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Crash Course:
- An extended warranty makes the cost of car repairs more predictable and will cover your car in the event of an accident.
- Endurance ranks as the best extended car warranty company according to the results of our 2024 warranty study.
- The best extended auto warranty for you will depend on your preferences and your car’s make, model, age, and mileage.
The best extended car warranty plans offer financial protection, predictable expenses, and peace of mind on the road. Not all companies that offer vehicle service contracts follow through on their promises, though, so it’s important that you choose your coverage provider wisely.
Our research team put together this extended car warranty guide to highlight the industry’s top providers. We’ll run through the five best car warranty companies and provide reviews for each one. You’ll also find key details about the warranty purchasing process to help you make an informed decision about your next coverage plan and provider.
Best Extended Warranties For Cars
The best extended warranties for cars in 2024 are offered by Endurance, autopom!, CNA National, TOCO, and CarShield according to our research. However, it’s worth noting that there wasn’t much separation in our pick for the Best Overall extended warranty and the rest of our top choices.
Best Rated Extended Car Warranty
Endurance is the best rated extended car warranty provider with an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 based on the company’s affordable coverage, customer service, as well as its general industry reputation. You’ll find the top five highest-scoring warranty providers from our study listed in the table below, along with their overall scores and awards for this year.
| Best Extended Car Warranty Companies | Overall Rating (out of 5.0) | 2024 Extended Warranty Study Award |
|---|---|---|
| Endurance | 4.6 | Best Overall Provider |
| autopom! | 4.6 | Best Claims Process |
| CNA National | 4.3 | Best for EV Coverage |
| Toco | 4.3 | High Mileage Limit |
| CarShield | 4.3 | Affordable Monthly Payments |
Extended Auto Warranty Company Ratings
Each year, our research team conducts a thorough review of the country’s top auto warranty providers to determine the best choices for customers. We evaluate every company based on dozens of data points found across five main categories, listed below.
Best Extended Car Warranty Companies: Provider Reviews
Now that we’ve explained our ranking system, we’ll give our complete reviews of the best extended auto warranty companies. While Endurance ranked as the top provider overall, each of our top providers is worth considering. Keep reading to see which warranty company might be the best fit for you.
1. Endurance: Best Overall Provider
Endurance earned the top spot in our 2024 auto warranty study and stands out as one of the only direct providers in the industry. The company excels as a vehicle service contract provider due to its numerous plan options, relatively competitive prices, and the useful Endurance Elite Benefits package – which comes free for one year with each plan.
Endurance Warranty Pros and Cons
| Endurance Warranty Pros | Endurance Warranty Cons |
|---|---|
| Useful Endurance mobile app | Average rating from customers on the BBB |
| Excellent included benefits | Slightly higher prices than some providers |
| Administers its own warranty plans |
Endurance Extended Warranty Plans
Plans offered: 6
Mileage limit: 200,000
Waiting period: 30 days and 1,000 miles for most plans – 60 days and 1,000 miles for Select Premier
Included benefits: Roadside assistance, one year of Endurance Elite Benefits (includes total loss protection, collision discount, key fob replacement, and complete tire coverage).
Endurance offers the following extended car warranty plans:
- Supreme: Bumper-to-bumper coverage that compares to a new car manufacturer’s warranty.
- Superior: The highest level of stated-component coverage from Endurance.
- Secure Plus: Mid-tier coverage that includes gaskets, which aren’t covered by plans other than Supreme.
- Select Premier: A powertrain-plus plan that protects some electrical components and the air conditioning system.
- Secure: Endurance’s most affordable plan that offers basic powertrain coverage. Protects the turbocharger and supercharger in addition to more standard powertrain components such as the drive axle and transmission.
Continue reading: Endurance Warranty Review
Best Overall Warranty Provider
2. autopom!: Best Claims Process
Among all the companies in our study, autopom! is one of the most customer-focused choices. On top of a stellar reputation for customer service, the company goes beyond the normal level of service and actively advocates for customers when issues pop up. That makes it an option worth considering for people who’d like some backup during the claims process.
autopom! Warranty Pros and Cons
| autopom! Warranty Pros | autopom! Warranty Cons |
|---|---|
| Some plans include tire protection | Only three plans to choose from |
| High ratings from customers | Coverage capped at 150,000 miles |
| Covers vehicles in all states including California |
3. CNA National: Best for EV Coverage
CNA National doesn’t sell plans online but works with a network of dealerships across the country. CNA National is a reputable provider with high ratings on the BBB. It also offers a wide range of coverage including four separate types of electric vehicle coverage. EV drivers usually have one option from most providers, but that’s not true of CNA National.
CNA National Warranty Pros and Cons
| CNA National Pros | CNA National Cons |
|---|---|
| A+ rating with accreditation on the BBB | Plans are only available from specific dealers, no online quotes |
| Many plans to choose from | Cost depends on the dealership |
| Some plans have unlimited mileage options |
4. Toco: High Mileage Limit
Toco is among our top picks for warranty providers due to its reputation and coverage. It has excellent reviews from customers and the BBB, and it’s financially backed by a larger company, AmTrust Financial Services, which may give drivers peace of mind about their claims being paid out. Toco offers coverage for cars with up to 250,000 miles, making it a solid choice for used car protection.
Toco Warranty Pros and Cons
| Toco Pros | Toco Cons |
|---|---|
| A+ rating with accreditation on the BBB | Each plan only applies to one mileage amount |
| Good variety of coverage options | |
| Coverage up to 250,000 miles |
5. CarShield: Affordable Monthly Payments
CarShield offers one of the industry’s highest mileage limits at 300,000 miles and provides coverage for ATVs and motorcycles. But the company also consistently had some of the lowest prices of any provider in our secret shopper study, especially when broken down to monthly payments.
CarShield Pros and Cons
| CarShield Pros | CarShield Cons |
|---|---|
| Plans for high-mileage vehicles | Poor review scores on the BBB |
| Covers ATVs and motorcycles | Not all extended car warranty contracts can be transferred |
| Coverage for high-tech components and electric vehicles (EVs) |
What Is an Extended Car Warranty?
An extended car warranty covers the cost of repairs that occur due to mechanical breakdowns caused by faulty car parts or workmanship flaws. You may hear extended car warranties referred to as vehicle protection plans or vehicle service contracts.
In exchange for a one-time or monthly payment, the best extended car warranty providers will cover the cost of mechanical repairs that fall under the coverage outlined in your contract. Drivers aren’t required to purchase extended warranties, but many do since they add peace of mind while on the road and can reduce the stress of surprise car repair bills.
Extended Car Warranty Coverage
Whereas a factory warranty is a standard offering on a car, you get to customize your coverage with an extended warranty. Most providers offer a few coverage levels, allowing you to find a warranty plan that fits your needs and your budget.
Types of Extended Car Warranties
While each provider offers varying levels of coverage, most plans fall into one of three categories:
- Bumper-to-bumper warranty: Commonly known as exclusionary coverage, bumper-to-bumper warranties cover all vehicle components except ones that are specifically mentioned as exclusions. These plans are similar to the new car limited warranties you get from dealerships and they come with the highest price tags.
- Stated-component coverage: In contrast, named-component plans mention the parts of your vehicle that are covered rather than what isn’t. Typically, a stated-component plan covers most of your vehicle’s major systems and often includes coverage for some electrical components like your air conditioning.
- Powertrain warranty: The most basic and affordable level of warranty coverage is a powertrain plan. Sometimes referred to as a drivetrain warranty, a powertrain warranty only covers the most critical parts of your car such as its transmission and drive axles.
Many of the best extended car warranty providers offer specialized options that cover high-tech electronics, EVs, and classic or exotic cars. Some also offer plans that can take care of routine maintenance services such as oil changes and tire rotations or replace wear and tear items like brake pads and windshield wiper blades.
Extended Car Warranty Cost
In our secret shopper research, we found that the average extended auto warranty plan costs about $1,227 per year of coverage. This is more or less consistent with what we learned from our auto warranty survey. A majority of the more-than 1,000 respondents said they paid between $1,600 and $3,200 in total for their extended warranty plans.
Extended Car Warranty Prices: Influencing Factors
The average extended car warranty prices listed above include all coverage levels, which is one reason for such a wide range in cost. The amount of coverage you choose and other factors can significantly affect how much you pay for coverage, meaning these averages should only be used as a guide. You can request free quotes to get a more precise idea of your own extended warranty costs.
Expand the section below to learn more about the factors that affect the cost of an extended warranty plan.
Extended car warranty companies base individual prices on a few determining factors. These include:
- Mileage: Higher-mileage vehicles are more likely to suffer mechanical breakdowns and therefore cost more to cover.
- Vehicle type: The pricier a car and its repairs are the more a warranty provider will charge for coverage. Vehicles with reliability issues may also be charged higher prices for protection plans.
- Deductible: As with car insurance, many warranty companies allow you to set your own deductible – some all the way down to $0. But the lower you set your deductible, the more your warranty plan is likely to cost.
- Coverage plan: Of course, how much coverage you select is a major factor in pricing. The more comprehensive an extended warranty plan is, the more you’ll pay for it.
- Vehicle age: Like higher-mileage vehicles, older cars are more prone to breakdowns than newer ones. Therefore, most car warranty companies charge higher rates for coverage on older vehicles.
- Provider: Prices vary between the best extended car warranty companies, even for equal levels of coverage on the same vehicle. That’s why our team recommends getting quotes from multiple providers and comparing to see which one offers the lowest rates.
Is an Extended Car Warranty Worth It?
In terms of financial value, whether extended warranties are worth it is somewhat up to chance. If your car ends up needing repairs, there’s a strong likelihood that you’ll pay less for a warranty than for the cost to fix the issue. However, it’s possible you won’t need your coverage, meaning you’ve paid for something that goes unused.
Still, extended auto warranties can be worth it in other ways. They include the following:
- Peace of mind: If you’ve ever driven a car under warranty, you may have felt better knowing that potential auto repair costs were already covered. An extended warranty plan offers that same peace of mind after your factory warranty expires.
- Extra benefits: In addition to your coverage, the best extended car warranties come with benefits like roadside assistance and trip interruption coverage. These perks, which may reduce hassle on the road, will otherwise come at an additional cost from auto insurance companies.
- Predictable expenses: Many people prefer to make regular monthly payments to avoid large surprise expenses for car repairs. A warranty plan can help keep your finances predictable and will reduce your risk of needing to come up with a large sum of money at a moment’s notice. With warranty coverage, you can avoid paying out of pocket for various car repair and replacement costs. The most common repairs costs are shown in the graphic below.
Best Extended Warranty for Cars: How To Choose
There is no single best extended warranty provider for everyone. Certain providers may have better prices for your coverage needs and vehicles than others. Some auto warranty companies may offer benefits or coverage packages that work better for you.
In the following section, you’ll learn how to identify a good provider. We also provide a short guide to finding and choosing the right extended warranty for you and your vehicle below:
- Check a provider’s eligibility requirements and exclusions
- Read the fine details of your contract
- Check out online customer service reviews
- Double-check the provider has a no-hassle cancellation policy
- Research the company’s industry reputation
It’s worth noting that not every auto warranty provider is reputable. While the companies mentioned in this article are reliable and transparent, others may be unresponsive when handling a claim or stingy about payouts for covered repairs. Our team stands behind our recommendations, but it’s never a bad idea to evaluate companies on your own.
Features of the Best Extended Car Warranties
Not every auto warranty provider is reputable. While the companies mentioned in this article are reliable and transparent, others may be unresponsive when handling a claim or stingy about payouts for covered repairs.
Our team stands behind our recommendations above, but it’s never a bad idea to evaluate companies on your own. In the section that follows, we list a few important things to look out for.
How To Find the Best Extended Auto Warranty For Your Vehicle
Here are a few tips that can help choose the best coverage provider for you and your vehicle:
Best Car Extended Warranty: Conclusion
The best extended car warranty provider in our 2024 study is Endurance. With an impressive score of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars, the company earned the title of our Best Overall Provider.
But you shouldn’t stop your search there. While we rank Endurance as the best in the extended vehicle protection plan industry, we confidently recommend any of the providers mentioned in this article. Another provider may have prices, plans, or benefits that better suit your personal needs.
Buying an extended warranty for your car is an important financial decision, and there’s no rush to make a commitment. Take your time and thoroughly evaluate a few options before selecting your coverage provider and plan.
Best Extended Car Warranties: FAQ
Below are some common frequently asked questions about extended car warranties:
Who has the best rated extended car warranty?
Endurance has the best-rated extended car warranty of all providers in our study. However, autopom!, CNA National, Toco, and CarShield are also strong options that finished with only slightly lower scores.
What does a car warranty cover?
Extended auto warranties cover select mechanical components. Basic extended warranties (typically referred to as powertrain or drivetrain warranty coverage) protect the parts of your car that help the vehicle move, like the engine, transmission, and drive axle.
A more comprehensive coverage plan (typically referred to as a bumper-to-bumper warranty) covers the same components as a powertrain plan, plus your car’s cooling and electrical systems, high-tech components, air conditioning system, and more.
Is an extended car warranty ever worth it?
An extended car warranty can be worth it financially if you need to use the coverage. But even if you don’t, the peace of mind from knowing that you won’t face huge repair bills out of nowhere may be worth the cost of coverage for many people.
What is an extended warranty on a car?
An extended warranty for cars covers the cost of unexpected repairs for a range of components, depending on the plan you choose. Some manufacturers offer extended car warranty plans, but you can also buy coverage from one of many aftermarket car warranty providers.
How much does a CARCHEX warranty cost?
A CARCHEX warranty costs around $110 to $170 per month, according to our research.
Are CarShield warranties expensive?
Compared to many of the other best extended car warranty companies, CarShield is not expensive on a monthly basis. In fact, we awarded it “Affordable Monthly Payments” in our study.
Can you buy an extended warranty after purchase?
If you choose an aftermarket auto warranty provider, you can usually buy an extended warranty after you purchase a vehicle. While some manufacturers offer this option, others require you to buy extended warranty coverage when you purchase your vehicle.
How do you cancel an extended warranty on a car?
Each provider has its own methods for canceling an extended warranty on a car. Some allow you to cancel in just a few steps online. Others require you to notify the company with a physical letter.
Can you pay for an extended car warranty monthly?
Yes. Paying for an extended car warranty on a monthly plan is very common and something most providers offer. However, you can also choose to pay for your entire plan upfront.
Are extended warranties worth it on used cars?
Extended car warranties are often worth it for used cars. In fact, it may be even more worthwhile to purchase an extended warranty for a used car than a new car. The older your vehicle, the more prone it becomes to unexpected breakdowns. An extended car warranty can help keep your used vehicle on the road.
Can you negotiate an extended car warranty?
Some extended car warranties may be negotiable, but not all. Dealership warranties are typically negotiable, and even third-party providers may give you different quotes each time you call.
CARCHEX, however, doesn’t have negotiable contracts, which is a good thing for many customers. The CARCHEX haggle-free guarantee means you’re offered the lowest possible price without having to negotiate.
Does AAA offer extended warranties?
Because the products AAA sells vary from state to state, not all AAA locations offer extended warranties. Those that do usually offer similar coverage sold by third-party warranty providers.
Who competes with CarShield?
Popular warranty providers such as Endurance, Olive, and CARCHEX all compete with CarShield. Other competitors include Omega Auto Care, Concord Auto Protect, and Toco.
Is an extended car warranty the same as mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI)?
An extended car warranty is functionally the same as an MBI policy. Both cover the cost of vehicle repairs that come from the normal use of your car. The main difference is that extended car service plans are provided by car manufacturers or aftermarket providers while MBI policies are instead sold by auto insurance companies or warranty providers doing business in California.
How much does an extended car warranty cost?
The average cost of an extended car warranty is currently $1,227 per year, based on our research. However, the actual cost of a coverage plan can vary by several thousand dollars depending on factors such as the age and mileage of your vehicle, the coverage options you choose, and the term length of your contract.
Who administers CARCHEX extended warranty plans?
CARCHEX uses several third-party administrators to service claims for the warranty plans it sells. Depending on the plan you buy and where you buy it, your CARCHEX coverage may be handled by companies like American Auto Shield.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best extended auto warranty providers.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, availability, and years in business when giving this score.
- Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car warranty company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account the number of plans offered by each provider, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations to give this rating.
- Customer Service: Reputable extended car warranty companies operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
