The safest play is an extended service contract through the manufacturer (or administered on their behalf). There's also some good quality aftermarket companies, like Fidelity and (in my opinion) CNA National Warranty Corp. I know there's some other good ones, and have seen attractive deals offered through GEICO directly to the insured, too. With good companies, it becomes a matter of the price. Paying $4,000 for an extended service contract that costs the seller $1,500 sucks. Get a good deal on one makes it similar to a fair deal on insurance. Some people can afford to self-insure, for some a catastrophic failure would be too painful.
I haven't seen an offer like porsche tech got since I sold Acuras in 1994-1995. It's a compelling offer- we sold a lot of them because of it. Let's say someone bought an extended service contract (warranty is not the correct term, technically) for $3,000. Chances are good it's going to pay for something, so let's say you recover $1,500 in repairs. The net cost was $1,500, but the peace of mind was worth something.
I bought a Fidelity warranty years ago on a Volvo S80 V8 I had with 75,000 miles on it. I got it for cost or $100-200 over, I don't remember at $3,100 or so. A year later I had gotten a little over $12,000 paid out on it on the transmission, adjustable shocks, and a couple other things.
