You’ve made the decision to protect your vehicle with an extended car warranty, and two of the most popular providers have caught your eye: Endurance and CARCHEX. One is a direct service provider, and the other is a third-party broker.
After thoroughly researching the car warranty industry, we’ve found both Endurance and CARCHEX to be among the best extended car warranty companies on the market. In this article, we’ll compare the two providers in terms of coverage, cost, claims process, and reviews to help you decide which company is best for your needs.
At Motor1.com, we're dedicated to supplying car owners with the well-researched information they need to make sound decisions about auto warranties. Our editorial team consists of experienced automotive researchers, writers, and editors that follow strict guidelines to ensure that our articles are unbiased and fact checked.
To compile our product reviews and rankings, our team continuously evaluates dozens of warranty companies to compare plans, coverage, costs, customer service, and transparency. We verify each provider’s quality through our hands-on research process. More than 1,500 hours of research has gone into analyzing past customer reviews and mystery shopping top providers to gather pricing quotes for various plans. We’ve also surveyed 2,000 extended warranty customers to learn what matters most to consumers when purchasing a warranty. Lastly, to obtain first-hand product knowledge our team bought five warranty plans from separate providers to test the coverage levels and claims process of each company.
Read our full warranty review methodology and our editorial guidelines.
Our Methodology
We update our review standards multiple times a year to ensure that we’re providing you with the most current and accurate information about extended warranty providers. When comparing car warranty companies, we look at the following scores side by side.
Industry Standing
When scoring extended warranty companies in this category, we look at a few different factors. We weigh a company’s longevity, availability, and partners as well as its score and accreditation status from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Coverage
We consider a warranty provider’s coverage options when determining this score. Endurance has six levels of coverage and CARCHEX has five. Both have many additional perks. Endurance scores a bit higher in this category as it’s a direct provider of its warranty plans.
Cost
To determine a cost score, we got several quotes from both providers. In each case, we used different vehicles and warranty plans in order to get a cross-section of what each provider charges. We also looked at what deductible options each company offers as well as any applicable discounts.
Transparency
The transparency score comes from whether a warranty company offers a money-back guarantee and whether it provides sample contracts for its warranty plans on its website. Both Endurance and CARCHEX have both, so we award both of them with a perfect 5.0 score.
Customer Service
Customer reviews on the BBB and Trustpilot make up the bulk of the customer service score. Other factors we weigh include whether the company has a mobile app, an online chat option, and the ease of its quote process.
Comparing Endurance To CARCHEX
Endurance has been in the vehicle service contract industry for over 10 years and was ranked in the 2022 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing companies. It holds a Gold-Level Certification from the Vehicle Protection Association and has a well-known reputation for good customer service.
Since 2004, CARCHEX has been a central player in the auto warranty industry, offering a variety of tiered extended protection plans and differentiating itself with its No-Haggle, Low-Price, Everyday Guarantee™. It’s endorsed by CARFAX and Kelley Blue Book.
The table below offers a side-by-side comparison of the two warranty providers.
Endurance | CARCHEX | |
---|---|---|
Year Founded | $2,006 | 1999 |
Number of Coverage Levels and Plans | 6 Levels and 6 contracts | 5 Levels and 22 contracts |
Added Benefits | One-year access to the Endurance Elite Benefits | 24/7 roadside assistance, rental car assistance, and towing |
Transferable Plans | ✓ | ✓ |
Repair Shop Flexibility | Choice of thousands of repair shops (no shops available in California) | Choice of 30,000 repair shops, using the CARCHEX mobile app to find a shop near you |
Deductible Range | $0 to $200 | $0 to $200 |
30-Days Money Back Guarantee | ✓ | ✓ |
Endorsements | Vehicle Protection Association, Katie Osbourne, Courtney Hanson | CARFAX, Kelley Blue Book, RepairPal, and more |
Both companies also offer free quotes via their websites. You’ll be asked to provide certain information about yourself and your vehicle and will receive a quote instantly.
Endurance Overview
Endurance is a car warranty company based in Northbrook, Illinois. The company was founded in 2006 and is a direct provider of extended car warranties. This means that it will handle all aspects of the protection plans it sells, from providing quotes to paying mechanics. The company has built a very solid reputation in the industry and is known for its excellent customer service and reliability.
Endurance Warranty Coverage Options
Endurance has six different warranty plans to choose from:
- Supreme: As Endurance’s bumper-to-bumper plan, this is the highest level of coverage offered by Endurance and has a very short list of exclusions. It is, however, the most expensive option.
- Superior: The Superior plan covers many vehicle system components with only a short list of exclusions, like seals and gaskets, and is the highest stated component coverage plan available.
- Secure Plus: This plan provides the shortest wait period of 30 days or 1,000 miles. It’s more comprehensive than the Select Premier and Secure plans, covering steering components.
- Select Premier: Designed for high-mileage vehicles, this plan covers powertrain components, as well as the cooling system, electrical components, and fuel delivery components.
- Secure: As Endurance’s most basic and affordable warranty, the Secure plan provides drivers with powertrain protection, covering the engine, drive axle, and transmission.
- EnduranceAdvantage™: The Advantage plan includes both mechanical breakdowns and maintenance, which is something you don’t often see in the extended car warranty industry. There are three levels of coverage within the plan (Prime, Plus, and Preferred) that include high-level stated-component coverage and maintenance services like oil changes, engine diagnostics, and brake pad replacements.
While Endurance offers a variety of options for its customers, the first five plans don’t break down further into more customized contracts. For more detailed information about what each plan includes and excludes, Endurance provides downloadable sample contracts on its website.
All Endurance warranty plans come with a one-year membership to the Endurance Elite program, which provides added benefits like roadside assistance. But with the average age of cars on the road today at a record 12.2 years old, this may not be a very large window for benefits.
With each plan, vehicle owners have access to:
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- Rental car coverage
- Total loss protection
- Collision discount
- Replacement for lost or broken key fobs
- Tire repair and replacement (up to two per year)
How Much Does An Endurance Car Warranty Cost?
According to the Federal Trade Commission, when you purchase an extended car warranty, the cost of your plan will depend on:
- Your car’s make, model, and condition
- The level of coverage you select
- The contract’s term length
These factors vary from person to person and companies weigh them differently. That’s why it’s difficult to provide an exact number or even a range for the cost of Endurance’s extended warranties.
During our review process, we reached out for Endurance warranty quotes on the following vehicles:
Vehicle | Endurance Warranty Plan | Term Length | Monthly Payment | Down Payment | Deductible |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017 Honda CR-V | Supreme | 5 years/ 100,000 miles | $114 for 30 months | $300 | $100 |
2017 Chevrolet Silverado | Supreme | 6 years/ 100 ,000 miles | $120 for 30 months | $214 | $100 |
2017 Honda CR-V | Superior | 5 years/ 100,000 miles | $134 for 24 months | $154 | $100 |
2017 Honda CR-V | Secure Plus | 5 years/ 100,000 miles | $119 for 30 months | $300 | $100 |
2017 Honda CR-V | Secure | 5 years/ 54,000 miles | $133 for 24 months | $153 | $100 |
2013 Toyota Camry | Select Premier | 6 years/ 75,000 miles | $107 for 30 months | $20 | $100 |
2017 Honda CR-V | EnduranceAdvantage | 5 years/ 100,000 miles | $163 for 30 months | $300 | $100 |
Because Endurance doesn’t act as a broker and instead handles all claims and processes for customers, the company is not able to provide as many contract options as its competitors. This limits pricing options. Deductibles, the amount you pay out of pocket, run between $100 and $200 in addition to the monthly cost of your plan. Endurance currently does not offer a $0 deductible option for customers, whereas competitors like CARCHEX do.
How The Endurance Claims Process Works
Endurance provides a thorough guide to filing claims on its website and even a step-by-step checklist in its mobile app. If something happens to your vehicle, you’ll take your vehicle to the licensed repair facility of your choice and provide a copy of your Endurance contract or contract number.
Prior to any repairs being made, the repair facility will contract Endurance to obtain authorization for the claim and then review coverage with you. You’ll be asked to pay any applicable deductible before any repair or replacement service is performed. Endurance will reimburse the repair facility directly for the cost of the work performed on the vehicle that’s covered under your warranty plan.
It’s important to keep in mind that repair orders and documentation must be submitted to Endurance within 30 days after the repair has been completed to be eligible for payment.
How Transparent Is Endurance?
We gave Endurance a 5.0 score in the Transparency category, as the company makes it very clear what customers can expect. Endurance provides sample warranty contracts on its website to give you a sense of what each plan covers. The company also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with its services.
Endurance Customer Reviews
Endurance has relatively high ratings with regard to customer reviews. However, the company is currently not accredited by the BBB and is currently not rated by the organization.
The company has closed over 801 complaints from the BBB in the last 12 months alone. The customer review rating is 3.6 out of 5.0 stars, with just as many reviewers noting dissatisfaction as those who experienced polite representatives and fast service.
One reviewer on Trustpilot wrote, “Initially the process was stressful, but ultimately they resolved my vehicle’s damages and fully covered the repairs for both parts and labor. A very kind representative even contacted me to see how my vehicle was operating post-repair work.”
In general, there seem to be recurring issues, such as difficulty contacting Endurance representatives on the weekends and long waiting periods for reimbursement, as well as consistent positives, such as committed customer service employees.
Our Survey Data
According to our survey of 1,000 warranty customers, 240 bought a third-party plan. Of those 240, Endurance was the third most popular provider. Roughly 8 percent of respondents reported having an Endurance warranty plan.
Our Verdict On Endurance: 4.6 Stars
If you’re looking for an extended auto warranty backed by years in the industry, then you should definitely consider an Endurance auto warranty. Endurance is one of the top direct extended warranty companies, meaning Endurance administers all of its own warranty plans. We consider Endurance to be a great option, and because of its coverage options, added perks, and easy claims process, the company is Motor1’s choice for Best Coverage.
Category | Motor1 Rating |
---|---|
Industry Standing | 4.4 |
Coverage | 4.9 |
Cost | 4.5 |
Transparency | 5.0 |
Customer Service | 4.4 |
Overall | 4.6 |
CARCHEX Overview
Compared to Endurance, CARCHEX offers many more plan options for customers, with a total of 16 plans within five tiers of coverage. As reflected in thousands of positive reviews online, CARCHEX has a history of providing strong customer service. It is accredited by the BBB and maintains an A+ rating.
CARCHEX Warranty Coverage Options
Here’s an overview of the CARCHEX extended warranty plans and what they cover:
- Titanium: The most comprehensive coverage option offered by CARCHEX, this is similar to a manufacturer’s bumper-to-bumper factory warranty and has a short list of exclusions.
- Platinum: This warranty is the highest stated component coverage plan, including protection for heating and cooling systems, electrical components, and more.
- Gold: This level is ideal for vehicles with more than 60,000 miles and covers all powertrain and basic components in addition to steering and braking parts.
- Silver: The “powertrain plus” plan includes the powertrain, fuel delivery system, air conditioning, and electrical components of the vehicle.
- Bronze: The most basic plan, this affordable option covers the cost of the most expensive and crucial repairs to your car, including the engine, drivetrain, transmission, and cooling system.
CARCHEX serves as a contract broker, which means it sells warranty plans that are administered by another party. When you select a level of coverage from CARCHEX, you’ll have a number of warranty plans to choose from. This allows CARCHEX to provide more customizable warranty plans and meet individual drivers’ needs with regard to costs, protection, add-ons, and more.
In comparison, while Endurance does offer six levels of coverage, the company does not act as a broker, meaning that most coverage levels don’t break down further into customized contracts and plans.
All CARCHEX plans also come with the following benefits:
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- Key lock-out service
- Emergency gas delivery
- Towing services
- Rental car reimbursement
- Trip interruption reimbursement
How Much Does A CARCHEX Car Warranty Cost?
The cost of a CARCHEX plan will vary depending on the contract you select, its term length, the make and model of your vehicle, and more. CARCHEX plans are generally more affordable than Endurance. Vehicle owners can pay in full or with a monthly payment plan over 18 months.
We reached out to CARCHEX and received the following quotes:
Vehicle | CARCHEX Warranty Plan | Term Length | Monthly Payment | Down Payment | Deductible |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017 Honda CR-V | Titanium | 6 years/ 125,000 miles | $182 for 18 months | One month | $100 |
2017 Chevrolet Silverado | Titanium | 6 years/ 125,000 miles | $218 for 18 months | One month | $100 |
2017 Honda CR-V | Platinum | 6 years/ 100,000 miles | $212 for 18 months | One month | $100 |
2017 Honda CR-V | Gold | 6 years/ 100,000 miles | $222 for 18 months | One month | $100 |
2017 Honda CR-V | Silver | 5 years/ 100,000 miles | $204 for 18 months | One month | $100 |
2017 Honda CR-V | Bronze | 5 years/ 100,000 miles | $177 for 18 months | One month | $100 |
How The CARCHEX Claims Process Works
Once you’ve determined that your repair or replacement is covered by your warranty policy, you can choose a mechanic from CARCHEX’s network of independent repair facilities, national chains like Pep Boys and Goodyear, or the dealership.
The facility will diagnose your vehicle and submit the necessary information to the claims department for approval. A CARCHEX representative will handle the fulfillment in coordination with American Auto Shield or Royal Administration Services, who provide CARCHEX’s plans.
Then, to ensure you won’t be left with a bill, CARCHEX will make payments directly to the repair facility.
How Transparent Is CARCHEX?
Like Endurance, we found CARCHEX to be very clear about what it offers. We give the company a 5.0 Transparency score, as it provides sample contracts on its website and provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.
CARCHEX Customer Reviews
Though it has an A+ rating and accreditation with the BBB, CARCHEX has low star ratings from customers on both the BBB and Trustpilot. Customers on the BBB’s website give CARCHEX an average rating of 2.1 stars out of 5.0. Reviews on Trustpilot are more plentiful and generally more positive. There, customers rate the company with 2.8 stars out of 5.0.
Positive reviews generally tout CARCHEX’s customer-centric approach. In a Trustpilot review found on the CARCHEX website, one reviewer said, “The representative found special discounts for me that provided a nice reduction in the total price. I hope that I will never need the policy but glad I have the extra assurance now!”
Another Trustpilot reviewer said, “Helpful, friendly people. Willing to work with you to get the best deal available for you, listen to your concerns, and willing to explain any issues.”
Our Survey Data
Of the 240 respondents to our warranty survey that bought a third-party plan, CARCHEX was the second most popular provider. Just under 20 percent of those surveyed said they had a CARCHEX plan.
Our Verdict On CARCHEX: 4.4 Stars
From our research, we think CARCHEX extended warranties give consumers more choice and control over their plans, which is why the company is consistently recognized as a reliable alternative to manufacturer warranties.
Category | Motor1 Rating |
---|---|
Industry Standing | 5.0 |
Coverage | 4.6 |
Cost | 4.3 |
Transparency | 5.0 |
Customer Service | 3.2 |
Overall | 4.4 |
Endurance vs. CARCHEX: Our Conclusion
CARCHEX and Endurance are both leaders in the third-party extended car warranty market – offering five or six levels of plans for vehicle owners, respectively, and holding a strong reputation for positive customer experiences. As such, the differences between the two companies and which is right for most drivers lie in the details.
Endurance vs. CARCHEX: FAQ
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Endurance vs. CARCHEX.
While Endurance and CARCHEX are both reputable extended warranty companies, they are not the same entity. Endurance is a direct provider of vehicle service contracts. CARCHEX, on the other hand, is a warranty broker.
Yes, Endurance is a legitimate company. It has been in business since 2006 and is a direct provider of extended car warranties. Customer reviews frequently mention the company’s strong customer service and easy claims process.
In our industry-wide review of the top car warranty companies, we found Endurance and CARCHEX to be two of the best. Though both scored highly in each category, Endurance is our highest-rated provider. We gave the company a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0.
No, despite having similar names, CARCHEX and CarShield are two different extende warranty providers.

Brogan is a Motor1.com Senior Writer based in Central Oregon. He produces in-depth auto product guides on topics spanning from auto warranties and insurance to tips on how to sell a car.