Brake pads and rotors are wear parts. They do not fail all at once. They thin, and then they need replacing. That slow change is easy to miss, and it is also the part of ownership most likely to turn into an argument over whether a claim is covered.
Know that wear is handled differently
Many service contracts treat wear items differently from mechanical breakdowns. Some name brake pads and rotors as excluded or as maintenance items. Others cover them only when a failure is sudden and not caused by wear. You cannot tell which kind you have from a brochure. Read the covered parts list and the wording about wear before you rely on either.
Keep a simple log
Every time the brakes are checked, write down the mileage, the shop, what was measured, and what the shop recommended. Ask for the measurement itself, not just a phrase like still good. A log of thickness readings shows the wear over time, and it shows whether a replacement was due when it happened.
Decide who replaces them
Settle the question before the pads are worn. Will you pay for pads yourself, will the contract pay, or does the answer depend on whether the wear was normal? If the answer depends on the wear, the log is what will decide it. Keep the records with the contract paper, not in a drawer.
Watch for the warning signs
A squeal, a grinding noise, a pull to one side, or a change in how the pedal feels is a reason to check sooner rather than later. Ask the shop to record what it found and whether any rotor damage came from pads that were already worn past their limit. That answer belongs in your file.