IWS Acquisition Corporation
IWS Acquisition Corporation distributes vehicle protection products (VSA, MBI, GAP, appearance, deductible reimbursement) exclusively through U.S. credit unions and their members, providing non-interest income to credit unions while underwriting via Assurant Solutions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersBoca Raton, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What IWS Acquisition Corporation does
IWS Acquisition Corporation, founded in 1991 as Intercontinental Warranty Services and rebranded following its November 2012 acquisition by Kingsway Financial Services Inc. (NYSE: KFS), is a Boca Raton, Florida-based specialty provider of vehicle protection products distributed exclusively through U.S. credit unions. Its product suite spans Vehicle Service Agreements (VSA), Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI), Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP), RestoraGuard appearance protection, and Auto Support+ deductible reimbursement, with newer Electric Vehicle (EVSA/EVMBI) and HomePRO home warranty extensions. Products are underwritten by A.M. Best 'A'-rated Assurant Solutions and offered at point of auto loan financing, with credit union loan officers and member service representatives acting as the primary point of sale.
The company operates a technology platform consisting of IWSQuote — an online quote engine integrated with credit union lending origination systems including Sharetec — and the IWS VSA Mobile App (iOS and Android) for member-facing contract management and claims tracking. Distribution is 100% channel-mediated through credit unions nationwide, supported by a regional Business Development Executive sales force, the annual Top Achievers Conference, and long-standing preferred partnerships with the Defense Credit Union Council (15+ years) and other industry associations.
IWS generates revenue via referral/attachment economics on credit union auto lending — products are priced per-quote with Platinum, Gold, and Bronze coverage tiers — and offers credit unions a 20% conversion rate guarantee on referrals. The BBB A-rated firm (accredited October 2014) has protected "hundreds of thousands" of credit union members over its 30+ year operating history and now serves hundreds of credit union partners across all major U.S. regions.
IWS Acquisition Corporation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IWS Acquisition Corporation
- Legal name
- IWS Acquisition Corp.
- Website
- https://iwsgroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- IWS Acquisition Corporation distributes vehicle protection products (VSA, MBI, GAP, appearance, deductible reimbursement) exclusively through U.S. credit unions and their members, providing non-interest income to credit unions while underwriting via Assurant Solutions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IWS Acquisition Corporation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vehicle Protection Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Vehicle Extended Warranty (VSC) & Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) (FSAJALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- GAP & Vehicle Protection Products (GAP Waiver/Insurance, Lease/Loan Protection) (FSAJALAC), Vehicle Protection & Add-on Product Financing (Warranties, GAP, Service Plans) (FSAKADAL)
Keywords
Where IWS Acquisition Corporation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boca Raton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
IWS Acquisition Corporation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Vehicle Service Agreements (VSA): Extended warranty and vehicle service agreement products sold to credit union members to protect against unexpected vehicle repair costs. Products are offered at point of vehicle financing through credit union auto loans.
- Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI): Insurance products providing coverage for mechanical breakdowns, complementing or supplementing manufacturer warranties. Offered exclusively through credit union channel.
- Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP): GAP insurance products that cover the difference between a vehicle's value and the outstanding loan balance in case of total loss or theft. Distributed through credit union auto lending.
- Appearance Protection (RestoraGuard): Cosmetic and appearance protection products for vehicles, including paintless dent repair and interior protection.
- Auto Support+ (Auto Deductible Reimbursement): Auto deductible reimbursement coverage that pays a specified amount toward the member's auto insurance deductible when a covered claim is filed.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Platinum coverage - Current plus seven model years and up to 100,000 miles |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Gold coverage - Current plus seven model years |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Electric Vehicle Service Agreement (EVSA) - Premier Platinum level |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
IWS Acquisition Corporation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IWS Acquisition Corporation sells vehicle protection products — Vehicle Service Agreements (VSA), Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI), Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP), Appearance Protection (RestoraGuard), and Auto Deductible Reimbursement (Auto Support+) — exclusively through credit unions to their members at the point of auto loan financing. The company also distributes its products via the IWSQuote online platform, which integrates with credit union core lending systems, and through the IWS VSA Mobile App for member self-service.
Product overview
IWS Acquisition Corporation offers a unified portfolio of vehicle protection products exclusively for credit unions and their members. The core product suite consists of Vehicle Service Agreements (VSA), Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI), Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP), RestoraGuard Appearance Protection, and Auto Support+ (Auto Deductible Reimbursement). These products work together to protect credit union members' vehicle investments at various levels—comprehensive named-exclusion coverage through VSA/MBI, collateral protection through GAP, cosmetic protection through RestoraGuard, and out-of-pocket cost protection through Auto Support+. The company has expanded into electric vehicle coverage with EVSA and EV MBI products, added home warranty protection via HomePRO, and offers mobile access through the IWS VSA Mobile App. Credit unions access the platform via IWSQuote for efficient product quoting and delivery.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- RestoraGuard: Appearance Protection program for vehicle cosmetic protection.
- Auto Support+
- IWSQuote
- IWS VSA
Products and services
- Vehicle Service Agreements (VSA) Extended vehicle protection coverage that supplements the original factory warranty by covering mechanical and electrical components for specified terms. Sold exclusively through credit unions to their members, available in Platinum, Gold, and Bronze tiers.
- Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) Insurance-based vehicle protection product that provides coverage for mechanical breakdowns, complementing or supplementing manufacturer warranties. Sold exclusively through credit unions; offered in Elite, Supreme, and EV-specific tiers.
- Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) GAP insurance that protects credit union members by paying the difference between the insurance settlement and the outstanding loan balance when a vehicle is totaled or stolen. Distributed exclusively through credit union auto lending.
- RestoraGuard (Appearance Protection) Cosmetic and appearance protection for vehicles, including paintless dent repair, windshield repair, tire and wheel protection, and interior/fabric protection. Available in 2-year, 3-year, and 5-year coverage plans through credit unions.
- Auto Support+ (Auto Deductible Reimbursement) Auto deductible reimbursement product that pays a specified amount toward the member's auto insurance deductible when a covered claim is filed. Available in ADR 500 and ADR 1000 plans.
- Electric Vehicle Service Agreement (EVSA) Specialized EV protection offering Premier Platinum level coverage for electric vehicles including the electric battery, drive/traction motor, electric power control unit, power inverter module, and on-board charger. Optional add-ons include Accidental Loss Refund, KeyGuard, and GAP. Eligible up to seven model years and 125,000 miles.
- HomePRO Warranty Home warranty protection product covering home systems and appliances, introduced in partnership with PWSC and offered to credit union members.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 50% less than dealer warranties
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use IWS Acquisition Corporation
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
IWS Acquisition Corporation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature3 records
IWS Acquisition Corporation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and strategic.
- Sharetec Systems Inc.coreIWS announced partnership with Sharetec Systems Inc. to integrate directly into Sharetec's Lending Origination System. This integration eliminates redundant data entry during the auto loan process by passing data back and forth between systems. The integration was implemented as of January 2021 and is currently in effect at some credit unions.
- Assurant SolutionscoreThe A.M. Best 'A' rated carrier underwrites the IWS VSA program. Assurant Solutions has partnered with IWS for more than five years providing insurance underwriting for vehicle protection products.
- Special Operations Warrior FoundationminorIWS supported the Special Operations Warrior Foundation's College Scholarship Program with a $1,000 gift at DCUC's annual meeting. The foundation provides full financial assistance for post-secondary degrees to surviving children of special operations personnel who lose their lives in the line of duty.
- National Coalition of Firefighter Credit Unions (NCOFCU)strategicIWS served as Official Conference Sponsor for NCOFCU 2015 Annual Conference. The partnership includes endorsement of IWS vehicle protection products to firefighter credit union members. NCOFCU is the nation's premier professional association of credit unions serving firefighters and their families.
- Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC)strategicIWS is a DCUC Preferred Partner for more than 15 years, supporting military-affiliated credit unions and their members with vehicle protection products.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
IWS Acquisition Corporation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- CARCHEX: CARCHEX sells extended vehicle warranties directly to consumers via digital and call-center channels. Competes with IWS on VSC pricing and customer experience, though IWS retains the credit union channel advantage.
- CarShield: CarShield sells vehicle service contracts directly to consumers through heavy digital marketing. An emerging D2C competitor that pressures pricing across the vehicle protection market, including the credit union channel where IWS operates.
- Olive (insurtech auto warranty): Olive is an insurtech company modernizing warranty and vehicle protection products with embedded digital experiences. Targets similar end products (VSC, GAP, ancillary) with a software-first approach that could challenge traditional administrators like IWS.
- Endurance Warranty Services: Endurance sells extended vehicle warranties directly to consumers and through partner networks. Comparable product mix to IWS (mechanical breakdown and exclusionary coverage), but D2C distribution model rather than credit union channel.
Broad incumbents
- Assurant Solutions: Assurant underwrites IWS's VSA program and also offers its own vehicle protection and connected living products through lenders, dealers, and retailers. Functions as both an underwriting partner and broad incumbent competitor in the vehicle protection market.
- Zurich North America (Vehicle Protection): Zurich offers GAP, VSC, and related vehicle protection products through lender and dealer channels. As a major A-rated carrier with broad distribution, it competes with IWS in lender-channel service contract underwriting.
- Ally Financial (Vehicle Protection Products): Ally offers GAP waivers, VSCs, and ancillary vehicle protection products through its auto lending platform. Comparable to IWS in lender-channel distribution and product mix, though Ally is a captive provider rather than a third-party administrator.
- Allstate Dealer Services (Allstate Extended Vehicle Protection): Allstate's dealer services division sells VSCs, GAP, and ancillary auto protection products through dealer and lender channels. Comparable to IWS in product mix and underwriting-backed service contract offerings, though distributed more broadly.
Direct peers
- Penn Warranty / Penn-Gulf: Penn Warranty is a regional vehicle service contract administrator selling extended warranties, GAP, and ancillary products through credit unions, banks, and dealers. Directly comparable to IWS in product set and financial institution distribution.
- EasyCare (Automobile Protection Corporation / APCO): APCO's EasyCare brand sells vehicle service contracts, GAP, and maintenance products through credit unions, dealerships, and auto lenders. A direct competitor to IWS in the credit union vehicle protection channel, with overlapping VSC and ancillary product portfolios.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
IWS Acquisition Corporation social profiles
Digital presenceIWS Acquisition Corporation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
IWS Acquisition Corporation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IWS Acquisition Corporation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
IWS Acquisition Corporation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IWS Acquisition Corporation 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 IWS Acquisition Corporation
What does IWS Acquisition Corporation do?
IWS Acquisition Corporation sells vehicle protection products — Vehicle Service Agreements (VSA), Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI), Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP), Appearance Protection (RestoraGuard), and Auto Deductible Reimbursement (Auto Support+) — exclusively through credit unions to their members at the point of auto loan financing. The company also distributes its products via the IWSQuote online platform, which integrates with credit union core lending systems, and through the IWS VSA Mobile App for member self-service.
Is IWS Acquisition Corporation a public or private company?
IWS Acquisition Corporation is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was IWS Acquisition Corporation founded?
IWS Acquisition Corporation was founded in 1991. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is IWS Acquisition Corporation based?
IWS Acquisition Corporation is headquartered in Boca Raton, United States, in the North America region.
How does IWS Acquisition Corporation make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Vehicle Service Agreements (VSA) is the primary driver. The others are mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI), guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP), appearance Protection (RestoraGuard) and auto Support+ (Auto Deductible Reimbursement).
Who are IWS Acquisition Corporation's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are CARCHEX, CarShield, Olive (insurtech auto warranty) and Endurance Warranty Services. Broad incumbents are Assurant Solutions, Zurich North America (Vehicle Protection), Ally Financial (Vehicle Protection Products) and Allstate Dealer Services (Allstate Extended Vehicle Protection). Direct peers are Penn Warranty / Penn-Gulf and EasyCare (Automobile Protection Corporation / APCO).
Does IWS Acquisition Corporation have an API?
No public API is recorded for IWS Acquisition Corporation.
What industry is IWS Acquisition Corporation in?
IWS Acquisition Corporation's product category is Vehicle Protection Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAJALAA, Vehicle Extended Warranty (VSC) & Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI), with a secondary code of FSAJALAC, GAP & Vehicle Protection Products (GAP Waiver/Insurance, Lease/Loan Protection).