Smart AutoCare
Smart AutoCare is a Fortegra subsidiary that administers vehicle service contracts and ancillary automotive protection products for automotive dealers and F&I agents nationwide, backed by proprietary claims, eContracting, and mobile technology.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersRichardson, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Smart AutoCare does
Smart AutoCare is a privately held administrator of vehicle service contracts (VSCs) and ancillary automotive protection products, headquartered in Richardson, Texas and operating as a subsidiary of Fortegra, a diversified financial services and insurance group. The company offers coverage spanning basic Powertrain through Total Exclusionary tiers (Premier, 5 Star, Advantage Care, Care Free Elite) along with GAP and SmartGap protection, lease-end coverage, tire and wheel, windshield, key replacement, paint and interior, anti-theft, and emerging EV/autonomous-focused products under the SmartCare brand. It extends beyond passenger autos into powersports (SmartSports) and recreational vehicles (SmartSports RV), and bundles such as TotalCare, SelectCare, and PrimeCare combine multiple ancillaries into single packages. All contracts are backed by an A-rated insurance carrier's contractual liability policy.
The operating technology stack is built around a proprietary claims adjudication system that processes over 7,000 claims and roughly $5.5 million in claims payouts monthly, supported by a Mobile Claims App for repair facilities, a Profit Track eRating and eContracting platform for dealer self-service, and a custom WEX API integration that automates virtual-card claim payments at a rate of approximately 8,000 claims and $10.4 million per month. Claims are typically paid within two hours by credit card, and roadside assistance is offered 24/7/365.
Smart AutoCare's business model derives revenue from the spread on VSC premiums retained after claims and reinsurance, transaction economics on virtual-card claim payments routed through WEX, reinsurance participation fees, and one-time fees on ancillary coverage attachments. Distribution is two-tier B2B, targeting franchised and independent automotive dealers and independent F&I agents (including those affiliated with menu companies and consolidators) through dedicated account managers, eContracting coordinators, and a self-service portal. End-consumer reach is nationwide through acceptance at any ASE certified repair shop, and the company is a BBB Accredited Business.
Smart AutoCare firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Smart AutoCare
- Legal name
- Smart AutoCare
- Website
- https://smartautocare.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Smart AutoCare is a Fortegra subsidiary that administers vehicle service contracts and ancillary automotive protection products for automotive dealers and F&I agents nationwide, backed by proprietary claims, eContracting, and mobile technology.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Smart AutoCare industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vehicle Service Contracts and Automotive F&I Protection
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dealer-Sold & F&I Administered Service Contracts (Dealer Obligors) (FSAJALAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- GAP & Vehicle Protection Products (GAP Waiver/Insurance, Lease/Loan Protection) (FSAJALAC), Auto Ancillary Warranties (Tire & Wheel, Paintless Dent, Key/Remote, Windshield) (FSAJALAB)
Keywords
Where Smart AutoCare is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Richardson
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Smart AutoCare business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Vehicle Service Contract Administration: Smart AutoCare generates revenue through administering vehicle service contracts (VSCs) for dealers and agents. The company collects premiums from contract holders and pays out claims while retaining the spread. Coverage terms range from 12 to 84 months with options up to 10 years or 125,000 miles.
- Virtual Card Payment Processing: Through WEX partnership, Smart AutoCare processes over 8,000 claims monthly and approximately $10.4 million in payments via virtual card, generating rebate revenue from virtual card spend.
- Reinsurance Program: Smart AutoCare offers reinsurable products allowing agents and dealers to participate in the underwriting risk through a competitive reinsurance program, creating additional revenue opportunities for partners.
- Ancillary Coverage Products: Revenue generated from supplementary coverage products including GAP, tire & wheel protection, windshield protection, key replacement, paint protection, and other ancillary F&I products with terms ranging from 12-84 months.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Vehicle Service Contract tiers: Powertrain, Powertrain+, Comprehensive, Total Exclusionary |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Care Free Elite - Total exclusionary with maintenance and key replacement |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | GAP and SmartGAP protection |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Ancillary coverage products |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Battery 4Life |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Smart AutoCare product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Smart AutoCare administers Vehicle Service Contracts (VSCs) and ancillary automotive protection products for franchised and independent automotive dealers and F&I agents, covering powertrain through total exclusionary mechanical breakdowns, GAP, tire and wheel, key replacement, lease-end, paint and interior, and other F&I protections. The company runs an in-house proprietary claims adjudication system that pays claims (typically within 2 hours by credit card), supported by ASE Certified Claims Adjusters, a mobile claims app, and an eRating/eContracting platform. Contracts are backed by an A-rated carrier's contractual liability insurance policy and are accepted nationwide at any ASE certified repair shop.
Product overview
Smart AutoCare provides consumer protection products within the automotive industry, offering Vehicle Service Contracts (VSC) ranging from basic Powertrain to Total Exclusionary coverage (Premier, 5 Star, Advantage Care), Asset Protection (Gap, SmartGap), and Ancillary Coverage (Lease-End Protection, Paint & Interior, Paintless Dent Repair, Key Replacement, Anti-Theft, Road Hazard, Tire & Rim, Windshield, Battery). Bundled packages (TOTALCARE, SELECTCARE, PRIME CARE) combine multiple coverages, while customer loyalty tools (Total Loss Protection, Prepaid Maintenance, Engine 4Life) support dealer retention. SmartSports and SmartSports RV extend offerings into powersports and RV segments. All contracts are backed by an A-rated carrier insurance policy and supported by in-house claims processing with same-day payment capability.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SmartSports: Powersports vehicle protection products covering motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, personal watercraft, and jet boats
- SmartSports RV
- Premier
- 5 Star
- Advantage Care
- Care Free Elite
- Lifetime Powertrain Limited Warranty
- Smart Tech Plus
- Total Truck Care
- SmartCare
- SmartWrap
- SmartCare 2.0
- SmartCare High Mileage
- SmartGap
- Lease-End Protection
- Paint & Interior
- Paintless Dent Repair
- Key Replacement
- Anti-Theft Protection
- Catalytic Converter Limited Warranty
- Road Hazard
- Tire & Rim
- Windshield Appearance Protection
- SmartProtect
- Worry Free
- Battery 4Life
- TotalCare
- SelectCare
- PrimeCare
- Total Loss Protection
- Limited Warranty
- Prepaid Maintenance
- Engine 4Life
Products and services
- Premier Vehicle Service Contract Powertrain and Powertrain Plus vehicle service contract that protects the engine, transmission, and related moving parts, sold through automotive dealers and F&I agents.
- 5 Star Stated Component Coverage Stated component vehicle service contract covering major vehicle parts and components with listed inclusions and additional benefits for vehicle owners.
- Advantage Care Vehicle Service Contract Multi-tier VSC with coverage levels ranging from basic Powertrain to comprehensive Total Exclusionary, designed to provide flexible protection across diverse customer and inventory needs.
- SmartSports Powersports Protection Powersports vehicle protection product line covering motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, scooters, personal watercraft, and jet boats with VSC, road hazard, anti-theft, GAP, key replacement, and appearance options.
- SmartSports RV Protection Recreational vehicle protection product for motorhomes and towables covering Motorized VSC, Towable VSC, Powertrain, Road Hazard, Tire Protection, and Windshield options.
- SmartGAP Coverage GAP protection product paying the actual difference between loan balance and insurance settlement with no LTV limits and no maximum claim amount, sold through dealers and agents.
- Lease-End Protection Excess wear and tear protection for leased vehicles providing coverage up to $5,000 for items such as SmartProtect lease-end charges.
- Battery 4Life Lifetime battery replacement coverage with $25 deductible and jump-start roadside assistance for automotive dealers and consumers.
- TotalCare Coverage Bundle Bundled ancillary product combining paintless dent repair, windshield, key, tire and wheel, and paint and interior protection coverages for vehicle owners.
- Profit Track eContracting Platform Internet-based eContracting and eRating platform that allows automotive dealers to write, rate, and cancel Smart AutoCare contracts online, with coordinator support for setup and training.
Quantifiable outcome
- 8,000+ claims processed monthly
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Smart AutoCare
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Smart AutoCare technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Smart AutoCare partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- WEXcoreWEX partnered with Smart AutoCare to implement a custom API integration that automates payment workflows, enabling Smart AutoCare to process over 8,000 claims monthly and approximately $10.4 million in payments while generating rebate revenue from virtual card spend. This partnership modernizes accounts payable operations and replaces paper checks with virtual cards.
- Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC)minorSmart AutoCare is a proud member of the Motorcycle Industry Council, a not-for-profit national trade association created to promote and preserve motorcycling and the U.S. motorcycle industry. Membership supports the SmartSports powersports product line.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Smart AutoCare competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CarShield: Direct-to-consumer vehicle service contract marketer with strong national brand recognition and digital acquisition; represents the DTC alternative to Smart AutoCare's dealer/agent distribution and is redefining consumer expectations for VSC purchasing.
- Endurance Warranty: Direct-to-consumer and dealer-distributed vehicle service contract provider with comparable VSC and ancillary offerings; competes on consumer brand and digital purchase funnels, contrasting Smart AutoCare's dealer-led model.
- American Auto Shield: Third-party vehicle service contract administrator offering VSC, GAP, and ancillary products through dealers and agents with similar technology-driven rating/contracting capabilities — directly comparable to Smart AutoCare's dealer/agent value proposition.
- CNA National Warranty: Specialty warranty administrator offering dealer-sold VSCs, GAP, and ancillary products with a comparable two-tier distribution model — closely aligned to Smart AutoCare in product mix, channel, and target dealer base.
- EasyCare (APCO Holdings): Direct competitor offering vehicle service contracts, GAP, and ancillary F&I products distributed through automotive dealers and agents nationwide — virtually the same product portfolio, distribution model, and target customer as Smart AutoCare.
- JM&A Group: Major F&I product provider affiliated with JM Family Enterprises, offering dealer-sold service contracts, GAP, and ancillary products through a nationwide dealer network — a head-to-head competitor in the same dealer/agent channel.
Broad incumbents
- Allstate Dealer Services: Division of Allstate offering vehicle service contracts and GAP products through dealers; a broader incumbent with insurance carrier scale competing in the same dealer-distributed F&I space.
- Assurant: Large P&C insurer and warranty administrator operating Assurant Dealer Services and Extended Protection product lines that compete directly with Smart AutoCare's dealer-sold VSC and ancillary suite, with materially greater scale and a public balance sheet.
- Zurich North America: Large global insurer offering dealer solutions and extended warranty programs with significant financial backing and a broader product portfolio than Smart AutoCare, serving franchised dealers and large dealer groups.
Emerging players
- Alpha Warranty Services: Niche VSC and GAP administrator targeting dealerships and agents with flexible product builds and competitive pricing — overlapping offering but smaller scale than Smart AutoCare, representing an emerging competitive threat.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Smart AutoCare social profiles
Digital presenceSmart AutoCare financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Smart AutoCare leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Smart AutoCare funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Smart AutoCare M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Smart AutoCare
What does Smart AutoCare do?
Smart AutoCare administers Vehicle Service Contracts (VSCs) and ancillary automotive protection products for franchised and independent automotive dealers and F&I agents, covering powertrain through total exclusionary mechanical breakdowns, GAP, tire and wheel, key replacement, lease-end, paint and interior, and other F&I protections. The company runs an in-house proprietary claims adjudication system that pays claims (typically within 2 hours by credit card), supported by ASE Certified Claims Adjusters, a mobile claims app, and an eRating/eContracting platform. Contracts are backed by an A-rated carrier's contractual liability insurance policy and are accepted nationwide at any ASE certified repair shop.
Is Smart AutoCare a public or private company?
Smart AutoCare is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Smart AutoCare founded?
Smart AutoCare was founded in 1990. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Smart AutoCare based?
Smart AutoCare is headquartered in Richardson, United States, in the North America region.
How does Smart AutoCare make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Vehicle Service Contract Administration is the primary driver. The others are virtual Card Payment Processing, reinsurance Program and ancillary Coverage Products.
Who are Smart AutoCare's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CarShield, Endurance Warranty, American Auto Shield, CNA National Warranty, EasyCare (APCO Holdings) and JM&A Group. Broad incumbents are Allstate Dealer Services, Assurant and Zurich North America. Alpha Warranty Services is listed as an emerging player.
Does Smart AutoCare have an API?
No public API is recorded for Smart AutoCare.
What industry is Smart AutoCare in?
Smart AutoCare's product category is Vehicle Service Contracts and Automotive F&I Protection. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAJALAD, Dealer-Sold & F&I Administered Service Contracts (Dealer Obligors), with a secondary code of FSAJALAC, GAP & Vehicle Protection Products (GAP Waiver/Insurance, Lease/Loan Protection).