Subaru is known for making rugged and reliable vehicles that stand the test of time. Even with this reputation, manufacturer’s defects can still occur. That’s why we always recommend buying a vehicle service contract to protect you from hefty repair bills down the line. Learn more about the Subaru extended warranty review on today’s post!
Today, we’re going to go over the Subaru extended warranty. We’ll discuss the different levels of coverage, compare it to third-party programs, and make our ultimate recommendation.
The Highlights:
- Subaru offers three tiers of programs that include your choice of term lengths and deductibles.
- All warranties are transferable, although no fee is disclosed.
- Repairs must be completed at a Subaru dealership.
- We do recommend the Subaru vehicle service contract because it covers wear-and-tear issues and offers flexible plans.
Is It Worth Getting a Subaru Extended Warranty?
Before we can determine if a Subaru extended warranty is worth purchasing, we need to take a look at what’s included in their coverage.
Subaru calls their extended warranty programs “Added Security.” The Subaru extended protection plan has three tiers:
Powertrain
This base-level program provides coverage for the engine, transmission, and transaxle. It is intended to protect you from some of the more expensive repairs that can happen.
Classic
As the mid-tier plan, there is much more coverage in comparison to the Powertrain plan. Coverage is expanded to include the cooling and fuel systems, steering systems, front suspension, major electrical systems, and air conditioning.
Gold Plus
The top-tier program is described as providing coverage for “virtually every part of your Subaru.” There is comprehensive coverage for most systems and components on your vehicle.
If you’d like to dive deeper into what’s covered with the Subaru Added Security plans, you can view their component coverage brochure.
Subaru says that they offer term lengths all the way up to 10 years and 100,000 miles, although they do not provide the increments that you can select from.
All repairs must be completed at a Subaru dealership, and all repairs will be done with genuine parts. While some may see this as a limitation, we view it as an upside. Genuine parts typically have a better construction than aftermarket parts.
You’ll be able to pick from a $0 or $100 deductible for covered repairs.
Surprisingly, the Subaru extended warranty programs specifically include wear-and-tear components. This is highly unusual from a vehicle service contract and something we like to see.
Every tier of protection can be transferred to a new party if you sell the vehicle while the warranty is active. Subaru does not discuss if there is a transfer fee applied when you use this benefit.
Subaru offers other perks to tempt you into buying their service contract, as well, which include:
- Rental car reimbursement of up to $40 per day with a max of $200
- Towing reimbursement of up to $100 per day
- Trip interruption coverage with a $500 maximum if problems occur when you’re over 50 miles away from home
- 24/7 roadside assistance, including tire changes, battery jumps, gas delivery, and lockouts
Notice that we are not discussing prices in our Subaru extended warranty review? As we discussed in an earlier post about vehicle service contracts, prices are based on your VIN and mileage. This means that prices will vary from car to car. You’ll need to obtain several quotes to determine if Subaru is offering you a reasonable price for your extended warranty.
Is the Subaru extended warranty worth getting? We absolutely think so! The fact that it covers wear and tear alone puts it miles above most other service contracts. Beyond that, they include flexible plans and term lengths, so you can customize your coverage based on your needs.
Subaru Factory Extended Warranty vs. Third-Party Extended Warranty
Third-party extended warranties often mimic the coverage made available by automakers. They do this because they want to compete with the automakers. As such, most of the same components will be covered among different plans.
There are two vital differences between the Subaru extended warranty and third-party extended warranties:
Coverage for Wear and Tear
Most plans from third-party companies and other automakers will not cover any components that are damaged from wear and tear. The issue must stem from a manufacturer’s defect; otherwise, it’s not covered.
Repair Locations
With a Subaru extended warranty, all repairs must be completed at a Subaru dealership. Conversely, a third-party program will allow you to have repairs completed at almost any auto shop, provided they are licensed by ASE or AAA.
If you’re located close to a Subaru dealership, it’s worth getting a Subaru extended protection plan. However, if it would be difficult for you to get your car in at the dealership for repairs, a third-party program will likely be just as good.
What is Covered Under a Pre-Owned Subaru Extended Warranty?
Subaru’s FAQ section states that any Subaru that is still covered by the original factory warranty is eligible for an extended warranty. We take this to mean that this applies to Subaru certified pre-owned vehicles, as well. However, not all Subaru CPOs will still have a factory warranty. You’ll need to keep this in mind when shopping for your Subaru CPO vehicle.
Do We Recommend a Subaru Vehicle Service Contract?
What’s the final call on the Subaru extended warranty review? We do recommend getting a quote for a Subaru vehicle service contract. On their website, they say that they view extended warranties as a chance to provide great customer support, not as just another revenue stream. While this is certainly a statement intended to make a sale, their policy also seems to back that up. They cover wear-and-tear issues and have flexible coverage options, making their program worth investigating.
If you’re looking for another option, we offer vehicle service contracts through our third-party partners. They have clear coverage and transparent pricing, so you’ll know what you’re getting. We’ll even include a free consultation call to help you pick a warranty, even if you don’t pick our option. Contact us today to request a quote and schedule your consultation call.
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