We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. A standard car manufacturer’s warranty can help you manage any unexpected repairs for the first three to five years after your purchase. After that, you’re on your own. However, an extended car warranty can give you peace of mind knowing that future repairs won’t empty your wallet after your manufacturer’s warranty runs out. The best extended car warranty companies offer uncomplicated and affordable plans (no to few exclusions or limits) and rank high for solid customer service. Best Extended Car Warranty Companies Best Extended Car Warranty Companies Compare Companies FAQ Methodology Why We Chose It Endurance rates as our top pick because of its fair pricing and willingness to cover a wide age and variety of cars. It also offers 24/7 assistance and will pay claims upfront, including labor and tax. Pros & Cons Pros Around-the-clock roadside assistance for policyholders You can cancel it within 30 days for a full refund Offers coverage for older models Pays claims upfront to the repair facility Cons Not available in California Has a consequential loss clause in its contracts Pricing may vary Overview Endurance has been in business since 2006. It manages most of its contracts and administers its own claims, which helps streamline the process and gives it a strong reputation for customer service. Endurance policies come with rental car benefits, 24-hour roadside assistance, and the ability to choose from any licensed, authorized repair facility nationwide. Because it’s a direct provider, Endurance pays claims upfront directly to repair facilities, including parts, labor, and tax. Other benefits include being able to choose new or used parts and a 30-day cancellation period with a full refund. Pricing depends on the mileage, year, make, and model of your car. These details can be submitted online to Endurance for a free quote. In terms of eligibility, Endurance offers coverage for models as far back as 20 model years with no limit on mileage. Unfortunately, Endurance does not offer coverage in California. The company also has a consequential loss clause which means your warranty won’t cover insured parts damaged by uninsured parts. For instance, if an uninsured battery leaks acid onto an insured part, the warranty will not cover the repair of the insured part. Why We Chose It Carchex is the runner-up for our best extended warranty plan because of its sterling reputation, services like 24/7 roadside help, and affordability. Plus, if you don't like or need your warranty within the first 30 days, you can cancel it without paying a penalty fee. Pros & Cons Pros Offers a wide range of services No down payment necessary Affordable 5-year plan Policies can be canceled without penalty within a 30-day window Cons Not a direct provider Vehicles must not be more than 25 years old at the time of enrollment May be more expensive for out-of-pocket costs Overview Carchex has been in business since 1999 and is endorsed by Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.com. All Carchex plans include 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, gas delivery, trip interruption, lost key or lockout service, and more. You also can take your car to any licensed repair facility, including dealers, repair shops, and national chains. This means you’re not forced to use only new parts for repairs. Carchex also pays claims directly to repair shops so you don’t have to pay out of pocket and then wait to get reimbursed. Pricing quotes do not have a limit on mileage, and coverage is not available for cars older than 25 years at the time of enrollment. Plans require no down payment and have a maximum payment schedule of 24 months. Finally, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee with every policy. Unlike Endurance, Carchex is a broker and not a direct provider. Most of its plans are guaranteed and administered by two different companies, American Auto Shield (AAS) and Royal Administration Services. As a result, you may have to pay more in out-of-pocket costs since each provider will have its own limitations and exclusions. For instance, Royal’s contracts have a consequential loss clause. In addition to consequential clauses, all of AAS’s contracts also have betterment clauses, which means that if the repair or replacement of the damaged part results in improving the overall value of the vehicle, the repair won’t be covered. Why We Chose It Pros & Cons Pros Wide range of options for every budget Fast approval process Nationwide roadside and rental car assistance No restrictions on which licensed repair facility you choose Cons Not all policies available in all states Coverage may have limitations depending on the provider you select Overview Though in business only since 2010, Autopom (stylized as autopom!) quickly has established itself in the marketplace. As a broker, Autopom partners with two warranty providers—Mercury Insurance Company and Standard Guaranty Insurance Company—giving customers a choice of mileage caps and coverage terms. Although most plans require cars to be in good mechanical and electrical shape, Autopom also offers optional mechanical breakdown insurance, which covers the cost of vehicle breakdowns caused by engine problems, transmission issues, or a faulty electrical system. You also get nationwide roadside and rental car assistance and can choose any licensed repair facility for your vehicle repair with no restrictions. What makes Autopom appealing to most reviewers, however, is the quick, hassle-free quote process. An average policy starts at about $1,400-$2,500 and can be paid upfront or monthly. Down payments are available as an option to lower your monthly amount. Because Autopom is a broker, coverage, exclusions, and limitations apply depending on your chosen provider. Not every plan is available in every state, and some are strictly state-specific. Why We Chose It CarShield's reputation is based on positive reviews from satisfied customers since 2005. Its wide variety of affordable plans with flexible repayment terms are just two of the reasons why consumers give it high ratings. Pros & Cons Pros Pays your claims directly to your repair provider 24-hour roadside assistance Any dealer or ASE-licensed mechanic is covered It's easy to qualify for a wide range of coverages Cons No options for cars with 250,000 miles or more A broker and not a direct provider Rates may vary Overview CarShield has been in business since 2005. During this time, it has covered more than two million vehicles and has a reputation for excellent customer service. With six plans available, CarShield offers coverage for almost any vehicle with less than 250,000 miles. Its wide variety of plans for new, used, and pre-owned vehicles makes it easy to qualify for a warranty. Most plans are monthly, and most warranties also can be transferred. CarShield pays claims directly to auto repair facilities like Carchex and offers 24/7 roadside assistance. And even though CarShield is a broker like Carchex, it still offers the flexibility of taking your vehicle to any dealer or ASE-licensed mechanic for repair. While CarShield rates can vary widely, pricing typically starts at less than $100 a month. CarShield also offers flexible payment terms. Why We Chose It Concord Auto Protect offers the best customer support of the companies we reviewed, with options to connect by phone, online, email, and via Meta Messenger around the clock. Pros & Cons Pros Known for excellent customer service Standard 30-day money-back guarantee for its policies Claim payments go directly to auto repair facilities Cons Cannot get pricing unless you request a quote No bumper-to-bumper plans offered Plans are not insured Overview Although Concord Auto Protect won’t disclose the price of its plans without a quote request, most reviewers find its pricing equal to, if not less, than their competitors. Each plan also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Unfortunately, Concord Auto Protect offers no bumper-to-bumper plans, so many parts are not covered, including tires and regular maintenance items like filters and brake pads. Also, because Concord Auto Protect backs its own extended warranty plans, there is no insurance company protecting your investment if the company were to go out of business. Endurance's affordable rates in six different tiers, 30-day refund policy, customizable plans, and other benefits earned it the top spot on our list. In addition, Endurance will pay claims, including parts, labor, and tax, directly to repair shops, so you don't have to. Carchex won our runner-up for best overall because it has very similar offerings, but unlike Endurance, it is available in California. Extended car warranties are service contracts offered by third parties that extend some of the terms of the original car warranty. Many new cars come with a three-year or 36,000-mile manufacturer's warranty, so you might consider an extended warranty after your manufacturer's warranty expires. While the companies we researched refer to their products as "extended car warranties," the term is a bit misleading. True car warranties are offered and administered only by car manufacturers and are included when you buy your car. Extended car warranty companies offer a range of plans that extend the manufacturer's warranty for the powertrain, which is the largest and most expensive part of the car to repair. More expensive plans offer bumper-to-bumper coverage, including the powertrain, electronics, suspension, major vehicle systems, and more. Extended car warranty companies try to sweeten their deals by including other perks, like roadside assistance, trip-interruption coverage, gas delivery, lost key or lockout service, and rental car reimbursem*nt. In general, extended warranties don’t cover maintenance costs for items like oil changes, timing belt replacements, and tune-ups. Components subject to wear and tear, including brake pads and windshield wipers, typically are not covered, nor is glass damage or rust. Extended car warranty companies are notorious for not quoting prices upfront. Our research shows it usually costs upfront $300 to $4,000 for a plan, plus your deductible, which typically can run $100. Many factors affect the price of coverage, like the age and mileage of a car, and coverage for complex electronics, including power seat controls, voice activation, sensors, cruise control, LCD screens, or GPS, may cost extra. According to a Consumer Reports survey, 55% of people never use their extended car warranty plan during their coverage period. What’s more, car owners typically pay more for the coverage than they get back in benefits. Because the average price of a car repair is around $850, paying $1,500 for an extended warranty to cover those repairs may not make financial sense. However, need something like a transmission rebuild, which can cost between $1,500 and $5,000, an extended car warranty could be highly beneficial to your budget. During our process for choosing the best extended car warranty companies, we looked at companies that received high scores in customer surveys in the areas of value for the price, customer service, the types of plans, claims satisfaction, and cancellation policies. We also looked at companies that had been in business for at least 10 years. Other factors included inclusions and exclusions in coverage and additional perks offered, like roadside assistance, emergency gas delivery, rental car reimbursem*nt, towing, trip interruption coverage, and more. Article Sources Consumer Reports. "Extended Car Warranties: An Expensive Gamble." Autochimps. "Transmission Repair and Cost."Best Extended Car Warranty Companies of 2024
Best Overall : Endurance
Runner-Up, Best Overall : Carchex
Best Value : Autopom
The company provides a range of coverage options for every budget, from high-level coverage for specific parts within the major systems to extended coverage covering most of your vehicle's mechanical and electrical components.Best Consumer Reviews : CarShield
Best Customer Service : Concord Auto Protect
Concord Auto Protect has been in business since 2013, and it offers many industry standards with its plans, including free 24-hour roadside assistance and transferable plans. As a direct provider of its vehicle service contracts, Concord Auto Protect pays claims directly to auto repair facilities and lets you choose any ASE-certified mechanic. Final Verdict
Compare the Best Extended Car Warranty Companies of 2023
Company Cost Roadside Assistance Mileage Requirements Endurance
Best OverallDoesn't disclose Yes Unlimited Carchex
Runner-up, Best OverallDoesn't disclose Yes Unlimited Autopom
Best Value$1,400 Yes Varies on provider CarShield
Best Consumer ReviewsLess than $100 per month Yes Under 250,000 Concord Auto Protect
Best Customer ServiceDoesn't disclose Yes Not disclosed Frequently Asked Questions
What Is an Extended Car Warranty?
What Does an Extended Car Warranty Typically Include?
What Does an Extended Car Warranty Typically Exclude?
What Are the Expected Costs of an Extended Car Warranty?
Is Paying for an Extended Car Warranty Worth It?
Methodology
Best Extended Car Warranty Companies of 2024 (2024)
Table of Contents
Best Extended Car Warranty Companies of 2024
Best Overall : Endurance
Runner-Up, Best Overall : Carchex
Best Value : Autopom
Best Consumer Reviews : CarShield
Best Customer Service : Concord Auto Protect
Final Verdict
Compare the Best Extended Car Warranty Companies of 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is an Extended Car Warranty?
What Does an Extended Car Warranty Typically Include?
What Does an Extended Car Warranty Typically Exclude?
What Are the Expected Costs of an Extended Car Warranty?
Is Paying for an Extended Car Warranty Worth It?
Methodology
References
References
- https://www.caranddriver.com/auto-loans/a41868076/how-much-is-an-extended-car-warranty/
- https://www.caranddriver.com/research/a32766838/best-car-warranty-quick-comparison-guide/
- https://www.thebalancemoney.com/best-extended-car-warranties-4801027
- https://www.motor1.com/products-services/auto-warranty/best-extended-car-warranty/
- https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/car-warranty-guide/
- https://www.motor1.com/products-services/auto-warranty/best-car-warranty-companies/
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