If you’re a General Motors (GM) loyalist, you’ve not only got a great choice in vehicles across four brands, but also solid options with a GM extended warranty and a service contract called the Platinum Protection Plan. Whether you’re buying a new, certified pre-owned (CPO) or used GM vehicle, one of these plans, or a third-party plan, will fit your needs.
We’ve done our homework, looking closely at GM’s extended warranty and service contract offerings to see which might be best for customers. At the same time, we reviewed and ranked the best extended warranty providers, giving you an opportunity to find the plan that works best for your vehicle, needs and budget.
We suggest comparing quotes between our recommended third-party warranty companies. Get to know their plans and prices, and then compare those to the GM extended warranty plans.
Above are the three third-party providers we recommend getting a quote from. With that information, you can make an informed decision. Keep reading for all the details on GM extended warranty coverage.
Option 1: The GM Extended Warranty
When you buy a new Buick, Cadillac, Chevy or GMC, the dealer will offer the option of a GM extended warranty, called the Extended Limited Warranty. This is literally an extension of the new vehicle warranty to match the term of the powertrain warranty.
For 2020 Buick, Chevy and GMC vehicles, the extension adds 2 years/24,000 miles to give you 5 years/60,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage. In Cadillac’s case, the extension adds 2 years/20,000 miles to give you 6 years/70,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage.
For 2019 Buicks, you would get both the previous, longer new vehicle warranty term and the extension, for a total 6 years/70,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage.
Because the GM extended warranty is purely an extension of the new vehicle warranty, there is no difference in parts and systems covered, nor any deductible to pay. The warranty remains fully transferable, too.
For many GM customers, this plan is an excellent option, but there is a catch of sorts: You must purchase the GM extended warranty when you buy the car. If you turn it down and then take delivery of the car, you can’t change your mind and add it. It makes sense to research other extended warranty plans and prices before going to the dealer, so you can judge if this Extended Limited Warranty would be right for you.
Option 2: GM Platinum Protection Plan Service Contract
If you decline the GM extended warranty for a new Buick, Cadillac, Chevy or GMC, you can still buy the GM Platinum Protection Plan at a later date. This plan is not an Extended Limited Warranty, but rather a comprehensive extended service contract that you could directly compare to plans from our top-ranked third-party providers.
The GM Platinum Protection Plan covers 1,000-plus components, including:
- Engine (including turbocharger or supercharger, if equipped)
- Transmission
- Drive axle (front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive)
- Steering
- Electrical, including OnStar and infotainment systems
- Airbags and safety restraint system
- Brakes (including anti-lock components, but not wear parts like rotors and pads)
- Climate control system
- Seals and gaskets
- Adaptive cruise control
- Ride control suspension
- Heated seats
- Blind-spot detection sensors and reverse warning systems and sensors
While the GM Platinum Protection Plan essentially covers the whole vehicle and powertrain, there are some exclusions, including:
- Battery and battery cable/harness
- Brake rotors, drums and pads, and other wear items
- Certain emission control components
- Exhaust components (unless listed as a specific covered part)
- Headlights and headlight lenses
- Key fobs
- Maintenance
- Tire pressure sensors
- Trim items
- Wheels and tires
As you might expect for a manufacturer that offers everything from $13,000 economy cars to $100,000-plus luxury SUVs, pricing for the GM Platinum Protection Plan varies by brand, model and warranty term selected.
We used the online tools available on the Buick, Cadillac, Chevy and GMC websites to generate an example for each brand. The price ranges shown indicate the spread between the 2-year/24,000-mile and 5-year/60,000-mile plans. Other choices include 3 years/36,000 miles and 4 years/48,000 miles, with pricing that falls within the listed ranges.
- 2020 Buick Enclave AWD: $2,018.75–$3,850.35
- 2020 Cadillac XT5 AWD: $3,162.75–$7,652.25
- 2020 Chevrolet Camaro: $1,752.75–$3,208.15
- 2020 GMC Yukon 4WD: $2,018.75–$3,850.35
Those prices reflect a 5% discount for making a one-time payment. Installment plans are also available. You can download a sample contract from the individual GM brand websites, which you could then compare to a contract downloaded from one of our recommended providers. (The GM Platinum Protection Plans are administered by AMT Warranty, not General Motors itself.)
GM Platinum Protection Plan Added Benefits
Whether you buy a Platinum Protection Plan for a Buick, Cadillac, Chevy or GMC, the added benefits are the same:
| Benefit | |
|---|---|
| Rental car reimbursement | Plan pays up to $40 per day (maximum of $280 per repair visit) toward renting a replacement vehicle or for public transportation while your GM vehicle is being repaired |
| Towing and road service reimbursement | Up to $150 per covered incident |
| Trip interruption reimbursement | Pays up to $200 a day (maximum $800 per incident) if your vehicle breaks down more than 100 miles from your home and will be in the shop overnight |
| Lost key lockout service reimbursement | Up to $35 for locksmith services |
Keep in mind that the reimbursements may not cover the complete cost of the service, For example, actual locksmith fees for car lockout service can cost $50 to $100, per HomeAdvisor.
Regardless of which GM brand you buy, the Platinum Protection Plan is transferable (for a fee). If you cancel the plan after 60 days, you can get a pro rata refund minus any claims already paid.
Option 3: Third-Party Extended Warranties
Before you commit to a GM extended warranty from the dealer, it’s wise to consider all of your options. Third-party companies offer comprehensive coverage for GM vehicles once your factory warranty has expired.
At minimum, it doesn’t hurt to get a quote. That way you can weigh your options side by side to make an informed decision.
Best Provider for GM Vehicles: Endurance
Our research showed Endurance to be the best option across the industry. Our researchers reviewed sample contracts, coverage limits and collected sample quotes. Ultimately, our rating system landed Endurance at the top of the list.
Best for High-Mileage Cars: CARCHEX
CARCHEX is another leading provider that scored highly in our analysis. This provider has particularly high limits when it comes to mileage — in other words, you’re able to get coverage on your vehicle even if it’s been driven over 100,000 miles.
Most Affordable: CarShield
CarShield is the best option for price conscious consumers. This company offers very competitive pricing on its comprehensive plans.
Here are some strong reasons to consider buying a third-party warranty from one of our top-ranked providers:
1. More Choices
You could purchase a powertrain-only warranty, for example, as a lower-priced choice to protect the most expensive mechanical parts of the vehicle. Endurance offers the Secure plan that protects the engine, transmission and drivetrain. CarShield offers the customizable Silver plan to cover essential systems and components. All of our recommended warranty providers also offer intermediate plans, which cover a vehicle’s major components.
2. Comparable Coverage
Most extended warranty companies offer what are known as “exclusionary” plans. These cover everything on the vehicle minus a short list of exclusions. CARCHEX has its Titanium plan, and Endurance has the Supreme plan. You can download sample contracts for each, which you could compare to the GM Platinum Protection Plan.
3. Added Benefits
Our top-ranked warranty providers include a slate of added benefits, including roadside assistance, towing, rental car reimbursement and trip interruption coverage. Sometimes you’ll see other perks, as well, such as tire and key fob replacement.
4. Easy Access to Repairs
Third-party extended warranty companies cover repairs at more than 30,000 facilities across the country. With a GM Platinum Protection Plan, you will be limited to your brand’s dealer network. That means a lot of choices for Chevy owners, but fewer for the other brands.
To get your best value in a vehicle service contract, contact one or more of the best extended warranty providers before you shop for a GM car. Equip yourself with the information to make meaningful comparisons to GM warranty products and to ensure you are getting the best coverage for your needs and budget.
Is GM’s Quality Good or Bad?
Three GM brands made a good showing in the 2020 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM, which surveys owners of three-year-old vehicles. The study expresses its results in terms of number of problems per 100 cars surveyed, so a lower number is better.
- Buick was the top American brand, with a score of 103 that put it behind only Lexus (100) and Genesis (89). That is a stellar result.
- Chevy came in at 123, and Cadillac scored 131. For reference, Toyota measured in at 113, and BMW scored 123. The industry average was 134.
- GMC was far down the list of 32 brands, landing five spots from the bottom with a score of 162. GMC came in below Fiat (160) and Jeep (159) and above Volvo (185).
GMC’s poor showing is a bit of a mystery, since all of its models share all their components with the other GM brands.
GM New Vehicle Warranty — Is Yours Still Active?
GM today includes Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC. New vehicle warranties vary among these brands, but the extended warranty choices are essentially the same.
Here’s a quick look at the GM warranties:
| Buick | Chevrolet | Cadillac | GMC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Vehicle Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
Buick changed its warranty for 2020. The previous plan was basically the same as Cadillac’s. If you bought a 2018 or 2019 Buick, that longer coverage remains in effect. If you buy a 2020 Buick, you get the same warranty coverage as Chevy and GMC. You can still find 2019 Buicks in dealer stock, and choosing one over its 2020 counterpart is like getting a free extended warranty.
GM Extended Warranty: FAQs
Can I buy the Platinum Protection plan for my GM car after its new vehicle warranty has expired?
Yes, you can buy a GM Platinum Protection Plan for a vehicle with up to 80,000 miles. Plans for older vehicles with high mileage will cost more, however.
Do I have to pay a deductible with the GM Platinum Protection Plan?
You have a choice between a $0 deductible, which raises the price of the contract, or a $100 deductible. A third choice is a $100 disappearing deductible, which means you don’t pay it when repairs are done by the selling dealer.
Can I buy a GM Platinum Protection Plan for a certified pre-owned or used vehicle?
You can, but you’ll need to see the dealer for details and pricing.
Can I buy the GM extended warranty when the car is new and then buy the Platinum Protection Plan when its original warranty expires?
You could, but that would be a very expensive way to get long-term vehicle coverage. You might instead consider waiting to buy a third-party service contract once you are sure you are going to keep the vehicle beyond its original factory warranty period.
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.
