Best Aftermarket Car Warranty
An aftermarket car warranty protects your car after factory warranty coverage expires, and our top provider picks are Endurance, autopom! and Carchex.
With our #1 rated provider, 
Key Points:
- Endurance is our highest rated provider with 4.6 out of 5.0 stars and holds our award for Best Overall provider due to its six coverage levels and long term limits.
- Autopom! has affordable coverage and an easy claims process.
- Carchex offers a broad range of aftermarket warranty plans for high-mileage vehicles and has a strong industry reputation.
Between the monthly payments, auto insurance, and car repairs, it’s not cheap to own a vehicle. You can count on protection against mechanical failure with the factory warranty on a new car, but what about when that coverage ends? One way to cover repairs is with an aftermarket car warranty, also called a vehicle protection plan or vehicle service contract.
With so many options to choose from, you have to do some research to find the provider that best fits your needs. We’ve done the work for you by spending 1,475 hours researching everything there is to know about aftermarket auto warranties, including the best providers. In this article, we’ve compiled our results to explain the best extended car warranty companies and compare quotes between some of these top-ranked providers.
An extended car warranty refers to mechanical breakdown coverage offered by a vehicle manufacturer. However, this term is often mistakenly used to describe coverage from third-party companies. Independent providers offer similar protection through vehicle service contracts, but we’ve used the terms interchangeably in this article for convenience.
Aftermarket Car Warranty Overview
An aftermarket warranty provides protection for your vehicle once the factory coverage expires. This coverage can be purchased at any point–not just when you purchase the car. Aftermarket car warranties can also be called extended auto warranties, though technically, these are both vehicle service contracts commonly provided by third-party providers.
These auto protection plans cover the cost of repair parts and labor, just like the manufacturer’s warranty, and are a popular option for vehicle protection, especially for used, older cars.
Where To Get An Aftermarket Car Warranty
You can get an aftermarket car warranty from a dealership or third-party company. Our research team reviewed 42 different warranty providers to help find the one that best fits your needs.
With the dealership, you have access to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and factory-trained technicians. Usually, you must take your car to that manufacturer’s service center. This can either be a perk or be limiting.
A third-party aftermarket auto warranty offers more flexibility. You can go to any licensed repair shop and visit a mechanic of your choice. Obviously, not all of these companies will provide the same level of service. We also can’t guarantee that they’ll offer the right warranties for your needs. That’s why it’s important to shop around and compare different providers.
Best Aftermarket Car Warranty Companies
If you’re looking for extra coverage for car repairs, Endurance, autopom!, and Carchex are the extended warranty providers that should be on the top of your shopping list. All of these providers let car owners visit their favorite auto repair facilities, choose deductibles starting at $0, and enjoy a variety of perks.
1. Endurance: 4.6 Stars
Out of all the companies we reviewed, Endurance made the top of our list and earned our award for Best Overall provider. The company offers six versatile aftermarket warranty plans that provide varying levels of protection for drivers of different needs.
As a direct provider, Endurance manages all the plans it sells. This makes the claims process much easier, since you’re working with the same company throughout the life of your protection plan.
Endurance extended warranties also come with a free one-year membership of Endurance Elite benefits that includes roadside assistance, key fob replacement, ID theft services, tire replacement, and more. Endurance Warranty reviews are mainly positive with reports of great customer service.
Read more: Endurance Warranty Review
2. autopom!: 4.6 Stars
After reviewing its reviews and service, our team gave autopom! the award for Best Claims Process. autopom! stands out in the customer experience category with strong scores from customers on both the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. The company also scored well for pricing, offering costs that are on the low end of the warranty industry for each of its plans.
autopom! has three coverage options, including an exclusionary plan and basic powertrain coverage. Plans come with roadside assistance, towing services, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage.
Read more: autopom! Warranty Review
3. Carchex: 4.4 Stars
Of the providers we reviewed, Carchex earned the award for Best Industry Reputation. The company has a high rating from the BBB and partners with well-known names in the industry such as Kelley Blue Book (KBB), Carfax, and RepairPal to bring quality automotive services to drivers across the country.
Carchex offers five levels of coverage ranging from basic powertrain to exclusionary, and plans come with roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement. The company offers plans for high-mileage vehicles and has monthly payment plans to help make coverage more affordable. For those who try and don’t like Carchex coverage, the company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read more: Carchex Warranty Review
These are just our top three recommendations. None of them are guaranteed to give you what you need for yourself or your vehicle. That’s why, when you’re shopping for an aftermarket vehicle warranty, you need to decide what the most important thing is for you. Maybe you really want to have roadside assistance or a $0 deductible, or maybe you just want the simplest powertrain coverage for a few expensive vehicle components.
Types Of Aftermarket Auto Warranty Plans
Aftermarket auto warranties come in many different varieties. Like factory warranties, the limits are designated by year and mileage. The plan expires when one of the limits is reached. For example, a factory warranty with a 5-year/60,000-mile plan would expire in either of the following scenarios: if the car is five years old and has 40,000 miles, or the car is four years old and has 60,000 miles.
The best providers allow drivers to choose from a number of different coverage lengths. They also let drivers choose what items the service plans cover. Many companies have around five basic coverage options that follow a formula like this:
- Exclusionary coverage: The highest level is similar to a factory bumper-to-bumper warranty and lists the things that it doesn’t cover to define the plan. It covers almost all major systems and mechanical parts of the car. Like a factory warranty, it won’t cover wear and tear, misuse, or neglect.
- High-stated coverage: The next level is the highest level of stated coverage. These car warranties cover parts listed in the contract. This plan level can cover hundreds of separate components.
- Medium-stated coverage: Often, this type of protection plan covers most of the main systems of the car and includes things such as AC, steering, and electrical components.
- Low-stated coverage: Also known as a “powertrain plus” type plan, this covers the powertrain along with a few important systems.
- Basic powertrain: This is the least that an extended warranty covers and is comparable to a powertrain warranty. It covers repair costs of the engine, drivetrain, drive axle, and transmission. These can be costly repairs, so it’s a good idea to protect them on high-mileage cars.
Aftermarket Auto Warranty Flexibility
Aftermarket auto warranties also provide more flexibility compared to factory or dealership warranties. For example, factory extended warranties usually have to be purchased before the standard warranty expires. In some cases, you have to get an extended warranty at the time you purchase your new car.
In contrast, aftermarket auto warranties can be added on at any point in time. They can also last a lot longer than factory extended warranties. For example, Toyota’s longest extended warranty coverage lasts until 125,000 miles, but plans from our top aftermarket picks can last up to 200,000 or 250,000 miles.
Aftermarket Car Warranty Perks
Many drivers like to stick with dealer-backed coverage for the other perks that come along with it. However, you can get many of the same perks with aftermarket options, too. Here are a few perks that you can find from some of our top providers:
- 24-hour roadside assistance: This is for when your car breaks down on the side of the road. Roadside assistance usually includes towing to the nearest repair facility, along with jump-starts, tire changes, fuel deliveries, and lockout assistance.
- Trip interruption benefits: This benefit typically applies if you break down 100 miles or more from home and need reimbursement for food and lodging expenses.
- Rental car reimbursement: This pays for rental car costs or alternative transportation when your vehicle is in the shop getting covered repairs for mechanical breakdown.
How Much Does An Aftermarket Car Warranty Cost?
Based on quotes we received from over 40 warranty companies, the average extended car warranty cost is about $1,311 per year across all coverage levels. We found that the pricing of an aftermarket auto warranty depends on several factors, which include the:
- Chosen deductible
- Level of protection you want
- Provider you choose
- Vehicle age
- Vehicle make and model
- Vehicle mileage
The only way to know how much you would pay for an aftermarket car warranty is to get a quote. We recommend reaching out to at least three providers as you shop around for coverage.
Do I Need An Aftermarket Car Warranty?
You may never have been in an accident, but you still need car insurance. The reasoning for an extended car warranty follows the same principle. You may not need it right now, but if you ever do, you’ll be glad the protection was in place.
In a 2024 survey of 1,000 people, we asked respondents how they’d used their coverage, and here are the results:
- 20 percent said they filed a claim to repair their engine, transmission, or a drivetrain component.
- 14 percent said they filed a claim to repair or replace an electrical component.
- 6 percent said they failed a claim to replace gaskets or hoses.
- The remaining respondents had not used their warranty.
A great majority of those who filed a claim–95%–said it was approved with one week. While the use of an extended warranty is not guaranteed, it could pay off in case you don’t have the money to cover any defects.
According to AAA, 64 million Americans don’t have the funds to cover unexpected car repair costs. Those that fall into this category would be required to go into debt to cover their bill. According to KBB the average car repair bill totals around $548.32, but when a major component breaks, you’re looking at far more.
Aftermarket Car Repair Warranty Cost
Repair prices also have to do with the average reliability of your car. Coverage for more reliable vehicles will be cheaper since the warranty companies expect to pay out less. A 2017 Toyota with 30,000 miles will fetch a much different price than a 2012 BMW with 80,000 miles.
Here are a few of the average prices for expensive car components, according to data from RepairPal:
| Component | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Engine control unit | $1,029 to $1,101 |
| Turbocharger | $2,129 to $2,507 |
| Battery replacement | $377 to $388 |
| Airbag control module replacement | $770 to $798 |
These estimates don’t even deal with the cost of replacing an engine or transmission. If you had to face one of these repairs today, could you handle it with ease, or would the costly repair cause a good amount of stress?
With extended car warranties, you can opt for coverage that provides you with peace of mind. That way, if something should break, you don’t need to worry about how you are going to pay for it.
There are a variety of aftermarket car warranty plans available, so you can customize the coverage you want. If you only need protection for the main parts of the vehicle, choose a powertrain warranty. If you feel more comfortable knowing that everything is covered, you might do better with a bumper-to-bumper plan instead.
Why Aftermarket Car Warranties Are Worth It
An aftermarket auto warranty is a good idea to have peace of mind after your factory coverage has expired, especially if you missed the window for adding a dealer-backed extended plan.
We think there are a few reasons to pick an aftermarket plan over a dealer one. Aftermarket plans can be useful if you buy a used car–you might not know its service history, so the added protection could be a lifesaver later on.
Many aftermarket warranties have flexible payment plans to make budgeting easier. But as you shop around, be careful to read the fine print. A number of complaints about extended warranties begin with a misunderstanding of coverage under the contract. Reputable extended car warranty companies will provide sample contracts and will go over each point of your contract with you in detail.
The main thing to figure out is if a small monthly payment is worth the peace of mind that a warranty can bring. If you go without a warranty, you should definitely keep some extra money saved up in the bank to cover any unexpected auto repairs once your car has a few miles under its belt.
If you’re new to shopping for warranties, definitely take a minute to get to know the red flags.
What Aftermarket Warranties Don’t Include
Aftermarket or extended warranty plans have several exclusions. After all, they only cover repairs for your vehicle similar to a manufacturer warranty.
Extended warranties don’t cover damage to your vehicle while it’s parked. This includes events such as natural disasters, theft, and vandalism. They don’t cover routine maintenance, either. This includes things such as getting new tires, new brake pads, or oil changes for your vehicle.
Keep in mind that mechanical breakdown insurance, although similar, is not the same as an extended warranty. Even though they both prevent you from paying out of pocket for vehicle repairs, there are still some differences.
While it can be offered by some warranty providers (usually for drivers in California), mechanical breakdown insurance is usually offered as an add-on product by insurance companies that covers parts from your drivetrain system to air conditioning.
Best Aftermarket Car Warranty: Our Take
An aftermarket auto warranty can provide you with peace of mind after your factory warranty expires. Most third-party providers offer a range of plan options from powertrain plans to bumper-to-bumper, so you can choose what fits your budget and needs. We recommend reaching out to at least three aftermarket auto warranty providers to compare and contrast coverage options and costs.
*Based on data from our users.
Aftermarket Car Warranty: FAQ
Below are frequently asked questions about aftermarket car warranty coverage:
What is the best aftermarket auto warranty company?
We think the best aftermarket auto warranty companies are Endurance, autopom!, and Carchex, because of their cost, reputation, customer service, and coverage options.
Are aftermarket warranties worth it?
Yes, aftermarket warranties are worth it for many drivers. From a financial standpoint, many people use the full value of their warranties over the coverage period. But also, an aftermarket warranty brings peace of mind, and that alone is worth the cost for some drivers.
How much is an aftermarket car warranty?
Prices depend on your car’s model and mileage, as well as the level of coverage you select. Generally, the average annual price for an aftermarket car warranty is $1,311. Warranties on luxury cars and cars prone to breakdown will cost the most.
Is it worth it to buy an aftermarket warranty on a used car?
It can be worth it to buy an aftermarket warranty on a used car, since used cars are older, have longer mileages, and are more likely to break down and need expensive repairs. Used cars are also less predictable than new vehicles. You might not know what kind of person drove the car before you or what service history the car had.
How We Rate Car Warranty Companies
Our review team extensively researches extended car warranty providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:
- Reliability: Warranty providers that earn strong ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), work with reliable partners and administrators, and have a long history in the warranty industry score well in this category.
- Coverage Plans: We take a close look at the coverage plans available through each provider, including how many are offered, maximum term limits, plan exclusions, and more. We also evaluate the added benefits companies include with their warranty plans, such as roadside assistance and trip interruption benefits.
- Pricing: Our team performs a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and coverage plans to get a sense of a provider’s average costs. We see how each company’s pricing, deductible options, and discount opportunities compare to competitors when determining this score.
- Transparency: We evaluate the availability and transparency of each company’s contracts, as well as whether each provider offers a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Experience: We consider customer reviews and complaints from sites like the BBB and Trustpilot. Our team also reaches out to customer service reps during our secret shopper analysis to get a sense of the customer experience with each company.
