With over one million vehicles covered and endorsements from many celebrities, CarShield is one of the biggest names in the auto warranty industry. CarShield reviews reveal that the company is also one of the most affordable choices for extended warranty coverage.
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, let’s see how CarShield warranties stack up to the competition.
CarShield Overview
A provider of extended car warranties since 2005, CarShield – in combination with its administrators – says it has paid out over $1 billion in customer claims. CarShield coverage is available in every state except California.
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 |
What Does CarShield Cover?
CarShield offers six types of vehicle service contracts, including a Diamond plan with exclusionary coverage, and a Platinum plan offering powertrain coverage. American Auto Shield administers CarShield’s plans.
| 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 vehicle engine, transmission, A/C, 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 |
You can set up your CarShield extended warranty with a $0, $50 or $100 deductible. Sample contracts are available online, and there is a 30-day, 1,000-mile waiting period for extended warranty coverage to ensure your vehicle does not have any pre-existing conditions.
CarShield reviews show that customers are pleased with the company’s comprehensive extended warranty service and benefits. Most coverage plans come with:
- 24-hour roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Towing
Whenever you purchase a protection plan, make sure to read your contract thoroughly to make sure you understand the exclusions and limitations of coverage.
Cost of CarShield Extended Warranty Coverage
CarShield is one of the most affordable extended warranty providers in the car warranty industry. We were quoted $88.78 for 18 months for a 5-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper extended warranty. For a 4-year/100,000-mile powertrain plan, CarShield gave us a price of $127.67 for 18 months.
| CarShield Warranty Plan | Vehicle Profile | Coverage Term | Monthly Payment | Down Payment | Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond | 2018 Toyota RAV4 with 30,000 miles | 5 years/100,000 miles | $88.78 for 18 months | $295 | $100 |
| Gold | 2012 Chevy Equinox with 90,000 miles | 4 years/100,000 miles | $127.67 for 18 months | $99 | $100 |
When we received our quotes, the CarShield representative also recommended a month-to-month unlimited Gold plan but didn’t provide a price.
Pricing for an extended warranty may vary, as extended warranty quotes are based on factors such as:
- Vehicle make, model, age and mileage
- Level of coverage
- Deductible
- Location
All CarShield contracts come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How to Get a Quote and File a Claim
You can get a CarShield extended warranty quote online or over the phone. When we called to inquire about the quotes we used in this Carshield review, we found the experience to be simple. However, the representative was persistent when we said we wouldn’t be buying at that time. The hold time was less than one minute, and the process took about 10 minutes in total.
Once you have CarShield extended warranty coverage, you can file a claim online or over the phone. You can also head to any licensed repair shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASEⓇ) if you experience a mechanical breakdown. Your mechanic will take care of the details with CarShield after you’ve provided your plan information.
CarShield will send direct payment to the repair facility for covered repairs, and you will only have to pay a deductible for service.
CarShield Reviews
CarShield has average reviews compared with third-party competitors. The extended warranty provider has a 4.0-star rating out of 5.0 on Trustpilot, backed by more than 21,000 reviews. CarShield also has an F rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with more than 2,000 complaints from customers over the past three years. However, when you consider the size of the company’s clientele, 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.
Positive reviews tend to highlight CarShield’s customer service and claims processing. Negative CarShield reviews tend to focus on unwanted sales calls and uncovered repairs.
We’ve shared both a positive and negative review below to provide a more holistic view of the company.
Positive CarShield Review
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
Negative CarShield Review
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.
via Trustpilot
Conclusion: Is CarShield Worth It?
After performing in-depth research, we believe CarShield is the Most Affordable provider in the extended car warranty industry. With over a million contracts sold and $1 billion paid in claims by administrators, CarShield has a track record that makes the company a worthwhile consideration when shopping for an extended car warranty.
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.
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.
| CarShield Pros | CarShield Cons |
|---|---|
| Variety of vehicle service contracts | Some negative CarShield reviews |
| Choice of certified repair shop | Rental car reimbursement not included with all plans |
| Direct payments to repair facilities | |
| Most contracts are transferable to new car owners |
Our Picks for Best Extended Car Warranties
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.
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 2019 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’s 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.
FAQ: CarShield Reviews
How much does CarShield cost on average?
CarShield costs about $85 to $130 per month on average. The extended warranty company has very affordable plans. When we requested a quote for a 2018 Toyota RAV4 with 30,000 miles, CarShield gave us a price of $88.78 for 18 months for a 5-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Is CarShield a good deal?
CarShield is a good deal, especially if price is an important consideration for your extended warranty needs. We found Carshield to have some of the lowest monthly rates, and CarShield reviews from customers highlight affordable warranty plans, too.
What repairs 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.
Does CarShield cover electrical problems?
Some Carshield plans cover electrical problems. CarShield’s Aluminum extended warranty plan, in particular, is designed to cover most electrical and computer-related problems in your vehicle, including the engine control module, starter, power windows, alternator, navigation/GPS, electrical system and more.
How expensive is CarShield?
CarShield is not very expensive. For a 2018 Toyota RAV4 with 30,000 miles, CarShield gave us a price of $88.78 for 18 months for a 5-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. A 4-year/100,000-mile powertrain plan for a 2012 Chevy Equinox with 90,000 miles was $127.67 for 18 months.
Do I have to take my car to a dealership if it breaks down?
No, if you need car repairs due to a mechanical breakdown, you can take your vehicle to any licensed repair shop certified by the ASE.
Can you buy an extended warranty for a used car?
Yes. You can buy an extended warranty for both used cars an new cars.
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.
