Investing in an extended auto warranty or vehicle service contract provides peace of mind to a car owner worried about breakdowns and surprise repair bills. However,  choosing the best coverage and warranty company is challenging because so many options are available. The marketplace can be overwhelming for someone new to or less familiar with the world of extended warranties.

With this in mind, let’s explore two popular providers: Endurance and Nova Warranty. We’ll take an in-depth look at these companies and the coverage they provide. In addition, you’ll learn about what customers can expect from customer service, claims processing, additional benefits, transparency, and other details. In short, you’ll have everything you’ll need to make an informed decision about purchasing protection for your vehicle.

About the Warranty Companies

While Endurance and Nova Warranty are well-known in the extended warranty industry, the two firms have different backgrounds.

Illinois-based Endurance Warranty was established in 2006 and has a long history of offering auto protection plans. Since 2012, Endurance has paid hundreds of millions in claims. In addition, we have received extensive recognition over the years. In 2023, Endurance was ranked on the Inc. 5000 list and rated a “Top Place to Work” by the Chicago Tribune. Further, The Business Concept named Endurance the “Best Vehicle Service Contract Provider USA” for 2023.

In contrast, Nova Warranty is a newcomer. State records show that the company was formed in Delaware in November 2022. As a result, Nova’s story is just beginning. There’s little public recognition to cite and no published information about claims volume.

One aspect both companies share is being direct administrators for the extended warranties they sell. This means no third party steps in to manage a claim; plan holders deal directly with the business they purchased coverage from.

What About the Coverage Options?

The core of the comparison between Endurance and Nova Warranty is a thorough review of each company’s extended warranty plans. But before diving into the details, it’s essential to understand the fundamental concepts behind extended car warranties.

Most warranty providers, including Endurance and Nova Warranty, offer stated component coverage plans. These plans specifically list the covered vehicle components, meaning that any parts not mentioned are excluded from coverage. Some companies go further by offering exclusionary coverage that protects all vehicle components except those specifically listed as excluded. Exclusionary plans cost more but provide coverage similar to a new-car bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Endurance Warranty Plans

1. Secure

Secure is Endurance’s most affordable powertrain coverage plan. It’s stated component coverage that safeguards the engine, transmission, drive axles, and select supplement systems like the water pump and factory-installed turbochargers. This budget-friendly option protects the most vital and often costliest components to repair.

2. Secure Plus

Secure Plus builds on the Secure plan’s stated component coverage by adding more protection for other major components, such as the brakes, air conditioning, steering, and core electrical parts. This program balances affordability with expanded coverage.

3. Superior

Endurance’s Superior plan provides the company’s highest level of stated component coverage. Plan holders receive extra protection that covers additional electrical components, the fuel system, the cooling system, and the front and rear suspension.

4. Select Premier

High-mileage vehicles (up to 150,000) are protected through Endurance’s Select Premier program. In addition to powertrain protections like the Secure plan’s stated component coverage, owners are covered for the electrical system, air conditioning, cooling system, fuel system, and luxury electric parts (like power window motors or electronic door lock actuators).

5. Advantage

The Advantage plan combines the benefits of stated component protections and coverage for routine upkeep. The program provides up to $3,5000 for routine maintenance, including oil changes, diagnostic exams, and tire rotations. There are also allowances for one-time services such as battery replacement and cooling system maintenance

6. Supreme

Supreme, an exclusionary plan, is Endurance’s most comprehensive coverage program, offering maximum breakdown protection for nearly all vehicle parts. This premium offering is ideal for owners who are used to the safeguards of a factory bumper-to-bumper warranty that has since expired.

7. Supreme for Highline Vehicles

Endurance offers specialized exclusionary coverage for select luxury models from Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati, Mercedes Benz, and Porsche. This protection is available for qualifying vehicles up to eight years old with a maximum of 80,000 miles

8. Optional Coverage

Endurance offers upgrades that offer more customized extended warranty protections. These options cover commercial-use vehicles, modified vehicles, and high-tech electronics (like touchscreen infotainment systems). Endurance also uniquely offers mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) plans for drivers residing in California.

Nova Warranty Plans

1. Nova Powertrain

Nova Powertrain is the company’s base offering and a stated component program. In addition to protecting the engine, transmission, and drive axle (excludes all-wheel drive vehicles), this plan also covers primary electric components, the cooling system, and the brakes (excluding anti-lock brakes).

2. Nova Superior

Nova’s top offering builds on its Powertrain plan, which covers all-wheel drive, turbochargers, the differential, front and rear suspension, steering, air conditioning, the fuel system, anti-lock brakes, and high-tech electronics. Nova Warranty doesn’t publicly disclose if its Superior plan is stated component coverage or an exclusionary program.

In summary, Endurance’s numerous plans offer more options and customization, allowing car owners to get the exact level of protection they need. Nova Warranty holds its own with two plans, making the process simpler for those who prefer a one-size-fits-all approach.

Assessing Customer Service

An extended warranty is only as good as the customer service that backs it up. Both companies employ teams of professionals to help during the sales process and for post-purchase support. Access is straightforward: via phone or email. However, Endurance Warranty goes a step further with the Endurance smartphone app, which provides a “Help” button for easy access to support.

Endurance’s nearly two decades in the extended warranty industry means it has a proven track record of serving its customers. The company regularly receives the Stevie Award, one of the world’s leading business award programs. In 2023, Endurance received a Silver Stevie Award for its outstanding sales and customer service efforts. Past Stevie awards have seen Endurance being named for the customer service department of the year and company of the year.

There’s not much else to say about Nova Warranty’s customer support, good or bad. The company hasn’t been around long enough to accumulate recognition, industry accolades, or a history of positive consumer interactions, which can change over time.

Claims Processing: Efficiency and Ease

If solid customer service is one essential element of an extended warranty, effortless claims handling is another. An efficient claims process makes repairs hassle-free and gets car owners back on the road more quickly.

Endurance and Nova Warranty plan holders can file a claim by phone or email, but Endurance’s smartphone app offers added convenience. Via the Endurance app, customers can file a claim at any time and from just about anywhere. Equally as important, the app provides claim status updates, so there’s no need to make a phone call or wait for an email.

This extra resource is invaluable as more complex extended warranty claims can involve a third-party inspector to ensure the repair shop performs satisfactory work. All extended warranty companies work this way. So, accessing the app lets Endurance customers know precisely when their claims are approved.

Endurance offers deductibles ranging typically from $0 to $200, though they can reach up to $500 for luxury vehicles. Nova’s deductible amounts are not readily available to view online.

Both companies allow customers to take their cars to any licensed repair facility for covered repairs, including a trusted mechanic or a preferred dealership. This is typical with most extended warranty companies, but what’s uncommon is that Endurance has partnered with RepairPal. Hence, its customers have convenient access to a network of professional service centers.

There are more than 2,800 RepairPal certified shops that are required to pass rigorous skill and customer service standards and offer a minimum warranty on all work (at least 12 months or 12,000 miles). Importantly, the RepairPal platform includes access to ASE Certified technicians and highly trained professionals who are verified experts across numerous automotive specialties.

Endurance plan holders can locate a RepairPal network shop online or call Endurance customer service. In addition, Endurance customers get free access to RepairPal Car Genius for expert car advice.

Additional Benefits from the Car Warranty Companies

Along with breakdown coverage, Endurance and Nova Warranty include extra benefits that provide extra value and convenience. Both companies provide:

• 24-hour roadside assistance (for towing, jump-starts, lockout service, and fuel delivery)
• Rental car reimbursement
• Trip interruption protection

Endurance expands its perks with:

• Endurance Smartphone App: This app provides easy access to customer service and claims and enables customers to quickly contact roadside assistance without searching for a number. In addition, plan details and benefits are right at one’s fingertips.
• Endurance Elite Benefits: After paying a small activation fee, all Endurance customers are eligible for a free year of Elite Benefits. The program, worth up to $2,000, provides tire coverage (reimbursement for tire repairs and replacements—up to two tires per year due to road hazards), key fob replacement, collision repair discounts, and loss protection ($1,000 toward a replacement vehicle due to an accident).

Transparency and Trustworthiness / Customer Reviews

You want to be sure that any company you rely on for an extended warranty has a track record of being honest and upfront. Often, this shows up as positive reviews. Turn to review sites, and you find praise-filled comments about covered claims and repeat customers. People have good things to say about Nova Warranty, too, regarding its claims process and responsive customer service.

But, like most businesses, not every extended warranty customer is happy with their purchase. Often, this can be traced to a lack of understanding about what the coverage provides. Let’s face it: cars are complex. So, it’s only natural that the warranties that protect them are equally as intricate.

One way around the confusion is to provide prospective customers with as much information as possible. A fully informed customer is more likely to be a happy one. It’s in this area that Endurance is set apart from Nova Warranty.

To start with, Endurance makes sample contracts available for download from its website. You won’t find this information readily available from Nova Warranty. This type of disclosure helps car owners better understand how they’re protected. Equally important is that having access to contract information early on creates opportunities for customers to ask questions before securing coverage.

Endurance’s approach to transparency includes a blog with hundreds of articles about extended warranties, car repair advice, DIY tips, and more. These posts are written by ASE Certified mechanics and other automotive experts, ensuring readers get helpful and insightful information. Nova Warranty doesn’t offer a similar resource.

This information-sharing difference extends to something as simple as FAQs (frequently asked questions). Head to the FAQ section on Endurance’s website, and you’ll find dozens of answers divided into essential topic areas. Meanwhile, Nova Warranty’s FAQs section has six answers.

Nova’s website promises “Get a Free Quote in Seconds,” but completing the online form only means you still need to talk to a representative to get pricing. Meanwhile, visit the Endurance online store, answer a few questions, and you’ll get an instant quote for your coverage options. You can also follow up with an Endurance representative to learn more or explore upgrades and other plans.

	Endurance	Nova Warranty
Sample Contracts	Yes	No
Informative Blog	Yes	No
FAQs	70+	6
Online Pricing	Yes	No

Overall, car owners looking for extended warranty protection will find Endurance more transparent about coverage, pricing, and other crucial details.

Move Forward with Endurance Warranty

Getting a vehicle protection plan doesn’t have to be frustrating or done in the dark. Discover how Endurance’s open and transparent approach adds to the peace of mind from extended warranty protection.

Visit the Endurance online store for instant price and plan information or request a FREE quote. Personalized service by phone is available by calling (800) 253-8203. Endurance plan advisors can answer questions and suggest extended warranty options that match your budget and coverage needs.