Gold Standard Automotive Network :Vehicle Coverage with Everyday Value

Gold Standard Automotive Network reengineers vehicle protection into a powerful loyalty engine for dealerships and lenders while delivering consistent, everyday value to customers.

Each vehicle service contract (VSC) is built as a high-utility service program, embedding practical benefits like maintenance, service incentives and customer retention tools directly into the agreement. Instead of one-and-done coverage, this model creates a continuous value loop, keeping customers engaged and giving dealerships meaningful opportunities to reconnect throughout the ownership journey.

This shift was necessary. For years, VSCs functioned mainly as a safety net, providing financial protection only during unexpected repairs or major breakdowns. However, this model had a clear drawback. Many customers purchased a VSC for peace of mind, but completed the coverage period without ever needing a repair, leaving them feeling like they paid for protection they never used.

“Our transformation began with a fresh perspective and a simple question: Will this truly benefit the customer?” says Anthony Timpson, chief sales officer.

Guided by CEO Brent Timpson’s clear vision to ‘give more back to the customer,’ Gold Standard rejected industry norms and prioritized member value over margins. It overhauled the VSC to include practical, benefit-driven offerings that customers genuinely rely on, like oil changes, brake replacements, battery coverage, coolant service, alignments and tire rotations. This model delivers ongoing, visible value throughout the ownership experience, turning the contract into a practical investment that improves vehicle upkeep and deepens the customer’s sense of value. Every interaction becomes a touchpoint for service and trust, making the VSC more rewarding for drivers and more effective for dealers focused on retention.

Its customer-first model also brings measurable advantages to the broader automotive ecosystem. Franchise dealers, independent dealers and lenders benefit from contracts that drive repeated visits and strengthen service lane engagement. Lenders, in particular, gain added confidence knowing the vehicles they finance are supported by programs that encourage regular maintenance and help preserve long-term asset value.

Beyond protection, Gold Standard invests in infrastructure that reinforces trust and ensures regulatory alignment. Its partnership with F&I Sentinel helps dealers navigate evolving requirements, while its close collaboration with credit unions reflects a mutual focus on delivering reliable service and lasting customer relationships. Together, these efforts define a modern approach to vehicle protection, grounded in everyday utility and built to strengthen loyalty at every level.
Contracts Built for Real-World Needs

Gold Standard bases its coverage on practical driving habits and real-world maintenance needs, not theoretical averages. Its most basic offering, the powertrain contract, called “powertrain plus,” goes beyond standard protection to include high-demand parts like starters, alternators, standalone seals and gaskets, all without mileage restrictions.

“We designed a system where, if customers spend their hard-earned money, they truly get to use the protection, not fight for it,” says Timpson.

Unlike industry norms that scale back protection as vehicles age, Gold Standard keeps coverage strong throughout their lives, ensuring drivers aren’t penalized simply for their miles.

The company’s premier offering, the Gold Exclusionary program, provides an even broader shield. It covers high-tech components and critical systems that today’s vehicles rely on but are often excluded from other plans. Every contract tier is structured to reduce restrictions, eliminate confusing conditions and deliver meaningful, easy-to-use protection.

That includes support during stressful moments, like when maintenance records are needed for a repair. Gold Standard tracks and stores those records, removing the burden from customers and simplifying the process for repair shops. Additional built-in benefits include roadside assistance, insurance deductible reimbursement of up to $500 and vehicle replacement credits of up to $2,000 toward a new vehicle from the dealer.

A Customer-First Claims Experience

Nowhere is Gold Standard’s philosophy of fairness and practicality more evident than in its claims service. Every claim is handled with the customer’s best interest in mind.

When component failures fall into gray areas, as they often do in this complex industry, Gold Standard makes a conscious choice to stand by the customer. Rather than looking for technicalities to deny a claim, it honors the spirit of its coverage.

“Sometimes a part can fail in multiple ways, one covered, the other not,” says Timpson. “If it’s unclear, we side with the customer and approve the claim. We don’t look for loopholes, we do what’s fair and what the customer deserves.”

This commitment has earned Gold Standard top ratings across the industry. Positive customer experiences and dealer feedback consistently reinforce its focus on fairness and real-world value, endorsements that reflect a service philosophy built on trust and integrity.

Future-Ready Coverage for Every Mile

The road ahead for Gold Standard is paved with innovation and growth. It’s a mindset shaped by a leadership team that intentionally comes from beyond the conventional auto industry to challenge outdated practices. The team built the business from a blank slate, crafting contracts that put customers first. Every agreement is straightforward to understand and written without excessive legalese. This transparency strengthens relationships and builds trust from the outset, turning first-time buyers into long-term advocates.

Among its key initiatives is the launch of a certified pre-owned (CPO) program. Designed to give buyers added confidence, this program pairs vehicles that have undergone rigorous reconditioning with dependable protection. The CPO solution helps dealerships sell with certainty, gives lenders greater peace of mind and ensures buyers drive off the lot knowing their investment is protected from day one.

Gold Standard is also expanding its maintenance offerings, refining solutions that reflect its service-first philosophy and amplifying its marketing efforts to strengthen brand visibility and increase awareness of its consumer-focused value. After a decade of organic growth, the company is poised to expand its market presence.

Gold Standard Automotive Network raises the bar in today’s competitive F&I landscape, where profitability hinges on contract performance and customer retention. Its protection programs combine meaningful coverage with built-in retention tools, safeguarding dealer and lender assets while helping customers stay protected, mile after mile.