CARCHEX vs. autopom!

CARCHEX overview

CARCHEX began selling vehicle service contracts in 2003, making it one of the oldest and most established companies in the extended car warranty industry. Today, it functions as an extended warranty broker that sells coverage plans that third-party providers administer. CARCHEX has higher mileage limits than many of its competitors, making it a strong option for owners of older vehicles.

» LEARN MORE: How do extended auto warranties work?

CARCHEX extended auto warranty plans

Drivers have five plan options to choose from with CARCHEX. Extended warranty plans vary from the basic, essentials-only coverage of the Powertrain plan to the bumper-to-bumper coverage of the Titanium plan. CARCHEX also offers a fairly unique warranty plan with Extra Care, which covers some of the more vital systems like your vehicle’s steering and suspension without powertrain coverage.

The table below shows the key systems and components covered under each CARCHEX warranty plan.

CARCHEX customer service

CARCHEX currently has an average customer rating of 1.3 out of 5 stars with over 4,000 reviews on ConsumerAffairs.

When customers leave positive reviews, they tend to point to helpful customer service representatives as a highlight of their experience. Negative reviews often center around claims denials that customers felt were unfair. Another major source of complaints online are due to CARCHEX not administering the plans it sells, which can make canceling contracts or servicing claims more complicated.

CARCHEX pros and cons

CARCHEX has a long history in the car warranty industry, but knowing the company’s pros and cons can help you determine if it’s the right choice for you.

autopom! overview

Since 2010, autopom! has sold extended coverage plans as a warranty broker. The company offers extended car warranties in all states except California, where it sells similar coverage as mechanical breakdown insurance. autopom! stands out for the generous benefits the company includes with its warranty contracts, such as roadside assistance and rental vehicle coverage.

autopom! extended auto warranty plans

autopom! offers three levels of extended warranty coverage (or mechanical breakdown coverage in California). These include two levels of named-component coverage, with its Powertrain Plus plan offering the most limited coverage and the more comprehensive Mid-Level plan. Drivers can also get full bumper-to-bumper style coverage with the autopom! Exclusionary plan.

Since the company uses different administrators in different parts of the country, the specific parts that are covered at each level can vary slightly. Here’s a summary of each coverage level.

autopom! customer service

On ConsumerAffairs, autopom! has a 1.4 out of 5 star-rating. However, this score is from a limited number of reviews, so it isn’t a good sample size for judging customer sentiment. Elsewhere on the internet, autopom! has high scores and positive reviews, including a 4.8 out of 5-star rating on Trustpilot with over 400 reviews.

Customers who report positive experiences with autopom! often mention friendly representatives that aren’t pushy and offer useful information. The company’s flexible payment options are another frequent topic of positive reviews. Issues with claims handling were the most common subject of the few negative customer reviews we found online.

autopom! pros and cons

Plan comparison

CARCHEX and autopom! offer similar types of coverage, but with some important distinctions. Both providers offer powertrain warranties, exclusionary bumper-to-bumper-style coverage and two levels of named-component plans in between.

What stands out about CARCHEX plans

CARCHEX offers two more levels of coverage than autopom! with an additional tier of named-component coverage and its Extra Care plan. The Extra Care plan is a rare find because it covers some of the systems covered under higher-level named-component plans without covering powertrain components.

Car owners who want protection for more specialized systems like the steering and car suspension without paying for engine and drivetrain coverage have that option at CARCHEX.

What stands out about autopom! plans

The Powertrain Essentials plan from autopom! provides more comprehensive coverage than many competitors’ most basic warranty plans, including the Powertrain plan from CARCHEX. This gives car owners an affordable option that covers a few other important (and expensive) systems in addition to essential powertrain coverage without extra plan upgrades.

Are extended warranties worth it?

Extended auto warranties can be worth the cost in a few ways. The primary value is the financial protection that a service contract provides from paying out of pocket for unexpected and expensive mechanical repairs.

Another key benefit of an extended car warranty is the peace of mind it can offer car owners. With major mechanical repairs covered under contract, owners don’t have to worry about coming up with the money to pay for repair services or be without their car for extended periods until they can afford to go to the shop.

» DIVE IN: How to choose an extended car warranty

When to consider an extended auto warranty

An extended car warranty may not be the right choice for everyone. However, buying additional coverage can provide substantial benefit in many scenarios. You may want to consider getting an extended warranty if:

• You aren’t sure if you can afford to pay for major repairs out of pocket if you need them
• You prefer making regular monthly payments to avoid large repair bills
• Your vehicle is unreliable
• Repair services for your vehicle are more expensive than average
• You’d rather not worry about what to do if your vehicle breaks down