THE SEWELL DIFFERENCE
Service Above All
We are a customer service company that happens to sell cars. That means when it comes to the financing and ownership protection for your car, you can expect a very different experience from what you might expect at a car dealership. Financing and insurance can be dismayingly complex. It is easy to feel out of your element or at a disadvantage. Our goal is to be your advocate, to help you feel certain and satisfied with your buying decisions. In financing as in every other aspect of our business, as a service company we are not here merely to make a sale. We are here to earn a customer for life.
Everyone is Certified - Everyone
Our entire staff in Finance & Insurance (F&I for short) has passed the rigorous certification of the Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals. This college-level program gives them in-depth knowledge of the regulatory and legal aspects of the field and lays a strong foundation in the industry's best ethical practices.
Credit Application
It only takes a few minutes to fill out our brief online application. No printing, scanning, or faxing needed.
OWNERSHIP PROTECTION
Vehicle Service Agreement
When your factory warranty expires, our Vehicle Service Agreement keeps your peace of mind going and going. You will continue to enjoy extensive coverage of key components, including thorough mechanical, computer, and electrical protection. It guards against future rising costs of parts and labor, and includes towing service, travel protection, and a loan car during repairs. If you sell your vehicle to an individual buyer, the service agreement is transferable.
Prepaid Maintenance Plan
Proper maintenance pays off in ways beyond just extending the life and performance of your car. A well-maintained vehicle has higher resale value. The maintenance plan also insulates you against potentially costly repairs in the future, and it even has environmental benefits; a well-maintained vehicle consumes less fuel and has lower emissions. Speaking of resale, our plan may be transferred if you sell your car to an individual.
Tire and Wheel Coverage
Protection from common road hazards, 24-hour roadside assistance, and no deductible. Those are just a few of the benefits. Our Tire and Wheel Coverage includes full repair or replacement reimbursement for tires and mounting, wheels, balancing, and more. Coverage even carries over to new tires for the remainder of your term.
LoJack Tracking System
The only vehicle recovery system operated by police, LoJack guarantees recovery of a stolen automobile within 24 hours or your money back. Thieves can hide from conventional GPS tracking but not from LoJack, because it transmits through concrete and steel. No wonder LoJack has a 90 percent recovery rate on cars and trucks.
Dent Protection
No matter how careful you are protecting your car from door dings, inevitably someone else is a little less careful. To help keep your car in showroom condition, we offer dent protection coverage on both new and preowned Sewell vehicles. Minor dents and dings are repaired by a certified Sewell Paintless Dent Repair technician. In most cases, Paintless Dent Repair is an extremely effective option for door dings and small dents (hail damage and paint scratches not covered) because it uses specialized hand tools to flex the metal to its original form. You have unlimited use of your dent protection for the duration of your plan. It is also transferable to the next owner.
Excess Wear Waiver
Make your lease experience even more worry-free. Excess Wear Waiver covers you in the case of excess wear during your lease term, with no deductible. It also waives excess mileage charges and covers missing or broken parts.
What is GAP insurance?
You may be surprised to learn that the value your primary insurance company places on your vehicle may be substantially less than the amount you actually owe. The result is a financial "gap," and if the vehicle is totaled or stolen, it's you who must make up the difference. This gap liability could cost thousands. GAP (Guaranteed Auto Protection) insurance will pay the difference between the loan balance and what your insurance company pays you. It also helps cover the deductible on physical damage insurance.
FINANCING OPTIONS
Finding the Perfect Fit
In the spirit of exceptional service, we offer a number of different ways to finance a vehicle. Presenting options and walking you through all the ins and outs to find the best finance package for you is the expertise of your Sewell business manager. In general, our financing packages fall into two broad categories: leasing and traditional financing.
Leasing
A lease can be a good way to have a more affordable payment than when buying a car. Your lease payment covers only the vehicle depreciated value (plus the lessor's monthly finance charges), not the entire purchase value. Most vehicles are leased for 24 to 48 months. We don't recommend leasing a vehicle for longer than its general warranty. For people who drive an average number of miles and take good care of their vehicles, leasing is a good financing alternative. Note: If the vehicle incurs excessive wear and tear or mileage during the lease period, a fee will be assessed when the vehicle is turned in, unless you have coverage such as our Excess Wear Waiver.
Does Leasing From Sewell Make Sense?
It makes a lot of sense. There are a lot of companies that only do vehicle leasing. They aren't actually automotive dealers; when you lease from them, they have to go to a dealership to acquire the car before they can lease it to you. In other words, they're middlemen. And where there's a middleman, there's usually a markup. When you lease from Sewell, there's no middleman.
Traditional Financing
Traditional financing is an installment transaction over a period of time. You agree to pay the amount financed, plus an agreed-upon finance charge. Traditional financing is probably right for you if you like the idea of owning a vehicle or you plan to keep the car for more than a few years. Sewell works with many different lenders to offer you competitive rates. A big part of our service is staying on top of the finance market, knowing which lenders have the best offers at any given time. Talk to your Sewell business manager about what we are seeing in the market today.
FAQ
- Do I have to pay property tax on a lease?
- How do I figure the amount for tax, title and licensing?
- When will my first payment be due?
- For how long can I finance my car?
- How much do you require for a down payment?
- Do you have a first-time buyer program?
- What is GAP insurance?
- Do you offer extended service agreements?
- What types of purchasing methods do you offer?
- How does my credit rating affect the purchase of a vehicle?
- When and how can I purchase a vehicle service agreement?
Do I have to pay property tax on a lease?
In Texas, you will be billed property tax if the car is registered in a business name. If it's registered in your own name, you can file an affidavit of non-income-producing purposes with the state. However, each city may still charge the individual.
How do I figure the amount for tax, title and licensing?
The tax rate in Texas is 6.25%. The tax is calculated on the sale price of the car less any non-leased trade-in. The title fee is $33.00. The registration fees vary based on the car's model year.
When will my first payment be due?
On a purchase, the first payment will be due 30 to 45 days after signing. On a lease, you will make your first payment at the time of signing.
For how long can I finance my car?
The maximum can vary depending on year model, up to 84 months.
How much do you require for a down payment?
Typically, a down payment is not required. However, any down payment used will lower the monthly payment.
Do you have a first-time buyer program?
Most of our lenders have a college graduate program. Some stipulations will apply. This could qualify you for preferred finance rates.
What is GAP insurance?
You may be surprised to learn that the value your primary insurance company places on your vehicle may be substantially less than the amount you actually owe. The result is a financial "gap," and if the vehicle is totaled or stolen, it's you who must make up the difference. This gap liability could cost thousands. GAP (Guaranteed Auto Protection) insurance will pay the difference between the loan balance and what your insurance company pays you. It also helps cover the deductible on physical damage insurance.
Do you offer extended service agreements?
Yes, and with an important advantage: Most of our extended service agreements are backed by the manufacturer. Service agreement details, including terms and mileage limits, vary between new and pre-owned vehicles.
What types of purchasing methods do you offer?
Our purchase methods include leasing, traditional financing, and cash payments. Sewell has many direct relationships with banks and institutions under which we may be able to offer a better financing rate than if you dealt with the bank or institution yourself.
How does my credit rating affect the purchase of a vehicle?
Part of the service our sales associates provide is an assessment of your credit. Sometimes a customer may believe his or her credit rating is not good enough for the purchase of a new vehicle, when, in fact, it may be just fine.
When and how can I purchase a vehicle service agreement?
Generally, vehicle service agreements are sold before the manufacturer's factory warranty expires. You may talk to any sales associate or service advisor in the dealership at any time to learn about or purchase a service agreement.