A TruckClub™ guide, with insights from TruckProtect™, to help you decide if extended coverage is right for your truck or fleet.
A semi truck is built for the long haul, but its factory warranty isn’t.
Most OEM warranties end somewhere around 2–5 years and 250,000–500,000 miles. That’s exactly when many trucks are hitting their earning prime and, unfortunately, when the expensive failures start to show up more often:
A semi truck extended warranty is designed to step in at this stage. It keeps protection going well beyond the manufacturer’s original period and into the mileage range, typically 300,000–500,000 miles and beyond , where big, budget‑breaking failures are most likely.
This TruckClub™ guide, supported by real‑world insights fromTruckProtect™, breaks down how extended warranties work, what they usually cover, how they’re priced, and what options exist for used and high‑mileage trucks.
At its core, a semi truck extended warranty is a service contract that continues coverage for major components after the OEM (manufacturer) warranty expires. Instead of coverage simply ending, an extended warranty keeps a defined list of parts and systems protected for additional time and mileage.
Extended warranties are typically offered by three groups:
The goal is the same: once the factory clock runs out, you don’thave to carry 100% of the risk alone.
It helps to see OEM warranty and extended warranty as tools fordifferent phases of a truck’s life.
The factory warranty is what you get when the truck is new. It’s built to cover early‑life issues and defects.
Typically, OEM warranties:
They’re great while they last, but they don’t follow the truckthrough most of its working life.
Extended warranties are purchased separately, often as OEM coverage is ending or after it has expired. They can be OEM‑branded or aftermarket (like TruckProtect™), and they’re designed to:
Extended warranties exist because trucks routinely operate far beyond OEM limits, and owners don’t want to gamble their entire repair risk on cash alone.
Most extended warranties fall into a few familiar categories, eachaimed at a different risk profile and budget.
Engine‑only plans focus on the most expensive component on the truck. They usually cover:
They’re a good fit for trucks with strong driveline history, fleets running predictable routes, or buyers who want a more budget‑friendly safety net around the engine.
Powertrain plans step up from engine‑only to include more of the drivetrain:
These plans are popular with regional fleets and trucks that see higher transmission wear or mixed terrain and heavy torque duty.
Aftertreatment coverage focuses on emissions systems, the #1 source of unplanned downtime on many modern trucks. It typically includes:
This type of coverage is especially valuable for OTR units, trucks that idle frequently, trucks in colder climates, and any truck past roughly300,000 miles.
Full‑component plans are the most comprehensive. Depending on the provider, they can cover:
They’re ideal for owner‑operators who rely heavily on uptime, fleets that budget around cost‑per‑mile, and high‑mileage or used trucks where you want to cap as much risk as possible.
Every contract is different, but most extended warranties group coverage around a few major systems.
Engine coverage usually includes pistons, liners, rods, camshaft, crankshaft, injectors, turbo systems, the oil pump, water pump, and lubrication‑related failures. This is where the biggest single invoices live, which is why engine coverage is almost always at the core of any extended plan.
Powertrain coverage adds the transmission and driveline into the mix. Automated manual, manual, or automatic transmission internals, differentials, and driveshaft components are commonly included. These failures don’t always total a truck, but they can easily generate five‑figure repair bills.
Aftertreatment coverage focuses on emissions components such as the DPF, DOC, SCR, DEF pump, EGR valve and cooler, and key sensors. When these systems fail, they don’t just cost money — they cause derates, limp modes, and tow bills.
Electrical coverage often includes the alternator, starter, certain modules and control units, and parts of the sensor network. As trucks age, electrical and electronic issues become more frequent and more time‑consuming to diagnose.
Cooling coverage typically protects the radiator, fan clutch, thermostat, coolant piping, and water pump. A simple cooling failure can quickly escalate into serious engine damage if it’s not caught early, so having this system covered can prevent a small problem from becoming a very big one.
Even the best extended warranties have clear limits. They’re notdesigned to pay for everything that can possibly go wrong with a truck.In most cases, plans will exclude:
The best programs, TruckProtect™ included, lean into clear, readable contracts so there are no surprises when it’s time to file a claim.
Whether an extended warranty is “worth it” depends on your situation, but a few questions make the decision clearer.
Mileage is the first one.If your truck is still comfortably under OEM warranty (for example, under250,000 miles), extended coverage might not be urgent yet. Once you’re in the300,000–400,000+ range, extended coverage becomes much more attractive because that’s when big failures become more likely and OEM coverage is usually gone.
Next is your tolerance for repair costs. A major failure can easily exceed $10,000–$40,000. If writing that check would seriously strain your business, trading that risk for a predictable extended warranty cost starts to make sense.
Your duty cycle matters too. Long‑haul, heavyhaul, mountainous routes, extreme temperatures, high idle time, and cold‑weather states all put more stress on components. The harder the duty cycle, the more likely it is that something expensive will fail sooner.
Your engine platform also plays a role. Some makes and models have well‑known failure patterns, certain DD15 one‑box issues, MX13 fuel system concerns, D13 EGR/DPF patterns, X15 turbo and sensor trends. If your platform is known for specific high‑cost failures, extended coverage becomes more compelling.
Finally, consider how you’re buying trucks. For used units, extended warranties are almost always worth a serious look. You’re inheriting someone else’s maintenance habits and driving style, along with hidden wear and potential emissions or electrical surprises. Extended coverage gives you a financial buffer against what you can’t see in the sales listing.
Most providers have baseline requirements before they’ll write an extended warranty. They generally want to see that the truck is in reasonable working order at the time of enrollment.
Typical requirements include:
Some providers may also request a clean ECM report or recent oil samples, especially on higher‑mileage trucks.
TruckProtect™ has built a reputation for being more flexible with high‑mileage eligibility than many OEM options, particularly for used and working trucks, but final eligibility always comes down to the specific truck and plan.
From the outside, the claims process can look intimidating, but in practice it follows a simple pattern.
Aftermarket programs like TruckProtect™ often move faster than OEM claims that require multiple layers of corporate approval, and that speed matters when your truck is down.
One of the biggest advantages of aftermarket extended warranties is support for higher‑mile and used trucks that OEMs no longer want to cover.
Think:
Used truck buyers, in particular, are taking on more unknowns than anyone else: uncertain maintenance history, hidden wear, prior driving habits, emissions and electrical surprises, and components like injectors and turbos that may already be halfway through their life.
Extended coverage gives you a way to cap that downside instead of hoping nothing major breaks. Programs like TruckProtect™ are built with this reality in mind, more flexible eligibility for higher‑mile units, strong aftertreatment and powertrain protection, and contracts designed for trucks that are already deep into their working life.
Timing makes a big difference in both your options and your cost.
The earlier you plan, the more options you’ll have, and the less likely you are to be shopping for coverage with a check‑engine light already on.
An extended warranty doesn’t have to be your only tool. Many owners pair extended coverage with:
The goal isn’t to buy everything; it’s to build a protection stack that matches your real‑world risk and budget.
Semi truck extended warranties aren’t just reassurance, they’re a planning tool.
As trucks age, failures become more common, repair costs spike, downtime gets more expensive, and cash flow becomes more fragile. The right extended coverage helps you:
Supporting Industry Leaders
Our extensive TruckProtect™ Plans offer something for everyone. Discover which plan best suits your needs by exploring the number of parts covered for each vehicle system. Compare the Essential Plan’s basic protection, the Pro Plan’s comprehensive coverage, and the Elite Plan’s ultimate protection to find the perfect fit for you.
Essential
Pro
Elite
Total Parts
Total Parts
Total Parts
Engine
440
466
548
Transmission
1195
1195
1225
Driven Axels (Differential(s))
298
298
346
Exhaust (Turbo/After Ttreatment)
-
351
351
Fuel
-
321
321
HVAC
-
-
440
Brakes
-
-
60
Steering
-
-
211
Suspension
-
-
51
Drive Shafts
-
-
39
Charging
-
-
55
Cranking
-
-
89
Ignition
-
-
42
Suplemental Info devices
-
-
21
Air Intake
-
-
42
Cooling
-
-
181
General Acessories
-
-
29
Electrical Accessories
-
-
33
Horns
-
-
33
PTO
-
-
100
Instruments, gauges, warning, shutdown devices & meters
-
-
212
Hydraulic (additional fee)
Not available
Not available
224
APU (additional fee)
Not available
Not available
227
TOTAL PARTS
1933
2631
4428
Our extensive TruckProtect™ Plans offer something for everyone. Discover which plan best suits your needs by exploring the number of parts covered for each vehicle system. Compare the Essential Plan’s basic protection, the Pro Plan’s comprehensive coverage, and the Elite Plan’s ultimate protection to find the perfect fit for you.
Essential
Parts
Pro
Parts
Elite
Parts
Engine
440
466
548
Transmission
1195
1195
1225
Driven Axles
298
298
346
Exhaust (Turbo/AT)
-
341
351
Fuel
-
321
321
HVAC
-
-
440
Brakes
-
-
60
Steering
-
-
211
Suspension
-
-
51
Drive Shafts
-
-
37
Charging
-
-
55
Cranking
-
-
89
Ignition
-
-
42
Supplemental Info devices
-
-
21
Air Intake
-
-
42
Cooling
-
-
181
General Accesories
-
-
29
Electrical Accessories
-
-
33
Horns
-
-
32
PTO
-
-
100
Instruments, gauges, warning, shutdown devices & meters
-
-
212
Hydraulics (additional fee)
Not Available
Not Available
224
APU (additional fee)
Not Available
Not Avaliable
227
Total
Parts
Total
Parts
Total
Parts
1933
2631
4429
Information subject to change.
View our TruckProtect™ Coverage Appendix for full details.
View Appendix >
members@truckclub.com737-637-4855TruckClub Group Inc
Offices:
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Suite 9243
Austin, TX 78754
11845 Vanstory Drive
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Huntersville, NC 28078
