Every year, car owners spend billions of dollars on extended auto warranties and car repairs. Before signing on the dotted line, it’s best to seek out reputable extended car warranty companies.
In this article, we’ll highlight four top-rated extended car warranty companies that stand out for their reputations, customer service, affordability and overall quality. Keep reading to learn which car warranty companies are reputable and worth considering.
Our review team thoroughly researched and ranked the best extended car warranty companies. We recommend getting free quotes from several providers so you can compare custom pricing and coverage plans side by side.
Reputable Extended Car Warranty Companies
To select the four most reputable extended car warranty companies, we reviewed every leading provider in the warranty industry in the areas of coverage, cost, transparency, customer experience and, of course, reputation. Endurance, CARCHEX, CarShield and Protect My Car topped our list.
| Reputable Warranty Companies | Superlative | Overall Rating | Coverage | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Endurance | Best Provider | 9.6 / 10.0 | 10.0 | 9.0 |
| #2 CARCHEX | Best for High-Mileage Cars | 9.4 / 10.0 | 9.5 | 9.0 |
| #3 CarShield | Most Affordable | 9.0 / 10.0 | 9.5 | 10.0 |
| #4 Protect My Car | Best Long-Term Financing | 8.7 / 10.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 |
#1: Endurance: Best Provider
Endurance, a direct provider that’s been in business since 2006, is our top pick for the most reputable extended car warranty companies. The provider offers six coverage plans: Select Premier, Secure, Secure Plus, Superior, Supreme and EnduranceAdvantage™. Here’s a brief overview of what each plan covers:
- Select Premier: Designed with high-mileage vehicles in mind, offering coverage for powertrain, air conditioning and electrical parts
- Secure: Basic powertrain coverage for the engine, transmission and water pump
- Secure Plus: Covers powertrain components as well as some electrical systems
- Superior: Covers hundreds of stated components
- Supreme: Bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage with only a a few exclusions for total peace of mind
- EnduranceAdvantage™: Covers mechanical breakdowns as well as maintenance, which is uncommon for an extended car warranty
All Endurance car warranties come with roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and trip interruption coverage. Each service plan comes with one year of Endurance Elite Benefits, which includes:
- Key fob replacement
- Tire repair/replacement
- Total loss protection
- Collision discount
A downside to Endurance is that the company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has a C rating. However, the company’s awards, years in business and partnerships speak to its excellent reputation as an extended car warranty provider.
You can get more details about the direct provider by reading our Endurance review.
#2: CARCHEX: Best for High-Mileage Cars
CARCHEX has been in business since 2004 and offers five levels of warranty coverage: Titanium, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. You can even cover older vehicles. The company has vehicle warranty options for cars up to 20 years old.
Here’s an overview the coverage options CARCHEX offers:
- Titanium: Exclusionary bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage much like the factory warranty
- Platinum: Stated-component coverage for hundreds of parts and systems
- Gold: Protection for all major systems and best suited for high-mileage vehicles
- Silver: Covers essential systems
- Bronze: Protects drivetrain components such as the engine and transmission
Here’s what’s included in each CARCHEX plan:
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- Towing
- Rental car reimbursement
- Gas delivery
- Trip interruption service
CARCHEX is accredited by the BBB and holds an A+ rating from the organization, which shows its ability to handle and respond to customer complaints in a timely manner. The company has partnerships with several auto industry leaders, such as CARFAX, Edmunds.com and Kelley Blue Book.
#3: CarShield: Most Affordable
CarShield has covered over one million vehicles since it was established in 2005. CarShield offers coverage for specific vehicles and high-tech equipment.
CarShield is able to offer several plan options because it is a vehicle service contract broker, meaning that CarShield’s offers are carried out by another administrator. Because of this, CarShield plans are not defined by one administrator, and the company is able to offer six more tailored levels of coverage, including:
- New Car Diamond: Exclusionary bumper-to-bumper coverage
- Platinum: Protects the engine, transmission, air conditioning, electrical system and more
- Gold: Middle-tier coverage for essential components and some accessory parts
- Silver: Affordable, no-frills powertrain coverage
- Aluminum: Covers electronic and computer-related issues
- Motorcycle and ATV: Protects motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles
CarShield was named Most Affordable by our research team for its low-cost coverage plans that include great perks, such as roadside assistance and your choice of repair shop. Possible downfalls to CarShield include mixed customer reviews and some nontransferable contracts.
CarShield’s BBB rating may be lower than competitors, but customers are overall pleased with the company’s professionalism and how it handles its claims process.
You can read our full CarShield review before signing on with the provider.
#4: Protect My Car: Best Long-Term Financing
Protect My Car has been in business since 2005. Boasting five-star customer reviews on the BBB website, Protect My Car offers three extended warranty coverage plans with flexible payment terms of 36 to 48 months.
Here’s what Protect My Car extended car warranties cover:
- Supreme: Offers bumper-to-bumper coverage for most mechanical and electrical parts, including the turbocharger and high-tech equipment
- Select: Best suited for cars over 50,000 miles and covers essential components such as the steering, front and rear suspension and brakes
- Driveline: Protects the engine, transmission, drive axle and fuel system
In addition to its three vehicle protection plans, Protect My Car offers Ambassador maintenance plans that cover routine maintenance services like brake pad changes. These plans combine an extended warranty with prepaid maintenance and can cover most car repair costs with the three plans offered (Ambassador Platinum, Ambassador Elite and Ambassador Pro).
Our research team recognized Protect My Car to have the Best Long-Term Financing for its discounts and flexible monthly payment plans. However, Protect My Car does not offer a basic powertrain warranty and is not available in all states.
Protect My Car has an A+ rating from the BBB and a 4.56-star customer review rating from the organization, as well as a 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot.
Do I Need an Extended Car Warranty?
After your manufacturer’s warranty expires, any auto repairs that your vehicle needs will no longer be covered. This means you could end up paying hundreds of dollars out of pocket in repair bills if your car breaks down.
Extended warranty providers offer comprehensive coverage options, so you can avoid footing a huge bill. Most third-party providers will give you the option of paying the entire extended warranty cost up front or through monthly payments. You will also have your choice of repair facilities.
One other thing to consider when deciding if an extended warranty is right for you is how long you plan to keep your car. Most warranty plans are transferable, which means one could help increase the resale value of your car.
What Makes an Extended Warranty Company Reputable?
There are several important factors our review team examines to evaluate the reputation of extended car warranty companies. These factors include:
- Years in business: It is hard for any company to stay in business for a long time. In fact, Inc. magazine estimates that 96% of businesses fail within 10 years. Extended car warranty companies with many years in the business are more likely to have good coverage plans and excellent customer service.
- Awards: Reputable extended car warranty companies often earn awards for their business growth, customer service or treatment of their employees.
- Partnerships: Many companies seek partnerships with other companies and individuals to promote their brands. When an extended car warranty company is able to secure a notable partnership, it is a sign that the company carries a strong reputation.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation and rating: Many companies choose not to become BBB accredited because of the cost involved, but those that do demonstrate a strong commitment to business integrity. And if the company receives a high rating from the organization, that demonstrates its dedication to resolving customer issues and answering questions.
Our Top Recommended Extended Car Warranty Providers
Because warranty prices are heavily affected by your vehicle’s make, model, mileage, what’s best for your neighbor may not be best for you. We recommend reviewing sample contracts online and getting quotes from the industry’s most reputable extended car warranty companies so you can compare your options and better understand what the warranties cover.
Here’s an overview of our top picks for reputable extended car warranty companies:
- Endurance: Best Provider
- CARCHEX: Best for High-Mileage Cars
- CarShield: Most Affordable
- Protect My Car: Best Long-Term Financing
FAQ
How much does an extended car warranty cost?
Our team recently polled 1,000 consumers, with 45% stating that they paid between $1,500 and $2,500 for extended warranty coverage. You may be able to get a discount for paying upfront, rather than in monthly installments. Note that most extended car warranty plans come with a deductible, typically $0, $50 or $100.
When should I purchase an extended car warranty?
You should purchase an extended car warranty for your new or used car before your factory warranty expires. Most limited warranties expire after three years or 36,000 miles.
Where can I purchase an extended car warranty?
You can purchase an extended car warranty for a new or used vehicle through a dealership or third-party warranty provider.
What does an extended car warranty exclude?
Most auto protection plans exclude regular maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotations and replacement of windshield wiper blades. Plans may also not cover electrical components unless clearly stated. Make sure to check the list of covered repairs before signing up for an extended warranty.
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.
