Best Extended Warranty Companies for Trucks

Our top 4 picks for the best truck extended warranties

Our top picks for the best extended warranty companies for trucks are:

• Best overall: Endurance Auto Warranty
• Best for plan selection: CarShield
• Best for customer service and claims handling: Toco Warranty
• Best for older or high-mileage trucks: Omega Auto Care

Compare the best truck extended warranty companies

To select our picks for the best truck extended warranties, we considered factors like coverage, cost, waiting periods, availability and customer experience. Compare our picks:

If your truck suffers a mechanical breakdown after the factory warranty has expired, you may be facing a large repair bill. A truck extended warranty, also called a vehicle service contract, can help pay for parts or components that need to be repaired or replaced after the factory warranty expires, potentially providing peace of mind and saving you money on repairs.

How extended truck warranties work

Extended truck warranties — usually offered by truck manufacturers or third-party warranty providers — work by paying for mechanical repairs after the factory warranty expires. You’ll typically be able to choose from different coverage levels, and you may also be able to purchase add-on plans like routine maintenance or tire and wheel plans.

Most extended warranty companies maintain a repair network of approved mechanics and repair facilities. Using a shop within the provider’s network can simplify the process. Network shops are often familiar with the provider’s requirements and can communicate directly with the warranty administrator to confirm coverage and obtain authorization for repairs.

Whenever you need to file a claim, you’ll take your vehicle to an in-network repair shop. You’ll generally need to pay a deductible, which typically ranges anywhere from $0 to $250. Deductibles can vary widely depending on the plan you choose, and some providers allow you to select a higher deductible in exchange for lower monthly payments.

Extended truck warranty coverage and exclusions

Even the most comprehensive extended truck warranties won’t cover every repair or expense. Warranty contracts include exclusions that outline what the provider won’t pay to repair. Common exclusions include:

Review exclusions before buying coverage to know what costs may need to be paid out of pocket.

• Routine maintenance: Oil changes, tire rotations, fluid services and other scheduled upkeep

• Wear-and-tear items: Brake pads, tires, wiper blades, filters and similar parts that naturally wear out

• Cosmetic damage: Paint damage, dents, upholstery wear and other appearance-related issues

• Accident-related damage: Repairs resulting from collisions or road incidents, which are typically handled by auto insurance

• Environmental damage: Problems caused by flooding, fire, storms or vandalism

• Misuse or abuse: Damage caused by improper use of the truck, such as exceeding towing limits

• Neglect or lack of maintenance: Failures that occur because recommended service was skipped or not documented

• Damage from modifications: Damage caused by aftermarket modifications, such as lift kits

Also, some extended warranties for trucks will void coverage if you use the vehicle for commercial use, towing or snowplowing. You may need to purchase different coverage or extra coverage if you use your truck for any of these purposes.

Truck extended warranty costs

Truck extended warranty costs are typically around $1,400 to $4,000 per year of coverage for a bumper-to-bumper plan and around $600 to $1,500 per year of coverage for a powertrain plan. Costs will vary based on a truck’s age and mileage, the coverage level chosen, the warranty provider and other factors.

To get a more precise estimate for how much an extended warranty for your truck will cost, you’ll need to get actual quotes from extended warranty companies.

What affects the cost of a truck extended warranty?

Providers calculate pricing based on the risk of repairs as well as the level of protection you choose. Common factors that affect the cost include:

• Truck age: Older trucks typically cost more to cover because they are more likely to experience mechanical failures.

• Mileage: Higher-mileage vehicles present a greater repair risk, which can increase warranty prices or limit plan options.

• Coverage level: Comprehensive bumper-to-bumper plans cost more than basic powertrain coverage.

• Truck make and model: Trucks with higher repair costs or lower reliability ratings often have more expensive warranties.

• Deductible amount: Choosing a higher deductible can lower your monthly payment, while a lower deductible usually increases a plan’s price.

• Contract length: Longer warranty terms generally increase total coverage costs.

• Usage: Using your truck for heavy-duty work or high annual mileage may increase warranty pricing.

Do extended warranties cost more for trucks than cars?

Warranty coverage for pickup trucks isn’t inherently more expensive than it is for cars. However, certain factors affect what you’ll pay for a warranty. These include:

• Annual mileage: You may need to pay more for coverage if you put significantly more miles on your truck each year than the average driver.

• Usage: Some providers may charge more to cover your truck if you use it for heavy-duty work, such as construction.

• Make and model: In general, the larger and more expensive a vehicle is, the more it will cost to cover with an extended warranty. Many trucks have high price tags that will also net a higher price for extended coverage.

How to choose a truck extended warranty

Some truck extended warranties will be a better fit for your truck, your needs and your preferences than others. Here’s how to select the best warranty for you and your truck:

1. Figure out your extended warranty budget

The first step to choosing a coverage plan for your truck is deciding what you can afford to spend on it. Most providers offer monthly payment plans, so you’ll be able to see whether the warranty cost fits into your monthly budget as soon as you get a quote.

While an extended warranty can reduce repair costs, it won’t cover everything. Be sure your budget leaves room for deductibles, routine maintenance and other out-of-pocket expenses. You should also factor in any optional coverage you purchase, such as prepaid maintenance plans, or cancellation fees.

2. Determine your truck’s eligibility

Extended warranty companies have varying eligibility requirements for vehicles they’ll cover, though the most important criteria is generally a vehicle’s age and mileage. Mileage limits reflect the maximum mileage that a truck can have on its odometer and still be eligible for an extended warranty. If your truck has more than 200,000 miles on it, you’ll have fewer provider choices.

The mileage on your truck can also affect plan eligibility. For example, while you may be able to get a powertrain warranty for a high-mileage truck, you may not be able to buy more comprehensive coverage plans from that same provider.

3. Decide on the coverage you want

The next step is to determine the level of coverage that offers you the most benefit. While providers offer a variety of plans, extended warranties for trucks typically fall into one of two categories of coverage: bumper-to-bumper warranties and powertrain warranties.

Many companies will also offer a mid-level warranty, which typically features coverage for additional parts, such as the electrical and fuel systems, on top of powertrain coverage.

» COMPARE: Inclusionary vs. exclusionary warranty

4. Read reviews for extended warranty providers

It’s important to choose a company you can trust to honor its contract. Some providers are easier to work with than others when it comes to claims and customer support.

Reading reviews from customers is one of the best ways to understand what working with a provider is actually like. Researching the best extended car warranty companies can also help you compare how different providers handle coverage and claims. Saving a few dollars a month won’t mean much if your provider denies repairs or makes it difficult to use your plan.

FAQ

Is an extended warranty for a truck worth it?

An extended warranty for a truck can be worth it if your model isn’t known for reliability or if you think future repairs will cost more than an extended warranty. For example, one covered repair, such as a transmission replacement or an engine repair, could equal or exceed the total cost of a warranty contract, making coverage a worthwhile investment for higher-risk trucks.

Here are some estimated repair costs from RepairPal to give you a better idea of how much an extended warranty could save you.

However, an extended truck warranty may not be worth it for everyone. For example, if you drive a reliable truck that’s inexpensive to repair, you may be better off paying for services out of pocket. It can help to look up the average repair costs and vehicle reliability rating for your truck on sites like RepairPal to get a sense of how likely you are to use an extended warranty before purchasing one.

To decide whether an extended truck warranty is worth it, consider:

• Your truck's reliability: Research common problems and repair costs for your make and model.

• The cost of coverage: Compare the total warranty price, including deductibles, with potential repair expenses.

• Your savings: Consider whether you could comfortably afford a major repair without warranty coverage.

• Your ownership plans: An extended warranty may offer more value if you plan to keep your truck for several years after the factory warranty expires.