Subaru’s Extended Warranty Provides Some Peace of Mind

What IS Included

Subaru’s Added Security covers components that don’t perform as originally intended when they were manufactured. It goes beyond the automaker’s standard bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties. Any Subaru model that is still covered under a basic warranty is eligible for Added Security (not including commercial vehicles or those equipped with a snowplow.)

Therefore, you must purchase the Added Security within three years or 36,000 miles, which is the scope of the automaker’s bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Added Security is available with eight different plan terms, depending on which plan you choose. Some components are covered until 100,000 or even 120,000 miles. Subaru offers two vehicle protection plans: Classic and Gold Plus.

Component Coverage

What makes Subaru’s extended warranty unique is that it does not exclude wear and tear of covered components, such as low engine compression or excess oil consumption due to worn engine components. It also covers consequential damage to other components, such as brake caliper repairs requiring new brake pads, as well as struts and constant-velocity joints. The automaker even covers torn CV boots.

The Classic plan covers almost 1,000 components involving the engine, transmission, drivetrain, front suspension, steering, brakes, electrical, cooling, fuel systems, and air conditioning.

The more comprehensive Gold Plus plan covers hundreds more parts than the Classic plan and is comparable to the bumper-to-bumper coverage provided through the factory warranty. It also covers high-tech components, such as navigation systems, DVD players, and stereo components.

Repairs are made with genuine Subaru parts by factory-trained Subaru technicians at over 600 Subaru dealers in the United States and Canada.

Additional Perks

The extended warranty includes towing (up to $100 per day) and rental car reimbursement ($40 per day, up to $200)  for covered repairs. It provides 24-hour emergency roadside assistance that includes towing, jump start, tire change, fuel delivery, and lock-out services. The warranty also reimburses for lodging and meals if you break down over 50 miles from home.

Computerized trip routing, retailer locator service, and travel assistance are added benefits.

The extended warranty can be transferred to another private owner as long as it’s done within 30 days of purchase, which enhances resale value. There’s also an option to cancel your coverage and apply for a prorated refund.

Subarau also makes available maintenance plans for both new and used vehicles. It covers normal maintenance services, including parts, labor, and fluids.

What’s NOT Included

Only a few maintenance items and body parts are not covered by Subaru Added Security. This includes items such as glass, trim, upholstery, and batteries.

Unless you have a prepaid maintenance plan (which costs extra), the following maintenance services are not covered in the automaker’s extended warranty: tire and wheel protection, paintless dent repair, windshield protection, and key protection.

The Good

What we like about Subaru’s extended warranty is it combines both comprehensive component coverage with extra perks such as roadside assistance and trip interruption reimbursement. The warranty also covers wear and tear, onboard computers, and other items that aren’t commonly covered by some third-party warranties.

The roadside assistance alone is particularly beneficial if you put a lot of miles on your vehicle and don’t like to work on your own car. We also like that you can transfer coverage to a private owner or even cancel the warranty for a prorated refund.

The Bad

Like many other manufacturers, Subaru prefers consumers to service their vehicles at authorized dealerships. If something goes wrong, it’s unlikely your repair will be covered under warranty at your local garage. Plus, the extended warranty only covers OEM parts, so you have less freedom when it comes to modifying your ride.

In addition, in order to get Added Security, you must overlap coverage with the basic factory warranty. If you purchase an older model that no longer has bumper-to-bumper coverage, you’re out of luck.

Finally, while Subaru does offer roadside assistance, some competitor automakers also provide enhanced services such as concierge and key fob replacement programs, which Subaru does not.

Takeaway Value

There are benefits to buying an extended warranty, but many people don’t due to its cost. This makes sense since basic extended warranties typically just lengthen the defect repair coverage of manufacturer warranties.

Subaru’s Added Security is quite comprehensive in its inclusions and parts coverage. If you want to be prepared for unexpected repair expenses and have the comfort of roadside assistance, it’s worth considering.

However, if you don’t drive very often or prefer changing your own flat tire, it may not be worthwhile. Ultimately, the decision is yours.