Smart AutoCare Warranty Reviews
Smart AutoCare offers extended warranty plans lasting up to 10 years/125,000 miles, but you can only buy coverage from a dealership or licensed agent.
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Key Points:
- Smart AutoCare offers seven extended warranty plans to consumers that can last up to ten years or 125,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- You can only purchase a Smart AutoCare warranty through a dealership or licensed agent, and plan details provided online are sparse.
- We encourage you to explore other options by gathering quotes from multiple vehicle service contract providers.
Choosing a car warranty company is an important decision. Are you considering purchasing an extended car warranty from Smart AutoCare? In this guide, we’ll make it easier for you to decide by reviewing the company, its coverage, and user reviews. To compare the provider with our top picks for extended warranties, get a few free quotes below.
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.
Our Smart AutoCare Warranty Review
Smart AutoCare is a warranty provider that sells its products through dealerships and independent agents throughout the country. Plans sold through Smart AutoCare are backed by a reputable insurance company. Smart AutoCare settles over 7,000+ claims monthly, paying an average of $5.5 million to contract holders during this time.
Our research team appreciates the wide range of coverage options available and the perks that come with each plan. We also like how the company pays claims out the same day they’re settled. However, you’ll need to purchase your coverage at a dealership or with an agent, and reviews we’ve found are more negative than positive.
See the table below for a breakdown of our team’s overall rating for Smart AutoCare.
| Overall Rating | 3.8/5.0 |
|---|---|
| Reliability | 4.2 |
| Coverage Plans | 4.4 |
| Pricing | 3.7 |
| Transparency | 3.4 |
| Customer Service | 3.2 |
Smart AutoCare Customer Reviews
Since every company receives positive reviews and customer complaints online, our review team looks for general trends among reviewers.
We found that Smart AutoCare has mostly negative reviews across various platforms, including the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and Facebook. However, it has slightly better reviews on Google, with a 3.6 out of 5.0-star rating from customer reviews.
Many customers reported issues with Smart AutoCare’s coverage of their needed auto repairs, with some repair shops throwing their complaints in the mix. Positive reviewers speak of a smooth and easy claims process.
About Smart AutoCare
Headquartered in Richardson, Texas, Smart AutoCare is a company that designs, markets, and administers finance and auto insurance products through dealerships across the U.S. In business since 1998, it was acquired by Tiptree Inc. in 2020, a holding company that combines insurance operations with investment management capabilities.
Smart AutoCare currently holds an A+ rating and accreditation with the BBB, and sells its vehicle service contracts through dealerships and independent agents.
Smart AutoCare Extended Warranty Plans
Smart AutoCare offers a variety of extended protection products, but its vehicle service contracts are fairly straightforward. Plans fall under three tiers of coverage–Premier, 5 Star, and Advantage Care. These plans are for both new and used cars for up to ten years or 125,000 miles.
What’s unique, though, is that these tiers are broken down into several additional plan levels. To help you better understand your options with Smart AutoCare, we’ll outline each plan in the section below.
Smart AutoCare Advantage Care Coverage
Smart AutoCare’s Advantage Care coverage tier is broken down into four plans. See the details of each in the table below.
| Advantage Care Plan | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Exclusionary | Smart AutoCare lists this as a plan option, but provides no detail on what it covers. Based on the name, we assume this exclusionary coverage is the closest coverage option to a bumper-to-bumper warranty. |
| Comprehensive | Covers components protected by the Powertrain and Powertrain+ plans in addition to audio, hybrid systems, and entertainment and navigation parts. Hybrid batteries are not included. |
| Powertrain+ | Covers all parts protected by the Powertrain plan as well as air conditioning, cooling system, electrical, brakes, gasoline fuel system, suspension, ABS system, and steering components. Seals and gaskets are also covered. |
| Powertrain | Basic coverage designed to protect parts that keep your car moving–the engine, turbocharger, supercharger, transmission, transfer case, front and rear wheel drive, and AWD are covered. |
Smart AutoCare 5 Star Coverage
The only coverage tier not offering multiple levels of protection, the 5 Star vehicle service contract covers the following vehicle systems:
- Gasoline and diesel engines
- Turbocharger
- Supercharger
- Transmission
- Suspension
- Transfer case
- Front wheel drive
- Rear wheel drive
- 4×4/AWD
- Cooling
- HVAC
- ABS
- Brakes
- Steering
- Electrical
Smart AutoCare Premier Coverage
Smart AutoCare’s Premier coverage tier is split into two levels. Learn about each one below.
| Premier Plan | Details |
|---|---|
| Premier Plus | All components within the Premier plan are covered with additional protection for electrical and air conditioning parts. |
| Premier | This provides protection for components associated with the engine, transmission, turbocharger, supercharger, steering, transfer case, front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, and your car’s seals and gaskets. |
Smart AutoCare Tier Comparison
In the table below, we compare the protection provided by each coverage tier. As you can see, the company’s Advantage Care tier is clearly its strongest warranty plan.
| Component | Premier | 5 Star | Advantage Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline Engine | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Diesel Engine | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Turbocharger/Supercharger | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Transmission | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Transfer Case | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Front/Rear Wheel Drive | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 4X4/AWD | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| HVAC | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cooling | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Gasoline Fuel | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Diesel Fuel | ✔ | ||
| Electrical | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Suspension | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Brakes | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| ABS | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Steering | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Audio | ✔ | ||
| Hybrid | ✔ | ||
| Entertainment/Navigation | ✔ | ||
| Smart Tech | |||
| Seals/Gaskets | ✔ | ✔ |
We wish that Smart AutoCare provided a more detailed list of covered components to differentiate each plan from one another. If you’d like to know exactly what each plan covers and the deductible options available to you, you’ll need to contact SmartAuto Care or a licensed dealer of its plans.
Smart AutoCare Warranty Perks
Smart AutoCare offers roadside assistance, substitute transportation, and trip interruption benefits with its plans. You’ll need to talk to a dealer to learn more details about the coverage and limitations of each benefit. .
Roadside assistance with Smart AutoCare includes:
- Fuel, oil, and water delivery
- Battery jump-starts
- Towing services
- Lockout services
- Flat tire changes
Smart AutoCare Warranty Exclusions
You’ll need to see your Smart AutoCare warranty contract for an exact list of excluded parts for your plan. However, most vehicle service contracts exclude the following, no matter the level of protection:
- Damage covered by an insurance policy, like that from an accident
- Damage from misuse and abuse of your vehicle
- Routine maintenance service like oil changes
- Damage from wear and tear
- Environmental damage
Smart AutoCare Claims Process
Filing a claim with Smart AutoCare is fairly straightforward. After contacting the company, the ASE-certified repair facility of your choice will need to contact them as well with the exact details of your warranty claim. In some customer reviews, it’s been reported that an adjuster has been sent out to verify the repair, but this may not be the case in all instances.
Once the claim has been analyzed, Smart AutoCare will respond with their approval or denial through the repair shop. The company says that claims are typically handled within a few hours, and payments are sent directly to the repair facility.
Smart AutoCare Cancellation Policy
All Smart AutoCare contracts are transferable and cancelable, and the company directs you to your vehicle service contract for specific details on canceling your chosen plan. However, note that in any case, you’ll need a copy of your service contract, an affidavit with the true mileage of your car on the date of your request, and either a signed letter requesting cancellation or a cancellation form.
Smart AutoCare Warranty Costs
The cost of an extended warranty depends on your vehicle’s model, age, and mileage. Based on our research, an extended warranty will cost, on average, around $977 per year of coverage. See the table below for a breakdown of cost by type of coverage.
| Extended Warranty Type | Yearly Coverage Costs |
|---|---|
| Exclusionary | $1,005 |
| Mid-Level | $937 |
| Powertrain | $953 |
Since Smart AutoCare sells its extended warranties through a variety of dealerships, the cost of its auto warranty will also depend on the specific dealership that’s selling its policy. For more information on the topic of cost, we recommend that our readers review our article on extended car warranty costs.
Smart AutoCare Warranty Reviews: Our Take
Smart AutoCare could be a good fit, especially if you’re offered a plan through a dealership at the time of vehicle purchase. However, we don’t like how you have to go through a dealership or agent in order to purchase a plan or get quotes. We recommend gathering quotes from other extended warranty providers that are more flexible and offer free quotes online, such as Endurance and Carchex.
Our Recommendations For Extended Car Warranties
Both Carchex and Endurance received excellent reviews and high provider ratings from our team. Endurance earned an overall 4.6 out of 5.0 stars and the award of Best Overall in our comprehensive review. Carchex earned 4.4 out of 5.0 stars and the award of Best Industry Reputation.
These providers come out ahead of Smart AutoCare for the following reasons:
- Free quotes: Carchex and Endurance allow prospective customers to enter their vehicle’s details online for a free quote, saving them time.
- Industry partnerships: Carchex partners with several reputable automotive industry companies, including Kelley Blue Book, Carfax, and Edmunds.com. Endurance partners with Andretti Motorsports, a highly successful auto racing company. These partnerships demonstrate leadership in the extended warranty industry.
- Sample contracts available online: By uploading their sample contracts online, Carchex and Endurance give potential customers full transparency into their plan’s details and coverage.
Deciding between Carchex vs. Endurance? We encourage you to get a free quote from each provider and compare costs and coverage levels. This way, you’ll be sure to get the right warranty coverage for your needs.
Smart AutoCare Warranty Reviews: FAQ
Below are commonly asked questions about Smart AutoCare.
Who is the parent company of Smart AutoCare?
The parent company of Smart AutoCare is Tiptree, Inc., which acquired it in 2020.
What is the best car warranty company for older cars?
The best warranty company for your older car will depend on your needs. However, we feel that Carchex is an excellent choice for used vehicles because it covers cars up to 20 years old with 250,000 miles on them.
What are the benefits of a car warranty?
An extended car warranty is essentially an extension of your vehicle’s factory warranty coverage. It can protect you from paying out of pocket for costly repairs due to a mechanical breakdown.
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.
