CarShield reviews conducted by our researchers rated the provider with a score of 9.0 out of 10 with the distinction of Most Affordable Coverage in 2021.
The best extended car warranty companies have great reputations and prices, but they also have comprehensive coverage and transparent business practices. By taking a look at each of these areas and examining CarShield reviews from real customers, we’ll show you how CarShield warranties stack up to the competition.
CarShield Review
We rate CarShield extended car warranties 9.0 out of 10.0 with the distinction of Most Affordable Car Warranty. CarShield has a wide coverage range, quality high-mileage coverage, and flexible payments.
CarShield Ratings
We believe CarShield is one of your best options for extended warranty coverage, and many CarShield reviews agree. Here’s how we rate the company:
| Our Rating for CarShield | 9.0 / 10.0 |
|---|---|
| Industry Reputation | 8.5 |
| Coverage | 9.5 |
| Warranty Cost | 10.0 |
| Transparency | 8.5 |
| Customer Experience | 8.5 |
How Good Is CarShield?
The most beneficial thing about CarShield is their wide range of affordable coverage offerings. CarShield excels with its month to month options, used coverage, Spanish contracts, and specialized plans. Additionally, CarShield’s powertrain protection is an industry rarity because it covers more than many manufacturer warranties.
- CarShield Cost Reviews: Click here to check out our complete guide to CarShield cost, where we review the prices of the industry’s most affordable warranty company.
- CarShield Coverage Reviews: While the customer experience on carshield.com is average, the company makes up for it with flexible coverage options, which allow you to be more likely to choose the most appropriate coverage level. Also, CarShield’s loose eligibility rules and specialty coverage options means they’ll cover many vehicles the competition won’t.
- CarShield Customer Service Reviews: While the coverage is good, CarShield cuts corners on customer service. One of the most frustrating parts for customers is dealing with claims. Also, the sample contracts on CarShield’s website confuse many.
- carShield.com Reviews: CarShield’s app has a smooth online payment system, allowing you to manage your CarShield account online. All in all, while CarShield could improve their in-person customer service, the experience on carshield.com rates average.
Is CarShield Good or Bad?
We didn’t give CarShield a 9.0 rating and recognize it the Most Affordable Extended Car Warranty for nothing. For some, it isn’t difficult to get past all the negative CarShield reviews online. The fact is, CarShield provides solid coverage and flexibility that more than makes up for areas where the company is lacking.
Pros And Cons Of CarShield
The table below contains lists of the pros and cons of CarShield:
| CarShield Pros | CarShield Cons |
|---|---|
| Coverage for vehicles with lots of miles. | Low BBB Rating |
| Wide Coverage range for various vehicles (motorcycles/ATVs). | Customer Complaints |
| More plans than many competitors. | Limited Benefits Overall |
| You pay for repairs directly and get reimbursed to save time. | Not All Plan Info Available |
| Affordability. | Inconvenient In-Person Quotes |
| 24/7 Roadside Assistance | Plans Difficult To Understand |
| Freedom To Choose Certified Repair Shop or Dealership | Rental Reimbursement Not In All Plans |
| Transferability. | Long Wait Times Contact Agents |
| Spanish Contracts | No Preventative Maintenance Offerings |
| Monthly Pricing | |
| Unlimited Coverage Periods |
CarShield Customer Reviews
CarShield reviews are average compared with third-party competitors. The extended warranty provider has a 4.0-star average rating out of 5.0 on Trustpilot, backed by more than 22,000 customer reviews. On Trustpilot, over 70% of reviewers rate CarShield as “excellent”, with over 20,000 users rating CarShield at 4 out of 5 stars or more. Over 7,000 reviews on Google give the company a rating of 4.1 stars.
CarShield Reviews And Complaints
CarShield has received mixed customer service reviews, with positive reviews on some sites and some bad reviews on the Better Business Bureau. We’ve shared both a positive and negative review below to provide a more holistic view of the company.
Positive CarShield Reviews
Positive CarShield reviews tend to highlight the provider’s customer service and claims processing.
Excellent service. Paid my claims without issue. Staff was always courteous and friendly. It was worth the investment to have this insurance. If you have any kind of major or minor repairs, you will be glad you purchased this service.
Edgar K. via BBB
I have had policies on two vehicles and have always received excellent customer service from CarShield. I recommend them to everyone of my friends and associates.
William R. via Trustpilot
CarShield Complaints
Negative CarShield reviews tend to focus on unwanted sales calls and car repairs that weren’t covered.
I chose CarShield because I thought they would be different. I was assured that the plan they sold me would cover all major repairs. My car had a manifold issue that was $2,300. I would consider that a major repair. When the repair shop contacted CarShield, which by the way took hours on the phone, they informed me that it was not covered.
Customer via Trustpilot
Service on [the] tow was great but [I] could not find [a] shop or mechanic locally that takes CarShield. [That left] me no alternative but to cancel service as [I] can not use it if no one takes it in the area.
Frederick P. via Trustpilot
CarShield BBB
CarShield has received over 2,000 complaints from customers over the past three years. After giving the company an F rating, BBB advises consumers to use caution when considering purchasing from CarShield because of “a pattern of complaints” about sales, advertising, denied claims, and customer service practices.
However, when you consider the size of the company, many complaints are to be expected. CarShield says it has sold more than 500,000 plans over the past three years, so the number of complaints on the BBB website is minuscule relative to the number of CarShield customers. While some of the biggest issues seem to be more about quotes than the service itself, we recommend doing your homework when considering CarShield.
Is CarShield Worth It?
Whether a CarShield plan would be worth it is dependent on factors like your vehicle’s dependability and your financial situation. Generally, it is worth it if you want peace of mind and/or cannot afford unexpected out of pocket expenses. We recommend getting a quote from CarShield to see if the extended warranty company is a good option for you. From our experience, the customer service representatives are friendly and will quickly provide you a reasonably priced quote. You can also generate a free quote online.
About CarShield
With 6 coverage plans, low or no deductibles, and several budget-friendly payment options, CarShield is our choice for Most Affordable extended car warranty. CarShield was founded in 2005. In addition to a wide offering of 6 service contract options that includes specialized plans for ATV’s, Motorcycles, and RVs, CarShield provides around the clock roadside assistance, rental vehicles, and towing services. Flexible monthly plans are also available to fit your needs.
Having paid a billion+ dollars in claims and covered over a million vehicles, CarShield has been a major name in the industry for over 16 years. CarShield has numerous celebrity endorsements and has been featured on TBS, CNN, HGTV, and ESPN.
CarShield Extended Car Warranties
CarShield provides extended car warranties for new and used vehicles. As an independent broker that operates nationwide, CarShield markets and sells vehicle service contracts and then works with another company (often American Auto Shield) for contract administration.
CarShield Coverage
CarShield extended warranty coverage ranges from covering essential components to bumper to bumper coverage. CarShield provides a more comprehensive coverage than a standard OEM warranty. With a mileage limit of 200,000, CarShield coverage benefits new cars and high mileage vehicles. Most cars, trucks, SUV’s and crossovers are eligible for coverage, provided you prove your vehicle has been maintained according to manufacturer recommendations. If your vehicle is modded, tell the CarShield representative. The lest below contains some important info about the basics of CarShield coverage:
- CarShield Mileage Limit: CarShield will cover vehicles with up to 200,000 miles. This high CarShield mileage limit separates them from competition in terms of used coverage and makes the company popular in this market area.
- CarShield Insurance: CarShield isn’t car insurance because car insurance only covers a vehicle’s accidental/collision damage resulting from accidents. While CarShield doesn’t cover repairs that occurred from these types of events, it covers common repairs needed due to normal use.
- CarShield Waiting Period: CarShield’s standard waiting period for coverage is 20 days & 500 miles after purchase, a policy designed to protect CarShield from a needed repair the customer knew about. When signing with CarShield, representatives can even take notes of your vehicles problems.
CarShield Plans
Because everyone has different needs, CarShield offers plans for every coverage level. Ranging from affordable powertrain to comprehensive bumper to bumper contracts, CarShield offers 6 plans, including specialized offerings for high-tech, motorcycles/ATVs, and Spanish speakers.
| CarShield Warranty Plan | Overview | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond | CarShield’s most comprehensive plan, covering everything from engine and transmission failures to starter and fuel pump issues | A new car owner looking to protect their investment and add to coverage available from a manufacturer’s warranty |
| Platinum | Covers the engine, transmission, air conditioning, electrical system and more | A high-mileage-car owner who wants the most protection |
| Gold | Covers a variety of major and minor vehicle parts, including your water pump, alternator and starter | An owner of an older or high-mileage vehicle that’s in good shape (components covered are generally related to expensive repairs) |
| Silver | CarShield’s most affordable plan, covering the most important parts of your vehicle, including the drive axle, transmission and water pump | An owner wanting basic coverage for expensive repairs on an older vehicle without paying a premium price |
| Aluminum | Covers most electrical and computer-related problems, including the engine control module and starter | An owner primarily concerned about potential electrical and/or computer-related vehicle problems |
| Motorcycle & ATV | Covers motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles | An owner looking to cover their motorcycle or ATV |
What Does CarShield Cover?
CarShield extended warranties can cover hundreds of vehicle components or just the essentials after your factory warranty expires. A CarShield bumper-to-bumper warranty covers almost every part of your car, while a powertrain warranty covers all lubricated parts on your engine, transmission and water pump. The chart below provides a closer look for CarShield coverage for each of its plans:
| Component | *Silver | *Gold | Platinum | Diamond | Aluminum | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Transmission | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Drive Axle | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Transfer Case | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Water Pump | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air Conditioner | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Fuel Delivery System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Fuel Injector | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Fuel Pump | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Steering | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Suspension | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Brake System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Electrical | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Instrument Cluster | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| GPS/Navi | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Factory Audio | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Starter | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Alternator | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Power Windows | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Radiator | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Wiring Harness | ✓ | ✓ |
The chart above shows the components covered and not covered in all 6 of CarShield plans. *Gold and Silver are CarShield’s powertrain coverage options.
CarShield Plans Reviews
If you are interested in learning more about any of CarShield’s specific plans, we’ve done individual reviews for the 5 major plans (excluding the speciality plan) offered by CarShield. Links to articles on CarShield plans are below:
- CarShield Diamond Reviews
- CarShield Platinum Reviews
- CarShield Gold Reviews
- CarShield Silver Reviews
- CarShield Aluminum Reviews
What Does CarShield Not Cover?
Listed in CarShield’s contracts are 21 exclusions. Most are common in the industry:
- Repairs performed without prior authorization.
- Damage from a lack of maintenance.
- Pre-Existing conditions.
- Environmental damage, theft, vandalism.
- Vehicle alterations/modifications.
- Misuse of the car (racing or off-roading).
- Wear-and-tear parts
- *Oil leaks not a result of engine failure (Diamond & Platinum plans cover oil leaks).
- Odometer tampering.
CarShield 24-Hour Roadside Assistance
With CarShield, you won’t have to worry about being stranded, as all contracts include towing. Other benefits include:
- Roadside Assistance: jumpstarting, tire changes, locksmithing, fuel delivery; anywhere in United States; 24-hours/day. $125 per breakdown; $500 maximum.
- Towing: towing to a nearby facility; rates same as above.
- Trip Interruption: daily meals at $150 max for the plan’s lifetime at $50/day for trip breakdowns.
- *Rental Reimbursement: $280/ breakdown and $40/day in reimbursements for a rental car.
*Only in some plans.
CarShield Cost
Based on quotes received by our researchers in our CarShield cost guide, the prices of CarShield plans range from $99 to around $129 per month. On average, most CarShield customers can expect to pay closer to the $100 per month range due to discounts. Additionally, CarShield customers can also expect to pay around $100 for deductibles and $200 for a down payment. In general, theses costs are among the most affordable in the industry.
For any warranty plan, the cost for your specific coverage will depend on factors like the make model and age of your vehicle, where you live, your driving history, and the level of coverage you seek. To receive the lowest costs, we recommend getting quotes from at least three providers. Getting a quote from CarShield is easy, as you can connect with the company either by filling out an online form or by phone. If you get an online quote, a CarShield representative will contact you by phone in order to speak with you about your options.
How Does CarShield Work?
CarShield’s extended warranties act as insurance against unexpected vehicle repairs. This protects you from paying for unexpected costs resulting from regular use, replacing large, unexpected charges with small, predictable ones. A CarShield vehicle service contract covers mechanical components, picking up where your manufacturer warranty left off.
While service contracts are sometimes called “extended warranties”, this is a little misleading because they technically aren’t warranties. A CarShield vehicle service contract is an agreement to fix failing mechanical components within a time period.
CarShield Claims and Repairs
To make a claim, you can contact CarShield claims directly or customer service on weekdays. In order receive reimbursement, the claim must receive prior-authorization before the work is performed.In most cases, you can file claims online or over the phone.
Where Is CarShield Accepted? You can use your CarShield protection plan at any ASE certified dealership or repair facility in the US. This brings much flexibility for where you can service your vehicle because nearly every respected local facility is certified. Getting repairs done with CarShield is easy. Your mechanic will take care of the details with CarShield once you provide your coverage info. With coverage being paid directly to the repair shop, you only pay a deductible.
CarShield Cancellation Policy
If you don’t pay your monthly installment, your account doesn’t cancel right away. If this happens, make an arrangement via phone with CarShield’s payment department. This is important because claims cannot be paid for past due accounts and you only have a limited time to make a payment. Just as important as the waiting period is the cancellation policy. If you aren’t happy with your coverage, CarShield has a 30 day money back guarantee where CarShield will refund your payments in full directly to your Visa or Debit Card.
CarShield Competitors: Other Companies To Consider
CarShield is a solid choice among extended car warranty companies, especially if you’re looking for low prices and peace of mind. But any time you shop for a vehicle warranty, we recommend getting quotes from at least three providers so you can compare coverage plans. Below, you can learn a little about Endurance and CARCHEX – two of the most reputable extended car warranty companies in the industry.
*Though not mentioned in this article, we’ve also rated Protect My Car as a provider that has some of the best extended car warranty offerings in the industry.
Endurance: Best Provider
A direct provider of extended warranties, Endurance has been in business for 15 years and is known for its excellent reputation. The company holds a place on the 2020 Inc. 5000 – the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing companies – and sponsors Jarett Andretti of Andretti Autosport in the racing world.
Endurance plans offer coverage for up to 200,000+ miles, and our Endurance warranty review found prices to be very competitive. With any Endurance extended warranty, you get benefits such as roadside assistance, tire repair and replacement, and key fob replacement during the first year of coverage.
CARCHEX: Runner-Up, Best Provider
Similar to Endurance, CARCHEX has a wonderful reputation for comprehensive coverage and top-notch service. The extended car warranty provider has been offering vehicle service contracts for more than 20 years and has plans available in every state, including California. CARCHEX partners include Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.com, which add to the company’s credibility. CARCHEX has an A+ rating from the BBB.
You can get a CARCHEX extended warranty with a term length of up to 10 years or 250,000 miles. For this reason, we believe CARCHEX is the best choice for high-mileage vehicles. To learn more about CARCHEX, read our in-depth CARCHEX review. You can also compare the company to CarShield in our CARCHEX vs. CarShield review.
Protect My Car: Honorable Mention
Protect My Car, one of the most reputable choices among extended auto warranty providers, was founded in 2005 and works out of St. Petersburg, FL. While the company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), it has a strong A rating. Protect My Car offers three levels of extended warranty plans, which are actually service contracts that cover repairs for mechanical breakdown of important parts of your vehicle. For more on this provider, check out our Protect My Car review.
CarShield Extended Warranty Reviews: Conclusion
CarShield is the largest vehicle service contract company in the nation and has options for drivers looking for low monthly payments and plans that don’t expire. CarShield contracts renew every month, and your vehicle coverage continues even after expensive repairs. Many CarShield reviews compliment the company’s great customer service.
CarShield Reviews: FAQ
Is CarShield a scam?
Common CarShield questions include: “Is CarShield legit; Is CarShield reliable; Is CarShield a ripoff; Is CarShield a good company etc. To these questions, we respond: CarShield is a legit company that has been in business for years and covered many people. Like many companies, CarShield excels in some areas and has problems in others.
Does CarShield cover brakes?
Several of CarShield’s extended auto warranties list brake systems as covered components, but plans also exclude normal wear-and-tear for items such as brake pads and rotors. Read the fine print of a contract to see what auto repairs are covered.
Does CarShield cover electrical problems?
There are CarShield warranties available that cover electrical issues. The CarShield aluminum plan specializes in coverage for complex electronics.
Does CarShield cover catalytic converter?
CarShield doesn’t cover Catalytic converters in its emissions add-on.
Does CarShield cover brakes?
Brake pads and shoes aren’t covered. 4 CarShield plans cover brakes.
Does CarShield cover transmission?
Transmissions are covered in all CarShield contracts.
Does CarShield Work?
Yes, with CarShield, you have a trade-off for a slight dip in customer experience in exchange for well-priced coverage.
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.
