Gold Standard Automotive Network Extended Warranty Review

Gold Standard Automotive Network offers customers six levels of extended auto warranty coverage, from basic powertrain plans to exclusionary. Plans come with unique perks like maintenance coverage, but they must be purchased through dealerships and agents.

In this article, we’ll review Gold Standard Automotive Network’s coverage options, cost, customer reviews and more. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll have a better idea of whether an extended warranty through this provider is the right choice for you.

If you’d rather purchase a plan independent of a dealership, we’ve narrowed down the best extended warranty companies and compared them against Gold Standard Automotive Network. To start getting free quotes from our top picks, call or follow the links above.

Gold Standard Automotive Network Overview

Based in Utah, Gold Standard Automotive Network offers six distinct vehicle service contracts to cover your car in the event of a mechanical breakdown. All plans come with pre-paid maintenance benefits, which is an attractive perk that sets the company apart. But if you’re interested in purchasing coverage, you’ll need to go through a dealership or agent.

Gold Standard Automotive Network has been in business for 14 years, and it currently holds an A+ rating and accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with just over 20 complaints filed in the past three years. The company also has a nearly 5.0-star BBB customer rating based on more than 300 reviews.

Our review team gave Gold Standard Automotive Network an overall rating of 3.5 stars based on the following criteria:

Gold Standard Automotive Network Extended Warranty Coverage

Gold Standard Automotive Network breaks down its plans into two categories: Powertrain Coverage and Exclusionary Coverage. Each has three distinct contracts to choose from. The company also has a number of add-on coverage options that can help drivers customize coverage.

Powertrain Coverage

Rather than offering one basic powertrain plan, Gold Standard Automotive Network has three levels of powertrain warranty coverage that drivers can select.

Powertrain: The most basic plan offered by Gold Standard Automotive Network, the Powertrain plan offers varying coverage based on contract term limits. For 4-month/4,000-mile plans and contracts that span 1 to 2 years, you’ll receive coverage for the following vehicle systems:

• Engine
• Transmission
• Turbo/supercharger
• Drive axle assembly (for four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and front- or rear-wheel drive)
• Engine cooling system
• Fuel tank

For 3- to 7-year contracts, additional components are available to cover systems including:

• Air conditioning
• Seals and gaskets
• Fuel delivery system
• Electrical

10K: 10K coverage includes all Powertrain plan items, as well as additional components for the following systems:

• Transmission
• Air conditioning
• Steering
• Suspension
• Brakes
• Electrical

This plan also includes rental car reimbursement up to $35 per day for five days after a claim is opened.

10K Plus: The 10K Plus plan covers everything included in the Powertrain plan, down to the rental car reimbursement. It also covers more parts of the cooling system, fuel system, suspension and cruise control.

Possibly the biggest benefit to selecting the 10K Plus plan is that it comes with what’s called the “Hi-Line Package,” which provides a higher payout for select maintenance services:

• Three oil and filter changes per year (up to $80)
• Brake pad replacements (up to $200)
• Wiper blade replacements (up to $38)
• Cooling system maintenance (up to $100)

Exclusionary Coverage

Gold Standard Automotive Network has three levels of bumper-to-bumper extended warranty coverage to choose from. Each comes with rental car reimbursement up to $35 per day for five days after a claim is opened.

Bronze: Gold Standard Automotive Network’s lowest-tier comprehensive coverage, the Bronze plan covers parts and components of the following systems:

• Engine
• Transmission
• Turbo/supercharger
• Drive axle assembly (for four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and front- or rear-wheel drive)
• Engine cooling system
• Air conditioning
• Seals and gaskets
• Steering
• Suspension
• Brakes
• Electrical components
• Fuel system
• Cruise control switches and actuator

Silver: Silver is Gold Standard Automotive Network’s mid-range exclusionary coverage. It includes all parts that are covered in the Bronze plan, plus additional components of these systems:

• Cooling system
• Electrical
• Fuel
• Brakes
• Seals and gaskets

Gold: The highest-tier plan offered by Gold Standard Automotive Network, Gold offers true exclusionary coverage. It includes all factory-installed mechanical and electrical components, except for a few parts that are listed in the vehicle service contract.

Coverage Add-Ons

Tire and Wheel coverage includes:

• Tire repair or replacement for deterioration, including curb and sidewall damage
• Optional chrome and cosmetic wheel coverage
• Rim repair or replacement
• Mounting, balancing, valve stems, disposal and labor costs of tire-related services

The Key Plus+ option has a few components to it, such as:

• Key fob replacement (up to $800 per year)
• Dent restoration for minor dents, scratches and dings
• Windshield repair for cracks and chips

ETCH Protection focuses on security. With this plan, a security number is etched onto your vehicle. If the vehicle is stolen and isn’t recovered within 30 days, the ETCH policy will pay you $2,500, $5,000 or $7,500 depending on the coverage you purchased.

Additional Benefits

Gold Standard Automotive Network plans come with emergency roadside assistance, which is fairly standard among third-party warranty providers. A benefit that does set Gold Standard Automotive Network apart is its maintenance coverage. The following parts and services are included with all service agreements:

• Three oil and filter changes per year (up to $45)
• Brake pad replacements (up to $135)
• Wiper blade replacements (up to $20)
• Annual tire rotation and alignment check (up to $30 and $20, respectively)
• Annual engine diagnostic (up to $40)
• State safety inspections (up to $50)
• Battery replacements (up to $100)
• Cooling system maintenance (up to $50)
• Service at 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000 miles (up to $20, $40 and $60, respectively)

While these reimbursements typically won’t cover the total cost of the service, they will give you a steep discount. Additionally, Gold Standard Automotive Network gives customers a $500 reimbursement on insurance deductibles and $2,000 toward a replacement vehicle at the selling dealership if your car is totaled in a collision.

Coverage is fully transferable to subsequent owners, which can be an attractive incentive for potential buyers if you choose to sell your vehicle.

Cost of Gold Standard Automotive Network

Because plans are only sold through dealerships and agents, Gold Standard Automotive Network doesn’t have sample pricing online.

The price of an extended auto warranty varies widely from vehicle to vehicle, so you’ll need to contact a dealership that sells Gold Standard Automotive Network plans to get a quote specific to your vehicle. Factors that can affect your warranty cost include:

• The make and model of your vehicle
• How many miles are on your odometer
• Your vehicle’s model year
• The coverage plan you choose

All Gold Standard Automotive Network service contracts hold a $0 deductible. This might make your premium more expensive, but you can take comfort in the fact that you won’t have to pay a dime out of pocket when covered repairs are made.

How to File a Claim

In the event of a breakdown, customers can call 855-321-6121 to request roadside assistance. Once your vehicle is at the repair shop and the cause of your breakdown has been diagnosed, a technician will get in touch with Gold Standard Automotive Network to discuss repairs. A claims adjustor will then reach out to you to tell you what is covered and how much it will cost.

Customer reviews we found state that the claims process can be a headache, and some customers were left waiting longer than usual to get their vehicles repaired due to back-and-forth between Gold Standard and the repair shop.

If you are unhappy with your Gold Standard Automotive Network coverage, you can cancel at any time for a prorated refund.

Gold Standard Automotive Network Extended Warranty Reviews

As mentioned, Gold Standard Automotive Network has hundreds of customer reviews online. Along with its BBB accreditation, A+ rating and near 5.0-star customer score, Gold Standard Automotive Network holds a 4.7-star rating on Google with more than 400 reviews.

The majority of these are positive, but the few negative reviews we came across mostly focused on breakdowns not being covered fully or the claims and repair process taking longer than customers expected – even up to a few weeks.

“While it does take a little bit to get them on the phone, once connected, the customer service was great. They paid quickly once the mechanics did their part and got me on the road. So glad I purchased this warranty.”

– Shelli T., BBB

“I love the fact that they are willing to help walk me through the terms and conditions of each plan, leaving me with a very clear set of expectations. Their customer service is very quick to reach and incredibly helpful and kind.”

– Alec V., BBB

“Did an awesome job with timing and customer service. Only letdown for me was the fact they only cover a certain amount for certain repairs. I will be paying more out of pocket than my warranty will.”

– Myllo A., BBB

“I’ve had two customers come in and they have not honored the terms on their contracts. They keep claiming pre-existing conditions.”

– Jovani Duarte, Google

Conclusion: Is Gold Standard Automotive Network Worth It?

Gold Standard Automotive Network offers six solid plan options, and the maintenance benefits are a great perk. Plus, the company has a great reputation with its customers, as you can see from hundreds of positive online reviews. If Gold Standard Automotive Network plans are offered at your dealership, we think they’re worth considering.

However, we recommend comparing plans and costs with a few other extended warranty providers to make sure you’re getting the best deal for your long-term coverage. There are plenty of third-party providers that offer even more variety of coverage and perks that are just as valuable. Because they’re sold independently of a dealership, they may be cheaper, too.

Our Picks for Best Extended Car Warranties

Our research team has reviewed every major auto warranty provider in the industry, examining coverage levels, costs, customer service and more. We collected real price quotes and evaluated the experience of working with each company’s representatives. Based on this research, we find that Endurance, CARCHEX and CarShield are three companies worth considering.

Remember, it’s always smart to get quotes from more than one provider before making a final decision on coverage.

Endurance

Our review team identified Endurance to be the Best Provider on the market. The company is a direct provider, meaning it handles all claims and payments directly instead of administering other companies’ plans.

One of the reasons Endurance stood out was its high-quality plans that range from basic powertrain coverage to bumper-to-bumper protection. All plans come with a free year of Endurance Elite Benefits, which includes perks like roadside assistance and trip interruption coverage, as well as up to $1000 in total loss protection.

CARCHEX

CARCHEX has one of the longest mileage term limits on the market, covering cars up to 250,000 miles. The company offers five distinct plans, which break down into 16 separate contracts, with deductible options ranging from $0 to $200.

CARCHEX has a great reputation for customer service. It holds an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB, has made the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies eight times, and has partnerships with reputable companies such as CARFAX, Kelley Blue Book, RepairPal and Edmunds.com.

CarShield

Our Most Affordable provider, CarShield gives customers flexible payment options such as month-to-month contracts that can be canceled at any time. This means you won’t have to worry about being locked into a long-term contract should your financial situation change or should you decide you no longer need coverage.

CarShield offers six vehicle service contracts, including motorcycle and ATV coverage. The company has covered over one million vehicles in its 14 years of business.

Gold Standard Automotive Network