National Auto Care Warranty Overview (2024)

Dash Lewis

Dash Lewis Content Writer

02/08/2024 08:10 PM

The Gist:

• National Auto Care has been in business for 40 years and has a solid industry reputation.
• The company’s warranty plans are only available through select dealerships and financial institutions.
• National Auto Care features a wide range of coverage options, but its customer service receives mixed reviews.

Choosing the best extended car warranty provider is an important and often time-consuming decision. In this article, we’ll make it easier for you to decide if a National Auto Care warranty is right for you.

Our team conducted extensive research on National Auto Care’s coverage options, costs, and customer ratings to bring you up-to-date information on this provider. Supported by over 1,475 hours of warranty research, we’ve awarded National Auto Care with 4.2 out of 5.0 stars.

Our National Auto Care Warranty Review And Methodology

National Auto Care has been a provider of insurance, warranties, and asset protection products in the automotive industry since 1984. However, our research team found it challenging to contact customer service to get a quote for the company’s extended warranty plans. You can only purchase National Auto Care coverage at authorized dealerships and financial institutions, making the sales and claims process more difficult for drivers.

To give you the most up-to-date information, we update our review standards multiple times per year. Our warranty research evaluates providers across the following categories:

Reputation: 4.0

National Auto Care has been in the automotive industry for almost 40 years and holds an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). In addition, it received a Dealer’s Choice Award from Auto Dealer Today for eight consecutive years as of 2023. For these reasons, we’ve awarded National Auto Care 4.0 out of 5.0 stars for its industry reputation.

Coverage: 4.5

We give National Auto Care 4.5 out of 5.0 stars for its coverage options, as it offers a solid lineup of both stated-component and exclusionary plans. In addition, the Pre-Owned Plus vehicle service agreement (VSA) allows drivers to extend or terminate their plans at any time. National Auto Care recently rolled out an Electric VSA as well.

Price: 4.5

National Auto Care received its highest score for costs with a score of 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. Based on market research, National Auto Care’s prices are usually lower than the average cost of extended car warranties from other companies. On top of this, National Auto Care warranty plans offer disappearing deductibles along with standard deductibles of either $200, $100, $50, or $0.

Customer Experience: 3.5

National Auto Care receives 3.5 out of 5.0 stars from our review team for its customer service. We had difficulty reaching representatives when calling about the company’s coverage options, warranty prices, and affiliated dealerships and financial institutions. However, nearly every complaint filed through the BBB has either been resolved or answered by National Auto Care, with most customers being satisfied with the company’s response.

Is A National Auto Care Warranty Worth It?

National Auto Care has been around for 40 years, earns multiple awards for its services, and offers a variety of coverage plans with perks. However, you can only purchase a plan through a dealership or a financial institution such as a bank or credit union. National Auto Care’s customer service standards also leave much to be desired. We suggest getting quotes from other extended car warranty companies to find the right coverage for you.

National Auto Care Warranty Quick Facts

• Founded: 1984
• Headquarters: Westerville, Ohio
• Coverage options: Six VSA plans with multiple coverage levels
• Coverage terms: Up to 10 years or 100,000 miles

Is A National Auto Care Warranty Legit?

National Auto Care is a legitimate provider of extended warranty coverage for both new and pre-owned vehicles. It has been in the auto industry for four decades and has received awards from Auto Dealer Today for eight consecutive years.

National Auto Care Warranty Customer Reviews

The online reviews for National Auto Care warranties are mixed. Below are positive and negative online reviews regarding National Auto Care:

National Auto Care Positive Reviews

“Awesome company! Thank you NAC! My transmission went out in my Nissan I had purchased only 6 months earlier. I’m so thankful I purchased an extended warranty from NAC. If not I would be out over 5k right now that I don’t have. My Nissan is getting fixed by a Nissan technician for only the $200 deductible. My claim was approved within 24 hours of my transmission going out. Excellent company that I would highly recommend.”

– Jason R. via BBB

“I bought a Ford Raptor with a warranty and to my surprise, my shocks started leaking within 2 months of buying which were covered under the warranty! I have NEVER heard of a service contract covering shocks and I was SHOCKED lol. They paid for a rebuild on them and for my 1 week of my rental (it was in the shop for 2 months, but no fault of NAC). After nearly a $4,300 bill from the shop, they covered everything and just had to pay the $100 deductible and a few nuts and bolts that they don’t cover. Honestly, best warranty company there is and now my contract paid for itself!”

– Dillon F. via BBB

National Auto Care Complaints

“I purchased an extended vehicle warranty from this company when I bought my truck. I don’t recommend this warranty! I was told I had a cracked block and if I wanted a new replacement it would cost me several thousand dollars or they would replace it with a used motor that had over 90,000 miles on it. And it took over 11 WEEKS to get it back from the dealer! I had to pay over $300 because the warranty doesn’t cover gaskets!”

– Michael T. via BBB

“Unfortunately I purchased the pinnacle warranty on my pickup when it came time that I needed it they sent some so called inspector out while the truck was on the lift with the transmission pan off and denied the repair because he couldn’t see any problem this was after the shop charged me 180.00 to diagnose it and submit their findings I feel that the money that was paid for the warranty was a waste”

See Also

National Auto Care Warranty Review (2024) | Automoblog

– John R. via BBB

National Auto Care Warranty Coverage

National Auto Care offers several types of warranty plans for vehicles as well as various related services. You’ll find both stated-component coverage and exclusionary coverage plans. In addition, National Auto Care has no mileage or year restrictions for its used car warranties.

It’s good to keep in mind that coverage options can vary by state and lender. Along with standard auto coverages, National Auto Care warranty plans cover recreational vehicles (RVs) and powersports vehicles such as motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and boats. National Auto Care also recently rolled out coverage for electric vehicles (EVs)–a rarity among providers.

National Auto Care Warranty Plans

The National Auto Care website provides information on its primary coverage options. These include Core, Elite, Pre-Owned Plus, High-Tech, and P+6 plans.

National Auto Care Core VSA

The Core VSA from National Auto Care provides you with the choice of five coverage options, and all are considered stated-component coverage except for the Pinnacle plan. Core VSAs are available for vehicles less than 15 years old with fewer than 156,000 miles on the odometer.

The table below has a detailed breakdown of your choices within the Core VSA:

In addition to the Powertrain, Medallion, and Preferred plans, Powerwrap/Dieselwrap coverage allows you to “wrap” it around your manufacturer’s powertrain warranty or diesel engine warranty for almost-complete protection. These wrap coverages are only available for vehicles five years old or newer with 60,000 miles or less.

We recommend looking at a detailed contract on National Auto Care’s website to ensure that the stated components are what you’re looking for. Remember, a part won’t be covered after a mechanical breakdown if it isn’t mentioned in the contract of a stated-component plan.

National Auto Care Elite VSA

The Elite VSA has three main options to choose from: Powertrain, Standard, and Premium. There’s no information online about age or mileage caps, so you’ll need to ask your chosen dealership or financial institution for this information.

You’ll find details about the three Elite VSA options below:

Online information for Elite VSA plans states that these are just some of the parts covered by these service contracts. National Auto Care requests that you refer to your service agreement for a more exhaustive list.

National Auto Care Pre-Owned Plus VSA

The Pre-Owned Plus VSA from National Auto Care offers motorists their choice of four plans, three of which have stated-component coverage and one that’s exclusionary. Further details about each of these tiers can be found below:

Pre-Owned Plus VSAs are available for vehicles of any year or mileage, making them great as extended warranties for cars over 100,000 miles. Again, we encourage you to refer to your service agreement for a full list of covered and excluded components.

National Auto Care P+6 VSA

The P+6 VSA from National Auto Care provides you with six add-ons that can be tacked onto the Pinnacle Plan. You’ll receive all of the protection from the Pinnacle Plan plus additional coverage for your car’s battery, belts and hoses, brake pads, headlamps, lights, and windshield wiper blades.

This VSA is available for previous-year vehicle models or newer with up to 3,000 miles on them. There’s no deductible for this plan, and it is available for leased cars.

National Auto Care High-Tech VSA

The National Auto Care High-Tech VSA protects many parts of your car that make it smarter and safer. This includes features such as auto dimmers, blind spot monitors, Bluetooth systems, lane departure systems, tire pressure monitoring systems, and seat heaters and coolers.

Since exact coverage varies by state and lender, refer to your contract to find out information about conditions, limitations, and exclusions.

National Auto Care Ancillary Coverages

In addition to VSA plans, National Auto Care warranties include other protections such as:

• Theft deterrent
• Tire and wheel protection
• Paintless dent repair
• Excess wear and tear
• Paint and fabric
• Key protection
• Windshield protection
• Guaranteed asset protection (gap insurance)

National Auto Care Warranty Benefits

Perks that come standard with National Auto Care warranty plans include:

• Emergency roadside assistance
• Trip interruption coverage
• Rental car reimbursem*nt
• Add-on time and miles

What Does A National Auto Care Warranty Not Cover?

Plans purchased through National Auto Care are either exclusionary or stated-component contracts. If you opt for an exclusionary plan, you’ll have all parts covered in your vehicle that aren’t listed in the fine print of your contract. If you choose a stated-component contract, you’ll only get coverage for the parts listed by your policy.

As is typical with extended car warranties, VSAs with National Auto Care won’t cover your tires, paint, or upholstery unless you opt for ancillary coverage. In addition, damages caused by car accidents and acts of nature such as hail, flooding, and fallen tree limbs won’t be covered.

National Auto Care Warranty Cost

National Auto Care provides neither sample contracts nor sample quotes for any of its coverage plans listed online. Extended car warranty costs depend on several factors including your vehicle’s make, model, and age. However, our recent survey of 1,000 warranty shoppers shows that most pay between $1,600 and $3,200 for their extended warranties.

To determine what you’ll pay for an extended warranty from National Auto Care, reach out for quotes from partner dealerships and financial institutions. It’s best to call around to get quotes from other reputable extended auto warranty providers as well to find out what a competitive rate looks like for your vehicle.

Factors That Affect Extended Car Warranty Costs

The type of vehicle you drive plays a large role in determining the cost of an extended warranty. Older cars and luxury brands that have high average repair costs come with higher overall warranty prices. The following factors also help determine extended warranty costs:

• Mileage: Cars with higher odometer readings are more likely to need costly repairs, so warranty coverage for them is also more expensive.
• Deductible: Choosing a higher deductible leads to lower monthly payments, but it also means you’ll pay more out of pocket for covered repairs.
• Provider: It’s essential to compare quotes from multiple providers to get the best deal on extended warranty coverage.
• Coverage level: Plans that mimic factory warranties cost more than those that offer basic powertrain protection.

National Auto Care Extended Warranty Reviews: Our Take

In this guide, we took a close look at National Auto Care’s plan options, costs, and reviews. While National Auto Care warranties have a solid reputation, you can only buy plans through authorized dealerships or financial institutions. We suggest getting quotes from providers such as Endurance, Carchex, and Olive as you search for an extended vehicle warranty.

Alternatives To National Auto Care

Below, we’ve outlined three providers that received outstanding reviews from our team of experts. We like Endurance and Carchex due to their exceptional customer service, convenient payment options, and affordable coverage. We recommend getting at least three quotes from third-party extended warranty companies to find the best plan that fits your needs.

Endurance: Best Plan Offerings

Endurance offers direct-to-consumer extended warranties, which means that warranty services and claims are handled by Endurance itself. We gave it 4.6 out of 5.0 stars and named it the provider with the Best Plan Offerings.

With Endurance, you don’t have to worry about a middleman or underwriting provider. Endurance is also known for its excellent customer service during the quote and claims process.

Additionally, Endurance warranty plans allow car owners to choose from any repair shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®) to complete their covered repairs.

Read more: Endurance warranty review

Carchex: High Mileage Limits

Carchex maintains an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB and has received endorsem*nts from industry leaders like Carfax, Kelley Blue Book, and Edmunds.com. Our review team gave the company 4.4 out of 5.0 stars.

Carchex offers a total of five extended warranty plans, each of which can be customized. All plans include 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, gas delivery, trip interruption services, and lockout services.

Read more: Carchex review

Olive: 4.4 Great for Young Drivers

Olive is an upstart extended warranty company hoping to pull the industry into the modern era. Based on its parent company’s A+ rating on the BBB and strong customer reviews on Google, the plan appears to be catching on. In our full Olive review, we rated the innovative provider 4.4 out of 5.0 stars.

The provider’s chief calling card is its simplicity. A digital-first interface simplifies the process of filing a claim, while below-average rates make payments easier to bear. Add on Olive’s lack of a waiting period before filing a claim and the company appears ready to shake up the extended auto warranty space.

Read more: Olive warranty review

National Auto Care Warranty Reviews: FAQ

Below are common questions related to National Auto Care’s extended warranties.

How We Rate Warranty Providers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of extended auto warranty providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a warranty company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

• Reputation: It’s important that an extended car warranty company is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a long history of reliable service score well in this category. We also evaluate the availability and transparency of each company’s contracts, as well as whether each provider offers a money-back guarantee.
• Coverage: Our team of experts looks at the number of extended warranty plans available, as well as term limits, exclusions, and added benefits like roadside assistance. Ratings also take into account the availability of maintenance coverage.
• Price: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact vehicle service contract pricing. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and plans and consider available deductibles.
• Customer Experience: We listen to real customer sales calls and comb through reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Warranty companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the availability of mobile apps and chat features.

Dash Lewis Content Writer