RAC Electric Vehicle Warranty debuted by EV-focused Sussex car dealer

The Assurant-designed RAC Electric Vehicle Warranty has made its UK debut with its introduction by Sussex-based independent car dealer Andrew Shipp Motors.

The dealer, in Cowfold, near Horsham, has adopted the new warranty offering as part of its shift towards becoming a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) specialist.

Business owner Andrew Shipp said that the product eases customers’ sense that they might be taking a “leap of faith” by going electric.

“We keep around 30 cars in stock at any one time. At the moment, probably a quarter of them are EVs and we are aiming to increase that proportion quickly,” he said.

“The market is obviously moving in this direction and we want to be at the forefront of that change.

“Most of the people who come to us are buying their first EV and, to some extent, it is a leap of faith for them.

“They may not know anyone who runs an EV and they are spending a lot of money on a technology that, although widely proven, is new to them and is very different from a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle in a number of ways.

“That’s why we have decided to adopt the RAC Electric Vehicle Warranty for these cars.”

Shipp explained that the EVs he sells usually have the balance of the manufacturer’s long-term battery warranty but said the RAC product covers the EV drivetrain and charge system to deliver “a very comprehensive level of protection”.

The RAC Electric Vehicle Warranty can be applied to any used EV or hybrid of any kind up to a maximum of eight years old and with 80,000 miles on the clock at the time of purchase.

Cover can be for a variety of periods up to 24 months and up to a limit of the vehicle purchase price.

Kellie Grocott, RAC director of sales at Assurant, said: “There is massive public interest in these vehicles but used car customers tend to be quite conservative in their buying choices.

“The EV warranty provides a really comprehensive level of cover and can give drivers moving away from petrol and diesel power more confidence to do so.

 “We believe that the warranty could play a key part in building consumer confidence in EVs and hybrids across the market.”

In March, Assurant extended its used car warranty partnership with the RAC to provide protection cover for RAC Dealer Network customers until 2029.

The deal covers RAC-branded automotive warranty and aftersales products, delivered and supported by Assurant, that are available across the network of more than 1,300 members.