Best Extended Car Warranty
Endurance, autopom!, CarShield, Carchex, and Omega Auto Care offer the best extended car warranties based on our analysis of cost, coverage, and more.
With our #1 rated provider, 
Key Points:
- Endurance is our top recommendation for an extended warranty since it offers great coverage options and unique perks for the industry.
- An extended warranty is designed to cover specific repairs that are outlined in a contract.
- You can find warranty plans between $1,800 and $9,398, though coverage costs an average of $1,311 per year and $135 per month.
Finding the best extended car warranty can help you cover a variety of repairs and give you peace of mind. But picking the right plan or company isn’t as easy as it seems. Our team compared leading extended warranty companies on cost, coverage, transparency, customer experience, and industry reputation to help in your decision.
We’ll cover our top five overall picks in this article. We’ll also recommend the best individual plans, cheapest providers, and best manufacturer warranties.
Best Extended Car Warranties
To find the best extended car warranty providers, our team took a close look at dozens of companies. We considered cost, coverage, transparency, customer service, and reputation.
Based on the categories above, our top five picks for extended warranties are Endurance, autopom!, CarShield, Carchex, and Omega Auto Care. You can compare our top picks below.
| Extended Warranty
Company | Our
Rating | Best For | Number
of Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endurance | 4.6 | Best Overall | 6 |
| autopom! | 4.6 | Best Claims Process | 3 |
| CarShield | 4.4 | Best Flexible Payment Plans | 6 |
| Carchex | 4.4 | Best Industry Reputation | 5 |
| Omega Auto Care | 4.3 | Best Maintenance Benefits | 5 |
Best Extended Car Warranty Coverage
In this section, we’ll highlight the best extended car warranty companies that scored well in the coverage category. Our top three overall picks for coverage are Endurance, autopom!, and CarShield. This ranking takes into account the company’s plan options, variety of coverage, added benefits, mileage limit, and more.
| Provider | Number
of Plans | Maximum Mileage | Our Coverage
Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endurance | 6 | 200,000 miles | 4.9 |
| autopom! | 3 | 150,000 miles | 4.5 |
| CarShield | 6 | 300,000 miles | 4.8 |
Best Extended Warranty Plans
Now, let’s take a look at the best coverage plan for each type of warranty.
Read more: Best Extended Car Warranty Coverage Plans
#1 Endurance Supreme: Best High-Coverage Plan
If you’re looking for the most extensive coverage with great benefits, consider Endurance. Endurance’s Supreme plan is similar to a factory warranty in its coverage. It covers any mechanical breakdown except for a list of exclusions.
Endurance plans also come with one year of Endurance Elite Benefits like key fob replacement and tire repair. Of course, plans also come with roadside assistance, trip interruption, and rental car coverage for the duration of the contract.
Read more: Endurance Auto Warranty Review
#2: Carchex Platinum: Best Mid-Level Plan
If you want one step below factory-level coverage, we recommend checking out Carchex. The company’s Platinum plan is a great option that covers all major systems of the vehicle. Since it’s not quite high-level coverage, it’s a good choice for vehicles with medium to high mileage.
Read more: Carchex Review
#3: Omega Auto Care: Best Powertrain Plan
Omega Auto Care offers a basic powertrain plan that comes with extra perks not found in many other places. Its Powertrain plan covers the engine, transmission, drivetrain, and hybrid drive components. Beyond that, the plan comes with:
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car coverage
- Trip interruption
- Tire replacement/repair
- One year maintenance coverage
Read more: Omega Auto Protect Review
Best Cheap Extended Warranty Companies
When you’re on a budget, you want to know which companies offer the best rates. In this section, we’ve ranked our top three picks for affordable extended warranty coverage.
| Company | Cheapest Plan | Monthly Payment
Range | Our Pricing
Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everything Breaks | Powertrain | $30 to $110 | 4.0 |
| Endurance | Secure Plus | $85 to $146 | 4.6 |
| CarShield | Gold | $110 to $150 | 4.2 |
Here are some more details on our top picks:
Everything Breaks
Everything Breaks offers the cheapest monthly payments. Monthly payments range from $30 to $110 and total costs vary, since it offers monthly contracts. Plans also come with roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption benefits.
Endurance
Aside from being our top-ranked provider for its overall service, Endurance also offers affordable prices. Monthly costs range from $85 to $146 and total costs range from $1,031 to $1,767. Our quotes are for 2.5 years/40,000 miles, so your costs may differ based on the length of your contract.
CarShield
CarShield offers flexible month-to-month contracts. This means you can customize your plan length to fit your budget. Since the company doesn’t offer fixed-term plans, calculate your total cost based on the monthly payment for however long you want to have the plan.
Affordable Car Warranty Quotes: Comparing Companies
It’s important to compare rates from different auto warranty companies. Below, we’ve included sample warranty quotes of exclusionary plans from multiple providers. Be sure to compare the same term lengths when you’re shopping for a warranty to get an accurate comparison.
| Company | Plan | Vehicle | Term | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endurance | Supreme | 2017
Ford Explorer | 2.5 years/
40,000 miles | $146
for 28 months |
| Carchex | Titanium | 2017
Ford Explorer | Unlimited | $150
month to month |
| CarShield | Diamond | 2022
Ford Explorer | Unlimited | $150
month to month |
| autopom! | Exclusionary | 2018
Ford Explorer | 5 years/
unlimited mileage | $116
for 24 months |
| Concord Auto Protect | Premium | 2018
Ford Explorer | 5 years/
75,000 miles | $85
for 24 months |
| Olive | Complete Care | 2017
Toyota 4Runner | 3 years/
185,000 miles | $276
for 36 months |
| Omega Auto Care | New Exclusionary | 2017
Ford Explorer | 5 years/
75,000 miles | $127
for 24 months |
| Toco | Orange | 2022
Ford Explorer | Unlimited | $88
month to month |
Best Auto Manufacturer Extended Warranties
If your car is still within the factory warranty period, you might be able to get an extended warranty from your manufacturer. However, some manufacturers only sell plans when you purchase the vehicle.
Not all manufacturers offer the same coverage options. Some offer one plan while others offer three. Some cap the mileage at 80,000 while others cover up to 175,000 miles. Below are some of our recommended extended warranties from manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Extended Car Warranty Plan | Coverage Levels | Maximum Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford/Lincoln | Ford Protect/Lincoln Protect | 4 | 10 years or 175,000 miles |
| Volkswagen | Drive Easy | 3 | 10 years or 150,000 miles |
| Toyota | Vehicle Service Agreement | 3 | 10 years or 125,000 miles |
Read more: Extended Manufacturer Car Warranty
Ford/Lincoln: Best Manufacturer Extended Warranty
Ford and Lincoln share the same extended warranty plan terms under Ford Protect and Lincoln Protect. Coverage can last up to 10 years/175,000 miles, which is the longest coverage in terms of mileage for any manufacturer extended warranty.
You can get this plan from Ford and Lincoln dealers both in person and online. There are four coverage levels:
- PremiumCare
- ExtraCare
- BaseCare
- PowertrainCare
If you want a plan, you’ll need to make a purchase before the factory bumper-to-bumper warranty expires at 3 years/36,000 miles.
Read more: Ford Protect Review
Volkswagen: Best European Car Extended Warranty
Volkswagen is one of the best options if you want a European car that has a great extended warranty plan. The company’s plans can last up to 10 years/150,000 miles. Volkswagen’s plan is called Drive Easy and it comes with three levels:
- Platinum
- Gold
- Powertrain
Read more: Volkswagen Extended Car Warranty Review
Toyota: Strong Coverage Options
While Toyota vehicles are generally reliable, the company offers a long extended warranty plan that can last up to 10 years/125,000 miles. The Toyota Vehicle Service Agreement comes in three coverage levels:
- Platinum
- Gold
- Powertrain
Like Ford/Lincoln, you can only purchase a Toyota Vehicle Service Agreement before your factory warranty expires at 3 years/36,000 miles.
Read more: Toyota Factory And Extended Warranty
Extended Car Warranty Guide
Extended warranties and vehicle service contracts are complex agreements that involve many different aspects . In this section, we’ll cover what an extended warranty is, how it works, different types of plans, and more.
What Is An Extended Car Warranty?
An extended warranty is a contract for a company to cover certain car repairs or mechanical breakdowns on your vehicle that come from defects in materials or workmanship. Extended warranties don't typically cover normal wear and tear, regular maintenance, or cosmetic issues.
What Is A Vehicle Service Contract?
Strictly speaking, the manufacturer is the only entity that can offer an extended warranty. Third-party providers like Carchex and Endurance offer vehicle protection plans or vehicle service contracts (VSCs). Both types of contracts are commonly referred to as extended warranties. While extended warranties and VSCs are technically different, they both essentially serve the same function for car repairs.
Who Pays For Covered Repairs?
To make things a little more confusing, sometimes auto manufacturers offer VSCs through third-party companies. The main difference between a factory extended warranty and a VSC is the company that pays for repairs. In extended warranties, the auto manufacturer handles claims. For extended service plans, third-party companies pay for repairs.
How Do You File An Extended Warranty Claim?
Each repair has to be authorized for it to be covered by the extended warranty. In complex claims, the warranty company might send a representative to look at the breakdown in person.
In any case, the first thing to do is safely get your car to an authorized repair shop. Your warranty company can help you find a repair facility in your area. After that, the mechanic may have to tear down part of the vehicle to diagnose the issue. The warranty company won't pay for this teardown if the breakdown winds up not being covered.
The mechanic will seek approval from the warranty company before starting work. Once they get the go-ahead, they can start to fix the issue. You should only have to pay your deductible to the repair shop once the work is complete. Reputable warranty companies pay the cost of repairs to the shop directly, while some other providers require you to seek reimbursement after the repair.
Waiting Period
Be aware that most extended warranties come with a waiting period. This is usually 30 days and 1,000 miles (both of these conditions must be met before a claim is covered). Some offer half that, while other companies don't have a waiting period at all.
The purpose of a waiting period is to protect the company from covering pre-existing issues. In other words, if you know your transmission needs to be replaced, you can't buy a warranty and have the repair covered the next day.
Types Of Car Warranty Plans
In general, there are two overarching types of extended warranty contracts:
- Exclusionary: Also called a bumper-to-bumper plan, this warranty covers any mechanical breakdown except for a list of exclusions placed in the contract. These plans are also called comprehensive warranties or factory-level warranties.
- Stated-component: This type of contract only covers the exact parts that are written out. Take a powertrain plan for example, it spells out exactly what parts in the engine, drivetrain, and drive axle are covered. Parts not expressly written down are not covered.
So if there are only two basic types of coverage, why do some companies have so many plans? Well, stated-component contracts can have a huge variation. With Carchex, for example, the Platinum, Powertrain Plus, Powertrain, and Extra Care plans are all stated-component contracts.
What Extended Warranties Don’t Cover
No extended car warranty covers everything, despite what some salespeople might say. Even a plan that covers the entire engine doesn't cover certain types of damage that can happen to it. Extended warranties commonly won’t cover pre-existing conditions or parts that are expected to wear out with consistent use, like brake pads and wiper blades.
Extended warranties also typically don’t cover any damages that come from:
- Misuse, like street racing or off-roading
- A lack of maintenance
- Accidents, collisions, or road debris
- Theft or vandalism
- Acts of nature like fire, floods, or fallen objects
- Deterioration or cosmetics
You may notice that some items from the above list are things often covered by car insurance companies–especially damages caused by environmental factors.
Types Of Car Warranty Companies
There are a few types of companies that sell extended warranties or vehicle service contracts:
Manufacturers
Auto brands sell extended warranties that can take over repairs after your factory warranty expires. Most of the time, you can buy these from dealerships only. Some companies conveniently sell plans online.
Third-Party Warranty Companies
You can also get plans from companies like CarShield and Olive. In this case, a third-party company handles claims, and it may or may not be the warranty company that sold you the plan. An advantage to third-party providers is that they typically offer more flexibility in authorized repair shops, plan options, and maximum mileage limits.
Used Car Dealers
If you've ever visited a used vehicle dealership, you might have noticed that they sell warranties, as well. These plans will be backed by third-party providers. However, dealers usually don’t give you many plans or companies to choose from. They may work with one company and only show you one or two plans. Comparison shopping is the best way to find the right plan, so we recommend keeping your options open.
Extended Car Warranty Cost
Our team compared multiple quotes for different plans from many providers. Overall, we found that extended warranties cost an average of $135 per month and $1,311 per year. Total costs range from $1,799 to $9,937, though this doesn’t include unlimited-term contracts as those can get more expensive the longer you have them.
Factors That Affect Warranty Costs
Many things affect the cost for an extended warranty, including:
- Warranty company: The biggest thing that can change the cost is the company you choose. Different warranty companies can charge vastly different prices for the same type of coverage. That's why comparison shopping is so important.
- Vehicle: Compared to younger cars, warranties generally cost more for older vehicles with higher mileages. Some vehicles have higher average repair bills, like luxury cars. Warranties will cost more for these types of vehicles.
- Deductible: Most companies give you a range of deductible options, which is what you pay out of pocket when you have a covered repair. A higher deductible will lower your warranty cost and vice versa.
- Coverage: If you reach out to a company for a free quote, you'll often get multiple prices with a variety of coverage options. Higher coverage plans like CarShield’s Diamond plan or Carchex’s Titanium plan will often cost more than lower plans, all else being equal.
Are Extended Car Warranties Worth It?
Whether or not an extended warranty is worth it depends on your situation and what you want. If you just want peace of mind that repairs are covered, it can be worth getting an extended plan from a reputable company. It's important to take a look at your budget, as well. If you have the money to cover unexpected repairs, an extended warranty might not be the best option.
How Reliable Is Your Car?
There are ways to estimate how much you might spend on repairs, too. Resources like Edmunds and RepairPal provide annual average repair costs down to the make, model, and year. With a very reliable model, you might only pay $400 per year in maintenance and repairs on average. But if you have a less reliable car, it might require $1,000 or more per year to keep up. These will factor into the decision to get an extended warranty.
How To Buy An Extended Car Warranty
You can get an extended warranty online, by calling a company, or by visiting a dealer in person. We recommend shopping around as much as you can because coverage options and prices vary quite a bit between companies.
The simplest option is to compare plans online. Some quote calculators might ask for your car's vehicle identification number (VIN), while others just ask for the make, model, and mileage. However, you'll likely need your VIN to complete a contract.
Most extended warranty companies offer 30-day money-back guarantees. After that, you’ll get a prorated refund based on time and claims spent. Take the time to read through the contract thoroughly and understand the fine print.
Aftermarket Warranties Vs. Manufacturer Warranties
The two main options for buying an extended warranty are from a manufacturer or an aftermarket (third-party) provider. Below, we compare these options.
| Manufacturer | Third-Party Warranty Company | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Window | Must buy before factory warranty expires or even at vehicle purchase | Purchase a plan before or after the factory warranty expires while your car is under the maximum mileage limit |
| Maximum Mileage | Most plans max out between 80,000 and 150,000 miles | 150,000 to 300,000 miles |
| Average Cost | Generally over $1,000 per year of coverage | Many plans available under $1,000 per year of coverage |
| Repair Network | Most plans require you to visit the dealership for repairs | You can go to any licensed mechanic, including dealerships |
| Coverage Options | 1 to 3 options on average | 3 to 6 options on average |
| Added Benefits | The standard roadside assistance with towing, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage | The standard roadside assistance with towing, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage |
| Deductible | Many options to choose from | Many options to choose from |
Best Extended Auto Warranty: Our Take
The best extended warranty for you depends on what you want. Do you want comprehensive coverage or powertrain protection? How long do you want repair coverage? Once you have an idea of these answers, compare multiple extended warranties to find the best option for your situation.
Best Extended Car Warranties: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about finding the best extended car warranty.
Who offers the best extended car warranty?
Endurance is our pick for the best extended car warranty. The company offers a huge range of plans including an option that covers routine maintenance services like oil changes and tire rotations.
Are extended car warranties a good idea?
Having an extended car warranty can be a good idea if your car model averages high repair costs. Consult resources like RepairPal, J.D. Power, or Edmunds to see your car’s industry reliability ratings.
What is not covered by CarShield?
Plans from CarShield (and all other extended warranty companies) come with exclusions. These can be things like normal wear and tear, wearable items like brake pads, cosmetic damage, accident damage, damage from a lack of maintenance, and more.
How much should an extended warranty cost?
An extended warranty can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,500 depending on the car, company, and plan. On average, monthly payments are around $135 and plans cost about $1,311 per year of coverage.
How We Rated The Best Extended 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.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
