Best Extended Car Warranty

Endurance Warranty Services has the best extended auto warranty on the market because of its extensive coverage and direct administration of contracts.

Extended Car Warranty Reviews

After carefully vetting a large number of extended car warranty providers, we determined the following providers to be the best in the industry.

The best extended car warranties provide peace of mind for vehicle owners. This means offering comprehensive coverage and a reliable claims process. If you’re interested in purchasing an extended car warranty, it’s important to find the right provider based on your needs. We’ve researched a number of companies to help drivers figure out which warranty is best for their car.

Compare Extended Car Warranties

The table below provides an easy comparison of the ratings for each of the top 10 extended car warranty companies we reviewed. We recommend reaching out for free quotes from top providers to compare your cost and coverage options side by side.

Extended Car Warranty Ratings

We carefully considered the following factors to determine the best extended auto warranty providers:

• Reputation: Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, longevity, and industry standing
• Coverage: Variety of plan choices, maximum mileage covered, and perks
• Cost: Total cost, deductible options, and payment terms
• Transparency: Availability and transparency of each company’s contracts
• Customer Experience: Customer ratings from the BBB and Trustpilot, 30-day money-back guarantees, and customer service availability

While the brands mentioned in the table above all offer exceptional coverage at competitive rates, the provider that’s best for you will depend on your needs. Endurance warranties top our list for the most comprehensive coverage options, but if you are looking for cheaper basic coverage, you might consider CarShield.

The sections below provide a detailed overview of the top five extended car warranty companies.

#1: Endurance Warranty Services (Best Coverage)

With an industry-leading 4.6 out of 5.0 star rating from our extensive study of top providers, the best extended warranty company is Endurance Warranty Services.

The table below highlights Endurance’s scores in each category used to determine the company’s overall rating:

We also recognize Endurance for having the Best Coverage because of its wide range of plans and options, including regular maintenance coverage and many other useful perks. Additionally, Endurance stands out for being a direct provider, which allows the company to provide strong customer service because it administers its own claims. Below is the complete list of pros and cons for Endurance Warranty:

About Endurance Warranty Services

• Founded: 2006
• Headquarters: 400 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 105, Northbrook, Illinois, 60062
• Provider Type: Direct
• Availability: 49 States (Excluding California)

Endurance Warranty Company Reputation

Endurance Warranty Services has provided extended car warranties to drivers for 16 years and offers vehicle service contracts in every state except California. The company is backed by an A-rated insurance company and is fully capable of meeting all claims obligations.

Unlike many aftermarket extended car warranty providers, Endurance offers direct-to-consumer extended warranties. As a direct provider, Endurance administers its own contracts and handles all claims and customer service related to the contracts it sells in-house, with no middleman involved. Having no no go-between or separate underwriter allows Endurance to deliver superior service to its customers.

Endurance Warranty Customer Reviews and Ratings

• Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation: No
• BBB rating: Not rated
• BBB customer review score: 3.5 out of 5.0 stars based on 1,687 reviews
• BBB customer complaints:  1,439 in last 3 years, 712 in last 12 months
• Trustpilot rating: “Great”
• Trustpilot customer review score: 4.0 out of 5 stars based on 5,590 reviews

As one of the most reputable extended warranty companies, Endurance is highly regarded by customers. Because Endurance is a direct provider with few unresolved complaints about claims issues, many of the positive Endurance warranty reviews focus on excellent customer service during the quotes and claims processes.

This is because the company replies to each customer complaint posted on its BBB page and customer service representatives issue refunds where needed and try to resolve problems with customers. Endurance also conducts internal reviews based on complaints to ensure the same issue doesn’t happen to someone else.

While Endurance has positive customer reviews overall, the company does not have as high of a rating from the BBB as some of the other providers on our list. In the past, the provider dealt with alerts from the BBB regarding its advertising, which stemmed from complaints about aggressive mailers the company had sent out. Importantly, there is no significant pattern of complaints regarding claims or service.

Endurance Extended Warranty Coverage

Endurance offers six levels of extended warranty coverage (5 of which are regular extended warranty plans) that can last up to 200,000 miles, which makes it a good option for extended warranties for cars over 100k miles. Below are the specific parts covered in the 5 standard extended warranty plans offered by Endurance:

All Endurance plans come with rental car reimbursement, 24//7 roadside assistance, and trip interruption coverage as standard benefits.

The Endurance Elite plan benefits set Endurance apart from other companies in the industry. These benefits are included in all Endurance warranties free for one year. After that, you can pay to add them to your protection plan. Endurance Elite benefits include:

• Total loss protection: Up to $1,000 reimbursement to replace vehicle
• Collision discount: $500 per covered collision (1,000 limit)
• Tire repair/replacement: Reimbursement for up to 2 replaced or repaired tires per year.

In addition, Endurance extended warranty plans allow customers to choose from any ASE^® (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) certified repair shop in the U.S. This makes it much easier to find a repair shop that will help with covered repairs no matter where you experience a mechanical breakdown.

Endurance Warranty Plans

Below is a summary of each Endurance plan:

Endurance also offers another type of plan called EnduranceAdvantage^TM. What sets this plan apart is that it covers regular maintenance and one-off services. Routine maintenance includes:

• Up to three oil and filter changes
• Engine diagnostics
• Alignment checks
• State safety inspections
• Tire rotations

One-time services include:

• Brake pad/shoe replacement
• Cooling system maintenance
• Front or rear wiper blade set replacement
• Battery replacement
• Scheduled service coverage

There are three levels of EnduranceAdvantage plans. They all offer the same maintenance benefits, but they differ in warranty coverage. Here are the basics:

• Preferred: Exclusionary coverage for almost any mechanical breakdown
• Plus: High-level protection for all major systems of the vehicle
• Prime: Covers everything in Plus but only offers basic electrical system coverage

Endurance Car Warranty Cost

While Endurance offers extensive warranty coverage, its prices aren’t the most competitive. Endurance warranty plans are sometimes cheaper than most, but shorter coverage terms can sometimes negate this. That said, many car owners find affordable plans through Endurance.

According to our research, Endurance plans range from $98 to $120.50 per month depending on the plan you choose. Overall costs range from $2,352 to $3,615, which is within the limits of what most people reported paying in our March 2022 survey. Additionally, we found that a reliable car still under its factory warranty can get six years of exclusionary coverage for about $2,850. That’s on par with quotes we received from other providers.

The company also offers four deductible options (ranging from $0 to $200), which influence the total cost of the plan. A higher deductible will mean a lower premium. Endurance offers flexible, zero-interest payment terms with payment period options that include 12, 18, or 24-month terms. The provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for customers who change their minds about purchasing an extended warranty. 

You can read more about the company in our in-depth Endurance warranty review.

#2: ForeverCar (Best Value)

ForeverCar is our second pick for the best extended car warranty company and we name it Best Value for 2023. ForeverCar earns a 4.5-star rating overall.

Below you can see how ForeverCar scored in each of the major rating categories:

Having compared quotes from many different warranty companies, our team found ForeverCar offered some of the cheapest plans overall. If getting the best value is your goal, it’s a good idea to check out ForeverCar. You can get a quote in just a few minutes after giving basic information about your vehicle.

ForeverCar offers deductible options of $0, $50, $100, $250, and $500, which means you can customize your monthly payment a good amount. In our cost analysis, we found monthly payments from ForeverCar range from $35 to $98.

About ForeverCar

• Founded: 2011
• Headquarters: 954 W Washington Blvd Ste 340 Chicago, Illinois
• Provider Type: Broker
• Availability: All U.S. except California and Washington State

ForeverCar Company Reputation

ForeverCar has been in business since 2011 and has an A+ rating with accreditation from the BBB. The provider also has a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot from over 4,700 customers. ForeverCar has also won business awards in the past like the Chicago Innovation Award in 2016 and the 2020 Autotech Breakthrough Award: Auto Repair Solution of the Year.

ForeverCar Customer Reviews And Ratings

• Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation: Yes
• BBB rating: A+
• BBB customer review score: 1.5 out of 5.0 based on 8 reviews
• BBB customer complaints: 9 complaints in the last 3 years, 4 in the last 12 months
• Trustpilot rating: “Excellent”
• Trustpilot customer review score: 4.8 out of 5.0 based on 4,773 reviews

Reviewers mention helpful agents who take the time to explain ForeverCar’s different options. They also say agents have patience over the phone and help customers feel comfortable. The company has very few complaints on the BBB for the industry, which is a good indication of its customer service reputation.

ForeverCar Extended Warranty Coverage

ForeverCar’s extended warranty plans work a bit differently than plans from other companies in the industry. All plans come with unlimited mileage but they only last for three years. ForeverCar can cover high-mileage vehicles. But if you want to cover a car for many years, you’ll need consecutive warranty contracts.

All ForeverCar warranty plans come with added benefits of roadside assistance, rental car coverage, and trip interruption. Here’s what these benefits cover:

• Roadside assistance: Up to $100 per occurrence for towing, flat tire assistance, fluid delivery, lock-out assistance, and battery assistance
• Rental reimbursement: Covers up to $35 per day for 5 days if your car is in the shop for a covered repair
• Trip interruption: Covers up to $200 per day for 5 days for food and lodging if your car breaks down over 100 miles from home

ForeverCar Warranty Plans

Below, you can see a summary of each ForeverCar plan and what makes them different:

ForeverCar’s lowest plan, the Silver plan, covers the powertrain plus a variety of major systems on the vehicle including electrical components and the air conditioning. That means ForeverCar covers more than the basic powertrain with its cheapest plan.

The Gold plan adds advanced components in standard and hybrid vehicles. These include parts like:

• Power window motors
• Anti-lock brake systems
• Sensors
• Heated back glass
• Sunroof motor
• Battery charging system
• Battery charge controller
• Electronic throttle control system

The Platinum plan takes things a step further and covers any mechanical part except for a list of exclusions. This plan is comparable to plans like Endurance’s Supreme plan or CARCHEX’s Titanium plan.

So what’s the Platinum Plus plan, then? Well, this one goes above and beyond standard warranty plans to cover wearable parts like brake pads and batteries. Here’s the full list of what’s covered:

• One brake pad replacement (front, rear, or both)
• One standard battery replacement
• Unlimited replacement of headlight bulbs (except impact damage)
• Belt and hose replacements
• One windshield wiper blade replacement (front, rear, or both)
• Unlimited coverage of fuses and light bulbs
• One wheel alignment

ForeverCar Warranty Cost

ForeverCar is one of the most affordable companies we have come across, which is why we name it Best Value overall. Monthly quotes we received ranged from $35 to $98 per month. In the industry, $35 per month is a very cheap rate, while $98 per month is still more affordable than many other providers for comprehensive coverage. The total costs for a three-year plan range from $1,260 to $3,528.

Our quotes included a $250 deductible, but ForeverCar also offers $0, $50, $100, and $500 deductibles. If you raise your deductible, your monthly payment will decrease, and vice versa.

ForeverCar keeps things simple by offering unlimited-mileage contracts that last for three years. Your payments won’t change during those three years, and once your payments are done, the plan is also done.

To begin a warranty, all you need to do is make the first month’s payment. Some other providers charge a larger down payment, but ForeverCar doesn’t. Overall, ForeverCar is the best option for people looking to stay on a budget.

#3: Olive (Best Online Process)

Today, it’s important for companies to offer a good online experience. We rate Olive 4.5 overall and recognize it for having the best online experience out of any of our top picks.

Below you can see how Olive scored in each of the major rating categories:

Olive has been around since 2000 but recently began offering online warranties. The company provides an easy shopping experience that allows you to customize coverage and deductibles before buying a plan. Olive also partners with RepairPal to make it easy to find repair shops in your area.

About Olive

• Founded: 2000
• Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
• Provider Type: Broker
• Availability: All 50 states

Olive Company Reputation

Olive has an A+ rating with accreditation from the BBB along with accreditation. Olive’s high rating on the site shows it responds to every complaint it receives. Another benefit of Olive is that it’s available in all 50 states–including California. California requires warranty companies to sell mechanical breakdown insurance in the state, and not all companies on our list offer plans in California.

Olive Customer Reviews And Ratings

• BBB accreditation: Yes
• BBB rating: A+
• BBB customer review score: 4.0 out of 5.0 from 4 reviews
• BBB customer complaints: 20 in the last 3 years, 12 in the last 12 months

Olive Extended Warranty Coverage

Olive offers three different warranty plans: Powertrain, Powertrain Plus, and Complete Care. You can get an Olive warranty for a car up to 10 model years old or with 140,000 miles on the odometer. After that, plans cover up to 12 model years or 185,000 miles. Below are the details of what each plan covers.

Olive warranty plans also come with two extra benefits:

• Towing: If you have a covered breakdown, Olive will reimburse you up to $100 if you need a tow.
• Rental car coverage: In the case of a covered breakdown, Olive will reimburse you up to $35 per day for 5 days for rental car costs. Olive will bump that up an extra two days if the company needs to inspect your vehicle.

Olive doesn’t cover roadside assistance services like battery jump-starts or lockout services. It also doesn’t cover trip interruption services. This may be one reason why Olive’s warranty plans are more affordable than plans from many of its competitors.

Olive Warranty Plans

Below are summaries of each type of plan that Olive offers.

When you get a quote online, you can choose between the different plans and see how much each will cost. Olive offers a good range of plans, from factory-level coverage to basic coverage. However, some drivers may prefer more options from other companies.

Olive Warranty Cost

Like ForeverCar, we also found that Olive offers affordable warranty plans. Our team compared multiple quotes from Olive and found prices ranged from $50 to $55 per month. Total costs for plans ranged from $1,800 to $1,980, which was very affordable compared to other options on the market. However, keep in mind that Olive’s warranty plans only last for three years, while other companies offer plans that can last for five, six, or seven years.

We received quotes that included a $500 deductible. The company offers deductible options of $100, $250, and $500. If you choose a lower deductible, you’ll have a higher total cost and monthly cost.

Our secret shoppers found Olive’s quote process to be simple and easy. We also noticed the salespeople were friendly and didn’t use any pushy sales tactics. Overall, Olive provides good prices and a relaxed buying experience.

#4: CarShield (Best Monthly Payments)

Earning a rating score of 4.5 out of 5.0 stars, CarShield is popular with many drivers because of its low-cost plans and easy shopping experience. The company offers affordable coverage options, including month-to-month plans, which is why we recognized it as Best Monthly Payments.

The table below highlights CarShield’s scores in the major rating categories:

CarShield is a good choice if you want to take advantage of its month-to-month contracts. The company also stands out for its specialty plans for RVs, motorcycles, and vehicles with high tech components. Overall, while CarShield may be a great options for those seeking the lowest rates possible, customers who want to ensure the best customer experience may want to consider another provider. Below is the complete list of CarShield pros and cons:

About CarShield

• Founded: 2005
• Headquarters: 503 Pearl Drive, St Peters, Missouri , 63376
• Provider Type: Broker
• Availability: 49 States (excluding California)

CarShield Company Reputation

CarShield has been in business for 18 years and and has been featured on CNN, HGTV, and ESPN. It’s the most popular provider by far on our list of the best extended warranty companies and has covered over 1 million vehicles. In our extended warranty survey, over 56 percent of respondents said they had used CarShield, which was a higher number than any other provider.

As an extended warranty broker, CarShield sells plans that are administered by multiple providers, including American Auto Shield, a provider from Lakewood, Colorado that administers all plans at the “Diamond” coverage level. While brokers like CarShield can often offer cheaper contracts than direct providers, there is also a risk that they may not provide as good of service because they are less directly accountable to customers for coverage and claims administration.

Due to CarShield’s low ratings on some online platforms, the company doesn’t score as well as other companies on this list when it comes to industry reputation. For example, CarShield has a negative reputation with the BBB for sending aggressive marketing letters. However, it has a reliable claims service reputation based on CarShield reviews from industry-leaders and customers alike. Ultimately, this is the most important consideration when searching for the best extended car warranty company.

CarShield Customer Ratings And Reviews

• Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation: No
• BBB rating: F
• BBB customer review score: 1.3 out of 5.0 stars based on 2,047 reviews
• BBB customer complaints:  3,253 in last 3 years, 1,142 in last 12 months
• Trustpilot rating: “Great”
• Trustpilot customer review score: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars based on 34,304 reviews

CarShields’ over 34,300 reviews on Trustpilot and over 12,300 Google reviews are a reflection of the company’s popularity. Positive reviews from customers often report a satisfaction with the overall value of their contract and positive experiences with customer service representatives from CarShield.

While CarShield’s over 3,000 BBB complaints in the past three years are more than any provider on our list, this accounts for less than 1% of the 500,000 or more service contracts the company has sold over the same time period. Ultimately, these complaints represent a small number of CarShield customers.

The company’s low BBB rating is largely a reflection of customers having claims denied and having difficulties cancelling policies. Claims denials and misunderstandings of other policies regarding vehicle service contracts are common reasons for customer complaints across the extended car warranty industry. In order to prevent this, it’s important to understand your coverage before you commit to an extended warranty provider.

CarShield Extended Warranty Coverage

CarShield vehicle service contracts can last up to 300,000 miles, which is the highest limit available in the industry and makes the provider another smart option for drivers with high-mileage vehicles vehicles. Like Endurance, the maximum number of coverage years is not stated on the provider’s website. Below are the components covered by CarShield’s plans:

All CarShield plans come with a waiting period of 20 days and 500 miles before becoming active. This protects the company from covering any pre-existing mechanical issues. Additionally, CarShield extended warranties come with the following perks:

• 24/7 Roadside assistance: CarShield provides up to $75 per occurrence and $400 total for the life of the contract for towing, lockout services, fuel delivery, spare tire installation, battery jump-starts, and winching.
• Rental car reimbursement (included in most plans): You will be reimbursed up to $40 per day up to four days for rental car expenses in the case of a covered repair.
• Trip interruption reimbursement: CarShield will reimburse you up to $50 per day for three days for food and lodging if you experience a mechanical breakdown more than 100 miles away from home.

CarShield Warranty Plans

The table below contain’s a summary of CarShield’s extended warranty plans:

The difference in coverage between the plans above has most to do with the exclusions. The Diamond level of coverage has the fewest exclusions, while the Aluminum level has the most, meaning that a Diamond plan would theoretically cover more potential service failures than the Aluminum would.

CarShield Car Warranty Cost

CarShield extended warranty prices range from $109.99 to $139.99 per month depending on the plan you choose, based on quotes received by our research team. CarShield offers unlimited contracts, so the total cost depends on how long you have the plan. CarShield can be more expensive than other companies for long-term plans of over four years.

Additionally, CarShield warranties come with low or $0 deductible, meaning customers have to pay either nothing or very little for covered repairs. Also, since CarShield pays repair facilities directly for repairs, you won’t be required to wait for a reimbursement. In order to make its plans as financially flexible as possible, CarShield offers month-to-month contracts that provide rolling coverage and don’t lock customers in for long periods.

CarShield specializes in affordable coverage for almost any driver and vehicle due to its flexible monthly payment plans. Many drivers report finding cheaper rates with CarShield than other companies, and our research found that as well.

If you want to learn more about CarShield, you can check out this guide.

#5: CARCHEX (Best For Used Cars)

Earning a 4.4 out of 5.0 star rating, CARCHEX provides a wide range of coverage options and is one of the best extended car warranty companies.

Below are CARCHEX’s review scores in each of the major ratings categories:

Along with earning the highest reputation score in the industry, CARCHEX is also recognized as Best For Used Cars. While few providers offer plans for high-mileage vehicles past 200,000 miles, CARCHEX can cover cars up to 250,000 miles. This is one of the longest coverage terms on the market and is why it’s a good choice for drivers with older cars. Below is the complete list of pros and cons for CarShield:

About CARCHEX

• Founded: 2003
• Headquarters: 118 Shawan Road, Suite 210, Baltimore, Maryland, 21030
• Provider Type: Broker
• Availability: All 50 States

CARCHEX Company Reputation

CARCHEX’s reputation score of 5.0 out of 5.0 is the highest in the industry. The industry veteran warranty provider has been in business for 23 years and is one of the two providers on our list that covers cars in California. Our March 2022 car warranty survey which polled 1,000 consumers found that 19 percent of those surveyed had a CARCHEX warranty, making it the second most popular provider overall.

The company’s extended warranties are endorsed by industry leaders like Edmunds.com, Kelley Blue Book, CARFAX, and RepairPal. The company has received several awards recognizing its customer service, including:

• Golden Bridge Awards^®: “Silver Status” for customer service (3 consecutive years)
• TopConsumerReviews.com: 5-star rating (6 consecutive years)
• ThoroughlyReviewed: Top Pick (2017)
• BestReviewsHub.com: Best Choice Award (4 consecutive years)

CARCHEX Customer Reviews And Ratings

• Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation: Yes
• BBB rating: A+
• BBB customer review score: 2.0 out of 5.0 stars based on 158 reviews
• BBB customer complaints: 167 in last 3 years, 69 in last 12 months
• Trustpilot rating: “Average”
• Trustpilot customer review score: 2.9 out of 5.0 stars based on 1,493 reviews

With its No-Haggle, Low-Price, Everyday Guarantee™, CARCHEX aims to provide the best possible customer experience by eliminating high pressure sales tactics and making coverage and pricing clear. This experience is unlikely to be found elsewhere in the extended car warranty industry. CARCHEX customer reviews often mention the company’s helpful customer service representatives, smooth claims process, and ability to resolve issues quickly. The company has a relatively low number of complaints for its size. While CARCHEX does have some customer complaints, it responds to each of them. No company is perfect, but with its reputation, you can be sure a company like CARCHEX will work with you to resolve any issues.

Here are some additional features of CARCHEX warranty coverage:

• Extra benefits: CARCHEX warranties include 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, trip interruption reimbursement, lockout and lost key services, and more.
• Claims paid directly to repair shops: Instead of paying for your cars repairs directly and being reimbursed later, CARCHEX pays for repairs directly.
• Choice of your favorite repair shop: With CARCHEX, you won’t be limited to a specific repair shop or dealership–you can go to any licensed repair facility in the country.

CARCHEX Plans

Here’s a summary of CARCHEX extended warranty plans:

Because CARCHEX has coverage levels administered by multiple providers, there is more variation within each of the five service plans. Easy-to-read sample contracts can be found on the company’s website and a representatives from CARCHEX can assist you with any further questions about what is and isn’t covered.

In addition to the standard coverage options, CARCHEX offers a few add-ons:

• Luxury electronics package: This option covers features such as GPS systems, display screens, backup cameras, and voice activation systems.
• Emissions package: This package covers emissions system components such as the air/fuel ratio sensor, fuel tank pressure sensor, intake air temperature sensor, and more.
• Market labor rate option: Standard CARCHEX plans (and plans from many other companies) limit the hourly labor rate coverage for repairs to $100 per hour. With this option, CARCHEX will cover the labor rate for the repair shop or dealership above $100 per hour.

CARCHEX Car Warranty Cost

On average, CARCHEX extended warranties cost between $166.73 and $221.50 per month depending on the plan and payment type you choose. Total costs tend to range from $3,001 to $3,987, according to our research. However, CARCHEX costs will differ depending on the coverage levels and deductible options you choose. Overall, we found the company to offer competitive rates for all of its contracts. CARCHEX offers a 30-day Money-Back Guarantee that provides a full refund to customers who were unhappy after the first 30 days.

You can read more about the company in our CARCHEX review.

#6: Protect My Car (Best Customer Service)

With an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5.0 stars, Protect My Car is a direct provider that is one of the top extended warranty companies in the industry. 

The table below highlights Protect My Car’s scores in the major categories:

Additionally, we recognized the company for having the Best Customer Service. Protect My Car is a popular provider that offers vehicle service contracts. The company’s lengthy payment terms of up to 60 months are longer than most other third-party warranty companies. Below is the complete list of pros and cons for Protect My Car:

About Protect My Car

• Founded: 2005
• Headquarters: 570 Carillon Parkway, 3rd floor, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33716
• Provider Type: Direct
• Availability: 44 out of 50 States (not available in California, Hawaii, Missouri, Washington, Alaska, and Oklahoma)

Protect My Car Company Reputation

The company is a direct provider for its maintenance and warranty plans and has been in business for 17 years. All of Protect My Car’s plans are financially backed by Virginia Surety Co., which has an A (excellent) rating from AM Best. Along with an A+ BBB rating and strong customer ratings, the company has several corporate sponsorships.

Protect My Car Customer Reviews And Ratings

• Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation: No
• BBB rating: A+
• BBB customer review score: 4.0 out of 5 stars based on 605 reviews
• BBB customer complaints: 274 in last 3 years, 168 in last 12 months
• Trustpilot rating: “Excellent”
• Trustpilot customer review score: 4.4 out of 5 stars based on over 3,376 reviews

Protect My Car has received a large number of positive customer reviews over the years and has excellent customer ratings across several online platforms. The company also has a relatively low number of complaints and many of its hundreds of positive reviews mention the ease of communication and responsiveness of the provider’s customer service team.

Protect My Car Extended Warranty Coverage

Protect My Car offers three extended warranty plan options that can cover up to 125,000 miles. The plans are subject to a waiting period of 30 days and 1,000 miles. Below are the specific components that are covered by Protect My Car contracts:

All Protect My Car vehicle service contracts (Supreme, Select, and Driveline) come with perks. These include:

• Roadside assistance: This pays for up to two roadside assistance calls per year for towing, flat tire changes, and fluid deliveries.
• Rental car reimbursement: Protect My Car will reimburse you for a rental car up to $30 per day for seven days if your vehicle is in the shop for covered repairs.
• Trip interruption reimbursement: If your car breaks down more than 150 miles away from home, Protect My Car will reimburse hotel and meal expenses up to $50 per day for three days.
• Customer Rewards: Access to PMC Rewards, a dining and shopping rewards program

Protect My Car Warranty Plans

The table below shows whats covered in each of the three regular warranty plans offered by Protect My Car:

Protect My Car Warranty Cost

Based on our research, plans tend to cost between $100 and $116 per month on average, with total costs ranging from $3,600 to $4,176. Based on these rates, Protect My Car costs tend to be a little higher than the industry average.

Every Protect My Car warranty coverage level comes with a flat deductible, after which 100% of covered repairs are paid for. Customers should expect a $100 deductible for the company’s two highest coverage levels and a $200 deductible for the lowest deductible level. The company doesn’t offer a $0 deductible option.

Additionally, Protect My Car offers some of the longest payment periods in the industry. While most extended warranty companies have payment terms of up to 24 to 36 months, Protect My Car gives drivers up to 60 months to pay for their warranties. Even though another extended car warranty’s cost might be the same, having extra time to make monthly payments is an advantage.

That said, while the longer periods have lower monthly payments that may be appealing for those with a tighter monthly budget, it is important to understand that contracts with longer payment terms generally cost more than those with shorter terms.

You can find out more about the company and its offerings in our Protect My Car review.

Honorable Mention: autopom! (Best Claims Process)

Coming in with a respectable score of 4.3 out of 5.0 stars, the last provider on our list is autopom!.

Below you can see how autopom! performed in the four categories used to assess every extended car warranty company in the industry:

Compared to the two extended warranty companies above, autopom! is a relative newcomer. It’s also a bit smaller than CARCHEX and Endurance. However, that doesn’t mean it’s less reliable. We recognize autopom! for having the Best Claims Process based on customer reviews and how it advocates for customers throughout the process of filing. a claim. For these reasons, autopom! is one of the best extended car warranty options for drivers who want top-notch service. Below is the complete list of autopom! pros and cons:

About autopom!

• Founded: 2009
• Headquarters: 22651 Lambert St #102, Lake Forest, California, 9263
• Provider Type: Broker
• Availability: All 50 States

autopom! Company Reputation

With a company name derived from it’s mission, which is to provide automotive peace of mind, autopom! is a reputable provider that has been around for 13 years. Based in Lake Forest, California, it can cover drivers in the Golden State through mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) plans and offers extended warranties to drivers in all 50 states. Autopom! is an extended car warranty broker that partners with four different providers, including EGV Cos. (Omega plans), Royal, Integrity Admin Group, and Mercury General. The company offers one to two plan options from each of these providers. All of these providers are financially stable and backed by reputable insurance companies:

• Royal: Backed by American Bankers Insurance Company, rated with an A3 [stable] score from Moody’s and an A [excellent] from AM Best.
• Mercury General: Has an A [excellent] score from AM Best.
• Omega: Backed by Lyndon Southern Insurance Co., a subsidiary of Fortegra Financial Corp., which has an A- score on AM Best.

autopom! Customer Ratings And Reviews

• Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation: Yes
• BBB rating: A+
• BBB customer review score: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars based on 42 reviews
• BBB customer complaints: 0 BBB Complaints as of 1/11/2023
• Trustpilot rating: “Excellent”
• Trustpilot customer review score: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars based on 125 reviews

autopom! has strong customer service ratings compared to many companies in the industry and the company has received an impressively small amount of customer complaints in the previous three years. Reviews talk about the smooth purchase process as well as claims reliability.

autopom! prides itself for its low-pressure quote process and consultative customer service approach. This emphasis on providing a solid customer experience shows, as autopom! has one of the smoothest and most enjoyable customer experiences of any of the companies on our list.

While requiring customers to call in order to receive detailed quotes is the norm in the extended warranty industry, autopom! stands out for its painless quote experience. When customers request online quotes from autopom!, they can expect detailed quotes broken down by plan type, total cost (including deductibles), and payment plan options. The provider is known to send this information before even calling customers and makes relatively few pestering follow-up calls to customers compared to competing companies.

The company’s claims process is as smooth as its quote process, as autopom! guarantees that its customers will never be left alone to fend for themselves when filing a claim for covered repairs. The company works with the claims administrator to understand why claims were denied for customers who feel they’re being treated unfairly with a claims denial. Additionally, the company’s representatives will even investigate on behalf of the customer when they feel like the claims process is taking too long.

autopom! Extended Warranty Coverage

Autopom! offers four coverage levels that can last up to 150,000 miles. With the choice of a mileage cap and max term of three, five, seven, or eight years, autopom! has a wide range of coverage options to fit customer’s needs.

The following benefits come with autopom! extended warranty coverage:

• Roadside assistance
• Trip interruption reimbursement
• Rental car coverage
• Tire protection (on some plans)

autopom! Plans

The table below highlights the coverage details for warranties offered by autopom!:

There is also a lot of flexibility regarding what’s covered in the plans highlighted in the table above. An example of this can be seen with the Powertrain-Plus plan. In addition to the standard level of coverage that comes with this entry-level plan, the Powertrain-Plus plan includes optional coverage for the fuel, air conditioning, and electrical systems.

autopom! Car Warranty Cost

autopom! extended car warranty plans tend to range from $4,500 to $6,480, according to our research. Your overall extended car warranty costs will depend on the plan you choose. While autopom! offers several deductible options, it does cost more than other providers.

If you want to learn more about the company, you can read our in-depth autopom! review.

If you want an extended warranty to help with the cost of car repairs, you shouldn’t use just any company. To find reliable coverage, it’s important to compare options from the most reputable extended car warranty companies.  Good extended warranty companies are out there, and you can find them if you know where to look. You can use auto industry review sites (like this one) or resources like Consumer Reports to locate reputable providers.

Reputable Extended Car Warranty

Due to common perceptions about the extended car warranty industry due to the unsavory business practices of a few bad apples, perhaps the most important ratings category for many customers is the industry reputation score. For for this reason, we’ve rated our top 5 providers in terms of who is the most reputable extended car warranty company. While CARHEX doesn’t score as well in some of the other categories, we found that it is the most reputable extended car warranty company:

How To Find Reliable Car Warranty Companies

Just sifting through warranty expiration notices or advertisements online makes it clear that there are many extended warranty companies out there–but some are definitely better than others. Here are a few techniques you can use to avoid the worst extended auto warranty companies and find reputable providers.

Consider Company Reputation

When researching a company’s reputation, it’s a good idea to check out its Better Business Bureau (BBB) page. Not every company will have a perfect rating from the BBB, but the most reliable extended car warranty companies will work with the BBB to resolve complaints and fix issues.

Another thing to note is whether the business has accreditation from the BBB. Not all companies participate in this program, since it requires a fee for membership. However, it can be a good marker for companies that care about customers.

Reviewing a company’s reputation is also a good way to avoid scams. You’ll want to make sure to find a company that will stand by its promise to cover the cost of certain vehicle repair bills.

Read Responses To Negative Reviews

Any business with a significant number of customers will get some negative reviews. This is true for reputable extended car warranty companies as well. The main thing to look out for is whether the customer service team responds to negative reviews and complaints.

If a company doesn’t seem to care about replying to and working with unhappy customers, that’s a bad sign. Reputable companies will respond and offer suggestions for resolutions or even offer full refunds on the spot. This goes for reviews and complaints on the BBB website as well as Trustpilot, which is another site where people leave independent company reviews.

Look For Clarity And Honesty

It is important to check whether sample contracts are available online. You should be able to read an entire contract, including the fine print, before you make a purchase. If a company will only send you a contract after you purchase the plan, that can be a red flag.

Reputable extended car warranty providers are upfront about what plan options do and do not cover. Customer service representatives should also be able to explain the pros and cons of the company’s warranties without exaggerating the benefits. No vehicle warranty covers everything, so no reputable company would make that promise.

Technically, any warranty that isn’t offered by the manufacturer when purchasing a new or CPO vehicle is a vehicle service contract, which operates in the same way as an extended warranty. We focus on third-party companies in our review. Third-party vehicle protection plans typically provide more freedom in when you can buy the plan and which repair shops you can visit.

What Is An Extended Car Warranty?

An extended car warranty (also called a vehicle service contract or vehicle protection plan) can give you peace of mind that a variety of auto repairs are covered. If you need a repair that’s covered in your contract, you don’t have to worry about paying for a tow truck or dipping into your savings to cover rental car costs.

The warranty company will also handle the claim with the repair shop and either pay the shop directly or reimburse you. All of our recommended extended warranty providers let drivers go to any repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE^®).

An extended car warranty, which is sometimes referred to as a service contract, a maintenance agreement, or a service agreement, is a warranty that is prolonged and offered to car buyers in addition to the standard limited warranty. An extended car warranty covers vehicle repairs due to mechanical failure after a car’s manufacturer warranty expires (typically after three years). A contract lays out exactly what is and isn’t covered.

You can find extended warranties from your vehicle’s manufacturer, dealerships, or third-party providers. You can also get extended warranties for new cars, certified pre-owned vehicles, and regular used vehicles.

Vehicle Service Contract

Extended car warranties are designed to protect you from costly repairs after unforeseeable mechanical breakdowns and protect your vehicle after the factory warranty expires. Extended warranties can be purchased for new or used cars from the vehicle manufacturer or a reliable, third-party alternative. Understanding the difference between a manufacturer warranty and third-party warranty could help you decide whether extended car warranties are worth it for you.

Extended Auto Warranty Coverage

Extended car warranty coverage is the level of protection an extended car warranty provides, including the types of parts covered and how the contract is set up. Generally, an extended car warranty covers mechanical breakdowns due to defects in materials or workmanship.

The term “defect” is important. An extended warranty won’t cover parts expected to wear out over time, like brake pads, belts, or clutch discs. It also won’t cover any damage from accidents or environmental events. Car insurance is designed to cover damage in those situations. If you are considering an extended car warranty, the coverage level is the most important factor in how your car will be protected in the event of a mechanical breakdown. Generally, a higher level of coverage is more expensive.

What Does An Extended Auto Warranty Cover?

An extended warranty covers mechanical failures of various vehicle parts that are specified in the contract. If a covered component fails, your extended warranty will pay the cost of parts and labor to have it repaired or replaced. Most extended warranty companies have flexible coverage options with various add-on benefits.

Types Of Extended Car Warranty Coverage

While contracts differ among providers, most offer a mix of stated-component coverage and exclusionary plans. Stated-component contracts list each specific part that’s covered under your warranty, and exclusionary contracts only list the vehicle parts that are not covered.

Exclusionary extended warranties provide the highest level of coverage. Also called bumper-to-bumper extended car warranties, these plans cover nearly all mechanical vehicle components. Parts and systems that are typically excluded from these plans include:

• Wiper blades
• Brake pads and shoes
• Shock absorbers and struts
• Exterior trim
• Interior upholstery
• Lights and bulbs
• Catalytic converter
• Bumpers
• Damage caused by misuse, neglect, improper maintenance, collisions, or acts of nature
• Routine maintenance services

Types Of Extended Car Warranty Plans

There are typically three main types of extended car warranties: bumper-to-bumper warranties, powertrain plus plans, and powertrain plans. Understanding the difference between each type of extended warranty can help you decide which level of protection is right for you:

• Bumper-to-bumper: This term refers to the highest level of vehicle protection available, providing coverage for the most vehicle components. Ironically, these plans do not cover the physical bumpers of your vehicle, but rather protect most parts in between the front and rear bumpers.
• Powertrain plus: Some providers also offer mid-tier extended warranties that cover powertrain components as well as select vehicle systems like the air conditioning, suspension, and brakes. This middle-of-the-road plan protects some (not all) high-tech and electrical systems that bumper-to-bumper plans cover, plus powertrain components that are covered by a powertrain plan.
• Powertrain: The most basic level of coverage, best for highly reliable and used vehicles, a powertrain plan provides protection for the parts of your vehicle that deliver power from the engine to the wheels. These contracts only cover the parts of your vehicle that make it move, including the engine, transmission, and drive axles.

Extended Car Warranty Benefits

A huge benefit of extended warranties is that you can better plan out your monthly and yearly budgets. With covered repairs, all you have to do is pay your deductible, if you have one. Many car owners avoid paying for $1,000 or $2,000 repairs out of pocket with extended warranties. In addition to paying for repairs or replacements of covered components, the best extended car warranty companies also provide a number of benefits along with whatever repairs their plans cover. Some common perks include:

• 24/7 roadside assistance for services like fuel deliveries, battery jump-starts, and lockouts
• Trip interruption coverage if you break down far from home and have to stay the night while your car is being repaired
• Rental car reimbursement while your vehicle is in the shop
• Towing coverage if your vehicle becomes inoperable and needs to be transported to a dealership or repair shop

Extended Car Warranty Exclusions

To be an educated shopper, you should also know what extended warranties don’t cover. Even contracts that offer comprehensive coverage for most major systems typically have some exclusions. Below is a list of exclusions, or items and repairs that an extended car warranty doesn’t cover:

• Damage to normal wear-and-tear items like brake pads and windshield wiper blades
• Regularly scheduled maintenance like oil changes, alignment or other recommended maintenance
• Preventative maintenance
• Unauthorized repair costs
• Damage due to or lack of maintenance, neglect, misuse, or use of improper fuel or fluids
• Damage due to environmental factors, chemicals, or extreme weather conditions
• Damage from theft, vandalism, or an accident-related collision
• Cosmetic items

We recommend that you compare sample warranty contracts and weigh the pros and cons of extended car warranties before deciding on a specific provider and plan. Sample contracts give you detailed information on what exactly your warranty would cover in case of a needed repair.

Extended Car Warranty Cost

In our 2022 extended car warranty survey we found that half of the 1,000 respondents reported paying between $1,615 and $3,208 for their extended warranty. Here’s a complete breakdown of what people reported paying in our survey:

Average Cost Of An Extended Car Warranty

Our secret-shopper analysis shows that the average cost of an extended car warranty ranges from about $1,700 to $4,000 for three to seven years of coverage. On average, a bumper-to-bumper warranty is around $2,511, and a powertrain warranty rings in at $2,904. Five years of exclusionary coverage typically costs about $2,400, according to quotes we received.

Your specific cost for an extended car warranty will depend on a variety of factors, including:

• Your vehicle’s make, model, age, and mileage
• Your location
• Existing coverage
• The provider you choose
• The coverage-level of the plan you choose
• The deductible you choose
• How long your contract lasts
• Your payment plan, the length of the payment-period and the amount you pay upfront

Extended Car Warranty Quotes

Top providers allow you to get free quotes for your vehicle online. This can help you get a better idea of what you would be paying for coverage. The best way to get the most coverage for the best price is to shop around and compare personalized quotes from a number of top providers. Once you get a few new or used vehicle warranty quotes, you’ll see what prices and monthly payment options are available.

Reputable extended car warranty companies typically offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. You’ll find the lowest rates if you purchase a warranty contract for a newer vehicle still covered by the manufacturer’s bumper-to-bumper warranty (which typically lasts around three years).

How Do Extended Warranties Work?

Every extended warranty company has its own claims process, but most work the same way. After a breakdown, drivers must take their vehicles to an approved repair facility.

If you purchase an extended warranty from your vehicle manufacturer, you must have repairs made at a dealership. Third-party vehicle protection plans usually allow customers to have vehicles serviced at any repair shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE^®).

The repair shop will perform a teardown diagnosis and contact your extended car warranty company with the results. Your provider will then consult your contract and authorize covered repairs. After repairs are completed, reputable warranty administrators will pay the repair shop directly and you’ll only be responsible for your deductible. Certain providers work directly with vehicle repair shops to cover the costs without an administrator; these are called direct providers. Some companies, however, will have you pay the full price of repairs upfront and send you a reimbursement check.

Typical extended warranty deductible options are $0, $50, $100, and $200.

Are Extended Car Warranties Worth It?

Whether or not an extended car warranty is “worth it” depends on your preferences and lifestyle. Drivers who can cover unexpected repairs may not need an extended warranty, but those who prefer to make small monthly payments will find value in extended protection.

An extended warranty could pay out significantly more for repairs than the initial cost of the warranty. It often helps drivers avoid paying high repair costs out of pocket, so an extended warranty can be worth it for many drivers. You may want to have an extended warranty for the peace of mind it brings knowing a number of expensive repairs will be covered if the need arises.

A recent study by software manufacturer PegaSystems, Inc. surveyed Americans on their opinions on car warranties, and 62 percent of drivers reported having benefited from coverage in the past year.

We recommend honestly assessing your vehicle’s reliability and your personal financial situation to determine if purchasing an extended car warranty is worth it for you. If you can easily afford the cost of unexpected repairs out-of-pocket, purchasing an extended warranty might not be the right plan for you. If you want to guarantee you aren’t paying for coverage you will never use, keeping a savings account exclusively to be used in the event of a breakdown is one way to save for repair costs.

Extended Warranty Pros And Cons

A new car’s manufacturer warranty is great, but it won’t last forever. To expand your vehicle protection, you can get an extended warranty. That said, an extended car warranty isn’t the right choice for everyone. Here are some benefits and drawbacks to consider when deciding whether to purchase coverage.

Pros

• Protect against sudden and unexpected repairs
• Can be financed over months or years
• Include benefits such as roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement

Cons

• Not every repair will be covered
• Mechanics need approval from the claims administrator before starting repairs
• Cost of contract may not exceed the cost of covered repairs

Should I Buy An Extended Car Warranty?

In worst-case scenarios, car owners can face hefty repair bills they can’t afford, leaving them stranded without reliable transportation. To avoid ending up in this scenario, many drivers choose to finance repairs over time through an extended car warranty.

However, an extended car warranty can be a pricey investment. Take time to consider if you should invest in coverage. On one hand, it may be more cost-effective to skip the extended warranty and save for the cost of repairs yourself. On the other hand, an extended warranty can bring peace of mind on the road.

Reasons You Should Purchase An Extended Warranty

• You can’t afford the cost of a sudden, unexpected repair.
• You want to plan for repair costs by financing them over a longer period of time.
• You are offered a low-priced plan from a reputable extended warranty provider.
• You expect your car to require frequent repairs.
• You drive a luxury vehicle that will require expensive repairs.

Reasons You Should Not Purchase An Extended Warranty

• You can easily pay for costly repairs out of pocket as they arise.
• You don’t anticipate the cost of vehicle repairs to be more than the cost of an extended warranty.
• You have an exceptionally reliable vehicle.
• You plan on trading in your vehicle before or shortly after your factory warranty.

There are many reputable extended car warranty companies, but we think Endurance has the best extended auto warranty overall. The company offers a wide range of coverage plans that last for many miles. Plus, Endurance is a direct provider, which means you’ll work with the same company the entire time.

In general, we recommend getting an extended warranty online quote and comparing prices from several extended warranty providers to find the best fit for your car and budget.

Best Extended Auto Warranty: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about best extended car 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) score well in this category. Established providers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.

• 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.

• Cost: 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.

• Transparency: Our team evaluates the availability and transparency of each company’s contracts, as well as whether each provider offers a money-back guarantee.
• 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.

*Data accurate at time of publication.