A few weeks ago, I told Cars for Girls readers about the Hyundai Assurance Program which debuted in January.  Under the program, if consumers buy or lease a new 2009 Hyundai and find themselves in the unfortunate situation of job loss within one year of the purchase date, the vehicle could be returned to the dealership without fear of credit repercussions or a ding in credit history, all of which is great news and couldn’t come at a better time.

Now, there’s even more good news. Hyundai has chosen to expand the protection offered by the program with the new Hyundai Assurance Plus, which adds 90 days of payment relief to the existing protection plan. Hyundai Assurance Plus is part of Hyundai’s Spring Sales Event, which runs from February 23 to April 30, 2009. Both Hyundai Assurance and Hyundai Assurance Plus are available at all participating Hyundai dealerships nationwide.

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
• Must have been employed for at least 90 days prior to purchase

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.

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

Said Joel Ewanick, who is vice president of Marketing, Hyundai Motor America:

“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. 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.”

For full details about the programs, click here to visit HyundaiUSA.com.

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