Every year, millions of dollars are spent on extended auto warranties and car repairs. Before signing on the dotted line, it’s best to seek out reputable extended car warranty companies.
In this article, we’ll highlight four top-rated extended car warranty companies that stand out for their reputation, customer service, affordability and overall quality. Keep reading to learn more about which car warranty companies are reputable and worth considering.
Our review team thoroughly researched and ranked the best extended car warranty companies currently available. We recommend getting free, no-obligation quotes from several providers so you can compare customized pricing and coverage plans side by side.
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Reputable Extended Car Warranty Companies
To select the four most reputable extended car warranty companies, we reviewed every leading provider in the warranty industry in areas like coverage, cost, transparency, the customer experience and, of course, reputation. Endurance, CARCHEX, CarShield and Protect My Car topped our list.
| Reputable Warranty Companies | Superlative | Overall Rating | Coverage | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Endurance | Best Provider | 9.6 / 10.0 | 10.0 | 9.0 |
| #2 CARCHEX | Best for High-Mileage Cars | 9.4 / 10.0 | 9.5 | 9.0 |
| #3 CarShield | Most Affordable | 9.0 / 10.0 | 9.5 | 10.0 |
| #4 Protect My Car | Best Long-Term Financing | 8.7 / 10.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 |
#1: Endurance: Best Provider
Endurance is a direct warranty provider that’s been in business since 2006. The provider offers six different coverage plans: Select Premier, Secure, Secure Plus, Superior, Supreme and EnduranceAdvantage™. Here’s a brief overview of each warranty option:
- Supreme: Exclusionary bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage for total peace of mind
- Superior: Covers hundreds of stated components
- Select Premier: Coverage for high-mileage vehicles in mind and offers coverage powertrain, air conditioning and electrical parts
- Secure Plus: Covers powertrain components as well as some electrical systems
- Secure: Basic powertrain coverage for the engine, transmission, and water pump
- EnduranceAdvantage™: Covers mechanical breakdowns as well as maintenance, which is uncommon for an extended car warranty
All Endurance car warranties come with roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and trip interruption coverage. Each service plan comes with one year of Endurance Elite Benefits, which includes key fob replacement, tire repair/replacement, total loss protection and a collision discount.
A downside to Endurance is that the company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has a low rating. However, the company’s awards, years in business and partnerships speak to its excellent reputation as an extended car warranty provider.
You can get more details about the direct provider by reading our Endurance review.
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#2: CARCHEX: Best for High-Mileage Cars
CARCHEX has been in business since 2004 and offers five different levels of warranty coverage: Titanium, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Cars up to 20 years old can be covered under an extended vehicle warranty. Here’s an overview of coverage options:
- Titanium: Exclusionary bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage much like the factory warranty
- Platinum: Stated-component coverage for hundreds of parts and systems
- Gold: Protection for all major systems and best suited for high-mileage vehicles
- Silver: Covers essential systems
- Bronze: Protects powertrain components like the engine and transmission
Each CARCHEX plan comes with 24/7 roadside assistance, towing, rental car reimbursement, gas delivery and trip interruption service.
CARCHEX is accredited by the BBB and holds an A+ rating from the organization, which shows its ability to handle and respond to claims in a timely manner. The company has partnerships with several auto industry leaders such as CARFAX, Edmunds.com and Kelley Blue Book.
You can read our CARCHEX warranty review for more information.
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#3: CarShield: Most Affordable
CarShield has covered over one million vehicles since its establishment in 2005. CarShield offers various plans and coverage for specific vehicles and high-tech equipment.
CarShield is able to offer several plan options because it is a vehicle service contract broker, meaning that CarShield’s offers are carried out by another administrator. Because of this, CarShield plans are not defined by one administrator, and the company is able to offer six more tailored levels of coverage, including:
- New Car Diamond: Exclusionary bumper-to-bumper coverage
- Platinum: Protects the engine, transmission, air conditioning, electrical system, and more
- Gold: Middle-tier coverage for essential components and some accessory parts
- Silver: Affordable, no-frills powertrain coverage
- Aluminum: Covers electronic and computer-related issues
- Motorcycle and ATV: Protects motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles
CarShield was named Most Affordable by our research team for its low-cost coverage plans that include great perks, such as roadside assistance and your choice of repair shop. Possible downfalls to CarShield include mixed customer reviews and some non-transferable contracts.
CarShield’s BBB rating may be lower than competitors, but customers are overall pleased with the company’s professionalism and customer service.
You can read our full CarShield review before signing on the dotted line.
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#4: Protect My Car: Best Long-Term Financing
Protect My Car has been in business since 2005. Known for its wide array of five-star customer reviews on the BBB website, Protect My Car offers three different extended warranty coverage plans with flexible payment terms.
Protect My Car extended car warranty plans include:
- Supreme: Offers bumper-to-bumper coverage for most mechanical and electrical parts, including the turbocharger and hi-tech equipment
- Select: Best suited for cars over 50,000 miles and covers essential components like the steering, front- and rear-suspension and brakes
- Driveline: Protects the engine, transmission, and fuel system
In addition to its three vehicle protection plans, Protect My Car also offers Ambassador maintenance plans. These plans combine an extended warranty with prepaid maintenance and can cover most car repairs with the three different plans offered (Ambassador Elite, Ambassador Pro and Ambassador Platinum).
Our research team recognized Protect My Car to have the Best Long-Term Financing for its discounts and flexible monthly payment plans. On the other hand, Protect My Car does not offer a basic powertrain plan and is not available in all states.
Protect My Car is not currently rated by the BBB but has several positive customer reviews, as well as a 3.7-star rating on Trustpilot.
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Do I Need an Extended Car Warranty?
After your manufacturer’s warranty expires, any auto repairs that your vehicle needs will no longer be covered. This means you could end up paying hundreds of dollars out of pocket if your car breaks down.
Extended warranty providers offer comprehensive coverage options, so you can avoid footing a huge bill. Most third party providers will give you the option of paying the entire extended warranty cost upfront or through a series of monthly payments. You will also have your choice of repair facilities.
One other thing to consider when deciding if an extended warranty is right for you is how long you plan on keeping your car. Most warranty plans are transferable, which means it can help increase the resale value of your car.
What Makes an Extended Warranty Company Reputable?
There are several important factors our review team examines to evaluate the reputation of extended car warranty companies. These factors include:
- Years in business: It is hard for any company to stay in business for a long time. In fact, Inc. magazine estimates that 96% of businesses fail within 10 years. Extended car warranty companies with many years in the business are more likely to have good coverage plans and excellent customer service.
- Awards: Reputable extended car warranty companies often earn awards for their business growth, customer service, or treatment of their employees.
- Partnerships: Many companies seek partnerships with other companies and individuals to promote their brand. When an extended car warranty company is able to secure a notable partnership, it is a sign that the company carries a strong reputation.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation and rating: Many companies choose not to become BBB accredited because of the cost involved, but those that do demonstrate a strong commitment to business integrity. And, if the company received a high rating from the organization, that is icing on the cake. A high rating demonstrates a company’s dedication to resolving customer issues and answering questions.
Our Top Recommended Extended Car Warranty Providers
Because warranty prices are heavily affected by your vehicle make, model, mileage and more, what’s best for your neighbor may not be best for you. We recommend reviewing sample contracts online and getting quotes from the industry’s most reputable providers so you can compare your options and better understand what the warranty covers.
Here’s an overview of our choices for reputable extended car warranty companies:
- Endurance: Best Provider
- CARCHEX: Best for High-Mileage Cars
- CarShield: Most Affordable
- Protect My Car: Best Long-Term Financing
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FAQ
How much does an extended car warranty cost?
Our team recently polled 1,000 consumers with 45 percent stating that they paid between $1,500 and $2,500 for extended warranty coverage. Note that most extended car warranty plans come with a deductible, typically $0, $50 or $100.
When should I purchase an extended car warranty?
You should purchase an extended car warranty for your new or used car before your factory warranty expires. Most limited warranties expire after three years or 36,000 miles.
Where can I purchase an extended car warranty?
You can purchase an extended car warranty through a dealership or third-party warranty provider.
What does an extended car warranty exclude?
Most auto protection plans exclude regular maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations and replacing windshield wiper blades. Plans may also not cover electrical components unless clearly stated.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car warranty provider to formulate rankings of the best warranty companies. Our in-depth rating system takes into account coverage, pricing, transparency, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each provider is given a weighted score in five categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend auto warranty companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best coverage.
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