Best Car Warranty Companies in 2023

It’s Friday evening, you just got home from work and are about to sit at the dinner table. Just as you start to take the first bite, you’re startled by a call on your cellphone. Agitated by the interruption, you answer the phone, and a voice on the other line says, “good evening; I was calling about your car’s extended warranty.”

Everyone has gotten that call at some point, but most of us hang up. More than 70% of drivers are victims of expensive auto warranty scams, but you can avoid this risk by understanding what a car warranty is and buying coverage from a trustworthy company.

If you’re familiar with extended car warranty companies, you know they’re a lot like health insurance for your car. Even after your manufacturer’s warranty expires, extended warranties offer peace of mind by covering the cost of any significant repairs.

But when it comes to choosing the right policy, things get complicated. Even after combing through the fine print, you may still have difficulty deciding which policy is right for you or what level of coverage you need.

We’ve researched the best extended car warranty companies, given a brief overview, and listed the pros and cons of each company to help you figure this out.

The Best Car Warranty Companies for Veterans

Here are our top five picks for the top car warranty companies this year. These are in no particular order.

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Best Car Warranty Company Overall: Endurance

If you are looking for an easy and fast claims process, Endurance is a great choice.

Pros:

• A direct provider (no middleman costs)
• Best car warranty for high-mileage vehicles
• High car warranty ratings on Google for excellent customer service
• Network of over 350,000 mechanics across the U.S.

Cons:

• The company doesn’t operate in California
• Not the most comprehensive or most extended coverage available
• Membership to Endurance Elite is only free for the first year

Endurance is a direct provider, which means it doesn’t rely on a broker or administrator. Because it’s a direct provider, Endurance can process and deliver claims upfront and directly to repair facilities. This helps streamline the process and gives it a reputation for excellent customer service.

You also get the added benefit of choosing between new or used parts and have the option to get a full refund if you cancel the policy within 30 days.

All of the company’s protection plans include Endurance Elite membership, which gives you the following benefits on top of your existing extended warranty coverage:

• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Collision discount
• Total loss replacement
• Key fob replacement
• Tire repair/replacement
• Personal assistant for reservations, directions, and emergencies

Note that the Endurance Elite membership is only free for the first year. After that, you will have to pay an additional fee to keep the benefits from the Elite membership after it expires.

What are Endurance’s financial ratings?

Endurance is backed by a strong “A-” A.M. Best financial rating, a recipient of Inc. 5000 and Gold Stevie Awards, and highly recommended by Consumer Affairs and Consumers Advocate. It also holds gold-level certification from the Vehicle Protection Association, a prestige shared with only eight other warranty companies in the U.S.

Additionally, Endurance policies allow you to choose from any licensed, ASE-authorized facility in the country. This means it will be much easier to fix your car if you break down in the middle of nowhere.

Endurance is just one extended warranty company. While it has been rated “best overall,” not everyone’s needs are the same. Read on to learn more about other warranty companies.

Best Car Warranty for Used Cars: Carchex

Are you driving a used car but still want an extended warranty? Carchex has you covered.

Pros

• Has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
• Backed by industry-leading companies like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, RepairPal, and CARFAX
• No down payment is necessary
• Broadest coverage in the industry with five coverage tiers and 16 warranty contracts

Cons

• Not a direct provider, so expect to pay slightly more
• Coverage is limited to vehicles under 25 years old
• Some policies cannot be renewed
• No coverage for exotic vehicles

Founded in 1999, Carchex is one of the oldest vehicle protection companies endorsed by Kelley Blue Book. It’s known for its low prices and no-haggle quote process, and with five coverage tiers and 16 warranty contracts available, Carchex has some of the most wide-ranging coverages in the extended warranty business.

All of Carchex’s plans are available for both new and used vehicles and include the following:

• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Trip interruption coverage
• Lost key/lockout service
• Towing
• Gas delivery
• Rental car coverage

The best part is that you can take your car to any licensed repair facility nationwide. In addition, Carchex makes the claims process easy by paying repair shops directly, so you don’t have to pay upfront and wait to be reimbursed later. This is a feature that most extended warranty providers offer these days. Learn more about your used car warranty.

Are there downsides to Carchex?

Carchex does not provide the best car warranty for new cars, as the company specializes in used car warranties.

Another important thing to remember is that Carchex is a broker, not a direct provider like Endurance. This means that instead of producing their plans, Carchex offers several products from third-party vendors that can be tailored to meet your needs.

Carchex gets plans from two companies:

• American Auto Shield
• Royal Administration Services

Each provider has limitations and exclusions that Carchex cannot control. So since Carchex is a brokerage, a potential downside is that you may incur more out-of-pocket expenses. Other than that, you might also have to deal with intermediary fees, which are minimal.

However, working with a broker is quite common among car warranty companies. Instead of choosing from only one provider, brokers can give you more options and help you find the best price.

Best Car Warranty Rates: CarShield

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly warranty company that offers the best value, then CarShield is the company for you.

Pros

• Plan prices are incredibly affordable
• Most popular extended warranty company based on review count
• Coverage to 300,000 miles on some vehicles
• Six plans are available, including those for high-tech features and specialty ATVs

Cons

• A high number of complaints were filed with the BBB
• Not all contracts are transferable
• Plans may not cover rental car reimbursement

Founded in 2005, CarShield provides six types of coverage, including one for high-tech vehicles and another policy for special vehicles, such as ATVs. Additionally, CarShield covers up to an impressive 300,000 miles on some vehicles.

CarShield made this list of top companies because of its competitive pricing. With monthly costs ranging from $90 to $120, CarShield offers lower prices than most major competitors.

It is worth noting that the BBB shows more complaints against CarShield than other providers. However, CarShield deals with more customers and has a higher volume of sales, so more complaints make sense and only account for a small portion of customer interaction. Read specific CarShield reviews to learn more and find out what customers are really saying.

If you’re looking for a faster claims process or customizable plans, keep reading to find out which company is right for you.

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Best Car Warranty Company for Claims: Autopom!

How often have you had to wait on hold when dealing with a car accident claim or customer service? Fortunately, Autopom! has streamlined the claims process for you. So if you’re looking for a company that can quickly get you through your claims process, Autopom! is the company for you.

Pros

• Offering terms of up to eight years and up to 150,000 miles
• Several options are available in California
• A+ rating from BBB
• Excellent customer reviews, particularly about their customer service
• 30,000+ shops to choose from

Cons

• Not a direct provider, thus expect higher fees
• Coverage is only available for vehicles in good condition
• Requires a large down payment
• Specific contracts are available in only a few states
• No basic powertrain plan

Autopom! stands for “automotive peace of mind,” which is precisely what its plans provide. It offers four coverage options nationwide, including special considerations for California drivers, with mileage caps and terms ranging from three to eight years.

The BBB has accredited the company since 2010 and is rated A+. From what other customers are saying, Autopom! receives high marks for customer service and claims handling.

Are there downsides to Autopom!?

Like Carchex, Autopom! is also a brokerage rather than a direct provider. You can expect intermediary fees. Coverage is provided through close partners such as,

• Enterprise Financial Group
• Royal Administration Services
• United Car Care
• Mercury Insurance Group

Before getting any extended warranty from Autopom!, you should consider the condition of your vehicle and the duration of your warranty. Autopom! won’t cover vehicles that are in poor condition.

Keep reading if a short-term contract is more important to you than an easy claims process.

Best Car Warranty Company for Short-Term Policies: ForeverCar

From auto insurance to cellphone plans, many of us have ditched annual contracts for pay-as-you-go policies. If you find yourself in a group that prefers to be noncommittal, ForeverCar might be the best car warranty company for you — it’s rated among the top companies not requiring long-term contracts.

Pros

• Affordable coverage
• Online quotes available
• Positive customer reviews
• Month-to-month contracts
• Choose your deductible

Cons

• No long-term contract options
• Monthly payments may increase after three years of contract renewal
• No vehicles older than 2010 will be covered
• No coverage for cars over 150,000 miles

Established in 2012, ForeverCar is an extended car warranty company based in Chicago, Illinois. They work with different partners to provide four coverage options to drivers nationwide.

Most customers appreciate the affordable extended warranties and helpful service representatives, but what makes ForeverCar stand out from other car warranty companies is its month-to-month, no-commitment contract.

Rather than offering you a long-term policy, you can buy and renew ForeverCar monthly, and your prices are locked in for three years at a time. After three years is up, your premium is adjusted based on your vehicle’s age and mileage.

ForeverCar offers four (Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Platinum Plus) extended warranty plans. ForeverCar warranties don’t have any mileage limits and are paid for monthly. As mentioned, all coverage plans are priced at a fixed monthly rate for three years.

The Pros and Cons of Using a Broker vs. Direct Provider

If you still have difficulty deciding which company and plan is best for you, consider using a broker to help with the process versus buying directly from the provider. But what’s the difference? You might be asking, “Why should I pay more using a broker when I can simply buy directly from the provider?”

Of course, that’s a valid question. You can view any of your broker’s plans, determine which company administers that plan, and then purchase it directly from them.

However, the convenience of buying from a broker is very appealing to some drivers. Based on your situation, brokers can quickly identify which provider will offer the best car warranty coverage at the most affordable price.

Your choice in the matter will all boil down to how much time and effort you want to personally put into finding the best car warranty for your needs. If you’re going to spend your time on something other than research, then a broker might be just what you need.

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How to Find the Best Car Warranty Company Near You

Like finding cheap auto insurance for veterans, finding the right extended warranty company and plan is often just as tricky. Which company is the best? Which plan is right for me? How can I make this fit into my budget? These are all questions that need answers.

This article has broken down the pros and cons of the top five extended car warranty companies to take some guesswork out of the process:

• If you are looking for the best overall experience, including customer service, mechanics, and claims process, Endurance is your company.
• For those of you looking for an extended warranty company best at covering used vehicles, Carchex has you covered.
• You may be on a budget and looking for the company with the best value. In that case, CarShield offers excellent coverage at an affordable price.
• Do customer service and the claims process frighten you? Autopom! takes the angst out of calling their toll-free number by promising the best overall claims experience.
• Are you looking for a company that won’t make you sign your life away for years? ForeverCar offers short-term, renewable contracts for those looking for less commitment.

Whatever you are looking for in an extended warranty, do your research and find what company and plan is right for you.

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