Compare Veritas Select Premier with CarShield Diamond using the actual contracts. See differences in suspension coverage, waiting periods, keyless entry, electronics, rental benefits and exclusions.
When comparing extended vehicle protection plans, the most useful information usually isn't on the sales page. It's in the actual Vehicle Service Contract.
That's why we compared the Veritas Select Premier contract offered by Steingold Volvo Cars directly with the CarShield Diamond contract.
Both are exclusionary plans. Veritas Premier covers all vehicle parts and components, including seals and gaskets, except those specifically excluded by the contract. CarShield Diamond uses the same basic structure, covering all components except the items specifically excluded under its Diamond endorsement.
The similarities stop there.
When the actual contracts are compared, Veritas Select Premier has several important advantages in the repair coverage itself, particularly for shocks and struts, keyless-entry equipment, waiting periods and certain luxury electronics.
Veritas Premier vs. CarShield Diamond at a Glance
| Coverage Area | Veritas Select Premier | CarShield Diamond |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Type | Exclusionary | Exclusionary |
| Standard Waiting Period | None unless specifically shown on Application Page | 30 days + 1,000 miles OR 90 days + 200 miles, unless waived |
| Struts | Covered | Specifically excluded |
| Shock Absorbers | Covered under Premier | Specifically excluded |
| Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter/Receiver | Covered | Transmitter specifically excluded |
| Luxury Electronics | Included with Premier to 100,000 miles | Available LEP, but one repair or replacement per component |
| Hybrid/EV Battery | Excluded | Excluded |
| Airbags/Safety Restraints | Excluded | Excluded |
| Transfer Deadline | 60 days | 30 days to request / 45 days to complete |
| Rental | $50/day, $250 maximum | $60/day; up to 7 days normally |
| Trip Interruption | $225 maximum | $500 maximum |
| Roadside/Towing | 25-mile dispatched tow | $125 per occurrence |
| Aggregate Liability | Average trade-in value at claim | Average retail value or stated amount, whichever is greater |
The exact Application Page, deductible, options and state-specific terms control an individual contract.
One of the Biggest Differences: Veritas Premier Covers Shocks and Struts
This is probably the clearest repair-coverage advantage in the comparison.
Veritas specifically identifies MacPherson struts in its covered suspension components. More importantly, the exclusions section lists shock absorbers but specifically states that they are not excluded under Premier and Deluxe Coverage.
That means under Veritas Select Premier, conventional shocks and struts receive coverage subject to the remaining contract terms.
CarShield Diamond does the opposite.
Its general maintenance exclusions include shocks and struts, and the Diamond-specific exclusion list goes even further by specifically excluding:
- Struts
- Strut bearings
- Strut mounts
- Strut housings
- Shock absorbers
For owners of luxury, performance or higher-mileage vehicles, this can be a significant difference.
Suspension repairs can easily involve multiple components and substantial labor. Veritas Premier provides considerably stronger conventional shock and strut coverage than CarShield Diamond.
Veritas Has No Standard Waiting Period
Another major difference appears before the first repair ever occurs.
The Veritas contract states that there is no waiting period unless one is specifically shown on the Application Page. When no waiting period is listed, coverage begins immediately on the effective date and mileage shown on the contract.
CarShield Diamond has a defined waiting period.
The supplied contract requires either:
30 days AND 1,000 miles
or
90 days AND 200 miles
before breakdown coverage begins.
CarShield can waive that waiting period when a manufacturer's base warranty or another qualifying service contract is already in force, but otherwise a breakdown occurring during the waiting period isn't covered.
CarShield also expressly defines breakdowns occurring during the waiting period as pre-existing conditions.
For someone purchasing coverage on a vehicle without existing qualifying protection, Veritas's standard no-waiting-period structure is a meaningful advantage.
Veritas Covers Remote Keyless Entry Components
Modern keyless-entry systems can be expensive because they involve more than the physical key.
The Veritas contract specifically includes the:
- Remote keyless-entry transmitter
- Remote keyless-entry receiver
under its Deluxe electrical coverage. Premier is the broader exclusionary level, and those components are not removed by the Premier exclusions.
CarShield Diamond specifically excludes:
Keyless-entry transmitters.
That's a straightforward contract difference and particularly relevant on newer vehicles that rely heavily on proximity-key and remote-entry technology.
Veritas Premier Includes Luxury Electronics Coverage
Electronics are another area worth looking at closely.
Veritas includes its Luxury Electronics Coverage with Premier until the vehicle reaches 100,000 miles.
The contract specifically identifies coverage for components including:
- Navigation display unit
- Navigation control module
- Navigation wiring harness
- Backup cameras
- Side-mirror cameras and sensors
- Phone charger/cradle
- Microphone
- Phone-system speakers
- Phone
- Certain video-entertainment components
- Certain internet-access hardware
CarShield's supplied Diamond contract also includes a Luxury Electronics Package, so CarShield isn't lacking electronics protection altogether.
Its LEP includes:
- Radio/GPS/navigation components
- LCD screens
- DVD players
- Front and rear cameras and sensors
- Voice-activation systems
- Standalone seat heaters
- Sunroof and convertible-top motors
But CarShield places a notable restriction on that coverage:
Each covered Luxury Electronics component is limited to one repair or one replacement for the life of the contract.
CarShield's LEP also excludes remote controls, hand-held controls, wiring, programming and components not specifically identified in the section.
Veritas has its own electronics exclusions, but its Premier Luxury Electronics section does not contain the same one-repair-or-one-replacement-per-component limitation found in the supplied CarShield contract.
The Two Plans Share Some Important Exclusions
Not every comparison favors Veritas.
Reading the actual contracts shows that both plans exclude several components buyers sometimes assume would be covered.
For example, Veritas expressly excludes:
- Hybrid and electric batteries
- Air springs and air struts
- Airbags and safety-restraint systems
- Blind-spot sensors
- Tire-pressure sensors
- Heated steering wheels
- Headlight and taillamp assemblies
- Door, liftgate and tailgate handles
- Conventional clutch components
- Most emissions and exhaust components
CarShield similarly excludes lithium-ion and hybrid batteries, airbags and safety-restraint systems, lighting assemblies, handles and numerous maintenance components.
So we would not argue that Veritas wins because it covers batteries, airbags or every piece of modern driver-assistance technology.
It doesn't.
The stronger case for Veritas comes from the areas where the contracts genuinely differ.
Both Plans Treat Normal Wear in a Similar Way
Veritas defines a failure as occurring when a covered component can no longer perform its intended function. It also recognizes a failure when a covered component has worn beyond the manufacturer's allowable tolerances for the vehicle at that mileage. However, gradual performance reduction without an actual failure isn't covered.
CarShield uses similar language. Its contract excludes gradual performance loss resulting from normal age or mileage unless the component has worn beyond manufacturer tolerance.
This is an area where the contracts are more similar than different.
Emergency Repair Coverage Is Also Very Similar
Both companies normally require prior authorization before repairs are performed.
Veritas allows an exception if a true emergency happens while its office is closed and immediate repair is required for safety or to prevent additional damage. However, unauthorized emergency reimbursement is limited to:
$500 per occurrence.
CarShield has essentially the same $500 maximum for qualifying after-hours emergency repairs.
So there isn't a meaningful advantage here.
Veritas Gives More Time to Transfer the Contract
Both contracts can be transferred to a subsequent qualifying private owner and both charge a $50 transfer fee.
The difference is timing.
Veritas allows the required transfer documentation to be submitted within:
60 days of the ownership transfer.
CarShield requires the transfer to be requested within 30 days and completed within 45 days. Its contract also states that transfer approval is discretionary and may be declined.
This isn't as important as mechanical coverage, but Veritas gives the vehicle owner more time to complete the process.
Where CarShield Diamond Has the Advantage
CarShield does have several genuine advantages, particularly in its ancillary benefits.
Rental Coverage
Veritas
Up to $50 per day for five days
Maximum:
$250 per occurrence.
CarShield
Up to $60 per day
with up to seven days for most covered repairs and up to 14 days when the engine or transmission is replaced or rebuilt.
Advantage: CarShield
Trip Interruption
Veritas provides:
$75 per day for up to three days
Maximum:
$225.
CarShield provides:
$125 per day for up to four days
Maximum:
$500.
Advantage: CarShield
Roadside Assistance
Veritas provides dispatched towing for up to 25 miles at no cost, along with jump-start, flat-tire, fuel-delivery and lockout services. Self-arranged qualifying roadside service is generally limited to $50 reimbursement.
CarShield's contract provides up to $125 per roadside occurrence, subject to its annual occurrence limits.
Advantage: CarShield
CarShield Also Has the More Generous Aggregate Liability Formula
This is worth mentioning because it's an important contract provision.
Veritas limits the total amount it will pay over the life of the contract to the vehicle's average trade-in value according to J.D. Power NADA as of the date of a claim. Once that maximum is reached, the contract terminates.
CarShield's supplied contract limits aggregate claims and benefits to the vehicle's Average Retail Value immediately before the breakdown or another defined amount stated on the contract, whichever is greater.
Because retail value will ordinarily be higher than trade-in value for the same vehicle, CarShield's liability formula can provide a higher overall coverage ceiling.
That's a real CarShield advantage and one customers should understand.
Why Steingold Offers Veritas Select Premier
Steingold Volvo Cars offers Veritas Select Premier Vehicle Service Contracts for qualifying vehicles because the plan provides broad exclusionary protection with several useful advantages over competing direct-to-consumer contracts.
When we compare Veritas Premier directly with CarShield Diamond, the strongest reasons are:
- Conventional shocks are covered under Veritas Premier while CarShield excludes them
- Struts are covered while CarShield specifically excludes struts, mounts, bearings and housings
- No standard waiting period unless one is specifically shown on the Veritas Application Page
- Remote keyless-entry transmitters and receivers are covered
- Luxury Electronics Coverage is included with Premier through 100,000 miles
- No CarShield-style one-repair/one-replacement limit appears in Veritas's Luxury Electronics provision
- A more generous 60-day contract-transfer window
- Broad exclusionary coverage for other mechanical and electrical components
CarShield has stronger rental, trip-interruption and roadside benefits and a more generous aggregate liability formula, so the comparison isn't one-sided.
But those benefits are separate from the actual component protection most customers are purchasing a service contract to receive.
Veritas Select Premier vs. CarShield Diamond: Which Has Better Coverage?
When the focus is on mechanical and electrical repair coverage, we prefer Veritas Select Premier for a qualifying vehicle.
The suspension difference alone is significant.
CarShield Diamond expressly excludes shocks, struts, strut bearings, strut mounts and strut housings.
Veritas Premier, by contrast, covers conventional shock absorbers and MacPherson struts under the contract's coverage structure.
Veritas also provides better treatment of remote keyless-entry components and begins without a standard waiting period unless one is specifically written onto the Application Page. CarShield's standard contract requires 30 days and 1,000 miles or 90 days and 200 miles unless its waiver applies.
CarShield wins on rental reimbursement, trip interruption, roadside limits and its aggregate liability formula.
But when the primary question is which contract provides the stronger protection against actual vehicle repair bills, Veritas Select Premier offers the more attractive overall coverage package in this comparison.
As with any Vehicle Service Contract, the exact Application Page, term, mileage, deductible, options and state-specific amendments determine the coverage issued to an individual vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Veritas Select Premier exclusionary coverage?
Yes. Premier states that it covers all vehicle parts and components, including seals and gaskets, except components and conditions specifically identified in the contract's exclusions.
Is CarShield Diamond exclusionary coverage?
Yes. Diamond covers all components of the vehicle except items specifically excluded by its contract.
Does Veritas Premier cover shocks?
Yes. The Veritas exclusions specifically state that shock absorbers are not excluded under Premier and Deluxe coverage.
Does CarShield Diamond cover shocks and struts?
No. The supplied CarShield Diamond contract specifically excludes shock absorbers, struts, strut bearings, mounts and housings.
Does Veritas cover remote keyless entry?
Yes. The contract specifically lists remote keyless-entry transmitters and receivers among covered electrical components, and Premier's exclusions do not remove them.
Does CarShield Diamond cover the keyless-entry transmitter?
No. Keyless-entry transmitters are specifically excluded.
Does Veritas have a waiting period?
Normally, no. The contract states there is no waiting period unless one is specifically indicated on the Application Page.
Does CarShield Diamond have a waiting period?
Yes. The supplied contract requires either 30 days and 1,000 miles or 90 days and 200 miles, unless its qualifying existing-coverage waiver applies.
Does Veritas Premier cover a hybrid or EV battery?
No. Hybrid and electric batteries are expressly excluded.
Which has better rental and trip-interruption benefits?
CarShield. Its supplied contract provides higher rental, trip-interruption and roadside limits than the Veritas contract reviewed here.
Does Steingold offer Veritas Select Premier?
Yes. Steingold Volvo Cars offers Veritas Select Vehicle Service Contracts, including Premier coverage, for qualifying vehicles.
How can I get a quote for a Vehicle Service Contract?
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