Press Release: Warranty First launches new repair plan portfolio

Warranty First, the vehicle repair plan provider built for the motor trade, has today launched a completely redesigned product portfolio, rebuilt around the changing shape of the UK vehicle parc.

The new range introduces dedicated repair plan families, each built around a vehicle and fuel type:

• 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.

It marks a move away from the traditional industry approach of adapting broadly similar products across multiple vehicle types. Instead, each plan has been structured around the vehicle and fuel type, how it is used and where the genuine repair exposure sits.

For petrol and diesel cars and LCVs, the Journey product gives dealers three clearly defined tiers, with the vehicle's age and mileage setting the tier. Journey Core provides mechanical protection for vehicles of any age or mileage, including the older, higher-mileage stock most plans will not take. Journey adds broader protection for everyday used stock, across areas including air conditioning, ABS, ECUs, turbo, fuel and ignition, plus extended wear and tear. Journey+, for newer stock up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, is the widest tier in the family: if the manufacturer fitted it, Journey+ considers it unless it is specifically excluded.

The new portfolio also separates electrified vehicles from petrol and diesel stock.
Drive and Drive+ have been created specifically for hybrid vehicles: HEV, PHEV and MHEV. Drive is built around the hybrid drivetrain itself, including regenerative braking and the hybrid transmission. Drive+, for vehicles up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, brings the high-voltage battery and electric drive motor into the protection, whether or not the manufacturer's battery warranty is still running.

For fully electric vehicles, Charge is built around EV components, the drive motors, charging system, power delivery and the electrical systems that carry the real repair risk, while the manufacturer's high-voltage battery warranty continues to cover the battery on its own terms. Charge+, for vehicles up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, brings the high-voltage battery, traction motor and power delivery directly into cover.

Leo Nelson, Director & 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.

“We have rebuilt the portfolio around those differences. The result is a clearer range that helps dealers select protection that reflects the vehicle they’re selling, rather than trying to make one general product fit every situation.”

The portfolio also introduces Ride and Ride+ for motorbikes. Ride provides engine and gearbox protection for machines of any age or mileage, while Ride+ offers wider protection for qualifying newer stock.

Tour provides dedicated protection for motorhomes and campervans, covering the base vehicle alongside habitation systems. A further Tour+ product, adding more extensive habitation protection, is planned as the next phase of the portfolio.

Simple stock selection.

The new structure has been designed to make product selection simpler for dealership teams while supporting a broader mix of used stock: fuel type picks the family, and age and mileage pick the tier.

It also reflects Warranty First's wider positioning as a dealer partner rather than simply a repair plan provider. Alongside the plans themselves, the business works with retailers on income targets, sales processes, team coaching, performance reviews and customer-facing marketing support.

Nelson continued: “A repair plan has two important jobs. It needs to provide meaningful protection when something goes wrong and it needs to work commercially for the dealer. 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.

“This launch is about giving dealers products that reflect the market they operate in today, while preparing them for the vehicles they will be selling in greater numbers tomorrow.”

Founded by motor retailers in 2012, Warranty First now supports more than 1,000 dealer partners across the UK. The business is accredited by The Motor Ombudsman for vehicle warranties, is rated Excellent on Trust Pilot and provides repair request decisions in an average of 90 minutes.  

Further information on the new Warranty First repair plan portfolio is available at https://www.warrantyfirst.co.uk/car-warranty.