(a) This section applies to all motor vehicle service agreement companies soliciting business in this State, but it does not apply to performance guarantees, warranties, or motor vehicle service agreements made by
(1) A manufacturer,
(2) A distributor, or
(3) A subsidiary or affiliate of a manufacturer or a distributor, where fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the subsidiary or affiliate is owned directly or indirectly by
a. The manufacturer,
b. The distributor, or
c. The common owner of fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the manufacturer or distributor
in connection with the sale of motor vehicles. This section does not apply to any motor vehicle dealer licensed to do business in this State (i) whose primary business is the retail sale and service of motor vehicles; (ii) who makes and administers its own service agreements with or without association with a third-party administrator or who makes its own service agreements in association with a manufacturer, distributor, or their subsidiaries or affiliates; and (iii) whose service agreements cover only vehicles sold by the dealer to its retail customer; provided that the dealer complies with G.S. 66-372 and G.S. 66-373. A motor vehicle dealer who sells a motor vehicle service agreement to a consumer, as defined in 15 U.S.C. 2301(3), is not deemed to have made a written warranty to the consumer with respect to the motor vehicle sold or to have entered into a service contract with the consumer that applies to the motor vehicle, as provided in 15 U.S.C. 2308(a), if: (i) the motor vehicle dealer acts as a mere agent of a third party in selling the motor vehicle service agreement; and (ii) the motor vehicle dealer would, after the sale of the motor vehicle service agreement, have no further obligation under the motor vehicle service agreement to the consumer to service or repair the vehicle sold to the consumer at or within 90 days before the dealer sold the motor vehicle service agreement to the consumer.
(b) The following definitions apply in this section and in G.S. 66-371, 66-372, and 66-373:
(1) Authorized insurer. - An insurance company authorized to write liability insurance under Articles 7, 16, 21, or 22 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes.
(2) Distributor. - Defined in G.S. 20-286(3).
(3) Licensed insurer. - An insurance company licensed to write liability insurance under Article 7 or 16 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes.
(4) Motor vehicle. - Defined in G.S. 20-4.01(23), but also including mopeds as defined in G.S. 20-4.01(27)d1.
(5) Motor vehicle service agreement. - Any contract or agreement indemnifying the motor vehicle service agreement holder against loss caused by failure, arising out of the ownership, operation, or use of a motor vehicle, of a mechanical or other component part of the motor vehicle that is listed in the agreement. The term does not mean a contract or agreement guaranteeing the performance of parts or lubricants manufactured by the guarantor and sold for use in connection with a motor vehicle where no additional consideration is paid or given to the guarantor for the contract or agreement beyond the price of the parts or lubricants.
(6) Motor vehicle service agreement company. - Any person that issues motor vehicle service agreements and that is not a licensed insurer.
(c) through (g) Repealed by Session Laws 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 730, s. 3. (1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1014, s. 1; 1993, c. 504, ss. 47, 48, 52; c. 539, s. 442; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 730, ss. 3, 4; 1995, c. 193, s. 3; 2007-95, ss. 2, 9.)
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Last modified: March 23, 2014