Empire Auto Protect vs Nissan Security+Plus: 2026 Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Empire Auto Protect covers repairs at any ASE-licensed shop nationwide; Nissan Security+Plus repairs run through Nissan dealerships.
- Security+Plus must generally be purchased before the 3-year/36,000-mile factory warranty expires; Empire covers Nissans at any age or mileage.
- Empire plans start at $69 per month with $0 to $200 deductibles and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Security+Plus terms top out around 8 years/120,000 miles; Empire can keep covering a Nissan well past that point.
- For most Nissan owners — especially used and high-mileage — Empire is the more flexible choice in 2026.
Comparing Empire Auto Protect vs Nissan Security+Plus comes down to flexibility versus factory branding. Nissan Security+Plus is Nissan’s own extended protection plan, sold through Nissan dealers and serviced at Nissan dealerships with genuine Nissan parts. Empire Auto Protect is a national broker whose plans work at any ASE-licensed shop, cover vehicles of nearly any age or mileage, and start at $69 per month. If you own a newer Nissan and never plan to leave the dealership, Security+Plus is a credible factory option — but for most owners, Empire delivers broader coverage choices, more shop freedom, and protection that does not end at 120,000 miles.
Quick Verdict: Which Is Better in 2026?
Empire Auto Protect is the better option for most Nissan owners in 2026 because it offers plan flexibility, any-shop acceptance, and coverage for used and high-mileage vehicles that Nissan’s factory program cannot match. Empire Auto Protect wins this comparison for the majority of Nissan drivers.
| Feature | Empire Auto Protect | Nissan Security+Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Repair locations | Any ASE-licensed shop or dealership nationwide | Nissan dealerships |
| When you can buy | Anytime — new, used, or high-mileage | Generally while factory warranty is still active |
| Vehicles covered | All makes, including every Nissan model | Nissan vehicles only |
| Maximum term | Multi-year options, renewable past 120k miles | Up to 8 years/120,000 miles |
| Plan levels | Full spectrum across multiple administrators | Gold Preferred, Silver Preferred, Powertrain Preferred |
| Starting price | From $69/month | Set by dealer; varies |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days, pro-rated refunds after | Cancellation terms vary by contract/state |
About Empire Auto Protect
Empire Auto Protect is a vehicle service contract broker that matches drivers to plans from multiple established administrators rather than selling a single product line. That broker model is the company’s core advantage: its administrator network has covered 400,000+ vehicles and paid $100M+ in claims, and Empire holds a 5.0-star Google rating across 3,600+ reviews. Licensed agents design coverage around the specific vehicle — a leased 2025 Rogue and a 2014 Altima with 140,000 miles get different plans at different prices. Every contract includes 24/7 roadside assistance, rental car options, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
About Nissan Security+Plus
Nissan Security+Plus is the factory-backed extended protection plan offered through Nissan dealerships. It comes in three main levels — Gold Preferred, a near-exclusionary plan covering the widest component list; Silver Preferred, a mid-tier stated-component plan; and Powertrain Preferred, which focuses on engine, transmission, and drivetrain. Repairs are performed at Nissan dealers using genuine Nissan parts, and terms run as long as 8 years or 120,000 miles from the original in-service date. It is a legitimate, factory-standard product; its limitations are structural — it only exists for Nissans, is generally purchased while the factory warranty is still active, and keeps you inside the dealership network for service.
Coverage Differences That Matter
The coverage difference that matters most is where and when you can use it. Empire plans follow the car — any ASE-licensed shop, any state, at any point in the vehicle’s life. Security+Plus follows the dealership — excellent if you live near one and trust its service department, limiting if you do not.
- Shop choice: Empire is honored at any ASE-licensed mechanic; Security+Plus repairs happen at Nissan dealers.
- Purchase window: Empire covers Nissans bought used, out of warranty, or past 120,000 miles — the exact vehicles Security+Plus generally cannot enroll.
- Plan breadth: Nissan offers three levels; Empire’s administrator network offers a spectrum from powertrain to full exclusionary, tuned to mileage and budget.
- Factory parts: Security+Plus uses genuine Nissan parts at dealers — a real plus. Empire counters with the freedom to choose a trusted independent shop, where OEM parts can still be requested.
What Do Nissan Repairs Actually Cost?
Nissan repairs that land after the factory warranty are exactly the ones an extended plan exists for. The best-known example is the CVT transmission used across the Rogue, Altima, Sentra, and Murano: a CVT replacement commonly runs $3,500 to $5,500, and data aggregators like RepairPal track similar ranges nationally. An AC compressor runs $800 to $1,500, and a catalytic converter can exceed $2,000. Nissans deliver strong value new, but owners who keep them past 120,000 miles age out of Security+Plus right as CVT risk rises. Empire’s plans are built for that second half of the vehicle’s life — see our dedicated guides to Nissan Rogue coverage and Nissan Altima coverage for model-specific breakdowns.
Claims Process Compared
The claims process differs mainly in who you hand the keys to. With Empire, you take the vehicle to any ASE-licensed shop, the shop diagnoses the failure, and the administrator authorizes and pays the shop directly — with 24/7 live phone support if questions come up. With Security+Plus, you bring the vehicle to a Nissan dealership and the dealer handles the claim internally. Both processes are legitimate; Empire’s simply works in more places, which matters on a road trip or in a town without a Nissan dealer.
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Pricing Comparison
Pricing for the two programs is structured differently: Empire publishes entry pricing from $69 per month, while Nissan Security+Plus pricing is set at the dealership and varies by model, term, and dealer — Nissan does not publish standard national rates. Empire Auto Protect starts at $69 per month with deductible options from $0 to $200. Because Empire is a broker, agents can quote several administrators and terms side by side, then adjust deductible and coverage level to hit a monthly budget. With a dealer-sold plan, negotiation is possible but you are negotiating one product from one seller. Whichever direction you lean, get both quotes in writing — our guide to extended car warranty costs in 2026 shows the ranges a fair quote should fall within.
Who Is Each Plan Best For?
Empire Auto Protect is best for the broad majority of Nissan owners: anyone with a used Nissan, a Nissan past its factory warranty, a high-mileage Rogue or Altima with a CVT, drivers far from a dealership, and anyone who wants coverage tailored to a budget. Nissan Security+Plus fits one narrower profile well: the owner of a new Nissan, still under factory warranty, who services exclusively at one Nissan dealership and wants factory branding above all else. If you fall anywhere outside that profile, Empire’s flexibility wins on the merits — a conclusion consistent with our 2026 rankings of the best extended car warranty companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Empire Auto Protect better than Nissan Security+Plus?
For most Nissan owners, yes. Empire Auto Protect offers coverage at any ASE-licensed shop, plans for used and high-mileage Nissans, $0 to $200 deductibles, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Nissan Security+Plus is a solid factory product, but it is limited to Nissan dealerships and generally must be bought while the factory warranty is active.
Can I buy Nissan Security+Plus after my factory warranty expires?
Generally, no — Security+Plus is designed to be purchased while the vehicle is still within its factory warranty period. That is a key reason out-of-warranty Nissan owners turn to Empire Auto Protect, which enrolls vehicles regardless of age or mileage, including well past 120,000 miles.
Does Empire Auto Protect cover Nissan CVT transmissions?
Yes. Empire plans can cover the CVT transmissions used in the Rogue, Altima, Sentra, and Murano, along with engines, drivetrains, electronics, and AC systems. A CVT replacement commonly runs $3,500 to $5,500, which is more than two years of typical premium payments.
Where can I get repairs with Nissan Security+Plus?
Security+Plus repairs are performed at Nissan dealerships using genuine Nissan parts. That guarantees factory service standards but ties you to dealer locations and scheduling — a constraint worth weighing if the nearest dealer is a long drive away.
What happens if I sell my Nissan?
Both programs address resale, but terms differ by contract. Empire Auto Protect plans are transferable to a private buyer, which can raise resale value, and unused coverage can be refunded pro-rata after the 30-day full-refund window. Check your specific contract terms in either case.
The Bottom Line
Nissan Security+Plus is a respectable factory program with genuine parts and dealer service behind it. But for 2026, Empire Auto Protect is the stronger choice for most Nissan drivers: it covers Nissans new and old, works at any ASE-licensed shop in the country, offers plans across multiple administrators at multiple price points, and stands behind everything with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Flexibility is what you are really buying in an extended warranty — and flexibility is where Empire wins.
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By the Empire Auto Protect Team | Updated August 2026
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