When a Subaru’s factory warranty expires, two protection options appear: the manufacturer’s own Added Security program from Subaru of America, or a third-party extended warranty sold by an independent administrator. The price difference between them can look significant on paper. The coverage difference is what matters in practice.
At South Shore Subaru in Lindenhurst, the finance office can walk any buyer through both scenarios — but understanding the structural differences before you sit down makes the conversation more productive.
Quick Answer: Subaru Added Security is backed by Subaru of America and honored at any Subaru dealership nationwide. Third-party plans are administered by independent companies with their own claim processes, parts standards, and exclusion lists. The OEM plan covers wear-and-tear and consequential damage — two categories most third-party contracts exclude by default.
- Added Security honored at all Subaru dealerships nationwide, no claim approval wait
- Repairs completed with new or remanufactured Genuine Subaru Parts only
- Wear-and-tear coverage included — third-party plans typically exclude this
- Consequential damage coverage included — one broken part causing another is covered
Who Backs the Plan and Why It Matters
Subaru Added Security is administered by Subaru of America, Inc. — the same entity that built your vehicle and designed its components. When a covered repair is needed, the service advisor at any authorized Subaru dealership in the country opens a claim directly through Subaru’s internal system. There is no third-party administrator to call, no approval queue to wait in, and no question about whether the repair shop is in-network.
Third-party extended warranties are sold by independent warranty administrators. Some are reputable. Many are not. The administrator’s financial health at claim time matters — a company that was selling contracts three years ago may not be processing claims today. Subaru of America has no such solvency risk relative to the contracts it backs.
For South Shore Suffolk County drivers who travel frequently or might need service while in another state, the nationwide dealer network acceptance of Added Security is a practical advantage that has no equivalent in third-party plans.
Genuine Subaru Parts vs. Aftermarket Parts
Added Security contracts specify that all covered repairs use new or remanufactured Genuine Subaru Parts. This matters for several reasons beyond brand preference.
Subaru’s boxer engine, symmetrical AWD system, and EyeSight driver assist technology are engineered as integrated systems. A replacement sensor or drivetrain component that does not meet OEM specifications can affect the calibration and behavior of adjacent systems — including safety systems. Genuine parts are designed and tested to work within those specifications.
Third-party warranty contracts typically specify “like kind and quality” parts, which in practice means aftermarket components sourced by the repair shop at the lowest available price. For straightforward mechanical components this is often acceptable. For sensors, control modules, and EyeSight-related hardware it introduces variability that Genuine Subaru Parts do not.
Wear-and-Tear Coverage: The Clause Most Buyers Miss
Most third-party extended warranty contracts contain an explicit exclusion for wear-and-tear damage. The language typically states that gradual deterioration from normal use is not covered — only sudden mechanical failure is.
Subaru Added Security covers wear-and-tear of covered components. That distinction is meaningful on a vehicle driven in Suffolk County conditions: salt air from the shore, hard winters that stress suspension bushings and steering components, and stop-and-go traffic on the Long Island Expressway that puts cumulative load on transmission and clutch systems.
A CV joint boot that degrades with age is a wear item. Under most third-party plans, that claim would be denied. Under Added Security, it falls within coverage.
Consequential Damage: When One Failure Causes Another
Consequential damage coverage means that if a covered component fails and that failure damages a second component, both repairs are covered under a single claim. This is one of the most financially significant — and least understood — elements of Added Security.
Consider a scenario: an oil seal fails, leading to oil loss, which causes accelerated wear on internal engine components. Under a basic third-party plan, the secondary engine damage may be denied on the grounds that it was caused by oil loss rather than a direct mechanical failure. Under Added Security, the consequential damage is covered.
Subaru’s EyeSight and STARLINK systems involve closely integrated electronics. A failure in one sensor can create fault codes and operational changes in adjacent modules. Consequential damage coverage ensures that a single component failure doesn’t generate a list of claim denials for everything it touched.
Where to Ask About Added Security at South Shore Subaru
The finance office at South Shore Subaru in Lindenhurst handles Added Security enrollment for both new and pre-owned purchases. Plans can be added at time of sale or within a specific window after delivery — ask a finance advisor for current enrollment parameters.
Buyers in Babylon, West Islip, Amityville, and Copiague regularly make the drive to South Shore Subaru specifically because the dealership’s finance team takes time to explain coverage differences rather than simply presenting a payment. If you are comparing an Added Security quote to a third-party plan you received elsewhere, bring it in — the comparison is worth doing line by line.
Vehicle specs and safety data sourced from NHTSA, IIHS, and EPA.