Endurance vs. Carchex: Warranty Comparison

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. But between Endurance vs. CARCHEX, which is right for you?

In this article, we compare the two auto warranty companies in terms of coverage, cost, the claims process, and reviews.

Endurance has been in the vehicle service contract industry for over 10 years and was called “the most customer-driven company in the industry” in the 2018 Inc. 5000. It holds a Gold-Level Certification from the Vehicle Protection Association and has a well-known reputation for 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 is endorsed by CARFAX, Kelley Blue Book, and Edmunds.com.

Below, we pull back the curtain on both companies to better understand their coverage options, the claims process, customer reviews, and more. Read on for a full analysis of Endurance and CARCHEX extended warranty plans and who we recommend for your vehicle coverage.

Endurance is a Northbrook, Illinois-based car warranty company that started in 2006. Since its founding, the company has earned a reputable name in the industry for customer service and reliability. It offers vehicle owners a variety of coverage plans directly, rather than acting as a broker like CARCHEX that features plans from several direct providers.

Endurance has six warranty plans that vary in coverage and term length:

• Supreme: As Endurance’s bumper-to-bumper plan, this is the most comprehensive of the company’s warranties 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, drivetrain, 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 today road at a record 11.5 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)

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

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:

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 – which limits pricing options. Deductibles 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, where competitors like CARCHEX do.

As part of Endurance handling claims directly for its customers, there is a thorough guide to filing claims on its website and even a step-by-step checklist in its mobile app.

When you’re covered by Endurance and 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.

Endurance has relatively high ratings with regard to customer reviews. However, the company is currently not BBB accredited, and while it has held a B+ BBB rating in the past, it is currently marked as a C. The company has closed over 421 complaints from the BBB in the last 12 months alone. The customer review rating is 3.4 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.

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 everything is handled directly with Endurance. We consider Endurance to be a great option, and the company is Motor1’s choice for Best Coverage and top overall pick.

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 is known for its customer-centric approach and strong history of customer service. It is accredited by the BBB and maintains an A+ rating.

Here’s an overview of the CARCHEX extended warranty plans and what they cover:

• Titanium: The most comprehensive 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. This means when you choose a level of coverage from CARCHEX, you’ll be offered a number of contract options. 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

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, with the average monthly cost for a 2007–2014 Toyota coming to $56. 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:

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, and a CARCHEX representative will handle the fulfilment 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.

Along with its A+ BBB rating, CARCHEX also has a 3.2-star customer rating on Trustpilot.

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.”

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.

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 lies in the details.

After reviewing the benefits and drawbacks of each company, Endurance is our recommended provider for an extended car warranty.

In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.

• Industry Standing: Warranty providers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
• Coverage: This rating is based on types of extended warranty plans available, coverage terms, and added benefits like roadside assistance.
• Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of plans and vehicles. Companies with lower prices per year of coverage receive the best scores.
• Transparency: This score takes into account contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
• Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each warranty company.