VW’s Extended Warranty Provides Protection When You Need It Most | Autance

What IS Included

VW’s service contracts are split into three levels, and they cover Volkswagen vehicles such as the Jetta and Passat for 10 years or up to 150,000 miles. The top tier is Platinum, and it is exclusionary coverage. It includes all mechanical parts of a vehicle unless they are specifically listed as “not covered,” such as spark plugs, wiper blades, body panels, and upholstery.

The second tier is Gold, which covers a vehicle’s engine, transmission, transaxle or transfer case, drive axle(s), and certain hybrid/electric components as well as front and rear suspension, climate control, fuel, electrical, and certain additional hybrid/electric components. The least comprehensive warranty plan, Powertrain, only covers the engine, transmission, and drivetrain.

All repairs are performed at participating VW dealers or authorized service facilities, and mechanics use genuine Volkswagen parts for every repair or replacement.

You can cancel an extended Volkswagen warranty at any time. It’s free for the first 30 days but is subject to a $50 fee following that date. Vehicle owners can choose deductible options of $0, $100 disappearing, $100, and $250 per visit. Owners can also transfer the warranty to a private party for a $50 fee. 

Added Perks

VW’s extended warranty includes 24-hour roadside assistance that provides battery service, flat tire assistance, fuel or fluid delivery, and lock-out out assistance up to $100 per occurrence. The VSP plans also include a towing reimbursement of up to $100.

In addition, the VW warranty provides rental car reimbursement up to $35 per day for up to 10 days and trip interruption coverage up to $200 per day for up to five days and a maximum of $1,000 per occurrence.

If you want even more protection, Volkswagen provides lease-end protection, guaranteed asset protection (GAP), tire and wheel protection with optional cosmetic coverage, multi-coverage protection, theft protection, and key protection, for additional fees.

What’s NOT Included

The VSP plans do not cover breakdowns caused by accidents, collisions, vandalism, or weather-related conditions. They also don’t cover issues related to lack of maintenance or pre-existing conditions.

While these scenarios are not covered by VW’s extended warranty, many of them are often taken care of through an insurance provider. 

The Good

Regardless of what protection plan you select, you pay nothing except for the deductible, an amount that you choose. This can save you a lot of money, particularly if your vehicle requires extensive work. Plus, you get some peace of mind knowing that most components are covered, depending on which warranty options you select. 

Also, repairs are carried out at VW-certified facilities that use OEM parts, so you know you’re getting high-quality components.

Another appealing feature of VW’s extended warranty is its additional benefits, such as roadside assistance. If you have a flat tire, need a tow, or run out of fuel, there’s comfort knowing help is simply a phone call away. Also, the automaker’s rental car reimbursement can be an additional money saver.

Finally, the plan is transferable, which can increase the resale value of your VW should you decide to sell it to a private individual. And if you don’t want to pay for the VSP plan anymore, you can cancel it at any time.

The Bad

One problem with VW’s extended warranty is there are several exclusions. Breakdowns caused by accidents, weather-related conditions, lack of maintenance, and pre-existing conditions are not included. And unless you choose the Platinum plan in which nearly everything is included, only certain components are covered.

Also, only VW-approved parts are warrantable. This limits how you can customize your vehicle with aftermarket parts. Plus, repairs must be performed at authorized service centers, so it limits where you can take your vehicle for service. This can be inconvenient if you don’t live near a Volkswagen dealership.

Takeaway Value

Consumers are split on the value of extended warranties, largely due to their cost. However, VW’s VSP plans are very comprehensive, particularly the Platinum tier, which covers nearly all components. 

If you have no interest in modifying your new car, don’t mind taking it to the dealership for repairs, and enjoy the perks of roadside assistance, a VW vehicle service contract can be very attractive. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether its benefits are worth the cost.