IT'S OFFICIAL! USA Star Folarin Balogun Has Been Cleared To Play on Monday July 6, 2026 World Cup Match vs. Belgium

USA star Folarin Balogun is available to play in Monday's World Cup match against Belgium after his 1-game red card ban is suspended.https://t.co/BPM2ge6v7N pic.twitter.com/BBwpTFrypJ

— CNN (@CNN) July 5, 2026

The United States vs. Belgium FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match is scheduled for:

• Date: Monday, July 6, 2026

• kickoff: 8:00 PM Eastern / 7:00 PM Central (Arkansas) / 5:00 PM Pacific

• Location: Lumen Field (officially referred to by FIFA as Seattle Stadium) in Seattle.

The match will be televised on FOX and streamed through FOX's streaming platforms.

With Folarin Balogun now eligible to play, this has become one of the most anticipated Round of 16 matches of the tournament. 

A victory would send the United States to the quarterfinals against the winner of Portugal vs. Spain. 
 

READING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY CONTRACT ON YOUR CAR - Top Five Reasons Claims May Be Denied.

LET'S DO SOMETHING REALLY UNUSUAL - LET'S TAKE TIME AND READ THE CONTRACT...

If car owners would read what is NOT COVERED (EXCLUSIONS) first, many would IMMEDIATELY reject most car warranty advertisements.

According to Deloitte Survey 90% of consumers "accept legal terms and conditions without reading them." Read a Specimen Contract of CarShield - Platinum Plan

PREFACE

Several years ago, I reviewed a CarShield sample contract after seeing thousands of customer complaints posted online. At that time, CarShield had an "F" rating with the Better Business Bureau. Since then, CarShield has improved its BBB rating to A+, largely by responding more consistently to customer complaints and improving their complaint-resolution process.

An A+ BBB rating does not mean every repair claim is approved or that every customer is happy. It simply means the company has improved how it handles complaints according to BBB standards.

After reading the contract, I've reached the same conclusion I reported back in 2022:

The most important document is not the television commercial - it's the contract.

Almost every denied claim refers to language found in the service agreement. Many disappointed customers simply did not understand... 1) what was covered, 2) what was excluded, and 3) what responsibilities they agreed to before purchasing the plan.

This blog is a quick review of the "Top Five Reasons Claims May Be Denied." It will also help you understand the contract well enough to make an informed decision before spending your money.

This blog is not intended to tell you whether to buy an extended warranty plan or avoid it.

Top Five Reasons Extended Warranty Claims May Be Denied...

1. Incorrectly Filing a Claim Described by the Manufacturer as Normal Maintenance Services - CarShield will not pay for maintenance services that car owners are responsible for, such as - wheel alignment, wheel balancing, tuneups, spark plugs, hoses, belts, wiper blades, brake pads, brake shoes, drums or rotors. 

Maintenance items are not mechanical breakdowns. Most service contracts cover mechanical failures, not wear-and-tear components. See EXCLUSIONS, Part C page 11.

2. Pre-existing Conditions - This is probably the biggest misunderstanding for customers. If your vehicle already has symptoms before coverage begins - such as: check engine light, ABS light, transmission slipping, engine knocking, engine overheating, coolant leaks, hard starting, oil leaks, engine smoking at the tailpipe, suspension noises and others - then, the administrator may determine the failure existed before your contract became effective. No vehicle service contract wants to insure something that is already broken.

See EXCLUSIONS, Part N page 12.

3. Lack of Normal Maintenance as Required by the Manufacturer - Do you follow a maintenance schedule for your vehicle?

The maintenance schedule for your vehicle is found in the owner's manual. You may want to reconsider signing-up for an extended warranty plan if you do not follow a maintenance schedule for your vehicle.

A covered part is not automatically a covered claim. Coverage depends on whether the cause of the failure meets the terms and conditions of the contract.

Example: A Water Pump Failure - You Assume your Vehicle is Covered Under the Service Contract. The water pump itself may be covered. However, suppose the cooling system had not been maintained according to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule.

The coolant had never been replaced, the radiator hoses were cracked and leaking, or the system had been operated while overheating. If the administrator determines the water pump failed because of neglected maintenance or because the vehicle continued to be operated after overheating, the claim may be denied - even though the water pump is normally a covered component.

You should therefore read both the Covered Components section and the Exclusions section equally.

If the contract requires maintenance according to the manufacturer's schedule, you should keep receipts and invoices, record mileage, and document with dates when services were performed. Without documentation, it can become difficult to prove that your vehicle was properly maintained.

READ the contract and avoid surprising loopholes.
See EXCLUSIONS, Part F page 11.

4. Damage Due to Continued Operation - If you notice your engine TEMP gauge indicating HOT and your vehicle begins steaming under the hood, your extended warranty expects you to pull over IMMEDIATELY and shut the engine OFF. You should contact their 800 number  and follow the emergency assistance procedures offered under the contract.

If you drive the vehicle for any length of time; to the next exit; or try to make it home or to the nearest authorized shop - your claim may be denied because of CONTINUED OPERATION.

Most contracts exclude damage caused by continued operation after obvious warning signs. See EXCLUSIONS, Part K page 12

5. Understanding the Claims Process and Giving Authorization for Diagnosis and Tear-downs. 

Many consumers think they can simply take the vehicle to a repair shop and hand over their warranty card. That is not how most vehicle service contracts work.

Usually:

• the repair shop diagnoses the problem,
• the administrator authorizes covered repairs,
• inspection may be required,
• the shop proceeds after approval.

If the repair is not covered, the customer is generally responsible for diagnostic charges.

The contract clearly states that you must authorized the repair before filing a claim to determine if the repair is covered by the warranty. You also agree to pay for "this inspection to diagnose the problem."

This statement insures the repair facility get paid for their service and that CarShield will not be responsible for repairs that are not covered. 

Read the contract and understand your responsibility... 
See What to Do in Event of a Failure, No. 4-7 page 8

Here's My Final Comments: My opinion hasn't changed over the past few years. I believe the best investment for most vehicle owners is keeping up with routine maintenance. A well-maintained vehicle often avoids many of the expensive repairs that people hope an extended service contract will cover. 

An extended service contract is not a substitute for routine maintenance. Even if you purchase coverage, you are still responsible for maintaining the vehicle according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Save your money and pay for only ONE - routine maintenance. 

Have a great day and keep your eyes on your money. 

 
Before Buying Any Extended Warranty, Ask Questions... 
What are the exclusions?  Is there a waiting period? Is there a deductible? Can I choose my own repair shop? Who pays for diagnosis if the claim is denied? 

Not affiliated with CarShield or any extended warranty company...
Freestuffinder.org is for informational use only and is not intended as a repair guide or for legal advice....