Hyundai Return Policy Gets Even Better

Colum Wood
by Colum Wood

Hyundai has just increased the incentive for you to buy one of their cars by updating the Hyundai Assurance car return policy to include 90 days of free payments.

Adding to the existing offer that those who buy a Hyundai and lose their job within a year can return the car, the Korean automaker is now offering 90 days of lease or loan payments while the owner looks for work. If the owner does find work in that time and decides to keep the car, the payment does not need to be repaid.

The new Hyundai Assurance Plus program is being offered as a part of Hyundai’s Spring Sales Event from February 23 to April 30th.

“We continue to look for ways to help consumers in this challenging economic environment, so we’re offering unprecedented financial protection when they finance or lease a Hyundai,” said Joel Ewanick, vice president, Marketing, Hyundai Motor America. “With our 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty, Hyundai Assurance, and now Hyundai Assurance Plus, we’re telling consumers that we are all in this together, and we’ll get through this together.”

And the incentives seem to be working. In January Hyundai recorded a sales increase (yes, you read that right) over the same period a year before by a total of 14.3 percent. This, while industry sales averaged a decline of 37.1 percent.

Hyundai plans to promote this new program during the Academy Awards this Sunday, with seven 30-second spots and one 60-second spot highlighting the company’s commitment to the U.S. market. We can only hope they are as enjoyable as Hyundai’s SuperBowl Ads.

[Source: AutoNews]

Official release after the jump:

HYUNDAI EXPANDS CONSUMER PROTECTION PROGRAM DURING SPRING SALES EVENT WITH “HYUNDAI ASSURANCE PLUS”
HYUNDAI ADDS PAYMENT RELIEF TO EXISTING ASSURANCE PROGRAM LIMITING THE FINANCIAL RISK OF A NEW VEHICLE PURCHASE

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 02/19/2009 Hyundai Motor America will expand the protection offered by the innovative Hyundai Assurance program with Hyundai Assurance Plus, adding 90 days of payment relief to the existing protection plan. Hyundai Assurance Plus is part of Hyundai’s Spring Sales Event, which runs from Feb. 23 to April 30, 2009. Hyundai Assurance, which debuted in January, allows consumers to return any new Hyundai leased or financed in 2009 if the owner unexpectedly loses his/her income within one year of the purchase date. Both Hyundai Assurance and Hyundai Assurance Plus are available at all participating Hyundai dealerships nationwide. For full details about the programs, visit: www.HyundaiUSA.com.

Hyundai Assurance Plus provides a one-time, 90-day payment relief benefit in the event of involuntary unemployment or physical disability. For qualifying consumers, this benefit helps them keep their vehicle for three months while attempting to replace their income. Hyundai Assurance Plus pays the lender a lump sum equal to 90 days of loan or lease payments.

To qualify for Hyundai Assurance benefits, consumers must have made at least two scheduled payments on their loan or lease, be current on all payments and have been employed for at least 90 days prior to filing for the benefit. Consumers who utilize their payment relief benefit can still return their vehicle within a year of the qualifying event under the terms of the program. This payment is not pro-rated and never has to be re-paid, even if the owner regains health and/or returns to work inside the 90-day period. The total payment relief benefit provided to an owner will be deducted from the Hyundai Assurance maximum benefit of $7,500 if the vehicle return option is exercised.

“We continue to look for ways to help consumers in this challenging economic environment, so we’re offering unprecedented financial protection when they finance or lease a Hyundai,” said Joel Ewanick, vice president, Marketing, Hyundai Motor America. “With our 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty, Hyundai Assurance, and now Hyundai Assurance Plus, we’re telling consumers that we are all in this together, and we’ll get through this together.”

Hyundai Assurance, the first program of its kind for an automaker in the U.S. auto industry, allows consumers to walk away from a financing obligation when certain adverse life events occur, providing protection from financial shortfalls that arise from vehicle depreciation (negative equity) up to $7,500. Hyundai Assurance and Hyundai Assurance Plus are complimentary for one full year from the purchase date, cover all Hyundai models and are available to everyone.

Hyundai Assurance and Hyundai Assurance Plus are complimentary for the first 12 months of the financing or lease date for vehicles financed through any lender or financing source. These programs complement America’s Best Warranty as standard protection on new vehicles from a participating Hyundai dealer, and supplement all existing consumer incentives. The programs are available to any consumer, regardless of age, health, employment history or financed amount of the vehicle.

Covered circumstances for Hyundai Assurance include:
· Involuntary unemployment
· Physical disability
· Loss of driver’s license due to medical impairment
· International employment transfer
· Self-employed personal bankruptcy
· Accidental death

Payment relief benefits under Hyundai Assurance Plus are available in the event of:
· Involuntary unemployment
· Physical disability

Hyundai Assurance is offered to Hyundai Motor America exclusively by WALKAWAY USA, LLC.

Colum Wood
Colum Wood

With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.

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 2 comments
  • Joseph Cilento Joseph Cilento on Jan 31, 2011

    Its more of a question than a comment. I leased a 2011 sonata approx. 4 months ago and do to some unfortunate circumstances, i need to get out of the lease and i would like to do so without a penalty. Is there a way to go about this?

  • Shelena Tolerson Shelena Tolerson on Nov 10, 2011

    Hi, I have a question about my 2012 Sonata that I purchase in September. A couple months back I was working two jobs and the second job paid my car note. Due to layoff at my first job I'm trying to find full time employment but is having alittle to no luck finding work. I am two month in the hole. HELP!!! Kindly, Shelena Tolerson

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