American Dream Auto Protect vs. Zurich Vehicle Service Contract
Compare coverage, cost and reviews
 |  |
|---|---|
4.1
1,029 reviews
|
4.5
851 reviews
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| No. of plans:3 | No. of plans:3 |
| Max mileage130,000 | Max mileage150,000 |
| Max vehicle age10 years | Max vehicle age15 years |
| Waiting period30 days | Waiting period10 to 30 days (varies) |
+1 more
American Dream Auto Protect and Zurich Vehicle Service Contract both offer extended car warranties that protect you financially after your manufacturer’s warranty expires.
While they offer similar services, there are some differences between the coverage they offer, the cost of their plans and the additional benefits you get. We’ve analyzed both companies to help you decide which is the right fit.
American Dream Auto Protect is our recommendation for focused coverage and transparent pricing. The company offers more flexibility in its plans, including the option for month-to-month contracts, increasing your chances of finding an extended warranty that suits your particular needs.
Zurich Vehicle Service Contract is a better choice for customers with older cars. Its maximum mileage limit exceeds that of American Dream, and it also provides coverage for vehicles with a broader age range.
American Dream Auto Protect vs. Zurich Vehicle Service Contract coverage
Plans from American Dream Auto Protect and Zurich Vehicle Service Contract offer varying levels of coverage for your vehicle's parts and systems.
American Dream Auto Protect coverage
American Dream Auto Protect offers three plans. You can fill out an online form to get a quote for your vehicle, but you’ll have to provide your contact information and wait for the company to contact you with your pricing details. You can also call directly to get a quote. Here are more details about each of its plans:
- Silver provides essential powertrain coverage only.
- Gold offers comprehensive coverage for your vehicle’s major powertrain systems.
- Platinum covers all powertrain and electrical systems.
Zurich Vehicle Service Contract coverage
Zurich’s three main coverage options:
- Powertrain is a basic warranty that covers your vehicle’s engine, transmission, transfer case and drive axle(s).
- Standard includes everything from the basic plan plus adds protection for suspension, steering, brakes, heating and air conditioning, and electrical components.
- Comprehensive builds on the first two plans by adding coverage for your cooling system, interior (door lock linkages, interior lights, etc.) and exterior (hinges, door mirrors, exterior lights).
We’ve broken down what’s covered under each of the companies’ plans below:
 |  | |
| Coverage | | |
|---|---|---|
| Plan | ||
| Engine | | |
| Transmission | | |
| Drive axle | | |
| Transfer case | | |
| Seals and gaskets | | |
| Turbocharger/supercharger | | |
| Heating system | | |
| Cooling system | | |
| Air conditioning | | |
| Brakes | | |
| Suspension | | |
| Steering | | |
| Fuel system | | |
| Electrical components | | |
| Navigation/GPS | | |
| High-tech components | | |
» LEARN MORE: What does a car warranty cover?
American Dream Auto Protect vs. Zurich Vehicle Service Contract cost
The cost of an extended auto warranty can vary significantly based on several key factors. Vehicle age and mileage are typically the most influential factors — newer cars with lower mileage generally cost less to cover than older vehicles with high mileage. The make and model of your vehicle also impact pricing, with luxury and high-performance vehicles usually commanding higher premiums due to more expensive repair costs.
Additionally, plans with comprehensive coverage cost more than basic powertrain protection. Plans may also be more expensive depending on where you live.
We gathered quotes for different vehicles with varying mileage to give you an idea of how prices compare between American Dream Auto Protect and Zurich Vehicle Service Contract. The prices below are for each company's lowest-tier plan unless otherwise noted. Keep in mind that coverage for these plans varies, so it’s not an exact apples-to-apples comparison of value.
For American Dream Auto Protect, we got quotes for a Ford F-150 and a Honda CRV with only 120,000 miles, since the company does not cover vehicles that have more than 130,000 miles.
Typically, the only way to obtain an extended auto warranty with Zurich, is to purchase it from your vehicle’s dealership. To find out if your vehicle qualifies and how much you can expect to spend, contact your dealership and see if it is an authorized dealer.
| Model and mileage | American Dream Auto Protect | Zurich Vehicle Service Contract |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Ford F-150 (150,000 miles) | $1,428 per year | - per year |
| 2014 Honda CRV (135,000 miles) | $1,167 per year | - per year |
| 2015 BMW 3 Series (125,000 miles) | $1,069 per year | - per year |
| 2016 Toyota Camry (110,000 miles) | $933 per year | - per year |
American Dream Auto Protect vs. Zurich Vehicle Service Contract policies
American Dream Auto Protect only offers a deductible of $125. We couldn’t find any stipulations for varying deductibles on different makes of cars. The company also has a $20 activation fee (one-time payment) when setting up a new policy. You can get a multiple-vehicle discount if you sign up for coverage on two or more vehicles at the same time.
Zurich Vehicle Service Contract’s plans are available for purchase through a certified dealership. The company also offers plans for motorcycles and ATVs.
| Benefit | American Dream Auto Protect | Zurich Vehicle Service Contract |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle inspection required | | |
| Contract length | Month to month, 3 years or 5 years | - |
| Quote process | Call | Online |
American Dream Auto Protect vs. Zurich Vehicle Service Contract additional benefits
In addition to coverage for mechanical failures of your vehicle's parts, American Dream Auto Protect and Zurich Vehicle Service Contract offer a few other benefits.
American Dream Auto Protect benefits
American Dream Auto Protect offers Elite Benefits as an exclusive package. It includes:
- Key fob replacement coverage for lost or damaged key fobs
- Tire repair and replacement services
- Collision repair discounts
- Total loss replacement assistance
Rental car reimbursement is limited to $30 per day or $150 maximum per repair. Trip interruption coverage provides up to $150 per day for up to three days when within 100 miles of your registered address.
Zurich Vehicle Service Contract benefits
Most Zurich plans include emergency roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and trip interruption protection. It also offers add-on coverage options (at an additional charge), such as:
- Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP)
- Road hazard tire and wheel protection
- Environmental protection
- Dent repair
- Key replacement
- Prepaid maintenance plans
- Technology protection
- Lease wear and use
| Benefit | American Dream Auto Protect | Zurich Vehicle Service Contract |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | | |
| Rental car reimbursement | | |
| Trip interruption | | |
| Transferability | | |
American Dream Auto Protect vs. Zurich Vehicle Service Contract reviews
For an honest assessment of customer satisfaction, let's examine what actual policyholders say about American Dream Auto Protect and Zurich Vehicle Service Contract.
American Dream Auto Protect reviews
Customers have generally had positive experiences with American Dream Auto Protect. Some mention that the signup process was easy and that they appreciated the thoroughness of the coverage.
- “Filing a claim was much simpler than I thought it would. The radio needed to be replaced on my car. American Dream ended up replacing that and covering it. A wiring harness needed to be replaced as well. They covered that and the car rental.” — Roland from Georgia
- “I took my car for brakes and it was the easiest claim to ever submit. I picked where I wanted to take my car and took it over there. I gave them the information and they were the ones that submitted my claim to American Dream. Then they called me up and told me it was approved. It was really fast.” — Rosenda from Colorado
However, there were a few complaints about claim rejections and delays in receiving reimbursement.
- “When I used the warranty, American Dream covered majority of the cost of the repair, about 70% of it, but the rest came from my pocket. They were also supposed to give me back a refund for the rental but I never received it.” — Denis from Massachusetts
» SEE FOR YOURSELF: American Dream Auto Protect reviews
Zurich Vehicle Service Contract reviews
Most ConsumerAffairs reviewers leave positive comments spotlighting Zurich’s ease of use, quick approvals, comprehensive coverage and affordability.
“The cool thing about Zurich is it does what it advertises. Anything that I've needed done on the car has been quick and efficient. There hasn't been any lagging or delay. Everything was covered. The only thing I had to pay for was a diagnostic.” — Mckenzie from Texas
“I liked the availability and the pricing of Zurich. Their claim process was easy. I filed a claim and got it processed through. Went quickly. No issues and I was able to get into a loaner vehicle throughout the duration of repairs. A good experience overall.” — Tyler from Florida
Negative reviews for Zurich tend to focus on claim denials, frustration with customer service, complicated or confusing contract terms and unexpected exclusions.
“Zurich inspected the vehicle and contacted me to ask about it—which I don’t know why they did. I thought they were only supposed to speak to the dealership?” and “I will never purchase any vehicle that has anything to do with Zurich ever again. They’ve wronged me terribly.” — Kellie from Michigan
» SEE FOR YOURSELF: Zurich Vehicle Service Contract reviews
Bottom line: American Dream Auto Protect or Zurich Vehicle Service Contract?
All things considered, what kind of driver is each provider best for?
American Dream Auto Protect is best for drivers who prioritize strong customer service and a seamless claims experience.
Zurich Vehicle Service Contract is best for customers purchasing a vehicle at a Zurich-certified dealership, particularly those seeking comprehensive coverage with multiple add-on options.
If neither sounds like a good fit, or if you’d simply like to see more top-rated providers, check out our other picks for the best extended car warranty companies.
