Warranty First has redesigned its repair plan portfolio with dedicated products for petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as motorbikes, motorhomes and campervans.
The new range moves away from adapting broadly similar products for different vehicles. Instead, each plan has been structured around the vehicle’s fuel type, use and likely repair exposure.
Its five product families are:
- Journey for petrol and diesel cars and LCVs
- Drive for hybrid vehicles
- Charge for fully electric vehicles
- Ride for motorbikes
- Tour for motorhomes and campervans
Journey offers three tiers, with eligibility determined by vehicle age and mileage. Journey Core provides mechanical protection for vehicles of any age or mileage, including older and higher-mileage stock.
The standard Journey plan adds protection covering components including air conditioning, ABS, ECUs, turbochargers, fuel and ignition systems, alongside extended wear and tear.
Journey+ is available for vehicles aged up to 10 years or with up to 100,000 miles. Warranty First said it would consider manufacturer-fitted components unless they are specifically excluded.
Dedicated hybrid and EV repair plans
Drive and Drive+ have been designed for full, plug-in and mild hybrid vehicles. Drive covers elements of the hybrid drivetrain, including regenerative braking and the hybrid transmission.
Drive+ adds protection for the high-voltage battery and electric drive motor, regardless of whether the manufacturer’s battery warranty remains in force.
For battery electric vehicles, Charge covers components including drive motors, charging equipment, power delivery and electrical systems, while the high-voltage battery remains subject to its manufacturer warranty.
Charge+ extends the plan to cover the high-voltage battery, traction motor and power delivery systems on qualifying vehicles aged up to 10 years or with up to 100,000 miles.
Leo Nelson, director and chief marketing officer at Warranty First, said: “The used vehicle parc has changed significantly but much of the warranty and repair plan market is still based on products that were created for a very different profile of stock.
“Different vehicles present different risks. A battery electric vehicle should not simply be treated as a petrol or diesel car with an additional component list. The same applies to hybrids, commercial vehicles, motorbikes and leisure vehicles.”
The Ride range provides engine and gearbox protection for motorbikes of any age or mileage, with Ride+ offering wider protection for qualifying newer machines.
Tour covers the base vehicle and habitation systems of motorhomes and campervans. Warranty First plans to introduce Tour+, offering more extensive habitation protection, during the portfolio’s next phase.
The company said the structure would make selection easier for dealership teams, with fuel type determining the product family and age and mileage establishing the appropriate tier.
Nelson added: “By making the portfolio clearer and more relevant to different vehicles, we can help retailers protect margin, manage early repair risk and build a stronger F&I line.”
Warranty First, founded by motor retailers in 2012, works with more than 1,000 UK dealer partners.