NAPA — AUL Corp., a used-car service contract provider, and Universal Lenders LLC, creator of The ZERO Plan, announced that they will be working together to allow dealers to provide premium financing through The ZERO Plan to customers who purchase an AUL vehicle service contract.

"We are excited about the opportunity to work with Universal Lenders so that our agents and dealers can benefit from The ZERO Plan,” said Jimmy Atkinson, COO of AUL. “We believe it provides a great tool for our agents to compete in the marketplace as well as provides key dealer benefits."

Founded by a high-volume dealer with six franchises who had been in the business for 20 years, Universal Lenders LLC created “The ZERO Plan” to serve the automotive industry by offering zero percent financing for most F&I products, reported F&I and Showroom magazine. The benefits of “The ZERO Plan” include helping dealerships increase their aftermarket product sales, providing payment to dealers within seven days with cancellation rates under five percent, and providing a financing option for consumers.

"The team at Universal Lenders is excited to be partnering with AUL, whom we recognize as a leader in our industry,” said Jeff Jacobs, president of Universal Lenders. “The ZERO Plan will offer the AUL dealer client a powerful closing tool that is also the most dealer-friendly in the industry. Our goal is to drive incremental sales for both AUL and our dealers."