TORRANCE, Calif. — Geared to provide added assurance and enhance the lease experience for their customers, Toyota Financial Services and Lexus Financial Services this week rolled out the Excess Wear & Use Protection Plan, the newest product to join the TFS/LFS portfolio.

Brand officials acknowledged consumers often have questions about their financial responsibility for items such as dings, dents, scratches and missing parts or equipment at the time of vehicle return.

As a result of that situation, TFS and LFS developed EWU as a protection plan for lease customers that waives "excess wear and use" charges they would otherwise be responsible for paying at the end of their lease term.

In addition, Mike Groff, TFS/LFS group vice president of sales, marketing and product development, explained EWU can simplify the claims process with no claims forms to submit, no deductibles to pay and no reimbursements to request.

EWU covers items that are beyond normal wear and tear, up to specified limits, including:

—Interior cuts, burns or stains
—Damage to tires, rims or hubcaps
—Broken or scratched windshield, window, mirrors or lights
—Damaged bumpers, body dents, dings or scratches
—Missing parts or equipment

Groff indicated the TFS/LFS Excess Wear & Use Protection Plan is currently not available in Alaska, Nebraska, New York, Texas and Utah. It is also not available for dealers in the Gulf States Toyota or Southeast Toyota regions.

"We developed EWU in collaboration with dealers and industry advisers with the consumer experience top-of-mind," Groff emphasized.

"We want to help our customers avoid unexpected charges when they return their vehicle at lease-end and provide a hassle-free, customer-friendly claims process," he continued. "We kept things simple and packaged high-value benefits and features into one comprehensive plan for Toyota dealers and one plan for Lexus dealers. And, I'm also proud to say that our EWU product is 100-percent built and backed by the strength of TFS."

To learn more about program details and restrictions, visit www.toyotafinancial.com or www.lexusfinancial.com or call (800) 331-4331.