The most reputable extended car warranty companies have great industry standings and prices, but they also offer 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 vehicle protection plans stack up to the competition.
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Makes direct payments to repair facilities
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Roadside assistance included
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Most service contracts can transfer to new vehicle owner
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Coverage plans up to 300,000 miles
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Poor BBB rating
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Rental car reimbursement only comes with some plans
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Many complaints about advertising practices
CarShield Review
We give CarShield extended car warranties 9.0 out of 10.0 stars and offer it the distinction of Most Affordable car warranty. The St. Peters, Missouri-based company has a wide coverage range, quality plans for high-mileage vehicles and flexible payment options.
The most beneficial thing about the company is the cost. CarShield excels with its month-to-month options, used car coverage and specialized plans. Additionally, CarShield’s powertrain protection is an industry rarity because it covers more than many manufacturer warranties.
| Overall Rating | 9.0 / 10.0 |
|---|---|
| Industry Reputation | 8.5 |
| Coverage | 9.5 |
| Warranty Cost | 10.0 |
| Transparency | 8.5 |
| Customer Experience | 8.5 |
CarShield Overview
With six 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 six service contract options that include specialized plans for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles and recreational vehicles (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 over $1 billion in claims and covered over 1 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.
The company is not a direct provider of vehicle service contracts but instead markets plans offered by other providers such as American Auto Shield.
CarShield Cost
Based on quotes received by researchers in our CarShield cost guide, the price of CarShield plans ranges 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 reviews mention paying around $100 for deductibles and $200 for a down payment. In general, these 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 other providers. Getting a quote from CarShield is easy, as you can connect with the company either by filling out an online form or over the phone. If you get an online quote, a CarShield representative will contact you by phone in order to speak with you about your options.
CarShield Plans
CarShield prides itself on being one of the top-rated providers of extended vehicle warranties. CarShield offers a few different coverage plans to choose from. Its plans are affordable and comprehensive, making the company a great option for anyone looking for extended car warranty coverage. While CarShield’s coverage levels are often referred to as extended warranties, they are technically vehicle service contracts. For more information about the provider’s coverage, check out our guide to CarShield plans.
CarShield reviews speak highly of the company’s six levels of coverage, which range from basic drivetrain coverage to plans that are comparable to a new car’s factory warranty. The list below contains more more info about these coverage options:
- Diamond plan: The Diamond plan is CarShield’s highest level of coverage and is comparable to a bumper-to-bumper warranty.
- Platinum plan: The Platinum plan covers most components from all major vehicle systems, but leaves out minor individual parts.
- Gold plan: The Gold plan fully takes care of the powertrain while adding on a few additional vehicle components, including power windows, the alternator and more parts.
- Silver plan: This is CarShield’s basic powertrain plan. It covers critical systems of your vehicle like the drive axle, transmission, fuel pump and water pump, for the cheapest rate.
- Aluminum plan: The Aluminum plan covers electrical systems, your air conditioning and most computer-related parts.
- Motorcycle & ATV plan: The Specialty plan is for nonstandard vehicle types such as motorcycles and ATVs.
CarShield Benefits
All CarShield plans include the following benefits:
- Roadside assistance
- Fluid and fuel delivery
- Trip interruption coverage
- Rental car reimbursement
CarShield Waiting Period
Nearly every CarShield contract comes with a 20-day/500-mile waiting period before coverage starts. This window allows the provider to make sure it’s not about to start covering a consistently faulty vehicle. CarShield reviews mention the brief time frame of the provider’s waiting period as a key benefit.
CarShield Vs. Manufacturer Extended Warranty
Many automotive manufacturers offer their own vehicle service contracts. In terms of price and coverage, these tend to be somewhat competitive with CarShield and other third-party warranty companies.
However, there are some key differences. Manufacturer warranties typically require you to have auto repairs done at the dealership. With a third-party warranty, you can have covered repairs done at any repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
In addition, third-party warranty companies typically offer more choices in terms of plans and coverage than automakers. Many manufacturer plans only offer one level of coverage, which may explain why CarShield reviews often praise the company’s multiple options.
CarShield Reviews From Customers
CarShield has received mixed customer service reviews, with positive reviews on some sites and some bad reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We’ve shared both a positive and negative CarShield review below to provide a holistic view of the company.
CarShield Reviews Online
CarShield reviews are average compared to most third-party competitors. The extended warranty provider has a 4.0-star average rating out of 5.0 on Trustpilot, backed by more than 30,000 customer reviews. On Trustpilot, over 65% of reviewers rate CarShield as “excellent.” Over 10,000 reviews on Google give the company a rating of 4.2 stars.
CarShield has received over 3,000 complaints from customers over the past three years and currently has a 1.4-star rating out of 5.0 on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website. After giving the company an F rating, the BBB advises consumers to use caution when considering purchasing from CarShield because of “a pattern of complaints” about sales, advertising, denied CarShield claims and customer service practices.
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 pretty small compared to the number of CarShield reviews. While some of the biggest issues seem to be more about quotes than the service itself, we recommend doing your homework and carefully reading the fine print when considering CarShield.
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
Negative CarShield Reviews
Negative reviews of CarShield tend to focus on unwanted sales calls and car repairs that weren’t covered. There are multiple exclusions from CarShield coverage plans, so make sure to read your sample contract to know exactly what you’re paying for.
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
Is CarShield Worth It?
Whether a CarShield plan is worth it for you is dependent on factors like your vehicle’s dependability and your financial situation. Generally, CarShield is worth it if you want peace of mind that you can afford repairs that otherwise would have been out-of-pocket expenses. We recommend getting a quote from CarShield to see if the extended warranty company is a good option for you. CarShield reviews indicate that customer service representatives are friendly and will quickly provide you with a reasonably priced quote. You can also receive a free quote online at CarShield.com.
CarShield Car Warranty: 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 Competitors: Best Car Warranty Companies
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 CarShield 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 2020 Inc. 5000 – a 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 for Best Provider
Similar to Endurance, CARCHEX has an excellent 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: Best Financing
Protect My Car, one of the most reputable choices among extended auto warranty providers, was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida. While the company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), it still holds an A+ rating on the site. 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.
Below are some frequently asked questions about CarShield:
CarShield Reviews: FAQ
Is CarShield really legit?
CarShield stands out in the auto warranty industry for its reasonable prices and range of coverage plans. In our CarShield review, we call it the Most Affordable extended car warranty company and rate it 9.0 out of 10.0 stars.
How much does CarShield cost on average?
According the quotes our research team received, you can expect to pay somewhere between $90 and $130 per month for CarShield coverage.
Does CarShield have a deductible?
Yes, in most cases CarShield extended warranty plans have a deductible of $100. The company’s Platinum and Diamond level plans have a $0 deductible.
What is the mileage limit on coverage from CarShield?
CarShield’s vehicle service contracts can cover your car for up to 300,000 miles.
Is CarShield a ripoff?
No, CarShield is not a ripoff or a scam. The company receives 4.0 stars out of 5.0 from over 30,000 reviews on Trustpilot. Additionally, it’s known as one of the most reasonably priced extended auto warranty providers.
