Allstate Extended Warranty Reviews

While best known for its insurance, Allstate also provides vehicle service contracts to extend your manufacturer’s warranty. With three levels of coverage and an entire line of vehicle protection products, Allstate can help you keep your car on the road. Each plan has additional benefits, like roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and trip interruption protection.

The company’s process is fairly transparent, and its sample contracts are easy to access. You can buy this protection through select dealerships when you buy a vehicle or after your initial purchase.

An important thing to note is that only vehicles under 5 years old with fewer than 50,000 miles qualify for coverage. If you have an older vehicle, you’ll need to buy a service protection plan from a different company.

Allstate has three types of vehicle coverage: Powertrain, Core Systems and Comfort & Tech.

• Powertrain: This basic plan covers your engine, transmission and drive axle.
• Core Systems: This covers steering, suspension, and emissions and exhaust systems.
• Comfort & Tech: This comprehensive plan covers your car’s safety and comfort systems, air conditioning and heating systems, stereo, backup camera, and other components.

Allstate also has optional coverage you can add for more protection: tire and wheel coverage, windshield and dent repair coverage, paint and fabric coverage, and excess wear and tear coverage for leased vehicles.

You can also opt for Complete Protection to protect your vehicle inside and out:

• Silver: This level of coverage provides paintless dent repair and key replacement services.
• Gold: Allstate's mid-tier protection plan includes the coverage from Silver plus cracked windshield repair and repair of interior rips and tears.
• Platinum: The most comprehensive level the company offers adds tire and wheel repair or replacement and mounting and balancing services.

The cost of your vehicle service plan depends on several factors, including:

• Vehicle age
• Vehicle mileage
• Which level of coverage you pick
• Your location

You’ll need to request a quote to get your exact costs. However, Allstate advertises that its coverage begins at $19 a month at the time of publishing.

To get an online quote, you’ll need your vehicle’s vehicle identification number (VIN) and mileage. You’ll also need to enter your state.

Allstate’s warranty exclusions are similar to those from other warranty companies and include the following:

• Using your car for commercial use
• Adding a lift kit or other aftermarket modification
• Preexisting damage
• Breakdowns caused by lack of maintenance
• Damage from normal wear and tear
• Damage from natural disasters, riots or other unexpected scenarios

You’ll want to carefully read the contract before you purchase coverage so you know exactly what isn’t included.

Allstate’s sample contract reads like a standard vehicle service protection agreement. The first section includes all your personal details and information about the vehicle.

The contract then explains your responsibilities for maintenance and getting claims approved before having work done. It spells out the claims process and also mentions additional benefits.

An example contract from Allstate does note a maximum coverage limit — it only covers $50,000 worth of work on all combined claims.

When you experience a mechanical breakdown or another problem that’s covered by your vehicle service plan, take your car to the mechanic or dealership of your choice. Let the staff know you have extended coverage through Allstate.

The mechanic will call the plan’s administrator for authorization. If it’s covered, the company pays the repair shop directly. All you’re responsible for is your deductible (typically $50, but if you purchase coverage through a dealership, it could be more or less).

While your car is being fixed, you can get a rental car to use. Your plan will reimburse up to $40 per day for seven days for a rental until your car is ready to go again.

If your manufacturer’s warranty is about to expire and you want to add extra coverage, Allstate Vehicle Protection might be a good option. You’ll have several different levels of coverage to choose from and can add on protection as needed.

Each Allstate warranty plan comes with roadside assistance. One downside: Only newer vehicles with low mileage are eligible, and if you live in California or Massachusetts, you’ll need to get coverage through a different company.