts and situations the contract excludes. iA's brochure lists the engine, turbocharger or supercharger, transmission, transfer case, drive axle, steering, brakes, electrical, air conditioner, fuel system, suspension, cooling and enhanced electrical as covered. The base plan excludes items such as navigation and back-up cameras, entertainment systems, key fobs, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, most sensors, and seals and gaskets unless you add that option.
How long does AMA last, and how much will it pay?
Your term, kilometres, claim limits and deductible are shown on your quote and contract. Each repair visit is capped at the lesser of the per-visit amount on your contract or your vehicle's Canadian Black Book wholesale value at the time of the repair. All claims together are capped at the lesser of the total amount on your contract or the retail price you paid for the vehicle.
When does AMA coverage start?
On a pre-owned vehicle, coverage begins on the day you buy the contract. On a new vehicle, it begins when the manufacturer's original warranty expires, by date or kilometres, and ends on your contract expiry date. If you buy the contract after you bought the vehicle, no claims are accepted in the first 30 days.
Can I use my own mechanic with AMA?
Only if the shop is licensed and approved. The contract defines a repair facility as the selling dealership you bought the vehicle from or a fully licensed and approved repair facility, and it excludes repairs by facilities the claims administrator hasn't authorized. Call the claims administrator at 1-888-444-0301 first to be directed to an approved licensed repair facility, and make sure the shop gets an authorization number before any teardown or repair.
Does AMA cover hybrid vehicles?
Yes. Hybrids are eligible for AMA. For hybrids and electric vehicles, iA automatically adds its Hybrid Electric Endorsement (form E7535E) to the contract. It extends coverage to the applicable hybrid and electric vehicle components. A residential charging station is covered if it's bought at the same time as the vehicle. Ask us for the endorsement wording with your quote.
What isn't covered by AMA?
Maintenance and wear items, batteries, belts, hoses, brake linings, rotors and drums, clutch parts, tires and wheels, glass, body and trim, and the electronics and sensors the contract lists as excluded. It also excludes pre-existing conditions, damage from collisions, weather or rust, misuse or missed maintenance, modifications including lift kits and oversized tires, repairs done without prior authorization, and breakdowns not reported within 15 days.
Can I cancel or transfer AMA?
You can cancel within the first 30 days for a full refund if no claim has been authorized. If one has, you get a refund less a $100 fee plus tax and any claims paid. After 30 days, the contract only allows a lienholder to cancel. If your term is 12 months or more, you can transfer the contract once in a private sale, within 30 days, for $100 plus tax.
Questions about your quote?
If you're looking at Auto Mechanical Assistance because it came up in a quote from us, reply to the email from your Auto Warranty Experts contact. We can confirm the term, limits and deductible on your quote and what your contract would cover. Every price we quote is in writing, shown plus tax and held for seven days. It's free and there's no obligation.
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Related: Exclusionary vs. named-component coverage · Warranties for used and high-km cars
Auto Warranty Experts is operated by Sault Nissan, an Ontario motor vehicle dealer registered with OMVIC. We are not the warranty provider. iA and related names are trademarks of Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc.
Published September 30, 2026 · Last reviewed September 30, 2026. General information from the provider's published documents, not legal advice and not a substitute for your contract, which governs. Program names are trademarks of their owners.