CARCHEX is among the best extended car warranty companies out there, but is it the right choice to protect your vehicle? In this review, we’ll go into what protection CARCHEX offers and how much it costs. We’ll also take a look at customer reviews and ratings to get a better sense of the warranty provider’s reputation.
When looking for an extended car warranty, it’s best to research multiple providers. We’ve reviewed the top third-party warranty providers, finding CARCHEX to be among the best.
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Choice of any repair shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®)
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Coverage available for up to 250,000 miles
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Five plans to choose from
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Pays repair facility directly
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24/7 roadside assistance
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Not every car is eligible for coverage
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Hybrids cost extra
CARCHEX Review: 9.4 Out of 10.0
In our review of the best extended auto warranties for 2022, we gave CARCHEX 9.4 stars out of 10.0 and named it the Runner-Up for Best Provider.
| Overall Rating | 9.4 / 10.0 |
|---|---|
| Industry Reputation | 10.0 |
| Coverage | 9.5 |
| Warranty Cost | 9.0 |
| Transparency | 9.5 |
| Customer Experience | 9.0 |
Bottom Line: Is CARCHEX Worth It?
Considering the company’s reputation, coverage options, prices and customer experience, our team of experts recognizes CARCHEX as one of the best extended car warranty options available. After a thorough CARCHEX review, we named the company the Runner-Up for Best Provider because of its affordable prices and willingness to cover vehicles for up to 250,000 miles.
CARCHEX Overview
Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, CARCHEX has been in business for 23 years, far longer than most leading providers. Drivers can be confident that it is an established and reliable company.
Like most extended warranty companies, CARCHEX sells vehicle service contracts administered by other highly rated companies, including American Auto Shield and Royal Administration Services. The third-party warranty provider is one of the only companies that sells contracts in all 50 states.
CARCHEX maintains an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It’s also endorsed by industry leaders like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, CARFAX and RepairPal. We chose CARCHEX as the best option for older vehicles since it covers cars for up to 250,000 miles.
How Much Does a CARCHEX Warranty Cost?
In our CARCHEX review, we found that the company is generally affordable compared to other extended warranty providers. We found quotes ranging from $107 to $154 per month and total costs ranging from $2,400 to $3,700. However, prices are influenced by many factors, including your car’s make, model, year and mileage.
You’ll likely find different prices than these when you get an extended warranty quote. You may find cheaper prices if you choose a shorter warranty term or a more basic coverage plan. Expect to pay more for an extended warranty if your car has below-average reliability ratings.
All CARCHEX extended warranty plans we received quotes for came with a $100 deductible and did not require a down payment.
What Does CARCHEX Cover?
CARCHEX offers a wide range of options, from basic powertrain coverage to coverage similar to a new car factory warranty. Depending on your vehicle, these plans can cover up to 250,000 miles on cars up to 20 years old. This makes it one of the best extended warranties for cars over 100k miles.
Here’s an overview of the CARCHEX coverage plans:
| CARCHEX Warranty Plan | Coverage Description |
|---|---|
| Titanium | The highest level of coverage from CARCHEX is similar to a manufacturer’s warranty. As an exclusionary warranty, it covers almost any mechanical or electrical component on the car. |
| Platinum | This plan is the most comprehensive component coverage contract from CARCHEX. It covers parts on 15 systems, including the engine, brakes, suspension, electronic and high-tech parts, turbocharger and audio system. |
| Gold | This mid-tier plan from CARCHEX covers parts on 13 major vehicle systems and is a good option for higher-mileage cars. |
| Silver | This CARCHEX plan covers the powertrain (engine, transmission and drive axle), plus the cooling system, transfer unit, fuel system, air conditioning, electrical system and seals and gaskets. |
| Bronze | This CARCHEX powertrain warranty covers the engine, transmission and drive axle, plus the cooling system, transfer unit and related seals and gaskets. |
These are the main types of extended warranty coverage mentioned on the CARCHEX website, but there are multiple contracts within each coverage level. Each CARCHEX warranty contract lists the specific parts covered (or excluded, in the case of the highest plan). For example, the Platinum plan covers dozens of electrical components, including the alternator, turn signal switches, control modules, gauges, wiper motors, seat motors, window motors and more.
According to CARCHEX reviews, there are multiple ways you can modify the company’s contracts. For example, many plans offer the option to add coverage for a higher repair shop labor rate. Other add-ons include the luxury electronics package, the keyguard package and the emissions package.
CARCHEX Warranty Perks
CARCHEX extended warranty plans come with several perks, including:
| CARCHEX Plan Benefit | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | CARCHEX covers $75 per occurrence for towing, lockout service, spare tire installation, jump-starts, fuel delivery and winching. There’s a maximum limit of $400 for the life of the contract. |
| Rental car reimbursement | CARCHEX will reimburse you up to $40 per day for four days in the case of a covered breakdown. |
| Trip interruption reimbursement | If you’re over 100 miles from home and experience a breakdown, CARCHEX will reimburse you up to $50 per day for three days to cover food and lodging. |
Since CARCHEX offers multiple contracts through different providers, the terms for these perks may differ slightly between contracts.
CARCHEX Warranty Exclusions
Just because a part is listed as covered on the contract doesn’t mean CARCHEX will pay for the repair under all circumstances. Here are a few exclusions from extended warranty plans mentioned in various CARCHEX reviews:
- Damage from lack of maintenance
- Damage from misuse
- Modified parts
- Expensive repairs (over $250) made without prior authorization
- Damage from accidents, the environment or vandalism
- Recalls and technical service bulletins
- When a non-covered part damages a covered part (and vice versa)
- Normal wear and tear
- Degradation without actual failure
- Wear items like brake pads and wiper blades
That might look like a lot, but there could be more exclusions on the contract. It’s important to read the entire contract so that you’re clear on what’s covered. If you didn’t get a chance to read it before purchasing from CARCHEX, take the 30-day money-back guarantee period to review it.
It’s also important that you keep up on scheduled maintenance. You might have to present oil change and service records when you go in for a repair, and CARCHEX can deny a claim if you haven’t been taking care of your car.
How CARCHEX Extended Warranties Work
Getting a quote from CARCHEX is easy and quick, and many CARCHEX reviews mention how helpful the provider’s customer service representatives are. The company offers instant quotes, though in reality they are only instant during business hours. When we called CARCHEX for the extended vehicle protection plan quotes listed above, our team member was only on hold for about a minute, and the entire process took about 10 minutes.
Each CARCHEX warranty also comes with benefits including:
- Choosing your repair facility: Most manufacturer warranties restrict where you can take your vehicle. With CARCHEX, you’re not limited to your dealership for covered repairs. Instead, you can take your vehicle to any of the 30,000 licensed repair shops certified by the ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence). Since each CARCHEX warranty is different, make sure to call your administrator’s phone number in advance to check that the shop is approved.
- Direct payments: To protect your wallet and your peace of mind, CARCHEX pays repair costs directly to the shop. However, you may have to authorize a diagnosis before any work can be done and CARCHEX won’t pay if the repair falls outside of warranty coverage. Note that you may have to pay a small deductible when you pick up your car depending on your plan.
How To File a Claim With CARCHEX
If your vehicle breaks down and needs service, there are a few steps you need to take in order to file a claim with CARCHEX. These steps include:
- Gathering your plan information to confirm that your repair is covered under warranty
- Taking your car to a licensed repair shop for diagnosis and work
- Paying your deductible (if any) when repairs are finished
How To Cancel a CARCHEX Warranty
If you need to cancel your CARCHEX extended auto warranty, you have a 30-day window in which to do so. Because all CARCHEX warranty plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, you’ll receive a full refund if you cancel within that window. If you cancel after the 30-day period passes, you’ll receive a prorated refund.
CARCHEX Reviews
There are over 1,450 CARCHEX reviews on Trustpilot that give the company a 2.9- out of 5.0-star rating. CARCHEX reviews with the BBB give the company a lower rating of 2.3 stars, but it has relatively fewer complaints on the BBB compared to some other providers. Read a few examples of positive and negative CARCHEX reviews here.
Positive CARCHEX Reviews
Happy customers praise the company’s customer service and helpful CARCHEX customer service representatives.
I looked into a couple of options including a proposal from BMW . . . By far, CARCHEX seemed the most thorough, and their agreement listed the exclusions and it was easy to understand . . . I had no apprehension to move forward with CARCHEX.
Al via Trustpilot
[CARCHEX] took care [of] me and my car’s needs. The service center was paid on time . . . no issues.
Andrew via Trustpilot
Negative CARCHEX Reviews
Some customers left poor CARCHEX reviews because of denied claims. However, the volume of such negative reviews is relatively low.
I purchased an extended warranty with CARCHEX, and I had an issue with my transmission alone and they denied my claim. I had been paying for this particular warranty for 13 months, and now [I] am requesting a refund due to my claim not being satisfied and coverage not meeting the needs.
Tonya J. via BBB
So I paid a lot of money for a worthless policy on my X5. [CARCHEX] never agreed to pay for any of the items I needed repaired. It would have been better to be without this policy. I would spend half the cost and use the money for the uncovered items.
Galactus via Trustpilot
Our Picks for Best Extended Car Warranties
CARCHEX is a solid option for extended warranty services, particularly if you have a lot of miles on your car. We always recommend getting at least three quotes, though, when you shop for coverage. Then, you’ll be able to make sure you’re getting the best deal for your particular situation.
While CARCHEX is a great choice for most shoppers, it may not be the right choice for you. Our experts have recommended the reputable extended car warranty companies below to help you make an informed decision about your extended warranty options.
Endurance: Best Provider
Like CARCHEX, Endurance is known for its excellent reputation. The direct provider of extended warranties has been in business for 14 years and holds a place on the 2020 Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing companies. It also sponsors Jarett Andretti of Andretti Autosports in the racing world.
We named Endurance the Best Provider overall for its comprehensive coverage and benefits. Endurance plans offer coverage for up to 8 years or 200,000+ miles, and our Endurance warranty review found that prices are very competitive. During the first year of coverage, you also get numerous benefits like roadside assistance, tire repair and replacement and key fob replacement.
To see how CARCHEX and Endurance warranties compare, read our full CARCHEX vs. Endurance review.
CarShield: Most Affordable
When you start researching extended warranties, CarShield is going to be one of the first companies on your radar. The provider is the most popular in the industry and is endorsed by many celebrities and television personalities, including sportscaster Chris Berman, actor Ernie Hudson of “Ghostbusters” and actress Adrienne Janic of TLC’s Overhaulin’.
CarShield offers six levels of coverage, including one plan just for motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Our CarShield review found that the company’s prices are some of the cheapest in the nation, and there are options for traditional financing and unlimited plans. If cost is most important to you, CarShield could be your best choice.
Learn more in our CARCHEX vs. CarShield review.
*Though not mentioned here, we’ve also rated Protect My Car as one of the top providers in the industry.
Conclusion
As you’re looking for the best extended warranty, here are some of the most important facts from our CARCHEX review:
- Best for: Aging or high-mileage vehicles along with used cars.
- Customer service: The brand motto is “Customer Experience Above All,” and the company’s No-Haggle, Low-Price Everyday Guarantee™ means it’ll give the best price upfront.
- BBB rating and accreditation: CARCHEX has maintained an A+ rating and has been accredited since 2009.
- Affordability: You can select a monthly payment plan that’s more manageable than a full annual payment.
- Free quote: Price estimates are customized to your specific vehicle, budget, driving habits and overall needs.
- 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: If you’re not satisfied with your coverage, you can get a refund within 30 days.
- Included benefits: All plans include 24/7 roadside assistance, towing, gas delivery, trip interruption services and rental car reimbursement.
- Claims paid to repair shop: CARCHEX pays the auto shop directly, so you don’t have to fund an expensive car repair upfront and wait to be reimbursed.
Frequently Asked Questions: CARCHEX Reviews
Is CARCHEX legit?
Yes, CARCHEX is a legitimate provider with an excellent reputation for reliability. CARCHEX has independent certifications and registrations with many states.
How much is CARCHEX per month?
We found that CARCHEX extended auto warranties cost within the range of $107 to $154 per month, but those prices may vary depending on your level of coverage and other factors, including your car’s make, model, age and mileage.
Is CARCHEX a good extended warranty?
If you are searching for a trustworthy extended warranty provider that offers comprehensive protection, we recommend CARCHEX. With its notable partnerships, BBB accreditation, and score of 9.4 out of 10.0 stars, CARCHEX protects you from unforeseen vehicle expenses and puts customer experience first.
Does CARCHEX have a waiting period?
Yes, CARCHEX has a 30-day waiting period when you can’t file a claim. This time coincides with the 30-day money-back guarantee offered by CARCHEX to all drivers.
Who owns CARCHEX?
CARCHEX is owned by Jason Goldsmith, a Baltimore-based entrepreneur who founded the company and remains its CEO.
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.
