What’s The Best Extended Car Warranty Of 2021?

What Is An Extended Car Warranty?

An extended car warranty, also called a vehicle service contract, is an optional service plan that helps cover the cost of certain car repairs or replacements that your car may need while you own it. The extended car warranty usually takes effect after your manufacturer’s warranty has expired, though the two warranties sometimes overlap.

The main difference between a manufacturer’s warranty and an extended car warranty is that a manufacturer’s warranty is included at the time of sale. Extended car warranties, on the other hand, cost an additional fee.

The 12 Best Extended Car Warranty Companies Of 2021

Our research team compiled key information on all of the most popular extended car warranty providers. Criteria included industry standing, coverage, cost, transparency, and customer service. Based on these overall ratings, here are the best extended car warranties:

#1 Endurance: Best Overall

A direct provider for vehicle protection, Endurance is an extended car warranty company with over 10 years of experience that is backed by an AM Best A-rated insurance company.

Unlike most car warranty companies, Endurance is a direct administrator of warranty plans, which means it handles all claims directly, so there’s no middleman involved. You talk to just the Endurance team at every point of the process. Not only can this speed up the claims process, but you won’t be wondering who you should call for what issue.

Endurance offers six levels of protection: 

Maximum term lengths aren’t listed on the Endurance website. In our “secret shopper” analysis, the longest coverage we could get was 8 years/200,000 miles. We recommend calling Endurance to get a quote for your specific car, since vehicle age and mileage are factors in the overall cost.

With each plan, Endurance provides customers with roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, trip interruption coverage, and a one-year Endurance Elite Membership that includes tire repairs and replacements, key fob replacements, repair financing, and more. These benefits are some of the best you will find in the extended auto warranty industry.

Additionally, the EnduranceAdvantage plan is unique in the industry because it offers both extended warranty coverage and vehicle maintenance. There are three levels of coverage within the plan – Prime, Plus, and Preferred – all of which include high-level stated-component coverage and many maintenance services.

Other features that make Endurance our top-rated provider include:

• Quick and easy claims process: Planholders get access to an online account, so you can make a claim online or by phone, whichever you prefer.
• Identity theft protection: Every plan includes ID protection tools to ensure you receive reimbursement should your identity be compromised. 
• Personal assistance for planholders: When you invest in a plan, you get personalized assistance from a live, responsive concierge who can assist when an emergency arises.

For more information on this extended car warranty provider, check out our complete Endurance warranty review. If you are ready to get a free quote and compare Endurance to competitors, simply use the tool below:

#2 CarShield: Best Value 

CarShield started in 2005 and has since protected over one million vehicles. We’ve recognized it for having the Best Value because of its low rates and positive online reviews. CarShield boasts nearly 15,000 Trustpilot reviews, much more than the competition, and over 5,000 Google reviews. It ranks 4.0 stars or higher on both sites.

CarShield brokers plans from multiple providers and operates as the middleman between the customer and a warranty company. It has several levels of coverage for new and used cars, but we especially like its protection for specialty vehicles and high-tech systems and components.

We found CarShield to be a popular choice among consumers because of its many perks, including:

• Low or $0 deductibles
• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Courtesy towing
• Claims paid directly to the auto repair facility
• Free rental car reimbursement included in some plans

For more information on this extended vehicle warranty provider, check out our CarShield review. To get a free, personalized quote for your car, use the tool below:

#3 CARCHEX: Best Service

CARCHEX’s credentials speak for themselves. CARCHEX has been in the business for more than 20 years, has an A+ BBB rating and accreditation, and is endorsed by industry leaders like Kelley Blue Book, the Vehicle Protection Association, CARFAX, and Edmunds.com. The company has also received numerous awards for outstanding customer service, including:

• 2017 Top Pick by ThoroughlyReviewed 
• TopConsumerReviews.com 5-star rating for 6 consecutive years
• BestReviewsHub.com Best Choice Award for 4 consecutive years
• 2017 Golden Bridge Awards^® “Silver Status” for 3 consecutive years for customer service

On customer service, the company’s No-Haggle, Low-Price, Everyday Guarantee™ is a differentiator from competitors, as CARCHEX aims to provide the best possible experience where coverage and pricing details are clear, you aren’t pressured to buy, and your questions are fully answered – an experience that can be hard to find in the car warranty industry. 

Additionally, CARCHEX’s 30-Day Money Back Guarantee means you can give the company a try and get a full refund if you’re not satisfied with the service within 30 days. We found a 30-day guarantee is fairly standard among the car warranty companies we reviewed.

CARCHEX offers five coverage tiers (listed below) with several plan options under each tier – a total of 16 different warranty plans. Sample contracts are available on the company’s website, and though the contracts are long (14 to 34 pages), CARCHEX representatives will walk you through them to help you understand what is and is not covered.

Let's take a closer look at what each tier of the CARCHEX extended car warranty covers:

Other reasons we recognized CARCHEX as one of the top choices for best overall extended car warranty include: 

• Additional perks: CARCHEX protection plans include 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, gas delivery, trip interruption services, lost key or lockout services, and more. 
• Choice of your favorite auto shop: You won’t be limited to a dealership or a certain repair shop with CARCHEX. You can go to your favorite licensed repair facility, including your local dealer, independent repair shop, or a national chain like Firestone or Pep Boys. 
• Claims paid to repair shops: Instead of having to pay for your car’s repairs and then endure a lengthy claims process to get reimbursed, CARCHEX pays your repair shop directly.

For more information on this extended car warranty provider, check out our CARCHEX review. You can also use the tool below to get a free quote:

#4 Protect My Car: Best Maintenance Plans

Established in 2005 and today based in Saint Petersburg, Florida, Protect My Car is a popular choice among car owners for vehicle service contracts. On the surface, the company looks attractive, with hundreds of five-star customer reviews on the BBB website, as well as over 600 on Trustpilot. 

Regardless of which level of protection you choose with Protect My Car, you will have a $100 deductible. $0 deductible options are not available.

Although vehicles over 13 years old can’t take advantage of an extended warranty with Protect My Car, the company does offer Ambassador Maintenance Plans. These car maintenance contracts offer guaranteed discounts between 25 and 50 percent on repairs, 24/7 roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and more for older cars. However, they do not provide protection on the same level as an extended car warranty.

Added benefits of Protect My Car include:

• 24/7 roadside assistance is included with all warranty plans.
• Protect My Car customers have access to PMC Rewards, a shopping and dining discounts reward program.
• Protect My Car has flexible payment terms, with monthly payment plans that last between 36 and 60 months, allowing you to finance your coverage over many years.

For more information on this extended car warranty provider, check out our Protect My Car review. Use the tool below to get a free quote from Protect My Car:

#5 Concord Auto Protect

Concord Auto Protect is another direct provider of extended car warranties. Founded in 2013, the relatively young company has a B rating from the BBB and many positive customer reviews. Concord has earned a 4.72-star rating from the BBB and a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot – which are higher scores than any other provider on our list of the industry's best extended warranty companies.

With Concord Auto Protect, you have access to three plans with varying levels of coverage. There isn't a bumper-to-bumper plan, which might turn away some motorists, but the three warranties provide good coverage for most drivers.

With each of the plans, you can get benefits like towing, rental car reimbursement, trip interruption coverage, flat tire support, lockout service, and dead battery and fuel assistance.

As for pricing, Concord Auto Protect is cheaper than many other top providers. Our team reached out for multiple quotes for different vehicles and received extended warranty rates that were consistently lower than other leading providers. That being said, most of the quotes we received required payment in full rather than over a period of months. If this is within your budget, a plan from Concord Auto Protect could provide great value.

#6 autopom!: Best Claims Process

Autopom! is named after the company’s mission: to provide automotive peace of mind. Since its founding in 2010, the company has earned a BBB accreditation and an A+ rating, with only a few customer complaints, compared to dozens if not hundreds of complaints for most other competitors. Autopom! is rated 4.7 stars on Trustpilot with over 80 customer reviews.

The warranty company prides itself on its consultative approach to customer service and a low-pressure quotes process, which we like. Of the companies we reviewed, autopom!’s quotes process was the fastest and most convenient. Within just a few minutes of submitting a quote request on autopom!’s website, we received an email with details on the recommended plan, term, waiting period, deductible, down payment, and total price, in addition to a sample contract. The quote also included the email address and direct phone number to a Coverage Consultant for questions and to complete the warranty purchase. 

Autopom! also promises never to leave customers to fend for themselves through the claims process, and its agents will investigate on behalf of the customer when a claim is taking too long to process. The company works with the claims administrator to understand why a claim was denied if you feel you were entitled to coverage. 

Autopom! offers four levels of protection, though some plans are only available in California.

For more information on this extended vehicle warranty provider, check out our autopom! review. If you are ready to get a personalized quote, click below:

What’s Covered Under An Extended Car Warranty?

Extended car warranties cover repairs and replacements for breakdowns that come from normal use. Depending on your plan, it may cover your powertrain, electrical system, air conditioning, and other systems.

Most extended warranties do not cover routine maintenance for your vehicle. Things like oil changes, brake pads, and tires are usually the owner’s responsibility. The best extended car warranty companies have several coverage options, so you can select a plan that fits the needs of your vehicle.

Types Of Extended Car Warranties

Similar to manufacturer’s warranties, extended warranties generally fall under three main types. Of these service contract types, most extended warranties are either exclusionary or inclusionary. Exclusionary contracts have a list of items specifically excluded from coverage. Inclusionary warranties only cover the listed, or included, items. Be sure to read the fine print of your warranty or take a look at a sample contract to make sure you know what type of service contract your extended warranty falls under.

We’ve outlined some of the basics for each type of warranty below:

• Powertrain: Powertrain warranties cover the drivetrain of your vehicle. This includes most of the internal parts of the engine and transmission. Extended powertrain warranties are usually recommended for high-mileage or older vehicles.
• Bumper-to-bumper: Bumper-to-bumper warranties usually offer the most comprehensive coverage. Most include the car’s major mechanical systems, except for certain excluded items. The excluded components of a bumper-to-bumper extended warranty should be listed in the warranty details.
• Named component: A named-component extended car warranty is usually an inclusionary contract. You might consider a named-component contract the opposite of a bumper-to-bumper warranty. Instead of a list of excluded parts or services, a named-component service contract gives you a list of included parts. Everything else is considered not covered.

Benefits Of An Extended Car Warranty

Purchasing an extended car warranty can be a great way to continue to protect your car after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. As cars become more complex, there is a higher chance that something could go wrong. 

With so many computers, parts, and systems controlling your vehicle, it probably doesn’t surprise you that these technological advances might fail. Unfortunately, if your vehicle is only covered by a manufacturer’s warranty for, say, three years, your warranty may be expired by the time you really need it. Extended car warranties keep your car covered in the case of a mechanical or technological failure. Based on what type of car you have and how much it costs to own over its lifetime, this can potentially save you money.

Besides protecting your vehicle after the manufacturer's warranty expires, the best extended car warranties provide benefits such as:

• Convenience: If you have an issue covered by your service contract, you’ll know exactly who to call to get it fixed. Most warranty providers let you choose your own mechanic or repair facility. The best companies will pay your repair shop directly, meaning you won’t have to wait for reimbursement.
• Risk mitigation: While some vehicles cost less than others to repair, any car with recurring issues – or even just one costly repair – can quickly add up to a hefty repair bill. An extended car warranty alleviates those potential repair costs as your vehicle ages.
• Added perks: Many extended car warranty companies include added benefits with their protection plans, such as roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, or towing services.

Should I Get An Extended Car Warranty?

If you’re on the fence about whether you could benefit from an extended car warranty, we’ve compiled a few of the top reasons you might consider adding a protection plan to your vehicle. We also recommend reading our article on pros and cons of extended car warranties.

If you are ready to get the best extended car warranty for your car, we recommend comparing quotes from our top three warranty providers:

More On Warranties:

Extended Warranty Comparison: CarShield Vs CARCHEX

What You Need To Know About Your Ford Warranty

Do You Need An Audi Extended Warranty?

What Does A Car’s Factory Warranty Usually Cover?

Should You Get An Extended Auto Warranty?

What Exactly Is A Drivetrain Warranty?

Are Extended Car Warranties Worth It?

15 Most Expensive Vehicles To Maintain And Repair

Read our guides to other warranty providers:

• MPP Warranty Review
• Volkswagen Extended Warranty Review
• Cadillac Extended Warranty Review
• Infiniti Extended Warranty Review
• Tesla Warranty Review
• Assurant Extended Warranty Review
• Vehicle Service Contracts