Every car is likely to experience mechanical issues at some point in its life. Once your car’s factory warranty expires, you have to pay for repairs out of pocket, which can get expensive. An extended auto warranty can prolong protection and help cover those unexpected repair costs when they arise.

There are many extended car warranty companies to choose from, which is why we at the MarketWatch Guides team have done the research to help you find the best warranty company for your needs. In this overview, we assess the value of a Zurich auto warranty. Check out our in-depth findings below.

Key Takeaways:

• Zurich offers three warranty plan options that range from basic coverage to bumper-to-bumper protection. 
• To purchase a warranty from Zurich or get a quote, you must go through a dealership.
• Zurich earns an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), indicating the provider is responsive to customer complaints. 

Zurich Auto Warranty Review

Our team rates each provider in specific categories to assign an overall rating. While Zurich has a solid reputation and a good coverage selection, it earns lower scores in our cost and transparency categories. 

Is a Zurich Warranty Worth It?

Whether or not a Zurich warranty is worth it depends on your needs. If you plan to keep your new car past its factory warranty expiration and don’t want surprise repair bills, a vehicle protection plan from Zurich can be worth the money.

Extended auto warranties cover some of the major components of your vehicle. When mechanical breakdowns occur, all you have to do is pay your deductible, and if the provider approves the claim, they’ll pay the rest. 

This coverage provides peace of mind while also ensuring your vehicle receives the care it needs. In turn, you can prolong its operating life and retain more of its resale value. 

Pros and Cons of a Zurich Auto Warranty

When considering Zurich as your warranty provider, here are some of the pros and cons to consider:

Zurich Warranty Customer Reviews and Ratings

Before committing to a vehicle service contract from a particular warranty provider, it’s important to research reviews. Warranty reviews are a good way to learn more about how Zurich handles customer complaints and claims. 

The BBB gives Zurich an A+ rating, meaning it shows commitment to answering customer complaints and addressing any concerns. However, the company receives a lower score from customer ratings on the platform. Out of just over 100 customer reviews, the average rating is nearly 1.3 stars out of 5. Positive customer reviews cite excellent coverage, while negative customer reviews mention difficult, lengthy claims processes and poor customer service. 

Zurich Warranty Coverage

Zurich offers three levels of extended auto warranty coverage. These levels range from basic powertrain protection to a comprehensive plan. The company also offers add-on coverages to protect other parts of your vehicle. See an overview of Zurich auto warranties below. 

Zurich Auto Warranty Plans

Here’s a breakdown of Zurich’s three available extended warranty plans:

The plans’ coverage terms are not listed online, as this information is only available through dealerships. However, when we reached out to a dealer about comprehensive coverage for a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado, the representative said the term length was 5 years/60,000 miles. 

In addition to its standard vehicle service contracts, Zurich offers warranties that provide coverage for other scenarios.

Zurich Shield Advanced Environmental Protection

The Zurich Shield Advanced Environmental Protection pays for damages that most factory and extended warranties don’t, like damage due to bird waste, weather fading and acid rain. This warranty provides coverage for the vehicle’s interior and exterior, like its paint, fabric, vinyl and leather surfaces. 

Zurich Road Hazard Tire & Wheel

If your tires or wheels incur damage from a road hazard like a pothole or debris, this plan covers the repair or replacement costs. It also covers the cost of mounting and balancing wheels. 

Zurich Prepaid Maintenance

Keeping up with routine maintenance is the best way to prevent high repair costs in the future. With this plan, you’ll prepay for recurring expenses like oil changes. This can save you money over time if costs rise, and it keeps you compliant with your maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. 

Other protection plans from Zurich include: 

• Paintless dent repair: Zurich’s paintless dent repair package provides seamless fixes to exterior cosmetic damages. This plan has no deductibles and is available for both new and used cars. 
• Theft deterrent: This package provides assistance recovery in the event of theft, as well as warning labels through Universal Security Guard^Ⓡ.
• Guaranteed asset protection (gap): Gap coverage helps cover the difference between your car’s value and your loan or lease’s remaining balance in the event of a total loss.

Zurich Extended Warranty Benefits

A Zurich auto warranty offers perks with all of its coverage plans. These perks include:

• Emergency roadside assistance: This perk covers towing, lockout service, fuel delivery, battery jump-starts and flat-tire changes.
• Rental car reimbursement: When your vehicle is in the shop for covered repairs and you need transportation, Zurich pays for a rental car up to a daily maximum.
• Trip interruption coverage: If you experience a mechanical breakdown at least 100 miles from home, Zurich will reimburse you for food and lodging for up to three days while the repair facility fixes your vehicle.
• Flexibility: Unlike manufacturer’s warranties that only cover repairs from a certified dealership, Zurich covers repairs from any mechanic certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
• Fully transferable plans: Should you sell your used vehicle, you can transfer the warranty to the next owner.

Zurich Extended Warranty Exclusions

Every extended auto warranty comes with its share of exclusions: these are items the carrier doesn’t cover. Below are some of Zurich’s exclusions:

• Wear and tear parts like batteries, tires (unless under a plan), spark plugs and wiper blades
• Any parts that are not factory-installed
• Repairs due to rust, rattles, squeaks or air/water leaks

Make sure to read the fine print of your protection plan, as it will outline all exclusions that apply to your policy. 

Zurich Extended Warranty Cost

Zurich doesn’t make it easy to get quotes. To learn what you may pay for coverage, you have to visit a dealership that sells Zurich warranty plans. The level of coverage you want, your deductible choice and your vehicle’s make, model and mileage all influence warranty costs. Based on our team’s research, our team found that extended auto warranties cost between $1,500 to $3,500 on average.

How Do Claims Work for Zurich Auto Warranty?

Zurich’s claims process is pretty straightforward. When your vehicle breaks down, call roadside assistance to take it to your preferred repair shop. Next, contact Zurich or file a claim online. The company will work with the repair shop to determine the cause of the repair need and whether to approve the claim. Should Zurich approve the claim, you’ll pay your deductible, the provider will cover the rest and the mechanic will repair the vehicle. If it doesn’t approve your claim in the case the repair isn’t covered, you’ll need to cover the cost out of pocket.

Zurich Car Warranty: The Bottom Line

Zurich offers three extended auto warranty plans that each include roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and trip interruption coverage. The company offers reliable coverage, but the downside is that you have to purchase coverage through a participating dealership. It’s worth getting quotes from a couple of the best extended auto warranty providers to compare your cost and coverage options.

Zurich Extended Warranty Alternatives

When you shop for an extended warranty, it’s a good idea to compare providers to find the best choice. We recommend Endurance and CarShield, which rank among our list of the best extended warranty providers: 

Endurance: Most Comprehensive Coverage

Endurance offers ample coverage options with excellent customer satisfaction and free perks like roadside assistance, which is why it’s our top choice of warranty provider. With every plan, you gain access to one year of Endurance Elite Benefits, including key fob replacement, $1,000 in total loss coverage and $500 in collision discounts. 

If you or someone you know has been a victim of Zurich and have presented a mis-selling claim to them and you think you have been mistreated, we want to hear from you.

Please email us with your story in strict confidence at hello@shoout.com

If we feel we can publicise your story, we will contact you.