Sean Donnelly
WriterSean Donnelly is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront. His content draws on more than three years of experience in the moving industry. During his time in the industry, Sean assisted more than 500 clients with their relocation needs. Thanks to his years of hands-on experience, he understands all aspects of moving — from proper preparation to the quote process to effective packing techniques. Aside from his content covering home services, Sean previously covered boxing for Round By Round Boxing. This required him to interview contenders and world title challengers and deliver fight predictions and recaps. Sean studied English literature and creative writing at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and is still located in the greater Springfield area.
When he isn’t writing, Sean is the co-head coach of the boxing team for which he used to compete, at his alma mater. Aside from coaching, he still spars and trains himself and plays in a men’s baseball league during the summer months.
Recent Stories
Among its eight vehicle protection plans, CarShield offers coverage for both ATVs and motorcycles. These plans come in two tiers with flexible month-to-month contracts. This can give you more financial control, as you won’t have to pay a large lump sum upfront or sign up for long-term monthly payments. We rate CarShield among the best…
AAA’s extended auto warranties feature low starting costs and cover a range of mechanical breakdowns. While plans provide high 175,000-mile limits and protect cars up to 12 model years old, they’re only available at certain AAA offices. American Automobile Association — AAA — has more than 1,000 offices across the United States that provide help…
Endurance features monthly costs between $93 and $123 for coverage plans ranging from basic powertrain to bumper-to-bumper protection. Pricing depends on your coverage level, deductible selection and vehicle mileage. This provider’s warranties — along with most other extended coverage plans you’ll encounter — won’t cover preexisting conditions. But if your car is still in good…
Tesla owners pay an average of $832 per year for repairs and maintenance, according to RepairPal data. While Teslas don’t require conventional maintenance, such as oil changes, annual upkeep costs are $180 higher than the industry average of $652. Based on driver reports, frequent battery and suspension issues require frequent visits to the mechanic. An…
Aside from selling used cars, Carmax offers in-house extended warranty coverage. This provides up to 5 years/150,000 miles of protection for all vehicles it sells. It provides easily accessible online quotes that break down total and monthly pricing so you can properly budget. Unlike most car dealerships, Carmax’s warranty offering must be purchased along with…
Replacing a faulty or damaged evaporator coil in your air conditioner system can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000, including parts and labor, according to HVAC pro Jordan Benjamin of Done Rite Services in Tucson, Arizona. Though performing routine HVAC maintenance, such as replacing air filters and cleaning vents, is easy for most homeowners, we…
Dodge owners pay an average of $634 for maintenance and repairs each year, according to RepairPal data. Of this figure, between $269 and $353 accounts for annually required basic maintenance tasks. These costs are fairly typical compared to the $652 average across all prominent vehicle brands. Some Dodge owners report issues with their transmission, electrical…
Audi’s average cost of maintenance and repairs is $987 per year, according to RepairPal data, exceeding the industry average by more than $300. This includes basic maintenance, such as filter and fluid changes, and more costly emergency repairs, such as transmission replacements and extensive powertrain component fixes. Your exact ownership costs will depend on the…
Porsche maintenance and repairs cost an average of $1,192 each year, according to RepairPal. The average cost of basic maintenance tasks, including oil changes and brake inspections, ranges from $357 to $650. Aside from annual tune-ups, you may have to pay for unexpected repairs. Many typical Porsche issues listed on RepairPal require expensive solutions that…
Volkswagens (VWs) have slightly higher annual maintenance and repair costs than the industry average at $676 compared to $652, according to RepairPal. Additionally, J.D. Power and RepairPal data show that VWs require frequent repairs and have many expensive parts that could need replacement in your first few years of ownership. Because of this, buying additional…
Mayflower has provided local and interstate moving services since its founding in 1927. The company is a large part of UniGroup Worldwide, which owns United Van Lines. United and Mayflower are nationwide moving carriers that offer international moving services to most countries. This includes both military moves and corporate relocations. The moving company’s packages and…
You’ll spend an average of $468 each year on maintenance and repairs when owning a Hyundai — about 28% less than the $652 average across all models, according to RepairPal. Hyundai has high reliability scores from third-party rating agencies, such as J.D. Power and Edmunds, and owners report fewer-than-average unscheduled repair shop visits, per RepairPal.…
The average annual cost of upkeep for a Mercedes-Benz vehicle is $908, according to vehicle owner data from RepairPal. This far exceeds the industry average of $652 reported by the same source. The higher-than-average cost of repairs and annual maintenance tasks may justify purchasing an extended car warranty. While your car is still covered by…
Toyota maintenance and repairs cost an average of $441 each year compared to the $652 annual average across all other manufacturers, according to owner data RepairPal collected. Data from the same source shows that routine maintenance accounts for anywhere from $300 to $350 of this average cost. Luckily, ToyotaCare offers maintenance coverage in the first…
Acura’s annual cost of maintenance and repairs is well below the $652 average across 32 major car manufacturers cited by RepairPal. At an average maintenance and repair cost of $501 per year, Acuras require few emergency repairs and usually only need basic fluid changes and tire rotations year to year. Repair frequency and vehicle upkeep…
BMWs have high maintenance costs and require frequent visits to mechanics, according to owner data submitted to RepairPal. Frequent issues include cooling system malfunctions, electrical system problems and oil filter gasket leaks. The average annual cost for repairs and maintenance is $968, which is $314 more than the average for other major car brands. If…
Lexus vehicles are among the most reliable on the road, according to maintenance cost data and customer reviews from RepairPal, J.D. Power and Edmunds. J.D. Power’s 2024 Vehicle Dependability Study found that Lexus cars experience fewer problems per 100 vehicles than any other major brand. Plus, their $551 annual maintenance cost reported by RepairPal is…
Annual maintenance and repair costs across all Nissan models average $500 per year, according to RepairPal. Actual costs will depend on your model and model year, as well as the severity of the repairs required. Maintenance costs will be different from the average repair costs, but keeping up with your vehicle’s maintenance can help prevent…
The average vehicle costs $652 per year to maintain and repair, according to data from RepairPal. Ford exceeds this, averaging $775 annually to stay on the road. The most common issues Fords experience include spark plug issues, electrical failures and transmission issues, such as rough shifting, according to the blog on Blake Ford in Franklin,…
Volvo’s extended warranty plans cover everything from your vehicle’s drivetrain elements to entertainment and electrical systems. As is the case with other manufacturer extended warranties, you won’t be limited to one plan option. While it isn’t always necessary to buy an extended warranty, Volvo’s reliability scores and breakdown statistics may make doing so a good…