CarSure is a relatively new vehicle service contract provider, and so far, feedback from customers is mixed. So, is a CarSure warranty a good idea? In this article, we’ll take a look at coverage options, customer reviews and more to give you a better understanding of the company.
We’ve also reviewed the best extended car warranty companies on the market, comparing each in terms of price, coverage, customer service and other factors. If you’re looking to purchase extended coverage to protect your finances after a vehicle breakdown, it’s best to get quotes from multiple providers before deciding on a plan. You can start comparing free quotes from a few of our top recommended providers above.
Is a CarSure Warranty Worth It
CarSure warranty options are fairly standard. The company offers plans from a number of different administrators, and it also acts as its own administrator for certain warranties.
If you haven’t heard of the company before, you might be wondering, what is CarSure? In a nutshell, it’s a third-party vehicle service contract broker that sells plans administered by other companies. CarSure is a subsidiary of Innovative Aftermarket Systems (IAS) which is based out of Austin, Texas. CarSure, however, is based in Saint Ann, Missouri, and it has gone by other names in the past, like VSC Marketing Group and Repair Defense Network.
While IAS has a history stretching back to 1985, VSC Marketing Group was founded in 2011, and it added the CarSure trade name in 2017. Since 2017, CarSure has received mixed reviews from customers, with positive and negative feedback on Trustpilot and multiple complaints filed through the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Drivers in most states can get CarSure plans online. Here’s a rundown of our CarSure warranty rating:
| Overall Rating | 6.3 |
|---|---|
| Industry Reputation | 5.0 |
| Coverage | 7.0 |
| Warranty Cost | See authorized dealer |
| Transparency | 8.0 |
| Customer Experience | 5.0 |
Is a CarSure warranty worth it? Because CarSure has received a fair number of negative reviews, we recommend looking for a different provider with a better reputation.
CarSure Extended Warranty Coverage
There are four CarSure warranty plans: Ultimate, Exclusionary, Comprehensive and Powertrain. Each plan can be administered by companies including American Auto Shield, American Colonial Administration, Interstate, Royal Administration and CarSure itself. Here’s a summary of the four CarSure warranty plans:
- CarSure Ultimate: This plan covers almost all mechanical breakdowns, except for a list of exclusions. It also covers tire and wheel damage from road hazards.
- CarSure Exclusionary: This plan covers almost all mechanical breakdowns, except for a list of exclusions, and does not include tire and wheel coverage.
- CarSure Comprehensive: This stated-component plan covers a wide range of parts of most vehicle systems, including the engine, transmission, drivetrain, air conditioning, steering, electrical system, suspension and more.
- CarSure Powertrain: This basic plan is good for high-mileage vehicles. It covers the engine, transmission, drivetrain, water pump, air conditioning and a few more parts.
All CarSure warranty plans come with roadside assistance, which includes towing, fuel delivery, flat tire services, lockout services and battery jump-starts. The plans also include coverage for rental cars while your vehicle is in the shop for a covered repair. Some plans include trip interruption to reimburse you for travel costs if a repair happens when you’re over 100 miles from home.
CarSure Warranty Exclusions
Just as important as understanding what a car warranty covers is understanding what’s not covered, so you aren’t disappointed if a certain repair is denied. CarSure warranty coverage does not extend to natural wear and tear, nor to damage from a collision, lack of maintenance or misuse. Here are a few more examples of what a CarSure warranty doesn’t cover:
- Regular maintenance services
- Wear items like brake pads
- Aftermarket parts or modifications
- Cosmetic items like paint and glass
Most warranties don’t cover tire or wheel damage, but CarSure’s Ultimate plan is an exception to this rule.
Cost of a CarSure Warranty
The cost of a CarSure warranty extended service protection plan will depend on your car and its condition. Generally speaking, the same level of coverage will cost more for an older car with more miles, since the likelihood of repairs increases with age. In our research, we’ve seen that extended warranties can cost about $2,700 on average, so you can use that as a guide if you get a quote from CarSure.
How to Get a Quote and File a Claim
CarSure has an online quote form that asks you to enter your car’s make, model and mileage. After filling out the form, you’ll have to wait for a call from a salesperson to find out which plans are available to you.
There are sample contracts on the website from each administrator. Be sure to download them and read the entire contract before agreeing to sign up for a plan. Once you sign up, you have between 30 and 60 days (depending on the administrator) to request a full refund, as long as you haven’t used the contract. After that, or if you’ve used the contract for repairs, you’ll get a prorated refund.
The claims process for CarSure is similar to processes for other companies. You can go to any certified repair shop for service. Contact your administrator after you experience a breakdown, and use your roadside assistance benefit if you need a tow. When your car gets to the shop, your mechanic will need to connect with your contract administrator.
The administrator will need to authorize any repairs before work can begin. You may have to pay for a diagnosis in addition to the repair if it turns out the repair isn’t covered.
CarSure Warranty Reviews
CarSure has over 400 reviews on Trustpilot, which give the company an average rating of 4.3 out of 5.0 stars. Trustpilot allows companies to respond to negative reviews, but CarSure hasn’t addressed any complaints within the past year.
The BBB has issued an alert about CarSure, citing a pattern of problems with aggressive marketing, failure to cancel policies and failure to pay for repairs. CarSure has a customer review rating of 1.24 out of 5 on the BBB. Some negative reviews say pushy letters have persuaded elderly citizens to buy plans they don’t need, or that CarSure doesn’t let people know how to cancel their policies. Below are a few examples of both positive and negative reviews.
Positive CarSure Reviews
“[The] representative was extremely helpful and took time to explain and answer all our questions.”
– G. Richardson via Trustpilot
“CarSure is great. I had thermostat problems and got the whole thing replaced with housing and sensors. Also, both control arms [were] replaced, and I only paid my deductible. It’s the first warranty [I’ve had that’s] paid for something.”
– Big Dre via Trustpilot
Negative CarSure Reviews
“Rudest ‘customer service’ I have ever dealt with. I feel this company targets and misleads the elderly. I am reporting them for elder abuse.”
– Carol via Trustpilot
“This is a predatory business. My father has dementia and cannot drive. I called to cancel the policy. They put me on hold immediately after hearing ‘cancel,’ supposedly to transfer to the right department. So far, I’ve been on hold for 55 minutes.”
– Jay J. via BBB
Our Verdict on CarSure: 6.3 / 10.0
Compared to other third-party extended warranty companies, CarSure offers a good number of coverage options, plus tire and wheel repair. However, the company has received a number of negative reviews and a concerning alert from the BBB. Considering that, we’d suggest you search for coverage from other providers.
Our Picks for Best Extended Car Warranties
When you shop for coverage, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from multiple providers. That way, you can compare your options and see which company offers the best deal. Based on our thorough industry research, Endurance and CARCHEX are two reputable extended car warranty companies to consider. Each stands out for its affordability, quality of coverage and positive reputation among customers.
Endurance: Best Provider
After researching many providers, we named Endurance the best provider overall for extended car warranties. Endurance is a direct warranty provider, which means it handles all quotes and claims in-house – no middleman required. The company has above-average review scores on Trustpilot.
Endurance offers six coverage plans that can extend up to 8 years/200,000+ miles, which will cover most vehicles for their entire lifespans. It also provides drivers with extra benefits like tire replacement and concierge services.
To learn more, check out our full Endurance warranty review. You can also get a free quote for an Endurance warranty below.
CARCHEX: Best for High-Mileage Cars
If you’re worried about covering repairs on an old vehicle, CARCHEX could be a great option. CARCHEX plans can cover vehicles up to 10 years/250,000 miles. Although they become more prone to breakdowns as they age, many vehicles still perform well at higher mileages, so it’s nice to know there’s a good provider for this type of situation.
Many customers have positive experiences with CARCHEX, and the company has an A+ rating with accreditation from the BBB. It’s also backed by industry experts like Kelley Blue Book, CARFAX and Edmunds.com.
Learn more in our full CARCHEX review, and click below to get a free quote from this provider.
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.
