Zurich Vehicle Service Contract vs. Onust
Compare coverage, cost and reviews
 |  |
|---|---|
4.5
848 reviews
|
3.5
8 reviews
|
| No. of plans:3 | No. of plans:2 |
| Max mileage150,000 | Max mileage125,000 |
| Max vehicle age15 years | Max vehicle age10 years |
| Waiting period10 to 30 days (varies) | Waiting periodNone |
+1 more
Zurich Vehicle Service Contract 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.
Zurich Vehicle Service offers better coverage for older vehicles. The mileage limit for vehicles at Zurich is higher than the limit at Onust. The company also provides a higher age limit for vehicles eligible for coverage.
We recommend Onust if you need premium coverage. The most comprehensive plan from Onust covers significantly more than the highest-tier plan at Zurich, providing protection for key components such as turbochargers, superchargers, drive axles and fuel systems.
Zurich Vehicle Service Contract vs. Onust coverage
Plans from Zurich Vehicle Service Contract and Onust offer varying levels of coverage for your vehicle's parts and 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).
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?
Zurich Vehicle Service Contract 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 Zurich Vehicle Service Contract 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.
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.
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 | Zurich Vehicle Service Contract | Onust |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Ford F-150 (150,000 miles) | - per year | $1,595 per year |
| 2014 Honda CRV (135,000 miles) | - per year | $984 per year |
| 2015 BMW 3 Series (125,000 miles) | - per year | $1,409 per year |
| 2016 Toyota Camry (110,000 miles) | - per year | $984 per year |
Zurich Vehicle Service Contract vs. Onust policies
Zurich Vehicle Service Contract’s plans are available for purchase through a certified dealership. The company also offers plans for motorcycles and ATVs.
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 | Zurich Vehicle Service Contract | Onust |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle inspection required | | |
| Contract length | - | Month to month |
| Quote process | Online | Online or call |
Zurich Vehicle Service Contract vs. Onust additional benefits
In addition to coverage for mechanical failures of your vehicle's parts, Zurich Vehicle Service Contract and Onust offer a few other benefits.
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
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 | Zurich Vehicle Service Contract | Onust |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | | |
| Rental car reimbursement | | |
| Trip interruption | | |
| Transferability | | |
Zurich Vehicle Service Contract vs. Onust reviews
For an honest assessment of customer satisfaction, let's examine what actual policyholders say about Zurich Vehicle Service Contract and Onust.
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
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: Zurich Vehicle Service Contract or Onust?
All things considered, what kind of driver is each provider best for?
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.
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.
