Rivian Care is now available in 47 states, including California, and Rivian just expanded its support page with a lot more detail on eligibility and how existing owners actually get in. What started as a Texas-only pilot kept rolling out to more and more states, and the only holdouts now are Massachusetts, Alaska, and Hawaii, with O’ahu getting it in Q4 2026. With almost everyone able to sign up, it’s a good time to explain what this thing is all about.
A lot of people call it an extended warranty, but that’s not quite the full story, and you only find out when you go to buy it.
First thing to know is that Rivian Care is two separate plans, and you can buy either one on its own or bundle them together since each covers totally different stuff.
The first plan is the Vehicle Service Contract. If you’re planning to hang onto your Rivian for a while, this is the one you’ll want to look at. It basically takes over when your factory warranty ends, covering the really expensive stuff: mechanical and electrical failures, the high-voltage battery, drive units, suspension, HVAC, safety sensors, and the screens. In other words, all the things that get pricey once your regular warranty runs out. There’s no mileage limit, and the battery coverage goes all the way up to 200,000 miles.
Why does that matter? Because the cost of these repairs on their own is…a lot. Rivian posts some sample prices, and they’re no joke: a new high-voltage battery is about $28,000, a drive unit is $7,600, suspension dampers run almost $5,000, and even the infotainment screen is close to $1,850. That’s exactly the kind of pain the Vehicle Service Contract is built to take care of.
One thing that trips people up: the coverage for big breakdowns doesn’t kick in until your factory warranty is done, whether that’s by time or by mileage. Otherwise, you’d just have two plans covering the same stuff. But some everyday wear items are covered right away, so things like brake pads, wheel alignments, wiper blades, and headlamp bulbs get taken care of from day one. Nothing wild, but at least you’re getting something before the major coverage starts.
Rivian’s own example uses the R2, which is the math I’m looking at with mine. The R2 comes with a 4 year or 50,000 mile comprehensive warranty, so adding a +2 year Vehicle Service Contract gets you 6 years total, and if you hit 50,000 miles before year four, the contract starts right then and runs until the end of that 6 year term.
Rivian also clarified that Rivian Care covers a given part once. If something gets replaced and fails again during your term, Rivian Care won’t pay a second time, and that part falls back on Rivian’s Service Parts Limited Warranty for 24 months from the replacement date. Headlamp bulbs and some electrical components are the exception and may be eligible for unlimited replacements. Replacement parts can also be new, used, non-OEM, or remanufactured, which is pretty standard for service contracts but good to know going in.
The second plan is called Preferred Vehicle Protection, and it’s a whole different vibe. This one’s all about the everyday annoyances: flats from potholes, curb rash on your rims, paintless dent repair for dings (up to four inches), and even key replacement if you lose yours or it gets stolen. Coverage starts as soon as you sign up. If you’ve ever scraped a big wheel and checked Rivian’s price to fix it, you already know why this is worth considering.
Vehicle Service Contract vs Preferred Vehicle Protection
The two Rivian Care plans and what each one covers
Vehicle Service Contract
Preferred Vehicle Protection
Some of the exclusions depend on your state, and Rivian now spells out exactly which ones.
Preferred Vehicle Protection advertises windshield coverage, but Arizona and Florida don’t get it at all, so here in Florida that benefit is off the table for me. In Georgia, Maine, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina, and Texas you can still get windshield repair, just not replacement. Key replacement also isn’t available in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. If you’re eyeing PVP mostly for glass or keys, check your state before you buy.
The rest of the exclusions are about what you’d expect, but still worth a look. No pre-existing problems, nothing caused by abuse or neglect, nothing that’s supposed to go through insurance. Tire and wheel coverage doesn’t include normal wear, and windshield coverage stops at cracks over six inches. There’s also some fine print about charging: if you damage your Rivian by using the wrong charger, charging it the wrong way, or ignoring Rivian’s battery care advice, you’re on your own. Makes sense, but good to know, especially if you use DC fast charging a lot.
The pricing is pretty much what you’d expect. Both plans are cheaper if you buy early, while your original warranty is still active, and they get more expensive the longer you wait. As a ballpark, the Vehicle Service Contract starts at about $23 a month, and Preferred Vehicle Protection starts at about $17. Your actual price depends on where you live, your mileage, and your term and deductible, and Rivian notes that a quote only reflects pricing at that moment, so it isn’t locked in if you sit on it.
Who can sign up right now is the biggest update. For this phase, Rivian Care is only open to people buying new or Rivian Pre-Owned directly from Rivian and to original owners. Your vehicle also needs to be under 8 years old with fewer than 80,000 miles, registered for personal use, and maintained on Rivian’s schedule, so commercial registrations don’t qualify.
If you’re buying new or RPO, you add it during checkout and can roll it into your loan or lease. If you already own your Rivian and bought it new from Rivian, log into your Rivian account, go to the Rivian Care section, and fill out the interest form. Rivian sends invitations once a month with limited spots, and filling out the form moves you to the front of the line. If your vehicle doesn’t qualify, Rivian emails you the reason.
Don’t sleep on that invite once it shows up. Each link expires on the date in the email, and if it passes, you can’t join this initial group later. You’d have to wait for the inspection-based program coming in 2027, which also means fixing any existing issues before you can enroll.
That 2027 program is also where everyone else lands. If you bought your Rivian from a private seller or another third party, or picked up an RPO without adding Rivian Care, you’ll get access next year with an inspection, and second-hand owners can fill out the interest form now to get notified.
Once you’re enrolled, Assurant handles everything after the sale. You can file claims, cancel, or transfer your contract at vehiclecareplan.com or by calling 1-855-277-0012, and roadside assistance is 1-866-603-5420. Both plans transfer to the next owner, usually for a fee, which is a nice little bonus when you sell, and if you move to another state your original contract terms stay exactly the same.
Going from a Texas pilot to 47 states with a clear path for used owners in 2027 makes Rivian Care feel a lot more like a finished program, and I’ll update this guide as soon as those 2027 programs open up.
Is Rivian Care an extended warranty?
Not in the strict sense. It is an optional vehicle service contract, provided and administered by Assurant, that keeps your Rivian protected once the factory warranty runs out. People call it an extended warranty as shorthand and that is close enough, but it comes as two separate products rather than one blanket plan.
What is the difference between the two plans?
The Vehicle Service Contract handles the mechanical and electrical failures, the battery, drive units, suspension, safety sensors, and the rest of the expensive stuff. Preferred Vehicle Protection is the road hazard and cosmetic plan, so tires, wheels, curb rash, small dents, windshield damage, and key replacement where your state allows it. You can take one or both.
When does coverage actually start?
Preferred Vehicle Protection starts as soon as you buy it. With the Vehicle Service Contract, certain wear items are covered from the day you enroll, but breakdown coverage does not kick in until your factory warranty ends by hitting either its time or mileage limit.
Does it cover the battery?
Yes, under the Vehicle Service Contract. If the high voltage battery fails for a non wear reason or drops below 70 percent capacity, the plan helps cover repair or replacement, up to 200,000 miles.
Does it cover the same part twice?
No. Rivian Care covers a given part once. If that part fails again, it falls under Rivian’s Service Parts Limited Warranty for 24 months from the date it was replaced. Headlamp bulbs and some electrical components are the exception and may be eligible for unlimited replacements during your term.
Is it cheaper if I buy it early?
Yes. Both plans cost less while your original warranty is still active, and the price climbs the longer you wait. Quotes also are not locked in, so the price you see reflects that moment only.
Can I buy just one plan?
You can. Eligible owners can take the Vehicle Service Contract on its own, Preferred Vehicle Protection on its own, or both together. Both plans share the same eligibility rules for now, though Rivian says that could change in 2027.
Is it available in my state?
Rivian Care is available in 47 states, including California. It is not offered in Massachusetts, Alaska, or Hawaii, though O’ahu launches in Q4 2026. Some Preferred Vehicle Protection benefits are limited by state, with no windshield coverage in Arizona or Florida, no windshield replacement in Georgia, Maine, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina, or Texas, and no key replacement in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Vermont.
Which vehicles and owners qualify?
Your vehicle has to be under 8 years old with fewer than 80,000 miles, registered for personal use, and maintained on Rivian’s schedule. Right now Rivian Care is open to people buying new or Rivian Pre-Owned directly from Rivian and to original owners. Commercial registrations do not qualify.
I already own my Rivian. How do I get it?
If you bought it new from Rivian, log into your Rivian account, go to the Rivian Care section, and fill out the interest form. Invitations go out monthly with limited spots, and the form moves you to the front of the line. Your invitation link expires on the date in the email, and if you miss it, you have to wait for the inspection-based program in 2027.
What if I bought my Rivian used?
Second-hand owners and Rivian Pre-Owned owners who did not add Rivian Care at purchase get a program in 2027. It requires a vehicle inspection and fixing any existing issues before you enroll. You can fill out the interest form in your Rivian account now to get notified.
Does it transfer if I sell the vehicle?
Both plans can transfer to a future owner, usually for a fee. That is worth keeping in mind at resale, since a transferable service contract can make the vehicle a little easier to sell. If you move to another state, your original contract terms stay the same.
What is not covered?
The usual stuff. Pre-existing problems are out, so is anything caused by abuse or neglect, and so is damage that your insurance is meant to cover. There is also specific language around improper or incompatible charging. Tire and wheel coverage excludes normal wear, dent repair stops at 4 inches, and windshield coverage stops at cracks over 6 inches. Replacement parts may be new, used, non-OEM, or remanufactured.
How do I file a claim?
Visit vehiclecareplan.com or call Assurant at 1-855-277-0012, and they will point you to the right service center. For emergency roadside assistance, call 1-866-603-5420.
Great article like always! Just to see, if you decide to purchase your Rivian end of lease could you also purchase Rivian care? Checked and not seeing the options yet just to see pricing. And I am also in Florida. Thank you!
From what Rivian told me, they are still rolling it out so give it a few days.
Sounds good thank you sir!
I live in a covered state but have been told by Rivian Care rep that if you bought your Rivian used (even if it has warranty) you can not buy Rivian Care. I do hope that changes, but just FYI.
This is frustrating. I understand they may not know the existing conditions this way… But let me pay for a full inspection at a service center prior to purchasing. The fact they don’t allow it at all makes it seem like they don’t have faith in the product they’re selling.
I was told the same, which is frustrating since WI wasn’t available when I purchased my used R1T from Rivian. Good FYI to note here, if buying used, buy Care at that time, as you can’t at a later date.
What is the total cost? Or is it a monthly fee…forever?
I inquired using the form in my account last week (Wed.) after seeing the expanded states now include WV. No response from Rivian yet. I’m curious to see pricing because I purchased xcare a few months ago but will probably cancel it.
Something big to add to the list of exclusions is that Rivian Care only is eligible for vehicles directly purchased through them; new or used.
If you purchased from a 3rd party you are currently not eligible for this program.
I live in a covered state (Illinois) and filled out the Rivian Care form 6 weeks ago (bought my new R1S directly from Rivian in March of this year) and still haven’t heard back from anyone or received a quote. I wish we could contact them directly by phone or an official Rivian Care website platform to get the ball rolling!
I live in Florida and filled out my form over a month ago. Crickets. 🤷🏻♂️
I live in both FL and TN and neither are showing up. Hoping they add at least one of these states!
A important note – according to reddit & rivianforums, damaged components are only covered and replaced ONCE. Please correct me if I’m wrong!
I know this is true for Xcare too.
Just curious, did you purchase either for your R2?
I did not but I don’t plan to keep my R2 long enough to benefit from them.
Question….If you buy say the two year deal today and your original warranty ends in say 6-months, do you just get 18-months extra coverage (on the items covered under the original vehicle warranty)?
Completing my R2 purchase as I type. Trying to figure out these service plans. The factory warranty is good for 4 years/50k miles but during that time I’d have to pay $1104 for coverage that won’t even start until then. The same coverage would then be offered but at a higher cost which is unpublished. So exactly how long would it take to recoup the $1104 if I simply wait 4 years/50k miles, and then purchase at a higher price? I tend to get a new car every 3-5 years anyway, so I’m questioning the value.
Hate to see the 80k restriction. For first gen owners it’s not uncommon to be above this level. I did get XCare though and as they don’t write contracts in California anymore the Rivian care is really only option.
If you choose to trade in your Rivian vehicle to the company before your Rivian Care Service Contract expires, are you eligible to receive a prorated refund?
It’s not a bad program I had a service contract like this for my Range Rover and it paid off well. (Go Figure) However I will warn you up front you, or your service advisor, or both will have to fight to get them to cover things. There will be and is find print and it won’t be as easy as just yeah it broke down cover it. At least that was my experience. However if you are willing to fight for yourself, it paid off 3x my initial investment last time.
When does it “actually kick in” and when does the policy start are 2 completely different things. If you have a year on your factory warranty left and you purchase a 2 year extended plan from Rivian Care, the actual policy starts the day you buy it. So for the first year of Rivian Care you’ve wasted money as your factory warranty is still good and you eventually only end up with 1 year of extended warranty from Rivian Care!
Curious if and when this will make its way to Canada