Nova Warranty vs. Onust
Compare coverage, cost and reviews
 |  |
|---|---|
4.8
114 reviews
|
3.5
8 reviews
|
| No. of plans:2 | No. of plans:2 |
| Max mileage130,000 | Max mileage125,000 |
| Max vehicle age- | Max vehicle age10 years |
| Waiting period30 days | Waiting periodNone |
+1 more
Nova Warranty and Onust 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.
Nova Warranty is our recommendation to buyers looking for a low-cost basic plan. Premiums for the lowest tier plan cost less at Nova than at Onust. The basic plan from Nova also offers coverage on more important components that can be costly to repair, like brakes and the engine.
Onust works well for buyers seeking flexible contract options. Unlike Nova Warranty, the company offers month-to-month plans, allowing customers to get coverage without being locked into long-term contracts. Onust also does not require a waiting period, so those who sign up with the company get protection more quickly.
Nova Warranty vs. Onust coverage
Plans from Nova Warranty and Onust offer varying levels of coverage for your vehicle's parts and systems.
Nova Warranty coverage
Nova Warranty offers two plans: Nova Powertrain and Nova Superior.
- Nova Powertrain covers essential components, including the engine, transmission, drive axle, electrical systems (like the starter and alternator), cooling systems (like the radiator) and brakes.
- Nova Superior provides more comprehensive coverage. It includes everything in the Powertrain plan plus components like turbos and superchargers, all-wheel or four-wheel drive, suspension systems, steering, air conditioning and heating, fuel systems, anti-lock brakes and high-tech electronics (like factory-installed GPS).
Both plans include roadside assistance, towing, rental car reimbursement and trip interruption coverage.
Onust coverage
Onust offers two vehicle coverage plans: Onust Connect Tech and Onust Connect Plus.
- Onust Connect Tech is the most basic plan. The main feature is 24/7 towing and roadside assistance, which covers flat tires, lockouts, dead batteries, fuel issues and other possible emergency situations. It also comes with notifications for vehicle safety and recalls, as well as the ability to connect to certified mechanics to get questions answered.
- Onust Connect Plus includes everything in the Connect Tech plan, plus mechanical breakdown coverage, rental car coverage and lodging reimbursement. This is more similar to a traditional extended warranty plan.
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?
Nova Warranty vs. Onust 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 Nova Warranty and Onust. 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.
Nova Warranty quotes were collected based on its shortest contract period, three years. We received quotes for the Nova Powertrain plan.
We received quotes for the Onust Connect Plus plan since it compares most similarly in coverage with a powertrain plan. The Ford F-150 and Honda CRV quotes are only 125,000 miles, since the company does not offer this coverage for vehicles with more than this. Onust plans have an activation fee ($300 for the Toyota Camry and Honda CRV, $569 for the BMW 3 Series and $479 for the Ford F-150) that we have included in the cost per year in our table below.
| Model and mileage | Nova Warranty | Onust |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Ford F-150 (150,000 miles) | $850 per year | $1,595 per year |
| 2014 Honda CRV (135,000 miles) | $967 per year | $984 per year |
| 2015 BMW 3 Series (125,000 miles) | $1,268 per year | $1,409 per year |
| 2016 Toyota Camry (110,000 miles) | $1,117 per year | $984 per year |
Nova Warranty vs. Onust policies
Nova Warranty allows you to cancel your plan at any time. If you cancel within 30 days, you can receive a full refund. After 30 days, you may qualify for a prorated refund based on the time remaining in your contract.
Onust mechanical breakdown coverage has a $0 deductible and begins immediately. However, there is an activation fee that starts at $125 and varies based on the type of vehicle you’re covering.
There are some limitations on which vehicles can be covered, however. Onust will not cover vehicles with over 125,000 miles or vehicles that are over 10 model years old. European, diesel and electric vehicles must have less than 65,000 miles. There may also be certain vehicle models that are excluded.
That said, Onust won’t cancel coverage when you cross these limits — you just have to register the vehicle before reaching them. Once registered, there are no mileage limits and your vehicle is covered for the remainder of its life.
| Benefit | Nova Warranty | Onust |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle inspection required | | |
| Contract length | - | Month to month |
| Quote process | Online or call | Online or call |
Nova Warranty vs. Onust additional benefits
In addition to coverage for mechanical failures of your vehicle's parts, Nova Warranty and Onust offer a few other benefits.
Nova Warranty benefits
Nova offers several added benefits with its extended auto warranty plans:
- 24-hour roadside assistance covers services like towing, fuel delivery and more.
- Rental car coverage helps you stay on the road while your vehicle is in the shop.
- Locksmith services assist if you're locked out of your vehicle.
- Out-of-gas assistance offers help if you run out of fuel.
- Dead battery assistance including jump-start services when your battery dies.
- Trip interruption coverage reimburses you for lodging and meals if your vehicle breaks down while traveling.
Onust benefits
All Onust plans include useful benefits, including:
- Real-time connections with certified mechanics to answer questions
- Vehicle safety and recall notifications
- 24/7 towing and roadside assistance benefits
- Expense reimbursement for rental cars, travel lodging, towing and more
| Benefit | Nova Warranty | Onust |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | | |
| Rental car reimbursement | | |
| Trip interruption | | |
| Transferability | | |
Nova Warranty vs. Onust reviews
For an honest assessment of customer satisfaction, let's examine what actual policyholders say about Nova Warranty and Onust.
Nova Warranty reviews
Customers have mixed experiences with Nova Warranty. Positive reviews highlight that the representatives are professional, respectful and helpful in explaining coverage options. Many customers appreciated prompt claims processing and direct payments to repair shops.
“Recently had a repair done on my Range Rover Sport HSE. They paid for it right away with no hassle, all they needed was a diagnostic and invoice from my dealer, they even paid for my rental car although I did have to send the receipt but they reimbursed me which wasn't too big of a deal and they sent it right to my card. Highly satisfied with their service!” — Roger from New Jersey.
Some reviewers expressed significant dissatisfaction, citing poor customer service and unmet expectations.
“Getting in contact with NOVA claims department took way too long, I had to call the original person who signed me up in order to get a call back. After she called I was contacted, very poor instruction on how to submit a claim.” — Diana from California
» SEE FOR YOURSELF: Nova Warranty reviews
Onust reviews
Onust customers appreciate how easy the company is to work with and how clear the communication is.
“Best investment I ever made. Every now and then, they send a check to use on any service. I also had a claim and it was all paid for. I would recommend Onust to anybody.” — Bill from Massachusetts
“When Onust became available, I jumped at it, especially because I can keep it for the lifetime of my car, which is very attractive. The coverage is great too. The warranty covers more than the service contracts I have on my other vehicles.” — S from Colorado
Most customer complaints focus on certain vehicles not being covered.
“After I had paid a couple of months, I had a repair to do and when I went to go over a repair at $3,000, Onust wouldn't cover the cost. I went through their reps a couple of times and I told them that I didn't know about it since they didn't tell me anything about it.” — Sebastiano from New York
It’s worth noting that Onust does list vehicles it won’t cover in its terms and conditions, but it’s up to the customer to read those conditions before signing up.
» SEE FOR YOURSELF: Onust reviews
Bottom line: Nova Warranty or Onust?
All things considered, what kind of driver is each provider best for?
Nova is best for drivers seeking reliable coverage for all types of cars, from daily drivers to exotic sports cars.
Onust is best for drivers who want day-one coverage and month-to-month plans.
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.
