Zurich Extended Warranty [Full Review]

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Are you considering purchasing a Zurich extended warranty for your vehicle? Founded in Switzerland in 1872, Zurich Insurance Group is one of the largest and longest-running insurance companies in the world.

In this review, we’ll provide you with all of the information you need to decide if a Zurich extended warranty is right for you. We’ll explain the provider’s coverage, cost, and quotes and claims processes and compare it to the best extended auto warranty companies in the nation.

A Zurich extended warranty, also called a vehicle protection plan, is only offered through select dealerships in the US by Zurich North America, a division of Zurich Insurance Group. That means that you can only purchase a Zurich extended warranty if you happen to be at a dealership that sells a Zurich warranty.

This is a significant downside for customers proactively seeking an extended warranty—also known as a vehicle service contract. Zurich holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

We called Zurich to see if the company worked with any dealerships in our area, and a representative gave us the phone numbers for five dealerships where Zurich’s extended warranty is sold. The representative said that the dealerships sell Zurich warranties at the time of vehicle purchase rather than afterward.

The cost of a Zurich extended warranty will depend on your vehicle’s mileage, age, and model. The more miles you have on your vehicle and the older it is, the more expensive your extended warranty will likely be. Luxury vehicles also tend to have higher extended warranty costs than non-luxury vehicles, since parts can be more expensive to replace.

The only way to find out what a Zurich warranty costs is to contact a dealership that sells the warranty. One Volvo S60R owner was reportedly quoted $3,500 for a 3-year/36,000-mile plan from Zurich. Whether that was a bumper-to-bumper extended warranty or basic powertrain warranty plan, that cost is rather high for just three years. In comparison, our 2021 extended auto warranty survey which polled 1,000 people found that 45% of respondents paid between $1,500 and $2,500 for an extended car warranty.

Zurich’s deductible is between $0 and $250 depending on how high of a monthly cost you are willing to pay. Typically, the higher the monthly cost, the lower your deductible. Zurich’s deductible is standard for an extended warranty.

Zurich offers three different extended warranty plans: Powertrain, Standard, and Comprehensive. The company has coverage for motorcycles in addition to automobiles, which is relatively unique.

Below is a table that explains each Zurich extended warranty at a high level. Drivers focused on covering their vehicle’s most expensive components can choose the Powertrain plan, while those who want their whole vehicle protected can purchase the Comprehensive plan.

We like that Zurich offers a variety of choices. On the other hand, the company does not provide sample contracts online, which prevents customers from analyzing these plans more closely. This is common for warranties offered through a dealership, though.

“I paid less than $2,800 for my service contract, and it already paid for nearly $2,000 of covered repairs. I would definitely recommend this warranty contract to anyone who drives an older car. Mine is [nine] years old.”

— Moshe via Consumer Affairs

“Their paperwork and pamphlets that come with the contract are misleading, and I would have never bought the warranty if I would have known that. Stay away. Go with someone else. Now I am out $1,200.”

— Chandler S. via BBB

In our in-depth Endurance warranty review, we found Endurance to have the Best Coverage and the most comprehensive benefits in the industry by far. The only extended warranty company that made the 2020 Inc. 5000, Endurance has grown over 280% in revenue since 2015.

The company also holds a prestigious partnership with Andretti Autosport, one of the most successful racing companies in the world. Jarett Andretti drives an Endurance-sponsored McLaren in the 2020 Pirelli GT4 Sprint class series.

Our CarShield review found that the company generally offers the lowest monthly cost among top providers. For that reason, we have recognized CarShield for having the Best Value.

CarShield is the most popular extended warranty provider in the industry, covering over one million vehicles and paying over $1 billion in claims since opening its doors in 2005. With CarShield, you have access to six levels of coverage including coverage for motorcycles and ATVs. CarShield provides standard extended warranty benefits to its customers, including a 30-day money-back guarantee, emergency roadside assistance, rental car benefits, and more.

Q & A

Is a Zurich extended warranty good?

Extended warranties from Zurich offer a good amount of coverage for a vehicle, including extra benefits like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement. But these extended warranties can only be purchased at select dealerships.

What does Zurich’s extended warranty cover?

This will depend on which plan you choose. If you purchase Zurich’s Powertrain plan, then only components of your powertrain will be covered. The Comprehensive plan covers most systems and components in a vehicle, with just a few exclusions like shock absorbers and the catalytic converter.

Can you buy an extended warranty on a used car?

While a factory warranty will come with almost any new car you buy these days, you can also purchase an extended warranty for a used car. Coverage plans typically range from barebones powertrain coverage to bumper-to-bumper exclusionary coverage like you'd get with a manufacturer's warranty on a new vehicle.