Aon Corp. acquiring First Extended Inc. to expand into dealership mechanical repair programs

Aon Corp. is acquiring First Extended Inc., an administrator of extended service contract products.

First Extended will enhance Aon Warranty Group's current warranty offerings by providing additional choices in automotive mechanical repair programs. First Extended will also allow Aon Warranty Group to add distribution channels by reaching dealerships through their relationships with general agencies, says David L. Cole, chairman, president, and CEO of Aon Warranty Group.

“First Extended provides a unique niche of extended warranty programs to the retail automotive industry, complementing the many products and services we currently provide,” says Mr. Cole. “Adding First Extended to the Aon Warranty Group family fully rounds out the offerings we have for the retail automotive industry… First Extended will strengthen Aon Warranty Group's position as the largest independent automotive service contract provider in the U.S.”

Based in Dallas, TX, First Extended is an administrator of extended service contract products and services for more than 1,700 automobile dealers of new and pre-owned cars and trucks throughout the U.S. Founded in 1974 by Carl Westcott, a former dealer, First Extended provides services such as new vehicle service contracts, pre-owned vehicle service contracts, oil service plans and Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) to over a million vehicle owners.

“We're excited about joining the Aon Warranty Group family,” says John Curtis, president of First Extended, Inc. “As a member of the Aon family, we will continue our growth through our agents and employees, while having the benefit of resources that would not have been available as an independent company.”