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Cat® Equipment Protection Plans: Coverage & Finance Options

Unplanned machinery downtime directly affects project profitability. A Cat® Equipment Protection Plan (EPP) helps reduce operational and financial risks by providing extended coverage for parts and labor beyond the standard warranty on new, used, and rebuilt heavy equipment. 

Estimated read time: 4 minutes

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Cat Financial

Published: Jul 06, 2026

What is the Cat Equipment Protection Plan?

A Cat Equipment Protection Plan provides coverage beyond the standard machine warranty for parts and labor. It protects you from unplanned repair costs caused by occasional defects in Cat material or workmanship. Add a Cat EPP to your machine and you can:

  • Lower the risk of downtime — your Cat dealer handles covered repairs

  • Hedge against inflation — you lock in parts and labor costs right now

  • Stay on budget — you convert the variable cost of repairs into a standard budget item

  • Increase peace of mind — you mitigate some of the risk that comes with operating equipment

You can purchase an EPP from your local Cat dealer. Finance the cost along with your equipment loan or lease and make just one monthly payment. Or you can pay for an EPP with your Cat® Commercial Account and earn rewards*. 

What does a Cat Equipment Protection Plan Cover and for How Long?

A Cat Equipment Protection Plan covers parts and labor formajor machine components beyond the standards warranty,spanning powertrain, hydraulics, technology, and premier structural coverage.

 Is an equipment protection plan the same as an extended warranty?

We don’t call an EPP an extended warranty, but the idea is similar. New Cat machines come with a Caterpillar Limited Warranty** that covers parts and labor costs for 12 or 24 months (or a specific number of operating hours). What happens if an issue arises after that warranty expires? If you’ve added a Cat EPP, your costs for covered components could be taken care of. Terms and conditions apply. Contact your local Cat dealer to learn more about covered components.

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What are the benefits of adding an EPP to my Cat machine?

  • Consistent quality: Certified Cat dealer technicians perform all covered repairs. They bring your machine back to correct operating specifications and use only genuine Cat parts.

  • Documented repair records: When it’s time to sell, you have a detailed history of any repairs completed. That can help increase your chances of getting top dollar for your equipment.

  • Transferable plan: In many cases, an EPP can transfer with the equipment when you sell it within the same region it was purchased. That may make your machine more attractive to buyers. Terms and conditions apply.

What does a cat equipment protection plan cover and for how long?

Coverage and terms depend on your plan. There are levels of coverage to align with the way you use your equipment and your budget. Unlike some extended warranties, there’s no deductible with a Cat EPP, no matter which option you pick. 

For new Cat machines, an EPP starts with powertrain coverage. It covers more than 50 components, including engine, transmission, drive train, steering, braking and electronic components. From there, you can move up to Powertrain + Hydraulics or Powertrain + Hydraulics + Technology. Premier coverage is also available for new machines and has the same coverage as Powertrain + Hydraulics + Technology, while also covering certain electrical and structural components.

Is an Equipment Protection Plan just for new Cat Equipment?

 

No. A Cat® Equipment Protection Plan (EPP) covers more than just new machines—it can protect a wide range of Caterpillar equipment, including used, rebuilt, and attachment-based assets.

  • Used Cat equipment, such as:
    • Hydraulic excavators (e.g., Cat® 320, 336)
    • Wheel loaders (e.g., 950, 966)
    • Including Cat® Certified Used machines

  • Cat® Certified Rebuilds, including:

    • Complete machines (e.g., rebuilt D8 dozer or 988 loader)
    • Powertrains (engines, transmissions, final drives)
    • Major components and hydraulics (e.g., pumps, cylinders)

  • Cat work tools and attachments, such as:

    • Buckets (general purpose, rock, high-capacity)
    • Hydraulic hammers and compactors
    • Grapples, thumbs, and augers
    • Couplers and forks

  • Cat dealer rebuilds, including:

    • Overhauled engines or transmissions
    • Refurbished hydraulic systems
    • Machine component rebuilds completed by Cat dealers

Can I add an Equipment Protection Plan to rental equipment?

It depends. Equipment you rent from your Cat dealer or Cat RentalsSM may already be covered by an EPP. That’s a good question to ask as you go through the equipment rental process. Talk to your dealer to see what coverage options are available to ensure your machine is protected. 

Is an EPP the same as Physcial Damage Insurance?

No. Physical damage insurance (sometimes called contractor’s equipment insurance) is a separate type of equipment protection. It’s available from your Cat dealer or through Cat Financial.  While an EPP protects you from covered defects in Cat material and manufacturer workmanship, physical damage insurance covers the cost of equipment loss or damage due to fires, floods, vandalism, theft or collisions. 

Physical damage insurance also provides “gap” coverage if you owe money on a damaged machine’s loan at the time of the loss. It may also reimburse you for rental equipment while yours is being repaired or replaced. Learn more about physical damage protection here.

How do I choose the right protection plan?

For more details on Cat EPPs, download this free ebook from Cat Financial. It walks you through coverage for new, used and rebuild Cat equipment. If you have more questions — or are ready to add an EPP or physical damage insurance to your machines now — talk to your local Cat dealer. 

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