NAPA, Calif. -

AUL Corp. and Universal Lenders partnered Monday to help dealers promote The ZERO Plan to buyers as part of service contract negotiations.

Executives indicated the partnership can allow dealers to provide premium financing through The ZERO Plan to their customers who purchase an AUL Vehicle Service Contract.

Universal Lenders reiterated The ZERO Plan is “not your traditional zero percent payment option.” The company pointed out the plan consists of:

—Funding within seven business days.
—100-percent refund of fees in first 60 days for cancellations.
—No limit on dealer profit.
—Low cancellations and low chargebacks.
—Other ancillary products are eligible, not just service contracts.
—Industry-first patent pending dealer participation program.

Jeff Jacobs, president of Universal Lenders, declared, “The team at Universal Lenders is excited to be partnering with AUL whom we recognize as a leader in our industry.

“The ZERO Plan will offer the AUL Dealer Client a powerful closing tool that is also the most dealer-friendly in the industry,” Jacobs continued. “Our goal is to drive incremental sales for both AUL and our dealers.”

When asked about becoming an approved provider, Jimmy Atkinson, chief operating officer of AUL, stated, “We are excited about the opportunity to work with Universal Lenders so that our agents and dealers can benefit from The ZERO Plan.

“We believe it provides a great tool for our agents to compete in the marketplace as well as provides key dealer benefits,” Atkinson added.