Certain states (eg: Florida) are ineligible for the extended warranty due to Tesla being unwilling to comply with state law. Every other car company has no problem selling warranties that comply with state law here.
Whoa. Not quite correct. No automobile manufacturer, in fact, no manufacturer of a
nything, is allowed to
sell an extended warranty in Florida. Tesla Motors
is complying with state law, just as are all the traditional automobile manufacturers, by
not selling extended warranties direct to consumers in that state.
Other manufacturers use '
independent franchised dealerships' to sell their cars. Because they are separate entities from the manufacturer, they can also act as independent insurance agents. The insurance lobby in Florida made sure that state law considered an extended warranty as a form of insurance. Further, Tesla Motors isn't allowed to get a license to become an insurance carrier, also because they are a manufacturer. So only independent representatives of insurance carriers can offer warranties for purchase. This is another industry that protects itself from competition by limiting access and stacking the deck in its own favor.
Strangely, no one seems to feel it is a conflict of interest for an '
independent franchised dealership' to be a representative: 1) of the automobile manufacturer; 2) of the finance company; and 3) the insurance company. Not to mention also brokering the sale of your trade-in vehicle and handling taxes, fees, and documentation for the state.
Tesla Motors can offer an included warranty of any length, and with any terms they like... But they cannot sell an extended warranty of any sort where prohibited.
Curiouser and curiouser...
