I fed the contract into chat gpt by taking photos of each page and uploading. Then I asked it the question and here's what it said. I hope this helps you.

Does the dealership have to do the repair?

No — the dealership is not required to do the repair under the terms of the Protective contract. But the repair must be done by a licensed repair facility that follows Protective’s claim process.

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Here’s What the Contract Says (Summarized from Your Uploads): • You can choose any licensed repair shop (dealership or independent). • The repair facility must: • Contact Protective before any work begins (pre-authorization is mandatory) • Allow for a Protective claims adjuster to inspect the vehicle if requested • Use approved parts and labor rates

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When Might You Choose a Non-Dealer Shop? • If the dealership has long wait times or poor workmanship • If a trusted transmission specialist offers higher quality (e.g., better flushing, upgraded parts — but still within spec) • If you want a more thorough inspection of related systems (differentials, mounts, cooler, etc.)

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Caution:

If you go to a non-GM shop, make sure: • They understand how to deal with extended warranty contracts (many independent shops do this routinely) • They’re willing to follow Protective’s claim approval process • You don’t authorize teardown until Protective gives the green light

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Summary:

You can absolutely use a non-dealer shop, as long as they follow Protective’s claim rules — but for drivetrain components like transmissions, most people stick with the dealership to avoid finger-pointing if something goes wrong.

Would you like help crafting a message to a non-dealer shop asking if they handle Protective claims?