Find the Best Extended Car Warranty Companies

To select our top picks, we started with the companies listed on this guide and narrowed it down to those with an overall satisfaction rating of 3.5 stars or higher, leaving 17 brands in the running. We then required companies to have at least a 2:1 ratio of 5-star to 1-star reviews in the calendar year to date (January 1, 2021, through April 23, 2021) to stay on the list.

The ConsumerAffairs research team also considered availability when making final selections. We based our “top picks” on what stood out in our analyses of each company’s recent 5-star review data.

• Our top pick overall: Endurance Auto Warranty
• Our pick for used cars: CarShield
• Our pick for short-term contracts: Uproar.car
• Our pick for value: Concord Auto Protect
• Our pick for coverage selection: CARCHEX
• Our pick for an easy claims process: olive

Endurance is our top pick because it has excellent reviews and offers comprehensive coverage in every state but California. It’s a good choice for used cars with higher mileage, which can sometimes be challenging to find coverage for from other providers.

Endurance’s vehicle service contracts may also come with an Endurance Elite Membership. This membership has multiple benefits, including roadside assistance, key fob replacement, personal concierge service and additional discounts.

CarShield offers six warranty contract options, ranging from typical powertrain plans to more comprehensive policies, plus a plan just for roadside protection. These plans include options for motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, which are less common among car warranty companies. Rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance, including towing, are included in some plans. Most of CarShield’s plans are administered by American Auto Shield.

CarShield reviewers who recommend the company frequently also have good things to say about customer service representatives. Some recurring themes from 5-star reviews include “answered all questions,” “very helpful,” “knowledgeable” and “professional.”

Unlike many extended warranty companies, Uproar.car has month-to-month subscription plans. This makes it a good option if you’re worried about paying for expensive maintenance repairs but don’t want to make a huge commitment.

“The amount that they charge per month is really low compared to other car warranties out there,” said a customer in Maryland. Another reviewer said it’s about $100 less per month than competitors.

One customer who got a plan for a BMW said that it gives them “peace of mind” and that “this company offers the best coverage and price to take care of my car.” Other verified reviews say that the prices are great and that the sign-up process is easy.

Concord Auto Protect auto warranties are highly recommended by existing customers. It’s our top pick for value because so many recent 5-star reviews highlight the “great prices” and “competitive rates.”

One verified customer who purchased a five-year extended warranty on a 2013 Porsche 911 S said that it “was by far the best value … on the market. Check with at least three others. No one even came close to the coverage.”

CARCHEX offers more coverage plans than any of our other top picks because it works with multiple warranty providers. Each plan provides at least a base level of powertrain coverage, meaning they all cover some essential components of your car’s engine, transmission and drive axle(s).

Plans may also cover other costs that accompany a breakdown, such as towing and rental car reimbursement. Emergency fuel delivery and locksmith services are also available. We suggest considering a Titanium plan because it provides the most comprehensive bumper-to-bumper coverage.

Existing customers appreciate that olive’s warranty information is straightforward and simple to understand. olive makes it easy to file claims online or over the phone. You can also find repair shops near you through its partnered RepairPal portal.

One customer, who got a plan for a 2017 Toyota Prius Prime, chose to go with olive over a dealer warranty because of how personable the customer service representative was. “She was extremely responsive, super nice, very detail oriented and explained every single stupid question I had,” the reviewer said in April 2021.

A car warranty is a contract between you and a company, often your dealership or manufacturer, to cover repairs within a specific period of time or mileage, typically three years or 60,000 miles. Eventually, the dealer's or manufacturer's car warranty expires. At this point, it’s often a good idea to purchase an extended car warranty that provides coverage for repairs and replacements beyond the initial manufacturer’s warranty.

Auto warranties typically do not cover theft or damage caused by natural disasters or vandalism. You can purchase a plan that only covers the major systems on your vehicle or a full-coverage plan, sometimes called an exclusionary contract. Car warranties are also known as vehicle service agreements or extended auto warranties.

If you have an engine or transmission failure, there’s a high likelihood a full-coverage extended warranty covers the needed repairs. The most comprehensive car warranties cover all parts of the car except for wear-and-tear items that require regular replacement, like windshield wipers or tires. Basic car warranties cover the most essential parts and systems that keep the car running.

How to maintain car warranty coverage

Vehicle service contract agreements require the vehicle owner to perform routine maintenance recommended by the auto manufacturer. Failing to do so voids the contract. Most vehicle service contracts require customers to take care of the following maintenance in order to qualify for coverage:

• Change the oil: A single delayed oil change is unlikely to void a warranty, but repeated misses could leave you facing a full bill on a major system repair or replacement.
• Rotate the tires: If a car has fewer than 36,000 miles on it, oil changes and tire rotations might be the only maintenance the vehicle needs.
• Change the filters: Bad filters can cause buildup that impacts your engine, transmission, intake and other essential systems. It is crucial to clean or change filters regularly.
• Conduct system checks and follow service schedules: Regular testing and visual inspections can catch issues before they become significant. These are typically part of your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule.
• Use recommended gasoline type: Every vehicle requires a specific octane rating to help its engine get its best performance. Using the wrong octane level or a lower octane rating than is specified can cause engine damage and void the warranty.

For more information on how to maintain your vehicle, look at the owner’s manual from the manufacturer and take note of the maintenance schedule and suggested repair services. Keep the receipts from these repairs as proof of maintenance.

Ask your provider if there are any rules against performing maintenance work yourself. Keep track of all maintenance records and receipts.

What is not covered in a car warranty?

Not all extended auto warranties cover the vehicle from bumper to bumper, so it’s essential to understand what’s covered by different car warranty companies when buying an extended auto warranty. Most warranties do not cover paint, your car’s interior or issues that result from normal wear and tear. Warranties may or may not cover cooling systems and electronic components. Be sure to read the fine print and choose a plan with the coverage you need. Also, be aware of the car warranty’s requirements — some warranties require auto repairs from mechanics within a specific network, for example. Last of all, an auto warranty doesn’t cover known defects undergoing a recall — the responsibility falls to car manufacturers to fix those issues.

Car warranty coverage restrictions

It’s standard across the industry that extended auto warranties purchased separately from the manufacturer's warranty cannot be used until 30 days after purchase and until the vehicle has been driven 1,000 miles. This policy prevents people from buying a vehicle service contract only after a problem develops.

Car warranty vs. insurance

Many people wonder if car insurance is enough to cover damage to their vehicles. Car insurance covers damage from accidents, theft and extreme weather, but it doesn’t cover damage due to manufacturer error, such as a faulty air conditioner or engine. For more information, read about the differences between car warranties and insurance.

There are several types of car warranty products available, ranging from comprehensive bumper-to-bumper warranties to basic drivetrain service contracts and warranties that cover highly specific defects. When buying an extended car warranty, also consider opting for mechanical breakdown insurance or an additional maintenance or wear-and-tear plan. These plans help keep your vehicle on the road even longer, even if it has more than a 100,000 miles.

Extended car warranties tend to cost between $350 and $1,000 for each year of coverage. Basic powertrain warranties cost less, while comprehensive, bumper-to-bumper warranties cost more. Some plans have $0 deductibles, but these come with higher premiums. Deductibles can be $250 or more.

You can usually get a quote for extended auto warranty coverage by visiting a company’s website and filling out an inquiry form. The quote you receive from an extended auto warranty company should depend on a few factors, including your vehicle’s make, model, condition and location. See the table below for information on monthly payments, deposits and deductibles for comprehensive plans from Endurance, CARCHEX, Protect My Car and CarShield.

*Quotes for extended auto warranties are based on a 2015 four-door SUV with 40,000 miles.

Authorized Partner
Plan	Supreme package*	Titanium package*	Supreme package*	Diamond package*
Plan coverage up to	4 years/95,000 miles	6 years/125,000 miles	5 years/100,000 miles	4 years/200,000 miles
Deposit	$130	$0	$249	$295
Monthly payments	$100/24 months	$196/18 months	$156/30 months	$100/24 months
Deductible	$100	$100	$100	$100

*Quotes for extended auto warranties are based on a 2015 four-door SUV with 40,000 miles

		Supreme package*	4 years/95,000 miles	$130	$100/24 months	$100
		Titanium package*	6 years/125,000 miles	$0	$196/18 months	$100
		Supreme package*	5 years/100,000 miles	$249	$156/30 months	$100
		Diamond package*	4 years/200,000 miles	$295	$100/24 months	$100

Factors that impact the cost of your extended auto warranty

Some of the most important factors that affect the amount you pay for an extended car warranty include:

• Level of coverage: Plans with comprehensive coverage cost the most, while basic warranties covering only the vital systems are more affordable.
• One-time and recurring fees: Ask about any recurring charges in addition to the upfront fee and monthly premium. Also, keep in mind that you’ll pay interest on the policy cost if you roll your extended auto warranty into your auto loan.
• Additional charges or deductibles: Most car warranties have a deductible, though some companies offer zero-deductible policies. A typical deductible is $100 for a repair or replacement.
• Maximum payout amount: Most extended auto warranties have a maximum payout, often around the total cash value of the car. Once you're quoted a price for your policy, consider if the cost is reasonable in relation to the limits of the liability terms of your auto protection plan.

How much does a used car warranty cost?

A typical extended auto warranty price for a used car costs $350 to $700 per year. Not all used cars qualify for an extended car warranty, though; if your car is more than 10 years old or has more than 200,000 miles, you may not qualify for coverage at all. A used car extended warranty often pays for itself with the first major repair.

An extended car warranty can pay for itself in one use if your policy covers a major breakdown. If you’re worried about a catastrophic malfunction or the expense required to fix it, a warranty may be worth the cost.

Most extended warranties provide coverage against breakdowns and malfunctions for three to five years. Your coverage should include the components you’re most worried about, either because they’re expensive or just particularly likely to fail. If you’re not confident your extended warranty will cover the right components, it’s not worth it.

Before you commit to a vehicle service contract, it’s important to know both the positive and negative aspects of your choice.

Pros and cons of extended car warranties

Offsetting the cost of major repairs is the core benefit of an extended auto warranty. Extended warranties often let you pay a smaller monthly fee over time instead of a large sum all at once if your car breaks down, making extended warranties ideal for those who have a little extra cash each month but not a large savings account or rainy day fund to cover a costly repair.

There are a few downsides to extended car warranties worth mentioning. The first is the price. Your warranty can set you back anywhere from a few hundred dollars to more than a thousand dollars each year. If you don’t end up using your policy, that cost might sting.

The second is the coverage specific to each policy. The most important thing you can do before purchasing an extended warranty is read the contract and familiarize yourself with what coverages you’re paying for.