Unexpected repairs and expenses are part of owning a car, especially as it ages. While your manufacturer’s factory warranty can provide mechanical coverage for several years, it won’t last forever. An extended warranty can extend that coverage so you can avoid paying outright for costly car repairs. We recommend Endurance as the best extended car warranty for those looking for great coverage and maintenance benefits.
Though there are plenty of warranty providers are out there, not all of them are reputable. We’ve researched and ranked the best extended car warranty providers in the industry to help you make an informed decision that suits your needs. In addition to discussing Endurance, we’ve reviewed four other top contenders to give you a comprehensive overview of what each offers and costs.
Quick facts
Endurance offers coverage for up to 8 years or 200,000 miles, but it only offers long-term plans.
- Our top pick for auto warranty
- Mileage covered:Up to 200,000 miles
- Longest term:Up to 8 years
- Money-back guarantee:30 days
- Coverage options: 6 plans
- Discounts:First-time applicant discount
Pros and cons
Pros
- Six coverage plans
- Mechanical breakdown and maintenance benefits
- First-time application discount
Cons
- No unlimited or month-to-month plans
- Elite benefits only free for the first year
- BBB pattern of complaints for delay of claims
The 5 best extended car warranties
- Endurance: Our top pick
- Autopom
- Carchex
- CarShield
- Omega Auto Care
Compare the best extended car warranty providers
Before deciding on an extended car warranty, understanding the benefits, average costs and limitations can help you make a decision that’s right for you.
We’ve reviewed and rated 41 providers using our rating methodology, ranking them based on scores in categories including market standing, coverage, cost, trustworthiness and customer experience. See the table below for the five providers we consider to be the best extended auto warranty companies today.
| Provider | Our Rating | Coverage Plans | Standout Feature | Get Started |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top Pick | 4.5 | 6 | Coverage plans | Explore Plans |
Learn More | 4.5 | 3 | Customer support | Learn More |
Learn More | 4.5 | 5 | Coverage for used vehicles | Learn More |
Learn More | 4.4 | 8 | EV coverage | Learn More |
Learn More | 4.4 | 5 | Maintenance benefits | Learn More |
| Provider | Our Rating | Coverage Plans | Standout Feature | Get Started |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top Pick | 4.5 | 6 | Coverage plans | Explore Plans |
Learn More | 4.5 | 3 | Customer support | Learn More |
Learn More | 4.5 | 5 | Coverage for used vehicles | Learn More |
Learn More | 4.4 | 8 | EV coverage | Learn More |
Learn More | 4.4 | 5 | Maintenance benefits | Learn More |
When rounded to the nearest tenth, Endurance, Autopom and Carchex each secured a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars compared to an industry average of 4.1 out of 5 stars. But what helps Endurance rank No. 1 is the company’s market standing (4.6 out of 5 stars), coverage (4.9 out of 5 stars) and trustworthiness (4.9 out of 5 stars).
The chart below illustrates the 10 best extended warranty companies and how they score against the industry average.
How to choose an extended car warranty company
The right vehicle service contract for you should give you peace of mind that when you need coverage, it’s available. When we evaluate and rank the best extended car warranty companies, we review each provider's market standing, coverage, cost, trustworthiness and customer service.
Considering each of these factors can give you insight into which company best suits your needs based on what matters most to you.
Market standing
Some extended warranty providers operate disreputable companies — or downright scams. When shopping around for coverage for your car, evaluate each company's market standing to determine the company's reputation and legitimacy.
Look at factors that include when a company was formed or established, when and where its products are available and how many employees the company employs (using resources such as Glassdoor or LinkedIn).
You should also look for ratings from industry experts, awards and sponsorship partners to give you further insight into a company's standing.
Pay special attention to a plan's administrator, too. Some extended warranty companies operate as brokers, which means they sell policies on behalf of other companies that are responsible for claims management and customer service. If you're considering coverage from a broker, ensure it represents reputable administrators.
Coverage options
Many providers offer a range of coverage options, from comprehensive bumper-to-bumper warranties to stated-component plans that limit coverage to certain systems or components, such as powertrain warranties.
The coverage offered by an extended car warranty company plays a big role in whether or not you buy a policy. What matters here are the available options — the more options a company provides, the more likely you are to find coverage that fits your specific needs and budget.
Pay attention to the type of policy, too. Exclusionary policies cover everything other than a list of excluded components, whereas stated-component, midlevel or powertrain plans only cover certain parts and systems.
"If it's inclusionary, then you say, okay, what's covered? And you should see a laundry list. Or if it's exclusionary, you say, okay, what's not covered? And the things you would expect to be not covered would be wearables, like brakes, wiper blades, tires, batteries," says Kathleen Long, chief revenue officer at RepairPal.
If it's inclusionary, then you say, okay, what's covered? And you should see a laundry list. Or if it's exclusionary, you say, okay, what's not covered? And the things you would expect to be not covered would be wearables, like brakes, wiper blades, tires, batteries.
Kathleen Long, chief revenue officer, RepairPal
Sometimes, the type of policy you need depends on the type, make or model of the vehicle you drive, too, Long says. Electric vehicles (EVs) have fewer components that can fail, so a stated-component policy — or an EV-specific plan — may be more cost-effective. This is also true for cars that are typically known to be reliable, such as the Honda Civic, Long says.
On the flip side, foreign or luxury cars, such as a BMW or Land Cruiser, may be more expensive to repair. If you own one of these vehicles, Long recommends looking into an exclusionary extended car warranty.
According to a December 2023 USA TODAY Homefront survey of 1,500 extended car warranty customers, 37% of respondents — 555 customers — reported filing a claim with their providers. The most common claims included:
| Repair | Percentage of respondents (out of 555) | Respondents |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 18.7% | 104 |
| Air conditioning | 14.9% | 83 |
| Fuel system | 13.0% | 72 |
| Transmission | 11.0% | 61 |
| Brakes | 10.6% | 59 |
| Electrical | 9.4% | 52 |
| Drivetrain | 7.0% | 39 |
| Suspension | 4.5% | 25 |
| Water pump | 4.3% | 24 |
| Steering | 4.1% | 23 |
| Other | 2.3% | 13 |
Though many companies provide the basics, some offer additional coverage, including maintenance benefits, roadside assistance, rental and trip interruption reimbursem*nt and more.
These added perks may further help you cut down on out-of-pocket expenses, giving greater value to your extended warranty coverage.
According to our survey, 86% of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with their coverage.
Cost
Extended warranty plans vary in cost depending on the specific coverage, provider and details of your vehicle. Coverage for older or high-mileage vehicles typically costs more than policies for new vehicles with fewer miles.
There may also be other costs on top of what you pay for a plan, too. Many policies require you to pay a deductible before covering warranty repairs, with some offering the option to select a $0 deductible in exchange for a higher-priced plan.
Most extended warranties may be paid for upfront, by wrapping the cost into your auto loan or on a monthly basis until the policy is paid for in full (which may be before your plan's term expires). Some providers also offer unlimited plans, which cover your car for as long as you continue to make monthly payments (similar to a subscription streaming service).
A total of 76% of our survey respondents reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the cost of their extended car warranties.
Trustworthiness
You should evaluate an extended warranty company's trustworthiness in addition to its market standing. Look for quantifiable factors that support a provider's legitimacy, including transparency in its contracts and policy terms, the availability of a money-back guarantee and required waiting periods before warranty coverage begins.
Read through sample contracts to determine what's covered (and what isn't). These are inactive policy contracts that represent what an actual contract may look like, including the cost, deductible, what's covered and exclusions. Sample contracts also outline policy terms, such as additional benefits, how to transfer coverage and how to file a claim.
Pay attention to the length of the policy's waiting period, too. We find that a 30-day/1,000-mile waiting period is most common and reasonable.
A total of 84% of respondents to our survey reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their extended car warranties.
Customer experience
The best extended car warranties provide good value at a reasonable price, with prompt and courteous customer service, claims management and communication. Before you purchase coverage, read customer reviews on resources such as Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot and Google Reviews to get a sense of what you may expect from the company in terms of the customer experience.
Additionally, look for consumer alerts that may indicate ongoing concerns with the provider, such as a lackluster response rate to customer complaints or a pattern of unresolved claims. And though companies typically don't publish their claims approval rates, customer reviews may give you insight into the ease or difficulty of filing a claim and getting an approval for a warranty repair.
Of the 555 respondents who reported filing a claim with their extended warranty provider, 97% — or 536 customers — reported having their claims approved. The majority of those approved claims — 73% or 392 claims — were paid in full, with 26% of respondents claiming more than half of their claim was covered. Only 1% — or 6 respondents — reported that less than half of their claim was covered.
Most claims — 70% — were approved within 24 hours to three days. A total of 22% of claims were approved within one week, with the remainder of claims approvals approved within two weeks or longer.
Overall, 90% of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with their provider's claim process. Only 3% were unsatisfied or very unsatisfied, with 7% maintaining a neutral opinion.
How much do extended car warranties cost?
The cost of an extended car warranty depends on several factors, including the:
- Car’s make and model
- Coverage level
- Coverage term lengths
- Deductible
- Provider
According to our research, extended warranties cost an average of $2,845 in total, or $108 per month.
Our December 2023 survey revealed that 41.8% of customers were satisfied with the cost of their extended warranty coverage. Another 33.9% of respondents were very satisfied with the cost of coverage. Only 23% of respondents were unsatisfied or very unsatisfied with their extended warranty cost.
Below are quotes we collected from top extended warranty providers for various plan types based on different vehicle profiles. We didn’t include quote information for month-to-month plans with unlimited coverage because total costs vary widely depending on how long you keep coverage.
| Plan Type | Provider | Vehicle | Coverage Terms | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exclusionary | Endurance | 2020 Ford Fusion with 55,000 miles | 2.5 years/40,000 miles | $3,099 |
| Exclusionary | Endurance | 2020 Toyota RAV4 with 55,000 miles | 2.5 years/40,000 miles | $2,934 |
| Exclusionary | Autopom | 2016 Toyota RAV4 with 105,000 miles | 4 years/unlimited miles | $2,702 |
| Exclusionary | Olive | 2020 Ford Fusion with 55,000 miles | 3 years/185,000 miles | $4,675 |
| Midlevel | Endurance | 2020 Ford Fusion with 55,000 miles | 2.5 years/40,000 miles | $3,033 |
| Midlevel | Endurance | 2020 Toyota RAV4 with 55,000 miles | 2.5 years/40,000 miles | $2,899 |
| Midlevel | Olive | 2020 Ford Fusion with 55,000 miles | 3 years/185,000 miles | $3,506 |
| Powertrain | Endurance | 2020 Ford Fusion with 55,000 miles | 2.5 years/40,000 miles | $2,904 |
| Powertrain | Endurance | 2020 Toyota RAV4 with 55,000 miles | 2.5 years/40,000 miles | $2,824 |
| Powertrain | Olive | 2020 Ford Fusion with 55,000 miles | 3 years/185,000 miles | $3,272 |
Remember that the lowest-cost plan isn’t always going to be the most affordable overall. "When you choose the lowest cost policy, then a lot of times you have a large deductible, so that can kind of be a surprise," Long says. "You didn't remember you signed up for the $500 deductible version, as opposed to the $100, but you are paying a lower monthly or overall cost for the policy because of that."
When you choose the lowest cost policy, then a lot of times you have a large deductible, so that can kind of be a surprise.
Kathleen Long, chief revenue officer, RepairPal
The only way to really know what an extended warranty will cost you for your car is to get free quotes from multiple providers. Comparing costs is the best way to find the best coverage for a price you’re happy with.
What you should know about extended car warranties
Finding the best extended car warranty is more complex than simply requesting a quote and signing a contract. Long says that consumers typically have one set of considerations in mind when buying a policy and another set of considerations when using the policy, and recommends you shop around for policies based on more than just price.
When looking for the right coverage for you, keep the following considerations in mind to find a plan that meets your budget, needs and preferences.
What’s covered by an extended warranty?
Extended warranties don’t cover every component or situation. Some policies, such as bumper-to-bumper warranties, are exclusionary, which means they cover everything except a list of parts outlined in the contract.
Other warranties are stated-component plans, which means they only cover the parts listed in the contract. Powertrain, powertrain plus and drivetrain warranties are stated-component plans.
When you shop around for an extended warranty, read through each provider’s sample contracts to learn what’s covered and what isn’t. “There isn't a policy in the world that covers every single thing that's going to go on with your car,” Long says.
Pay attention to how and when parts are covered, too. According to Long, “a lot of consumers don't distinguish between what's actually mechanical auto repair and collision.” If a covered part is damaged by an event that isn’t covered by your policy — such as an accident or damage from driving over a pothole — your extended warranty provider may not pay for repairs.
Powertrain policies are the most common type of extended warranty coverage, according to our December 2023 survey, with 42% of respondents reporting owning a powertrain plan. On the flip side, 34% of respondents purchased bumper-to-bumper coverage, with only 12% settling for midlevel coverage and 11% buying drivetrain coverage.
Do you need an extended warranty for your car?
Though an extended warranty can give you peace of mind, you may not always need one. Because most of the coverage provided by an extended auto warranty kicks in when your factory warranty expires, it may not make sense to pay for an extended policy if you don’t plan on keeping your car for long after its manufacturer warranty expires.
Another consideration is the reliability of your vehicle and how likely it may need repairs. Consult resources, such as RepairPal or the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, to determine the frequency and severity of your type of car and use that information to determine if an extended warranty is worth it.
“If you have a BMW, chances are something's going to go wrong, and it's going to be expensive,” Long says. If you have a more reliable brand, such as a Toyota, it may not need repairs as frequently, which means you may be paying for coverage you don’t use.
Aftermarket vs. manufacturer extended car warranties
You’ve got options when it comes to extended car warranty providers. Not only do you have a range of options from third-party providers, but manufacturers also offer extended warranty plans. There are pros and cons to each, so we encourage you to consider both options carefully and choose the one that fits your needs best.
Vehicle manufacturer extended warranties are great if you’re most concerned about genuine parts being used to repair your car. Repair facilities backed by authorized dealerships use original equipment manufacturer parts and employ factory-trained technicians to install them. Third-party providers may authorize repair shops to complete car repairs using aftermarket parts, though Long says that most aftermarket parts are high-quality and backed by their own warranties.
Third-party providers offer more affordable protection plans than a dealership, as dealerships often mark up plans before selling them. We’ve also found that manufacturers offer fewer options for you to choose from, with some only providing one comprehensive, exclusionary plan for purchase.
It’s worth noting that manufacturer-backed extended warranties can usually only be bought while your factory warranty is still valid. Third-party coverage, however, can be purchased at any time.
According to our December 2023 survey, 46% of extended warranty customers purchased coverage from a manufacturer or authorized dealer. Another 35% of customers purchased a plan from a third-party warranty provider.
Our extended car warranty reviews
Finding the best extended car warranty company may feel complex. Extended warranty providers offer different policies, terms and coverage levels, which means it's often difficult to compare quotes between different providers.
Our top-ranking extended warranty providers earned high scores based on our rating methodology. Requesting free quotes from any or all of these companies can help you start looking for a policy that meets your specific needs while giving you the peace of mind that you're protected on the road.
1. Endurance
4.5
Our take
- Founded in 2006
- Covers cars up to eight years or 200,000 miles
- Administers its own contracts
Endurance provides some of the most comprehensive coverage options of any extended warranty company, though it doesn’t cover as many miles or years as some of its competitors.
What we like
Endurance scores highly in each of our rating categories with an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. The company narrowly beats Autopom, our No. 2 pick, based on its market standing, coverage options and trustworthiness. Endurance’s plans range from bumper-to-bumper to powertrain coverage, whereas other providers, such as Autopom, typically only offer three or four plans.
In addition, Endurance’s Advantage plans combine mechanical breakdown coverage with maintenance benefits, which means services such as oil changes, tire rotations and brake pad replacements are covered under your warranty. Only one other provider in our top five — Omega Auto Care — offers these benefits.
Endurance is also a direct warranty provider, which means it both sells and administers its vehicle service contracts. You won’t deal with a third-party company when filing a claim with Endurance — you’ll work with the company from start to finish.The company scored 4.6 out of 5 stars for its market standing based on administering its own contracts, the length of time it’s been in business and its A- BBB rating.
What we don’t like
The cost of Endurance coverage is on the high end. Its exclusionary plans — though robust — are generally more expensive than those of some competitors. Its plans also don’t cover the same years or mileage as those offered by other extended auto warranty companies.
Coverage
We gave Endurance a score of 4.9 out of 5 stars for its coverage options — the highest of any of the extended car warranty companies we reviewed, other than Omega Auto Care (which it tied).
Endurance’s six levels of coverage provide a wide range of vehicle service contracts to choose from, making it easy to find something that fits your needs.
- Supreme: An exclusionary, bumper-to-bumper warranty plan that covers most vehicle systems except for a short list of exclusions.
- Superior: Endurance’s highest level of stated-component coverage covers hundreds of listed parts. Parts that aren’t listed, such as gaskets, aren’t covered.
- Secure Plus: This plan is a step up from the Secure plan, and it has the shortest waiting period out of all Endurance’s plans (30 days and 1,000 miles).
- Secure: Endurance’s base-level powertrain plan covers your car’s most expensive systems, such as the engine, transmission and drive axle.
- Select Premier: This is a used car warranty built for high-mileage vehicles and older used cars. Powertrain, air conditioning, cooling and electrical parts are covered.
- Advantage: As Endurance’s most unique level of coverage, three stated-component plans fall under this tier. Each covers routine maintenance services.
Each plan’s benefits include 24/7 roadside assistance, towing, rental car reimbursem*nt, trip interruption coverage and lockout services. You’ll also get one free year of Endurance Elite benefits, which include premium perks such as key fob replacements, collision discounts, tire repairs and replacement, and total loss protection.
One of the only complaints we have about Endurance’s coverage is its short mileage and term limits relative to some competitors. The longest coverage term offered by Endurance is 8 years/200,000 miles. Though reasonable, this can make it difficult to secure coverage for older, high-mileage vehicles, especially as repair and maintenance costs increase as they age.
Cost
Endurance earned a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars for cost. Compared to the other best extended car warranty companies, Endurance ranks No. 2 in this category based on the cost of its coverage options.
To determine this rating and see how plan costs varied between makes and models, we gathered quotes from Endurance using the following vehicles:
- 2020 Ford Fusion with 55,000 miles
- 2020 Toyota RAV4 with 55,000 miles
- 2020 Honda Odyssey with 55,000 miles
- 2016 Ford Fusion with 105,000 miles
- 2016 Toyota RAV4 with 105,000 miles
- 2016 Honda Odyssey with 105,000 miles
For our 2020 Ford Fusion, the Supreme plan cost $102 per month. This amounts to $3,099 in total with a 30-month payment plan. Our 2020 Toyota RAV4 was quoted $97 per month for the same plan, which totaled $2,934 with a 30-month payment plan.
Both vehicles were given quotes for plans lasting 2.5 years/40,000 miles with a $100 deductible, which is a short-term length for the price. In contrast, the quotes we gathered from Autopom were similar in total price for 5 years/100,000 miles of coverage.
Endurance’s online quote process was easy. The company’s representatives were friendly and not pushy, offering discounts for purchasing coverage and an opportunity to set up a followup call after sending over our quotes via email.
Customer thoughts
We gave Endurance a score of 4.1 out of 5 stars for customer service. This is the lowest customer service score of our top extended auto warranty companies based, primarily, on the company’s mediocre customer review scores and number of consumer complaints.
A summary of overall sentiments about the company include the following:
- Friendly, helpful and patient sales and customer support representatives
- Quick response time to customer claims
- Denies claims if damage occurs from a preexisting condition
Endurance has more than 3,600 reviews on BBB and more than 8,600 reviews on Trustpilot. It holds 3.6 out of 5 stars with BBB and 3.7 out of 5 stars with Trustpilot, as well as 4.2 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews.
Endurance warranty reviews are a mixed bag. Many customers on Trustpilot, like Louise, praise Endurance’s helpful customer service representatives. Most negative reviews center around denied claims and difficulty canceling contracts. However, these reviews are common in the extended warranty industry.
2. Autopom
4.5
Our take
- Founded in 2009
- Covers vehicles for up to seven years or 150,000 miles
- Only offers three coverage levels
Autopom receives positive customer reviews and covers cars up to 20 years old, though it only offers three coverage plans, including an exclusionary, midlevel and powertrain option.
What we like
Autopom ranks No. 2 in our list of best extended car warranty companies with an overall score of 4.5 out of 5 stars. In many ways, the company is comparable to Endurance, losing only slightly in the market standing, coverage and trustworthiness categories.
We appreciate how Autopom has garnered high praise from customers and the industry alike. It holds an A+ rating with BBB and has primarily positive customer reviews on BBB, Trustpilot and Google Reviews. Happy customers frequently speak of how Autopom goes above and beyond to keep them satisfied.
We also like how Autopom offers mechanical breakdown insurance in California, a state that has strict regulations on extended coverage. Many companies choose not to do business in the state for this reason.
What we don’t like
We wish Autopom offered more than three coverage levels to choose from. Other providers in our review, such as Endurance, Carchex and CarShield, have five or six plans in their lineups. Also, some Autopom contracts are only available in certain states.
Coverage
Autopom earned a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars for coverage due to its limited coverage levels. Its maximum term and mileage limits are the lowest of the top extended warranty providers we’ve received, limiting coverage to 7 years/150,000 miles. Still, as a broker, the company offers three levels of coverage backed by administrators, though you’ll need to contact Autopom for exact coverage details, as they vary by plan and administrator.
- Exclusionary: This level of coverage is what Autopom calls its new-car coverage. It covers all parts of your car, save a list of exclusions that are primarily maintenance and wearable items.
- Mid-Level: Most major vehicle systems are covered under this plan. These include your car’s powertrain, steering, braking, air conditioning and electrical systems.
- Powertrain Plus: A step up from basic powertrain coverage, this plan also covers air conditioning and basic electrical parts.
Autopom plans come with a 30- or 60-day money-back guarantee, rental vehicle assistance, 24-hour roadside assistance, tire protection and trip interruption reimbursem*nt.
Cost
Of the best extended warranty companies, Autopom ranks highest in terms of cost, securing a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. The broker offers some of the lowest-cost policies among its competitors, with exclusionary plans costing an average of only $666 per year.
As a relatively small company, only one sales representative was available when we contacted Autopom for quotes. Though Autopom has an online quote tool, we found it difficult to get in touch with a representative. However, when we did, we found the representative to be incredibly friendly and helpful.
We used a 2016 Toyota RAV4 with 105,000 miles for our quote. Autopom quoted us a monthly price of $107 (or $2,702 total) for 4 years/unlimited miles of exclusionary coverage for this vehicle. This also included a down payment of $135 and a deductible of $100.
However, we were informed that this price doesn’t include a $1,200 discount off the total policy cost, which would bring the total down to $1,502.
Customer thoughts
We gave Autopom a customer service score of 4.5 out of 5 stars — one of the highest of all the extended auto warranty companies we reviewed. Though it was difficult for us to reach a customer service representative — even during normal business hours — the agent was helpful, friendly and not pushy. During our research, we found these sentiments to be echoed across online reviews.
Other common themes included:
- Customer service agents are focused customer satisfaction
- Pricing is competitive and worth the cost
- Claims approval varies based on the plan administrator
Autopom doesn’t have thousands of reviews like other large providers. Still, what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality. It currently holds 4.7 stars with BBB, 4.1 stars with Trustpilot and 4.6 stars on Google Reviews.
Many of Autopom’s customer reviews mention the president and CEO, Michael Jones, by name,as is the case with Alexander P.’s review. He also responds to negative reviews in great detail, which demonstrates the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction.
3. Carchex
4.5
Our take
- Founded in 1999
- Covers cars up to 10 years or 250,000 miles
- Sells warranties on behalf of administrators
Carchex is an extended auto warranty broker that offers five distinct policies with high mileage limits, though its plans’ deductibles may leave you paying more out-of-pocket expenses than with other providers.
What we like
We gave Carchex an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on its market standing, coverage and trustworthiness. Though the company is outshined by Endurance in terms of coverage and Autopom in terms of cost, it’s a solid contender for one of the best extended car warranty companies due to its extensive history and partnerships.
Carchex is the most seasoned provider of our top five choices, with over 20 years of experience in the business. The company maintains partnerships with Carfax, Kelley Blue Book, RepairPal and others. As a broker, Carchex works with administrators that include American Auto Shield, Royal Administration Services and Zurich.
We like how Carchex offers plans for cars with up to 250,000 miles on them, making it a solid pick if you own an older car or used vehicle. Additionally, its rental car benefits include alternative transportation options like Uber and Lyft, which is rare in the industry.
What we don’t like
While Carchex has a solid industry reputation, it has low customer review ratings through BBB, resulting in a customer service score of only 4.2 out of 5 stars. Its coverage options also leave something to be desired, as it offers standard plans with no stand-out features. Most competitors in this review offer something unique, such as EV plans, motorcycle coverage or maintenance benefits.
Coverage
We gave Carchex a score of 4.8 out of 5 stars for coverage due to its various coverage levels and terms. The company offers plans up to 10 years/250,000 miles in addition to unlimited plans, which is why we suggest Carchex as a viable option for older or used vehicles.
Carchex has five levels of coverage to choose from, ranging from basic powertrain to bumper-to-bumper coverage. Not every car is eligible for each coverage plan, so keep that in mind when shopping with Carchex.
- Titanium: This is the highest level of protection offered by Carchex. Similar to a factory warranty, it covers all car parts except for a short list of exclusions.
- Platinum: Carchex’s best stated-component coverage plan. All major systems have parts covered by this plan.
- Powertrain Plus: Not your basic powertrain plan, this covers your powertrain in addition to your fuel system, air conditioning, alternator, electrical parts and more.
- Powertrain: This is basic coverage for the parts that keep your car moving. Seals and gaskets within the engine and drive axle are also covered.
- Extra Care: This plan covers everything but your car’s powertrain, including steering, suspension, electrical and braking components.
Carchex plans come with common extended warranty perks like roadside assistance, towing, rental car reimbursem*nt and trip interruption benefits.
Cost
We gave Carchex a score of 4.1 out of 5 stars in our cost category. This puts it solidly in the middle between Autopom and Endurance on the most affordable end, with CarShield and Omega Auto Care on the more expensive side of the spectrum.
When requesting quotes from Carchex, we used the following vehicles:
- 2021 Ford Fusion with 55,000 miles
- 2021 Toyota RAV4 with 55,000 miles
- 2021 Honda Odyssey with 55,000 miles
- 2016 Ford Fusion with 105,000 miles
- 2016 Toyota RAV4 with 105,000 miles
- 2016 Honda Odyssey with 105,000 miles
The cost of an unlimited comprehensive Titanium plan for our 2021 Ford Fusion, 2021 Toyota RAV4 and 2021 Honda Odyssey was $150 per month each. These policies included a $200 deductible.
For midlevel coverage under the Powertrain Plus plan for our 2016 Ford Fusion and 2016 Toyota RAV4, we received quotes of $150 each. The same coverage cost $160 for our 2016 Honda Odyssey. Each of these plans included a $250 deductible.
We noticed that your original quote may differ depending on the sales representative you speak to. During our quotes process, we received different prices for the same vehicles based on who we spoke to. Discounts also vary depending on how much you haggle, which meant we were able to secure a price of $110 per month for Titanium coverage on our 2021 Ford Fusion and 2021 Toyota RAV4.
We don’t like how Carchex has some of the most expensive month-to-month plans out of the providers in this review. If you’re looking for a cheaper unlimited plan, you should consider Autopom or CarShield, depending on the coverage you want.
Customer thoughts
We gave Carchex a score of 4.2 out of 5 stars for customer service, tying with CarShield but falling short of Autopom and Omega Auto Care. This score was based, in part, on customer reviews, with general sentiments that included the following:
- Smooth sales and purchasing process
- Claims approval varies depending on the plan’s administrator
- Marketing outreach may be deceptive, misleading and unsolicited
Though Carchex holds an A+ rating with BBB — which indicates that it responds to almost all customer complaints — it has a customer review rating of 1.9 stars. On Trustpilot, 83% of Carchex’s 1500-plus reviews give the company four or five stars, though the company has an overall rating of 2.3 out of 5 stars.
Reviews often complain about the lack of claims approval. A review from Jack states that the administrator of his policy wouldn’t pay the entirety of his claim, then refused to pay the claim at all after he canceled his policy. Similar sentiment is echoed in many other reviews on BBB and Trustpilot. However, positive reviews praise the purchasing process and customer service, which echoes our own experience when we first reached out to Carchex for a quote.
4. CarShield
4.4
Our take
- Founded in 2005
- Covers vehicles up to 10 years or 300,000 miles
- Provides special coverage for EVs
CarShield is an extended warranty broker that sells plans administered by American Auto Shield. The company offers flexible contracts with unlimited month-to-month terms, but this means its coverage may be more expensive than other competitors.
What we like
CarShield earned a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based primarily on its coverage options and trustworthiness. The company offers eight different coverage plans with the highest mileage limit compared to other extended car warranty companies.
CarShield offers some of the most unique plans in our review. Not only does it offer standard coverage ranging from powertrain to bumper-to-bumper coverage, but it also offers specialty plans for motorcycles, ATVs and electric vehicles. Plans for electric cars are rare in this industry, which makes CarShield’s coverage special.
We like how CarShield offers month-to-month contracts if you’re looking to avoid a long-term commitment to a plan. It also covers cars with up to 300,000 miles on them, which is the highest mileage limit in the industry.
What we don’t like
Though CarShield’s month-to-month contracts are convenient, its prices are high. Other providers, such as Autopom, offer lower monthly payments for their unlimited plans. We’re also not fond of how pushy the company’s sales representatives were when we conducted our quotes research.
Coverage
We gave CarShield a score of 4.8 out of 5 stars for its coverage options. The company offers two more plans than Endurance, though only six of its plans are for standard cars. The other two are for motorcycles and ATVs and electric vehicles. Learn more about the plans for standard cars and electric vehicles below.
- Diamond: This plan is similar to a manufacturer’s warranty, covering all parts except for what’s stated as exclusions. Excluded parts include wear items, hoses and belts.
- Platinum: This is CarShield’s highest level of stated-component protection. Vehicle components covered include the powertrain, electrical system, steering, air conditioning, brake system and fuel system.
- Gold: This coverage is comparable to a powertrain plus plan. It covers your alternator, starter, air conditioning and power window motors along with powertrain parts.
- Gold Select:This high-mileage plan covers your car’s engine, transmission, water pump, alternator, starter, air conditioning system and power window motors.
- Silver: This is a basic powertrain plan that includes coverage for all lubricated parts on your car’s engine, transmission and water pump.
- Aluminum: This plan is high-tech coverage for the electrical and computer-related parts of your vehicle. This includes the engine control module, navigation and GPS.
- Motorcycle and ATV:This is specialized coverage for motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and other special circ*mstances.
- Electric Vehicle: This plan covers fully electric cars, taking care of the electric drive unit, electrical system and battery pack.
Perks that come with a CarShield plan include rental car reimbursem*nt, trip interruption benefits and 24-hour roadside assistance. After reading through several sample contracts on CarShield’s website, we found that it also allows rideshare expenses to be included under rental car reimbursem*nt.
CarShield’s plans cover vehicles up to 10 years/300,000 miles, which makes it one of the top choices for older, high-mileage vehicles.
Cost
We gave CarShield a score of 4.1 out of 5 stars in the cost category because it is the most expensive choice in our ranking of the top extended auto warranty companies.
When requesting quotes from CarShield, we used the following vehicles:
- 2021 Ford Fusion with 55,000 miles
- 2021 Toyota RAV4 with 55,000 miles
- 2021 Honda Odyssey with 55,000 miles
- 2016 Ford Fusion with 105,000 miles
- 2016 Toyota RAV4 with 105,000 miles
- 2016 Honda Odyssey with 105,000 miles
The cost of an unlimited, month-to-month Diamond exclusionary plan for all three 2021 models was $150 per month with a $200 deductible. Similarly, the cost of an unlimited, month-to-month Gold midlevel plan for all three 2016 models was $150 per month with a $250 deductible.
During the quotes process, we found that some sales agents provided higher upfront quotes before applying a $149 “discount.” Though the agents were generally very friendly and helpful, we also felt continuously pressured to purchase a policy.
After discounts, we managed to get a quote for $110 per month for both the 2021 Ford Fusion and 2021 Honda Odyssey, or $120 per month for the 2021 Toyota RAV4. We were unable to secure discounts for any of the 2016 vehicles.
This meant the price per year of coverage ranged from $1,320–$1,800 depending on the vehicle and coverage level.
CarShield’s unlimited plans are around the same prices as Carchex’s plans. Unfortunately, its plans overall are fairly expensive when compared with other providers’ unlimited and fixed-term plans. If cost is the most important factor to you when shopping for warranty coverage, you may want to look elsewhere for vehicle protection.
Customer thoughts
We gave CarShield a score of 4.2 out of 5 stars for customer service based on the company’s online reviews on resources such as BBB and Trustpilot. General customer feedback included themes such as:
- Customer service responds quickly and with useful guidance and information
- Canceling coverage is a lengthy and complex process
- May not pay for some or all of the labor cost for repair work
CarShield currently holds an A rating with BBB and a customer review rating of 1.5 stars from over 2,400 reviews. CarShield’s ratings fare better through Trustpilot. It currently holds a rating of 4.2 stars from over 47,500 reviews.
Though reviews frequently complain about denied claims, a review by Cyrille W. praises the company’s customer service after having made three claims. As in this review, other customers typically compliment the company on its professional and responsive customer service staff.
5. Omega Auto Care
4.4
Our take
- Founded in 1968
- Covers cars up to 15 years or 250,000 miles
- Plans include maintenance benefits
Omega Auto Care is the only other provider in our list — other than Endurance — to offer maintenance benefits, though the cost of its plans aren’t disclosed upfront.
What we like
Omega Auto Care scored 4.4 out of 5 stars due to its extensive coverage options, which rival that of our No. 1 pick, Endurance.
We especially like that Omega Auto Care offers free maintenance benefits with its vehicle service contracts. This includes oil changes, brake pad replacements, battery replacements and free safety inspections. Endurance is the only other provider in our review that offers plans with maintenance benefits — even so, it doesn’t include them with every plan like Omega does.
We also like how Omega Auto Care can cover cars for up to 15 years/250,000 miles. While 250,000 miles isn’t the highest limit we found in our review, 15 years of coverage is much longer than the standard for this industry.
What we don’t like
Though Omega Auto Care scored high in the coverage category, it falls particularly short in the cost category. When we attempted to reach out to the company for quotes, we were unable to get in contact with a sales representative.
However, Omega Auto Care has a mostly positive reputation among customers, but some have reported trouble with canceling contracts.
Coverage
We gave Omega Auto Care a score of 4.9 out of 5 for coverage. This means the company ties with Endurance in the rating category, even though Omega Auto Care offers one less coverage level than our No. 1 pick. What keeps Omega Auto Care on an equal footing is the inclusion of maintenance benefits in each of its coverage options.
Three of the five Omega Auto Care plans offer varying levels of powertrain coverage. We also appreciate how easy it is to find sample contracts for each plan online.
Omega Auto Care’s coverage plans include:
- Exclusionary: Omega Auto Care’s most comprehensive coverage plan covers the cost of repairs for all components except those listed as exclusions. This is only available for cars up to seven years old with less than 100,000 miles at the time of purchase.
- Used Stated: This stated-component plan covers cars up to ten years old with less than 150,000 miles. It covers systems like the engine, transmission, drive axles, air conditioning, heating, cooling and fuel.
- Powertrain Enhanced: The highest Powertrain plan available, it covers all parts in the Powertrain Plus plan as well as cooling and fuel system components.
- Powertrain Plus: A step up from the Powertrain plan, this adds protection for your air conditioning, heating and electrical systems.
- Powertrain: This is a basic powertrain warranty plan protecting your car’s engine, transmission, transfer case, drive axle and forced induction systems.
Perks offered by Omega Auto Care include 24/7 roadside assistance, road hazard coverage, rental car coverage, trip interruption coverage and maintenance benefits. Your maintenance perks last for a year.
Cost
With 3.9 out of 5 stars, Omega Auto Care has the lowest score compared to our other picks for best extended car warranties. Omega Auto Care is the only provider in our review that we were unable to get a quote from. It was difficult to get in contact with a sales representative, and the company doesn’t offer online quotes or purchases.
Despite this, we discovered that Omega’s sample contracts mention a $100 deductible with no other options.
If you get a quote from Omega Auto Care, we encourage you to compare it to our research, which determined that the average extended car warranty costs $2,845 in total.
Customer thoughts
We gave Omega Auto Care a score of 4.3 out of 5 stars for customer service. This score is based primarily on the company’s online reviews, which include the following common themes:
- Maintenance benefits cover many routine services
- Varied response times from claims representatives
- Reimbursem*nts take longer than expected to process and pay out
Omega Auto Care has solid customer review scores across platforms. It holds 3.7 stars from over 300 reviews on BBB and 3.9 stars from over 1,200 reviews with Trustpilot. However, these scores are for Omega Home & Auto Care, so the ratings and reviews aren’t always extended auto warranty-specific.
Many Trustpilot reviewers, like Michelle, were pleased with their maintenance benefits. Other reviewers mention helpful customer service representatives and a quick claims process. Negative reviews complain of rude treatment when attempting to cancel their contract and difficulty getting in touch with customer service.
Final take: Endurance is our top pick for an extended car warranty
The best extended car warranty providers offer peace of mind that when you're on the road, you're protected against unexpected vehicle breakdowns. But not all providers are the same, which is why we recommend shopping around for the best coverage based on your needs, preferences and budget.
Endurance is our No. 1 pick because of its wide variety of coverage options, though Autopom outshines it in the category of customer service. Similarly, we found that Carchex offers the best plans for used vehicles, whereas CarShield is a solid contender for EV-specific coverage. Omega Auto Care offers the best long-term coverage with its generous 15-year policy term option.
Our rating methodology for auto warranty companies
At Homefront, we analyze, rate and rank top vehicle service contract providers to help you discover the right one for your needs. The best automotive service contract companies offer transparency, affordability and expansive coverage options, among other qualities.
We rate companies using our objective scoring methodology. We assess brands on factors that are important to consumers like you — including cost, coverage, market standing, trustworthiness and customer experience. After scoring companies on a 100-point scale, we simplify final scores into the 5-star ratings you see in our content.
BBB and other third-party ratings are accurate as of June 2024.
Daniel Mattia, WriterHomefront
Learn more about Daniel Mattia
Daniel Mattia is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront. In addition to covering auto warranties, he has written about auto loans, personal finance, insurance and business for Yahoo! Personal Finance, RateGenius and other publications. Before beginning his professional writing career, Daniel was a licensed insurance agent and helped clients understand and purchase life and health insurance policies. In his free time, he is often working on his fantasy fiction novel series, hiking in the mountains of West Virginia or tackling a DIY project. He lives in Huntington, West Virginia, with his two rescue cats.
Alyssa Trostle, EditorHomefront
Learn more about Alyssa Trostle
Alyssa Trostle is an editor at USA TODAY Homefront. Having read dozens of warranty booklets from every vehicle manufacturer and over 100 sample contracts from third-party providers, Alyssa is an expert in the auto categories of warranty and shipping categories. Alyssa earned an MFA in creative writing with a concentration in creative nonfiction from Chatham University, which honed her skills in writing and editing both creative and professional content. In her spare time she enjoys reading contemporary fiction and following Pittsburgh sports.
