A sales pitch tells you what a service contract is supposed to do. The contract tells you what it will actually do, and those two documents do not always say the same thing. Before you sit down with anyone who wants a signature, ask for a sample copy of the contract form. Most providers keep one on file, and a seller who handles these every day should be able to produce it without a fuss.
Why the sample comes first
A pitch runs in the order the seller wants you to hear it, with the parts that sound good up front. The contract is organized differently, usually around definitions, exclusions, and claim procedure. Reading the form first lets you test each spoken promise against written language before anyone is pushing you toward a decision.
What to look for in the form
Start with the definitions section. Words such as failure, wear, and breakdown are often defined narrowly, and that definition can decide whether a repair counts. Then read the exclusions, the claim procedure, the cancellation clause, the transfer clause, and the waiting period language. Note who must authorize a repair, whether you have to call before any work starts, and what proof the provider asks for when you file.
When the form does not match the pitch
If the salesperson says something is covered, find the sentence that says so. If you cannot find it, write the question down and ask for the answer in writing. A verbal yes that does not appear in the form is not part of the agreement you would be signing. Keep your notes with the sample so you can compare them later.
Ask whether the sample is the real form
A sample may be a generic version. Ask whether the form you would receive is the same one, and whether the terms change with the vehicle's age, its mileage, the plan level you choose, or the state where the car is registered. If the terms do change, ask for the version that matches your car and your plan, not the brochure version.
If the seller will not show you the form
Treat a refusal as information. You can ask to take the form home before you decide, and a reasonable seller will not object. A seller who resists that request has told you how the rest of the process is likely to go. Do not sign under time pressure, and do not accept a summary sheet in place of the full contract.
If you want a starting point, this site lists vehicle service contract companies that post a sample contract you can read first. Use that list to see which providers make the form available before you ever sit down at a desk.