Best Used Car Warranty Companies

Many companies claim to have the best used car warranty that provides affordable comprehensive coverage for most vehicle parts when they age over time. However, many of these claims are not true. So our team has spent over a thousand hours researching warranty providers, getting prices for a variety of different vehicles, and analyzing customer reviews to see if their services qualify them as the best. From this, we have found the top five best used car warranty companies in the market today for your needs. Each of the extended auto warranty companies we’ve chosen has impressive service plan offerings, low overall costs, and a great reputation in the industry.

Below are our picks for the best used car warranty providers:

• Endurance: Best Coverage
• CarChex: Best Value
• Protect My Car: Best Customer Service
• CarShield: Best Monthly Payments
• autopom!: Best Claims Process

Before considering getting any auto warranty it is important to understand what to expect and what the industry offers you.

What Is a Used Car Warranty?

Used car warranties are another term for an extended warranty on a used vehicle. It provides you with protection against mechanical breakdowns and pays for repairs to major vehicle systems and other covered parts. This can include vehicle systems like the powertrain and other components such as a catalytic converter depending on the coverage level offered

Types of Used Car Warranty Coverage

There are many types of coverage to consider when searching for a used car warranty. Below is a comprehensive list of the most common types:

• Bumper-to-Bumper: A bumper-to-bumper warranty is considered the most comprehensive form of coverage and is exclusionary. This type of coverage is often included in factory warranties and lists off uncovered parts.
• Stated Component: Also referred to as mid-tier auto warranties these plans cover more parts than a powertrain plan such as air conditioning units and sensors. All included covered parts will be listed in the contract and what isn’t won’t be covered.
• Powertrain: Powertrain warranty coverage encompasses the systems that allow your vehicle to transfer power from the engine to the wheels on the ground. All parts that are protected are listed under this plan.
• Corrosion and Rust: Coverage with these plans pays for damages to vehicle body parts resulting from corrosion. 
• Emissions: As required by federal law, limited warranties from a manufacturer are offered to protect emissions-related components. 
• Accessory: This variety of coverage plan is specifically designed to protect specific auxiliary systems like navigation, sensors, and airbags. Some of these particular components have their own separate accessory warranty.

It should be noted that more comprehensive coverage like a bumper-to-bumper warranty may not be available for used vehicles if the mileage is too high. However, getting a plan for a used car is still possible, so don’t settle for lower coverage until you check if it is eligible.

What’s Not Typically Covered Under Auto Warranties?

Below are the typical coverage exclusions under most auto warranties:

• Wear and tear items: parts such as brakes, windshield wipers, batteries, and shocks would not be included in warranty plans.
• Accidents: As with most warranties they do not provide coverage for vehicle damages in an accident. To get coverage for this you would need car insurance.
• Weather damage: damages caused by environmental factors such as hail, wind, and natural disasters
• Upgrades and unauthorized repairs: Changes made to your vehicle that diverge from factory specifications and do not fall under normal use. Also repairing with non-factory parts or through an unlicensed shop will not be paid for by a protection plan.
• Routine maintenance: Routine maintenance like oil changes or tire rotations are not typically included in coverage plans. 
• Cosmetics: items like paint, windows, and trim would not have coverage under most plans

Where You Can Get Used Warranty Plans

Used car warranty plans are offered by vehicle manufacturers and third-party providers. Getting a vehicle service contract from a manufacturer usually is only available for a limited amount of time. However, third-party warranties can be bought at any point from providers such as Endurance and Carchex as part of our list.

When getting a used car or any car it is very likely that a dealer will offer you extended warranty protection on your vehicle. However, we suggest that you be wary of any warranties offered at a dealership as they are usually more focused on making a sale rather than getting you the best deal. This same principle applies when talking about third-party providers who offer plans through a vehicle dealer.

Added Benefits To Consider

Standard used car warranties tend to come with many benefits beyond vehicle repairs. This can include special services like roadside assistance and rental car coverage. You may also get coverage for costs due to breakdowns during a trip other than car damages. 

• Roadside Assistance: Services such as towing, tire replacement, and jump starts may be provided under a warranty and has term limits.
• Rental Car Coverage: If you rent out a car and have a breakdown repair costs for covered parts will be covered up to a certain day and expense limit.
• Trip Interruption Cost Coverage: This type of benefit helps pay for expenses related to the breakdown separate from your car such as food and lodging. Coverage only applies a certain distance from your home and there are time as well as total cost limits.

These types of special coverage inclusions are typically only a part of higher level coverages under more comprehensive plans. However, this also may not be the case and these benefits may not be a part of a provider’s warranty plan.

How Much Does a Car Warranty for a Used Car Cost?

On average, a car warranty costs around $3000 total but this depends on the plan provider. Warranty companies usually have two choices to either pay the entire cost upfront or through payments in the range of $80-$220 per month. However, monthly payment options may not be offered by some providers.

The best providers for used car warranties have many different coverage options, cheap pricing, and an overall good reputation with their customers. Below you can compare each top company and key information regarding their warranty services:

*Each of these top providers offers 30-day money-back guarantees

Below, we’ve detailed the top warranty providers for used cars based on their reviews, coverage options, coverage limit, added perks, and industry standing.

#1 Endurance: Best Coverage

Endurance extended warranties, also known as vehicle service contracts, can cover used cars up to eight years and over 200,000 miles. That’s a generous coverage window compared to many other providers you can find on the market. Endurance warranty plans are available in every state except California.

Endurance Warranty Plans

• Select Premier: Designed for high-mileage vehicles, this tier offers coverage for powertrain, air conditioning, and other electric components.
• Supreme: Bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage with only a few exclusions
• Superior: Covers hundreds of stated components
• Secure Plus: Covers powertrain components as well as some electrical systems
• Secure: Basic powertrain coverage for the engine, transmission, and water pump
• EnduranceAdvantage™: Covers mechanical breakdowns as well as maintenance, which is uncommon for an extended car warranty.

Endurance Benefits

All Endurance car warranties come with roadside assistance, which includes towing and other emergency services. Plans also come with rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage. In addition, each plan comes with one year of Endurance Elite Benefits.

This includes:

• Tire repair/replacement
• Key fob replacement
• Collision discount
• Total loss protection

Endurance has a B- rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and is not accredited by the organization. However, based on the company’s high-level partnerships, industry awards and longevity, it has plenty of credentials that speak to its strong reputation in the industry.

Endurance Warranty Prices

The average cost of an Endurance warranty $580 per year which is extremely affordable when compared to the industry average. Below are some quotes to put in perspective how much an Endurance warranty costs for multiple levels of coverage:

Endurance Reviews

Endurance’s warranty services get relatively high scores from customers with a 4.0 rating from Trustpilot and a 3.58-star rating out of 5 stars on the BBB. While reviews are mixed, generally service experiences are good regarding claims and buying warranty coverage.

#2 CARCHEX: Best for Used Cars

Out of the used car warranty companies on our list, CARCHEX offers warranty plans with the longest coverage term — up to 250,000 miles. That makes it an excellent option for covering older vehicles.

Carchex Warranty Plans

Here is what each CARCHEX extended car warranty covers:

• Titanium: Exclusionary bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage, similar to a factory warranty
• Platinum: Stated-component coverage for hundreds of parts and systems
• Gold: Protection for all major systems and best suited for high-mileage vehicles
• Silver: Covers essential systems
• Bronze: Protects drivetrain components like the drive axle, engine, and transmission

CarChex Benefits

Here’s what extras are included in each CARCHEX plan:

• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Trip interruption service
• Rental car reimbursement
• Towing
• Gas delivery

Carchex Warranty Prices

On average CarChex warranties cost around $601 per year across all types of vehicle service contracts they offer. To highlight the actual costs of some of their plans we have listed some sample quotes from the company:

CarChex Reviews

Currently the company has an average rating of 2.8 out of 5.0 stars on Trustpilot and overall has mixed customer reception for their services. Some reviews praise their smooth and transparent purchase process while others criticize their claims and overall coverage. However, the company is good at replying to customer complaints and most are addressed within a week.

CARCHEX holds an A+ rating from the BBB as well as accreditation from the organization. The company also has partnerships with several high-profile auto industry brands, such as CARFAX, Edmunds.com and Kelley Blue Book (KBB)

#3 CarShield: Best Value

CarShield warranties offer covered repairs for vehicles with up to 300,000 miles. The company was started in 2005 and today is the most popular provider we’ve researched. Over 22,600 reviewers on Trustpilot give CarShield an average 4.0-star rating, and the company has over 3,000 ratings between Google and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

CarShield Warranty Plans

Here are the coverage options you have with CarShield:

• New Car Diamond: Exclusionary bumper-to-bumper coverage
• Platinum: Covers the engine, transmission, air conditioning, electrical system, and more
• Gold: Mid-tier coverage for some of your most essential components as well as a few accessory parts
• Silver: Basic and affordable powertrain coverage
• Aluminum: Covers many electronic and computer-related parts and problems
• Motorcycle and ATV: Covers motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles

CarShield Benefits

CarShield protection plans offer quite a few attractive extras including:

• Roadside assistance
• Rental Car Coverage
• Rideshare Coverage
• Towing
• Trip Interruption Reimbursement

CarShield Warranty Prices

CarShield costs an average of $1,500 annually for a used car warranty. However, their costs and terms vary from person to person. We have provided prices for CarShield plans so you can have a true understanding of what it may cost for you:

CarShield also offers more affordable monthly payments than many used car warranty companies we researched. If you drive a high-mileage vehicle or one whose model years are well in the past, it would be worth getting a quote from CarShield to see what prices are available.

CarShield Reviews

Carshield reviews are overall mixed and while reviews give a 4.0 rating out of 5 stars, BBB ratings are incredibly low. While the service of getting coverage plans is often a good experience for most, some customers have issues with using their warranty to cover repairs. 

#4 Protect My Car: Best Maintenance Benefits

The longest coverage term from Protect My Car extends to 125,000 miles, which isn’t as long as the other used car warranty companies on our list. It also has the fewest levels of coverage among these providers.

Protect My Car Warranty Plans

Here are Protect My Car’s three extended auto warranty plans:

• Supreme: Offers bumper-to-bumper coverage for most mechanical and electrical parts, including the turbocharger and high-tech equipment, similar to your original manufacturer’s warranty
• Select: Best suited for cars over 50,000 miles and covers essential components such as the steering, front and rear suspension, and brakes
• Driveline: Protects the engine, transmission, drive axle, and fuel system

However, Protect My Car is one of the few providers offering prepaid routine maintenance and auto repair coverage. You can get this coverage with one of the company’s Ambassador Maintenance Plans. These plans cover a fixed portion of most car repairs (except wear-and-tear items) and maintenance items like oil changes and tire rotations.

Protect My Car Benefits

Protect My Car plans can come with the following benefits:

• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Trip interruption service
• Rental car insurance
• Towing service
• Gas delivery

Protect My Car Warranty Prices

Protect My Car provides warranties for an average yearly cost of around $978. This may differ though depending on the length of your term and the plan you select. In the table below are some quotes for their supreme, select, and driveline plans:

Protect My Car Reviews

The company is in good standing with its customers, as it has a 4.02 -star rating from the BBB and a 4.4-star rating on Trustpilot. The company also has an A+ rating from the BBB and is currently accredited by the organization.

#5 autopom!: Best Claims Process

The longest coverage term offered by autopom! Is for 150,000 miles or 14 years which is comparable to some of the best coverage terms offered by warranty companies. However, their plans come with high costs overall when compared to competitors.

autopom! Warranty Plans

autopom! has three warranty plans and they are as follows:

• Exclusionary: Similar to factory warranty plans this type of coverage provides comprehensive bumper-to-bumper protection. This warranty covers all parts not listed under excluded parts and systems.
• High-Level: This level of coverage has inclusions for hundreds of parts on most major vehicle systems. Some plans may also include high-tech components like hybrid parts or GPS systems.
• Mid-Level: Major systems like the drivetrain along with other components like brakes and electrical systems are covered. 
• Powertrain Plus: This plan includes protection for all of the parts that make your vehicle move including the transmission, axels, and engine.

All autopom! warranties are offered by third parties rather than directly and the contract terms will differ depending on the provider. Some plans may also offer money-back guarantees within 30 or 60 days.

autopom! Benefits

All plans come with roadside assistance and rental car coverages as standard. Other inclusions like tire repair and replacement, concierge services, or trip interruption reimbursement may be a part of your contract. However, this may differ depending on your contract provider.

autopom! Warranty Prices

On average, an autopom! warranty costs around $1,131 on an annual basis, but this can vary depending on the third-party service provider you get a plan from and the deductible you chose. To give you an idea of what to expect we got together some sample prices for their highest and lowest levels of coverage:

autopom! Reviews

The company’s services are rated overwhelmingly positive with a score of 4.8 out of 5.0 stars on Trustpilot from over 100 customer reviews. The same is true on the BBB website where autopom! has a 4.62 rating and an A+ accreditation. Much of the reviews cite their helpful agents and overall great warranty matching services.

In some cases, automakers offer vehicle service contracts for used cars that aren’t involved with the company’s CPO program. These manufacturer-backed extended warranties usually have strict eligibility standards and must pass an inspection to receive coverage. Below are the best used car manufacturer warranties:

1. Hyundai CPO Wrap Service Contract: This contract enhances the original CPO warranty for 10 years/150,000 miles, covering 1,500 components, nationwide service, enhanced 24-hour roadside assistance, trip interruption coverage, towing, rental car reimbursement, and transferrable coverage.
2. Lexus L/Certified VSA: This comes with five years, unlimited miles, bumper-to-bumper coverage, 24/7 AAA roadside assistance, substitute transportation, travel protection, $0 deductible, transfer of coverage to new owner limited to one transfer. This program extends basic CPO warranty for certified Lexus vehicles. Coverage begins when standard CPO coverage expires.
3. BMW Extended Service Contracts Platinum: This includes bumper-to-bumper coverage for up to 7 years/100,000 miles beyond the BMW CPO warranty; includes 24-hour roadside assistance and 100% BMW replacement parts.
4. Mopar Maximum Care For Pre-Owned Vehicles: Bumper-to-bumper coverage up to 5 years/unlimited miles beyond the CPO warranty; rental services, roadside assistance, and trip reimbursement. It begins after the CPO warranty expires for Chrysler, Ram, Jeep, and Dodge.
5. KIA Distinction Platinum CPO Coverage: Bumper-to-bumper coverage that extends your existing Kia warranty by up to 120,000 miles, includes alternate transportation coverage, towing assistance, travel coverage, fluids coverage, maintenance work that can be done at 6,000 service centers nationwide, and transferability.

Used Car Manufacturer vs. Third-Party Warranty

The chart below provides an extended car warranty comparison with prices from Endurance and CARCHEX (two popular/trusted 3rd-party providers) and the average manufacturer warranty:

Whether you should buy an extended warranty for a used car depends on a variety of factors including your vehicle’s reliability and personal finances. Car owners may want coverage for when expensive repairs arise, but some may prefer to pay out of pocket. Especially if a major part breaks down it can save you thousands of dollars.

Even so, if you end up having no issues over the term of a used car warranty, it will be a sunk cost. While this may be the case if your factory warranty expires protection for a used vehicle can take away some of your worries about sudden part breakdowns.

Is it Worth Getting an Extended Warranty on a Used Car?

When determining the value of purchasing an extended warranty you need to understand your vehicle type, part repair costs, and how reliable your model is. There are also resources available that can give you average prices for repairs and reliability ratings to determine this online. Our websites of choice are repairpal.com and Edmunds for the most up-to-date information. Compare the overall costs of a vehicle protection plan and the possible repair costs to determine if it’s worth it for your situation.

Pros and Cons of an Extended Used Car Warranty

In the below sections we will detail the positives and negatives of getting an extended used car warranty:

Pros of Getting an Extended Warranty on a Used Car

In this table are the core benefits on getting an extended warranty on a used vehicle:

Cons of Getting an Extended Warranty on a Used Car

These are the common drawbacks of purchasing protection plans for a used car:

There is a lot to consider when looking for a warranty plan. Whether that be customer reviews, coverage plans available, or the multitudes of companies to sift through it can be difficult to choose. To help you along we will provide you with the best steps for purchasing a used car warranty.

The Best Way to Buy Used Car Warranties

If you’re interested in buying a used car warranty, there are several steps you can take to find and purchase the right plan for your needs:

1. Research different types of warranties: There are several types of used car warranties available, including manufacturer warranties, dealer warranties, and third-party warranties. Compare the different options available to you to determine which one best fits your needs.
2. Check the coverage: Once you have identified the type of warranty you want, review the coverage provided by the warranty. Make sure the warranty covers the parts and repairs you are most concerned about, and look for any limitations or exclusions that may affect your decision.
3. Compare prices: Different warranty providers may offer different prices for the same level of coverage. Research and compare prices from several providers to ensure that you are getting a fair price.
4. Read reviews: Look for reviews and feedback from other customers who have purchased a warranty from the provider you are considering. This can help you get a sense of the quality of service and support provided by the company.
5. Look at provider reputation: Many institutions like the BBB rate business on their overall responsiveness to customers and transparency. Similar to customer reviews, this can help you gauge whether the company is trustworthy and can provide you with quality service. 
6. Make a purchase: Once you have decided on a warranty provider, review the terms and conditions of the warranty carefully and make sure you understand what is covered and what is not. If you are comfortable with the terms, make your purchase and start enjoying the benefits that come with having a used car warranty.

This article analyzed the best used car warranty companies, along with their coverage, plans, and costs. Our review rated Endurance as the best used car warranty company. Below are common frequently asked questions about used car warranties, and the research methodology experts at the Detroit Bureau used to review the providers mentioned in this article.

Best Used Car Warranty: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about the best used car warranty companies:

How We Rate Used Car Warranty Companies

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:

• 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.
• 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.
• Reputation: It’s important that an extended car warranty company is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong rating from the BBB score well in this category. Established providers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
• 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.