It may not be fun to shop for an extended warranty, but it can bring you peace of mind. The best extended car warranties will ensure that your car is repaired in the event of a breakdown. Your extended warranty will pay for repairs.
Which extended auto warranty provider should you choose? There are many reputable companies in this field. It’s important to compare their warranty coverage, customer ratings and reviews and perks.
We compared the six top companies to see if Endurance was the best extended warranty. Read on to find out more if you are looking for the best extended car warranty that money can buy.
The most important factors for extended car warranties
- When comparing extended warranties, price is important. But you should also consider what coverage you are buying and how that compares with other providers. Some extended car warranties include maintenance and cover your entire vehicle, while others only cover specific components.
- When comparing extended warranties for cars, it is important to note that some have waiting periods before they can be used. Be sure to check the waiting period of your plan before you proceed.
- You can get a quote for an extended warranty online by entering your details, but you will need to contact a customer service representative to find out the pricing of available plans.
- Compare extended warranties from at least 3 or 4 providers. This is the best method to get quality coverage at a reasonable price.
The Best Extended Car Warranty of 2023
Endurance
Endurance has been rated “A” by AM Best and is one of America’s largest vehicle service contract providers. You can be sure that your extended warranty will cover any claims that may arise.
Endurance’s direct coverage of extended warranties is a major benefit. You’ll buy your plan directly from Endurance and they’ll manage everything from the quote to the claim.
Endurance offers a wide range of coverage options, from the basic plan to the top-tier Advantage plan that includes maintenance.
PROS
- Direct providers with no middlemen
- Choose from a wide range of plans
- Most vehicles with a model year up to 20 and 200,000 miles.
- Money-back Guarantee of 30 days
CONS
- Not accredited by the BBB
- To get a quote, you need to speak to an agent
Select Auto Protect
Select Auto Protection is a company that has been operating for more than 30 years. They offer a variety of extended warranty plans which can be used in any ASE certified repair facility. There are three different extended warranty plans available: Silver, Gold and Platinum. The basic Silver plan covers basic vehicle components such as your brakes and transmission, while Platinum offers more comprehensive coverage, including your fuel system, front and rear suspension, heat system and more.
Select Auto-Protect offers coverage for cars of all ages, makes, and models. Select Auto-Protect covers classic and older cars regardless of mileage.
PRODUCTS
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 Claims
- You can use any ASE-certified facility
- Payment plans available
- Unlimited Service Calls
- Includes any make, model and mileage
CONS
- There are fewer plans to choose between
- To get a quote, you must speak to an agent
- Not accredited by the BBB
CarShield
CarShield , founded in 2005 as CarShield , has grown to become one of the largest providers of extended warranties for cars. They offer five different extended warranties for eligible vehicles. They also provide extended warranty protection for motorcycles and ATVs.
CarShield provides five different extended car warranty options for cars. These range from the basic “Aluminum plan” to “Diamond coverage”. Diamond coverage is similar to bumper-to-bumper protection that comes with new cars.
PROS
- Plan your budget according to your specific needs
- Included in the coverage is towing and rental.
- Any ASE-certified facility can perform repairs
- 24 Hour Roadside Assistance
- Payment plans available
CONS
- To get a quote, you must speak to an agent
- Not accredited by the BBB
Get a Complete Car Warranty
Complete Car Warranty is a new company, established only in 2019. There are very few online testimonials and reviews. We chose Complete Car Warranty for our ranking because their plans are highly customizable. Complete Car Warranty, for example, offers five levels of CarGuard protection ranging from Powertrain coverage (basic coverage) to robust Platinum coverage. The provider offers a variety of plans within the Royal and Matrix levels.
You can tailor your warranty to meet your specific needs by choosing the level of coverage that best suits your requirements. All plans include roadside assistance and your vehicle can be repaired by any certified mechanic in the country.
PROS
- Choose from a wide range of plans
- Roadside Assistance is included in the coverage
- All makes and models are protected
- All 50 States Offer This Service
CONS
- Only established in 2019, (short company’s history)
- To get a quote, you must speak to an agent
- Not accredited by the BBB
Carchex
CarChexhas operated since 2003. In 2004, the company began offering extended car warranties. The company has become one of America’s most trusted providers of extended warranties. The company is one of only a few in the industry to be accredited by the Better Business Bureau, where they have an A+ rating.
CarChex provides five different levels of warranty coverage, from the basic Bronze coverage to the comprehensive Titanium coverage. They also offer the most comprehensive selection of benefits. These include gas delivery, towing, rental coverage, trip interruption insurance and more.
PROS
- Included in most covered benefits
- Payment plans available
- Choose your repair facility
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- BBB Accredited
CONS
- To get a quote, you must speak to an agent
Autopom!
Autopom has also been awarded an A+ by the BBB. The company offers many warranty plans that include many benefits. Customers can expect to receive a 30-to-60-day money-back guarantee, 24-hour roadside assistance, and trip interruption coverage as standard.Consumers can choose between four different plans when it comes to extended warranty coverage. Powertrain Plus, which only covers the major components of your vehicle, is one option. Exclusionary, which is more like a new car coverage plan. The majority of their plans allow you to customize your warranty according to your specific needs.
PROS
- Select your own repair shop
- Money-back Guarantee of 30-60 days
- Protection throughout the country
- Includes 24-hour roadside assistance, trip interruption and coverage for breakdowns.
- Payment plans available
- Rent-A-Plans are available with all plans
- BBB Accredited
CONS
- There are fewer plans to choose between
- To get a quote, you must speak with an agent
- The eligibility for coverage is based on the year, make, and model of your vehicle, as well as its mileage, state of residence, and where you live.
Other Companies to Consider
It was difficult to choose the best options from so many companies that offer extended warranties today. These companies just missed out on the top 10.
ForeverCar
ForeverCar has been providing extended warranties for cars since 2015. ForeverCar offers four levels of coverage for extended warranties, with benefits such as rental car coverage, 24-hour roadside assistance and reimbursements for travel expenses.
PROS
- Chat feature is available online
- 30-day money back guarantee
CONS
- Vehicles with less than 150 000 miles
- Covers only vehicles manufactured after 2010.
- Prices and plans locked for 36 months
Olive
Olive was included in our ranking because they were one of the few providers who let you get an online quote without having to speak with an agent. This provider offers only three options. Since they only launched in 2020, there aren’t a lot of user reviews or testimonials to compare.
PROS
- Online quote process
- BBB A+ Rating
CONS
- Three coverage plans are available.
- Just founded in 2020
Extended Car Warranty is a great way to save money.
It’s inevitable that a breakdown will occur. You need to have a plan for your car that is affordable and works with you. To get started, click below.Get Started
Find the best extended car warranty
Our ranking revealed that the extended car warranty providers who made it to our top 10 were “best” in their field. We compared and selected each company based on a number of attributes. Some of our analysis, however subjective, was based on a comparison.
Multi-Plans
We only included companies that offer at least three levels of coverage in their extended warranty plans. We looked for companies who offered ways to customize their plan according to your specific needs, such as additional coverage options or a wider selection of benefits.
Select Your Own Repair Shop
We selected only companies that allow you to get your car repaired at a wide range of auto repair shops. In general, providers in our ranking will allow you to have your car repaired at any ASE-certified shop or by any certified mechanic.
Money-Back Guarantees
The majority of companies in our list provide a money-back guarantee for 30 or 60 days.
Included Benefits
The benefits that are included in extended warranties for cars can be a great benefit to consumers. We looked at roadside assistance, trip disruption insurance, gas deliveries, rental car coverage and more.
What you need to know about extended car warranties
You should compare the details of extended warranties for cars. You should look out for the following details in your plan:
- Waiting periods: Before you can make use of your extended warranty, most companies have a period where they require that you wait. Be sure to know the length of any waiting period, and how it compares across different providers.
- Deductibles : In most cases, you will need to pay a deductible to make a claim to your extended warranty provider. You should choose a deductible that you can afford.
- Vehicle Restrictions: Certain vehicle models and makes may not be eligible for extended warranties with certain providers.
- Coverage : Finally, you should be aware that some companies only offer coverage for a limited period of time (i.e. You can choose to cover your home for 36 months or 3 years. Be sure to know what you can do and when.
- Not car insurance: It is a common misconception that auto warranty and insurance are the exact same thing. This is incorrect. See our list of the best auto insurance companies to learn more.
Federal Trade Commission lists specific “gotchas”, which you should be aware of when selecting an extended auto warranty. They point out, for example, that very few auto service contracts include all repairs and maintenance. You should also be aware of any exclusions or fine print when choosing an extended car warranty.
Many service contracts limit the amount they will pay for towing and related rental car costs.
