Best Extended Car Warranty Companies of 2024 (2024)

Best Extended Car Warranty Companies

Best Extended Car Warranty Companies

Endurance rates as our top pick because of its fair pricing and willingness to cover a wide age and variety of cars. It also offers 24/7 assistance and will pay claims upfront, including labor and tax.

Endurance has been in business since 2006. It manages most of its contracts and administers its own claims, which helps streamline the process and gives it a strong reputation for customer service.

Endurance policies come with rental car benefits, 24-hour roadside assistance, and the ability to choose from any licensed, authorized repair facility nationwide. Because it’s a direct provider, Endurance pays claims upfront directly to repair facilities, including parts, labor, and tax. Other benefits include being able to choose new or used parts and a 30-day cancellation period with a full refund.

Pricing depends on the mileage, year, make, and model of your car. These details can be submitted online to Endurance for a free quote. In terms of eligibility, Endurance offers coverage for models as far back as 20 model years with no limit on mileage.

Unfortunately, Endurance does not offer coverage in California. The company also has a consequential loss clause which means your warranty won’t cover insured parts damaged by uninsured parts. For instance, if an uninsured battery leaks acid onto an insured part, the warranty will not cover the repair of the insured part.

Carchex is the runner-up for our best extended warranty plan because of its sterling reputation, services like 24/7 roadside help, and affordability. Plus, if you don't like or need your warranty within the first 30 days, you can cancel it without paying a penalty fee.

Carchex has been in business since 1999 and is endorsed by Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.com.

All Carchex plans include 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, gas delivery, trip interruption, lost key or lockout service, and more. You also can take your car to any licensed repair facility, including dealers, repair shops, and national chains. This means you’re not forced to use only new parts for repairs. Carchex also pays claims directly to repair shops so you don’t have to pay out of pocket and then wait to get reimbursed.

Pricing quotes do not have a limit on mileage, and coverage is not available for cars older than 25 years at the time of enrollment. Plans require no down payment and have a maximum payment schedule of 24 months. Finally, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee with every policy.

Unlike Endurance, Carchex is a broker and not a direct provider. Most of its plans are guaranteed and administered by two different companies, American Auto Shield (AAS) and Royal Administration Services. As a result, you may have to pay more in out-of-pocket costs since each provider will have its own limitations and exclusions.

For instance, Royal’s contracts have a consequential loss clause. In addition to consequential clauses, all of AAS’s contracts also have betterment clauses, which means that if the repair or replacement of the damaged part results in improving the overall value of the vehicle, the repair won’t be covered.

The company provides a range of coverage options for every budget, from high-level coverage for specific parts within the major systems to extended coverage covering most of your vehicle's mechanical and electrical components.

Though in business only since 2010, Autopom (stylized as autopom!) quickly has established itself in the marketplace.

As a broker, Autopom partners with two warranty providers—Mercury Insurance Company and Standard Guaranty Insurance Company—giving customers a choice of mileage caps and coverage terms. Although most plans require cars to be in good mechanical and electrical shape,

Autopom also offers optional mechanical breakdown insurance, which covers the cost of vehicle breakdowns caused by engine problems, transmission issues, or a faulty electrical system.

You also get nationwide roadside and rental car assistance and can choose any licensed repair facility for your vehicle repair with no restrictions.

What makes Autopom appealing to most reviewers, however, is the quick, hassle-free quote process. An average policy starts at about $1,400-$2,500 and can be paid upfront or monthly. Down payments are available as an option to lower your monthly amount.

Because Autopom is a broker, coverage, exclusions, and limitations apply depending on your chosen provider. Not every plan is available in every state, and some are strictly state-specific.

CarShield's reputation is based on positive reviews from satisfied customers since 2005. Its wide variety of affordable plans with flexible repayment terms are just two of the reasons why consumers give it high ratings.

CarShield has been in business since 2005. During this time, it has covered more than two million vehicles and has a reputation for excellent customer service.

With six plans available, CarShield offers coverage for almost any vehicle with less than 250,000 miles. Its wide variety of plans for new, used, and pre-owned vehicles makes it easy to qualify for a warranty. Most plans are monthly, and most warranties also can be transferred.

CarShield pays claims directly to auto repair facilities like Carchex and offers 24/7 roadside assistance. And even though CarShield is a broker like Carchex, it still offers the flexibility of taking your vehicle to any dealer or ASE-licensed mechanic for repair.

While CarShield rates can vary widely, pricing typically starts at less than $100 a month. CarShield also offers flexible payment terms.

Concord Auto Protect offers the best customer support of the companies we reviewed, with options to connect by phone, online, email, and via Meta Messenger around the clock.

Concord Auto Protect has been in business since 2013, and it offers many industry standards with its plans, including free 24-hour roadside assistance and transferable plans. As a direct provider of its vehicle service contracts, Concord Auto Protect pays claims directly to auto repair facilities and lets you choose any ASE-certified mechanic.

Although Concord Auto Protect won’t disclose the price of its plans without a quote request, most reviewers find its pricing equal to, if not less, than their competitors. Each plan also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unfortunately, Concord Auto Protect offers no bumper-to-bumper plans, so many parts are not covered, including tires and regular maintenance items like filters and brake pads. Also, because Concord Auto Protect backs its own extended warranty plans, there is no insurance company protecting your investment if the company were to go out of business.

Article Sources

1. Consumer Reports. "Extended Car Warranties: An Expensive Gamble."

2. Autochimps. "Transmission Repair and Cost."