Best Extended Car Warranty Companies

Our team has spent 1,475 hours researching and reviewing 45 extended warranty providers. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at our picks for the five best extended car warranties on the market in 2024. We’ll also go into detail on extended warranties to help you decide if buying one is the right choice.

The Gist:

• Endurance is our top-rated warranty provider, earning 4.6 stars out of 5.0 and the title of “Best Plan Offerings.”
• autopom! is our second-place provider due to its customer experience. Omega Auto Care also has a long tenure in the industry and is a good option, earning our award for “Long-Standing Provider.”
• Our 2024 data reveals that the average cost of an extended car warranty is $3,026.

Best Extended Car Warranty Overview

The best extended car warranties reduce auto repair costs and provide peace of mind for vehicle owners. This means offering comprehensive coverage and a reliable claims process to customers.

We’ve conducted an industry-wide review of numerous extended car warranty companies in order to find the best options overall. We ranked them based on their reputation, coverage, price, and customer experience. 

Compare The Best Extended Car Warranties

The table below provides an easy comparison of ratings for each of the top 10 extended car warranty companies. We recommend reaching out for free quotes from top providers to compare your vehicle’s cost and coverage options.

How We Rate Extended Car Warranties

We carefully considered the following factors to determine the best extended auto warranty providers:

• Reputation: Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, longevity, and industry standing
• Coverage: Variety of plan choices, maximum mileage covered, and available perks
• Price: Total cost, deductible options, and payment terms
• Customer Experience: Customer ratings from the BBB and Trustpilot, 30-day money-back guarantees, and customer service availability

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5 Best Extended Car Warranty Companies

While the brands above all offer exceptional coverage at competitive rates, the provider that’s best for you will depend on your needs. Endurance tops our list for the most comprehensive coverage options, but you may want to consider autopom! if you’re looking for cheaper basic coverage.

See below for a detailed breakdown of the top five extended car warranty companies.

#1 Endurance: Best Plan Offerings

With an industry-leading 4.6-star rating from our extensive study of top providers, we’ve chosen Endurance as the best extended warranty company.

The table below highlights Endurance’s scores in each category used to determine the company’s overall rating:

We recognize Endurance for having the Best Plan Offerings because of its wide range of options, including regular maintenance coverage and many other useful perks. Additionally, Endurance stands out for being a direct provider, meaning that it administers its own claims. 

See below for a list of pros and cons for Endurance:

About Endurance Warranty Services

• Founded: 2006
• Headquarters: Northbrook, Illinois
• Provider type: Direct
• Availability: 50 states

Endurance Warranty Company Reputation

Endurance has provided extended car warranties to drivers since 2006. It offers vehicle service contracts in 49 states and mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) in California.

Unlike many aftermarket extended car warranty providers, Endurance offers direct-to-consumer extended warranties. This means it administers its own contracts and handles all claims and customer service with no middleman involved. This allows Endurance to deliver superior service to its customers.

Endurance Warranty Customer Reviews And Ratings

• BBB accreditation: No
• BBB rating: Not rated
• BBB customer review score: 3.6 out of 5.0 stars based on over 3,400 reviews
• BBB customer complaints: Over 2,600 complaints closed in the last three years, and over 1,300 addressed in the last 12 months
• Trustpilot rating: Average
• Trustpilot customer review score: 3.7 out of 5.0 stars based on over 8,000 reviews

Endurance has positive customer reviews overall, with many focusing on the excellent customer service received during the quotes and claims process. However, the company currently has an alert on its BBB page for a pattern of complaints from customers that allege a variety of issues such as trouble canceling their plan, delayed inspections, and more.

Despite this, the company replies to each customer complaint posted on its BBB page and customer service representatives issue refunds to customers when needed. Endurance also conducts internal reviews based on these complaints to ensure that the same issue doesn’t happen to other customers.

Endurance Extended Warranty Coverage

Endurance offers six levels of extended warranty coverage that can last up to 200,000 miles, which makes it a good option for extended warranties for cars over 100k miles.

See below for a detailed breakdown of the standard extended warranty plans offered by Endurance. Keep in mind that its sixth plan, EnduranceAdvantage, has three varying levels of covered parts, which we’ll cover in more detail below: 

All Endurance plans come with rental car reimbursement, 24/7 roadside assistance, and trip interruption coverage as standard benefits.

Endurance Elite benefits set the company apart from others in the industry. These benefits are included in all Endurance warranties for one year. After that, you can pay $29 per month to add them to your protection plan. Endurance Elite benefits include:

• Total loss protection: Up to $1,000 reimbursement to replace your vehicle
• Collision discount: $500 per covered collision ($1,000 limit)
• Complete tire coverage: Reimbursement for up to four replaced or repaired tires per year
• Key fob replacement: $500 toward replacing lost or damaged key fobs or car keys

In addition, Endurance extended warranty plans allow customers to choose from any repair shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE^®). This makes it easy to find a repair shop that will help with covered repairs no matter where you experience a mechanical breakdown.

Endurance Warranty Plans

Below is a summary of each Endurance plan:

There are three levels of EnduranceAdvantage plans. They all offer the same maintenance benefits but differ in warranty coverage. Here are the basics about each level:

• Preferred: Exclusionary coverage for almost any mechanical breakdown, recommended for vehicles 10 years old or newer with up to 150,000 odometer miles
• Plus: High-level protection for all major systems of the vehicle, recommended for vehicles 15 years old or newer with up to 200,000 odometer miles
• Prime: Covers everything in Plus but only offers basic electrical system coverage, recommended for vehicles 20 years old or newer with more than 200,000 odometer miles

Endurance Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

Endurance offers mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) to car owners in California. There are three levels of coverage offered instead of the usual six in all other states. The table below has details about the Elite Plus, Premium, and Standard plans for California drivers:

Endurance also offers the following coverage add-ons to California drivers:

• Covered part cause of loss
• Emissions coverage
• Business use option
• Lift kit or oversized tires
• Snowplow option

In addition, all MBI plans from Endurance come standard with towing reimbursement, rental car coverage, and trip interruption benefits.

Endurance Car Warranty Cost Estimates

While Endurance offers extensive warranty coverage, its prices aren’t the most competitive. Endurance warranty plans are sometimes cheap, but shorter coverage terms can negate this. That said, many car owners find affordable plans through Endurance.

Below are some extended warranty prices we obtained when mystery shopping with Endurance. Keep in mind that your costs will vary depending on the vehicle.

According to our research, Endurance plans range from $123 to $200 per month, depending on the plan you choose. 

The company also offers four deductible options ranging from $0 to $200 which influence the total cost of the plan. A higher deductible will mean a lower premium. Endurance offers flexible, zero-interest terms with payment period options that include 12, 18, 24, or 30 months. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee for customers who change their minds about purchasing an extended warranty.

Read more: Endurance warranty review

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#2 autopom!: Best Customer Experience

Autopom! gets its name from “automotive peace of mind,” and that’s what it provides many customers. Our team rates it 4.6 stars overall and recognizes it for having great customer service.

Below, you can see how autopom! fared in our category ratings:

Autopom! has been around since 2009 and is available in all 50 states. Many companies don’t sell plans in California, but autopom! has MBI coverage that meets the state’s guidelines. What makes autopom! stand out is its high ratings on sites like the BBB and Trustpilot.

Below are a few pros and cons of autopom!.

About autopom! Warranty

• Founded: 2009
• Headquarters: Lake Forest, CA
• Provider type: Broker
• Availability: All 50 states

Autopom! Company Reputation

Autopom! has a strong reputation with an A+ rating and accreditation on the BBB. This means the company has resolved all complaints and that it responds to customers quickly. There are only three complaints for autopom! on the platform, too.

Autopom! Customer Reviews And Ratings

• BBB accreditation: Yes
• BBB rating: A+
• BBB customer review score: 4.7 out of 5.0 from 35 reviews
• BBB customer complaints: Three complaints in the last three years
• Trustpilot rating: Great
• Trustpilot customer review score: 4.0 out of 5.0 from 218 reviews

Autopom! receives high marks across the board. In reviews, many customers mention the owner of the company getting involved to check on the status of their claim and work through issues with the contract administrator. That said, autopom! has fewer reviews overall than some other providers on our list like Endurance and Carchex.

Autopom! Extended Warranty Coverage Plans

Autopom! offers three plans, which isn’t quite as many as some other companies. But it definitely covers the basic types: bumper-to-bumper, mid level, and powertrain. Plans can cover up to 150,000 miles, which is more than what most factory extended warranties offer.

Below are summaries of each type of plan that autopom! offers:

Like our other top picks, autopom! offers a variety of benefits with its plans:

• Rental vehicle assistance: Reimburses you for a rental vehicle during covered repairs up to a limit
• 24-hour roadside assistance: Helps you out when you’re stuck on the side of the road
• Trip interruption reimbursement: Covers food and lodging up to a limit if you have a breakdown far from home
• Tire protection: Can repair or replace tires damaged from road hazards

Out of these benefits, tire protection is uncommon in the industry. However, not all autopom! plans come with tire protection. Ask an agent to see if your plan qualifies.

Autopom! Warranty Cost Estimates

Autopom!’s plans are on the affordable side compared to industry average rates. Quotes we received ranged from $112 to $120 per month with payment terms of 24 months. Total costs we received ranged from $3,032 to $2,827:

The plans above include a $100 deductible, but you might find other options if you get a quote. Increasing the deductible will lower the plan cost and vice versa. During the quote process, we found wait times can be a bit longer than with other companies, but the staff is very helpful and patient. We were also offered discounts for military members and educators.

Read more: autopom! Review

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#3 Carchex: High Mileage Limits

Earning a 4.4- out of 5.0-star rating, Carchex provides a wide range of coverage options and is one of the best extended car warranty companies.

Below are the review scores for Carchex in each of the major ratings categories:

Along with earning the highest reputation score in our comprehensive review, Carchex is also recognized as having the best used car warranty. While a few providers offer plans for high-mileage vehicles past 200,000 miles, Carchex can cover cars up to 250,000 miles. This is one of the longest coverage terms on the market, right behind CarShield.

Below is a list of pros and cons for Carchex:

About Carchex

• Founded: 1999
• Headquarters: Baltimore
• Provider type: Broker
• Availability: All 50 states

Carchex Company Reputation

Carchex has a reputation score of 5.0 out of 5.0 stars, which is the highest awarded in our industry-wide review. This warranty provider has been in business for over 20 years, and it’s one of the few providers that covers cars in California. Our October 2023 car warranty survey found that 21 percent of those surveyed had a Carchex warranty. This made it the second most popular provider overall.

The company’s extended warranties are endorsed by industry leaders like Edmunds.com, Kelley Blue Book, Carfax, and RepairPal. It has also received several awards recognizing its customer service, including:

• Golden Bridge Awards^®: “Silver Status” for customer service (three consecutive years)
• TopConsumerReviews.com: 5.0-star rating (six consecutive years)
• ThoroughlyReviewed: Top Pick (2017)
• BestReviewsHub.com: Best Choice Award (four consecutive years)

Carchex Customer Reviews And Ratings

• BBB accreditation: Yes
• BBB rating: A+
• BBB customer review score: 1.9 out of 5.0 stars based on over 160 reviews
• BBB customer complaints: Almost 170 in the last three years, with over 50 in the last 12 months
• Trustpilot rating: Poor
• Trustpilot customer review score: 2.2 out of 5.0 stars based on over 1,500 reviews

With its No-Haggle, Low-Price, Everyday Guarantee™, Carchex aims to provide the best possible customer experience by eliminating high-pressure sales tactics and making coverage and pricing clear. This experience is uncommon in the extended car warranty industry.

Carchex reviews often mention the company’s helpful customer service representatives, smooth claims process, and ability to resolve issues quickly. The company has a relatively low number of complaints for its size, and 83 percent of the over 1,500 reviewers on Trustpilot gave it a rating of either four or five stars.

While Carchex does have customer complaints, it responds to many of them. No company is perfect, but with its reputation, Carchex will likely work with you to resolve any issue.

Carchex Extended Warranty Coverage

Carchex offers five levels of extended warranty coverage, one of which protects the critical components outside of your vehicle’s powertrain. See below for a comprehensive list of parts covered with each plan:

Here are some additional features that come with Carchex warranty coverage:

• Extra benefits: Carchex warranties include 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, trip interruption reimbursement, and lockout and lost key services.
• Claims paid directly to repair shops: Instead of paying for your car’s repairs and being reimbursed later, Carchex pays for repairs itself.
• Choice of repair shop: With Carchex, you won’t be limited to a specific repair shop or dealership–you can go to any licensed repair facility in the country.

Carchex Warranty Plans

Here’s a summary of each Carchex extended warranty plan:

Easy-to-read sample contracts are found on the company’s website, and a representative from Carchex can assist you with any further questions about what is and isn’t covered.

In addition to the standard coverage options, Carchex offers a few add-ons:

• Luxury electronics package: This option covers features such as GPS systems, display screens, backup cameras, and voice activation systems.
• Emissions package: This package covers emissions system components such as the air/fuel ratio sensor, fuel tank pressure sensor, and intake air temperature sensor.
• Market labor rate option: Standard Carchex plans limit the hourly labor rate coverage for repairs to $100 per hour. With this option, Carchex will cover the labor rate for the repair shop or dealership above $100 per hour.

While Carchex offers coverage in California, the company doesn’t list it as mechanical breakdown insurance. You’ll need to reach out to a company representative for clarification about whether it’s a true vehicle service contract or not.

Carchex Car Warranty Cost Estimates

On average, Carchex extended warranties cost about $140 per month depending on the plan, deductible, and payment type you choose.

See below for quotes we gathered from Carchex during our secret shopping experience:

Overall, we found the company to offer competitive rates for all of its contracts. Carchex offers a 30-day money-back guarantee that provides a full refund to customers who are unhappy after the first 30 days.

Read more: Carchex review

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#4 Omega Auto Care: Long-Standing Provider

With a history that goes back to 1968, Omega Auto Care has a long track record of serving customers. The company has some unique benefits like tire protection, free maintenance for a year, and a partnership with RepairPal Certified Shops to provide guaranteed repairs.

Below, you can see how we rated Omega Auto Care in different categories:

Omega Auto Care stands out for offering a good coverage selection that can cover up to 250,000 miles. This makes it a good choice for high-mileage vehicles. It also covers more than just mechanical breakdowns. You get one year of maintenance benefits for oil changes, brake pad replacement, and more at no additional cost.

Below are a few pros and cons we found in our Omega Auto Care review.

About Omega Auto Care Warranty

• Founded: 1968
• Headquarters: Jacksonville, FL
• Provider type: Direct provider
• Availability: All 50 states

Omega Auto Care Company Reputation

Omega Auto Care has a positive reputation overall. The company’s A+ rating from the BBB shows it takes the time to respond to complaints and does so quickly. It also holds accreditation on the platform. This is an optional program requiring a fee, but it shows the company’s commitment to service.

Omega Auto Care Customer Reviews And Ratings

• BBB accreditation: Yes
• BBB rating: A+
• BBB customer review score: 3.8 out of 5.0 from over 300 reviews
• BBB customer complaints: Less than 30 complaints in the last year and 80 complaints in the last three years
• Trustpilot rating: Great
• Trustpilot customer review score: 3.9 out of 5.0 stars from over 1,200 reviews

With over 1,500 reviews combined on the BBB and Trustpilot, you can get a good sense that most customers have positive experiences with Omega Auto Care. Customers mention helpful staff who aren’t pushy to get sales. That said, some customers have had issues with getting claims covered. This is why reading the fine print and understanding what isn’t covered is important. Other customers said reimbursement for benefits like tire repair and maintenance took longer than expected.

Omega Auto Care Extended Warranty Coverage

Omega Auto Care offers three total contracts, but one, the powertrain plan, has three options, so you really have five options to choose from. Below, you can see a summary of what each plan covers:

Omega Auto Care is a great choice if you’re looking for some extra benefits with coverage. The company offers the following benefits on all plans:

• Roadside assistance: $100 allowance for services like lockout assistance, battery jump-start, fuel delivery, and more
• Towing: Covers towing to the nearest qualifying repair shop
• Rental car reimbursement: Covers $30 per day ($150 maximum per repair) on all plans
• Maintenance for one year: Covers oil changes, brake pad allowance for certain vehicles, battery allowance, cooling system maintenance, and safety inspections for one year after the 30-day waiting period

Omega Auto Care’s maintenance benefits are great because not many companies offer them. However, the brake pad replacement doesn’t apply to every model. It only applies to trucks, SUVs, AWD, and diesel models from all brands plus all models on the brands of Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes, Saab, Volkswagen, and Volvo. So, for example, if you drive a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, this benefit doesn’t apply. 

Omega Auto Care Warranty Plans

Below are summaries of each type of plan that Omega Auto Care offers:

Omega Auto Care can cover vehicles up to 250,000 miles, which matches Carchex. Repairs can be done by any licensed mechanic. The company also partners with RepairPal Certified Shops to make it easy to find a reputable mechanic. The program recommends repair shops with high ratings in your area. The perk is that repairs are also guaranteed for at least 12 months/12,000 miles.

Omega Auto Care Warranty Cost

Omega Auto Care costs depend on your vehicle and the plan level you select. Our team was unable to collect quote samples from Omega Auto Care. However, we found the average warranty costs between $800 and $1,200 per year of coverage. You can use this to see if the quote you get from Omega Auto Care is a good deal.

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#5 Olive: Great For Young Drivers

It’s important for companies to offer a good online experience. We rate Olive 4.4 out of 5.0 stars overall for having the best online experience out of any of our top picks.

See below how Olive scored in each of the major review categories:

Olive has been around since the 2000s, but began offering online warranties in 2020. The company provides an easy shopping experience that allows drivers to customize coverage and deductibles before buying a plan. Olive also partners with RepairPal to make it easy to find repair shops in your area.

See below for some of the pros and cons of purchasing an Olive warranty:

About Olive Warranty

• Founded: 2000
• Headquarters: Chicago
• Provider type: Broker
• Availability: All 50 states

Olive Company Reputation

Olive has an A rating with accreditation from the BBB. Another benefit of Olive is that it’s available in all 50 states. California requires warranty companies to sell mechanical breakdown insurance in the state, and not all companies on our list offer plans there.

Olive Customer Reviews And Ratings

• BBB accreditation: Yes
• BBB rating: A
• BBB customer review score: 2.0 out of 5.0 stars from 12 reviews
• BBB customer complaints: 34 closed in the last three years, 11 closed in the last 12 months
• Trustpilot rating: Average
• Trustpilot customer review score: 2.8 out of 5.0 stars based on 3 reviews

Olive doesn’t have much of a presence in terms of customer reviews through the BBB or Trustpilot. However, Google reviews are largely positive, which stands as a testimony to the service this provider offers.

Olive Extended Warranty Coverage

Olive offers three different warranty plans: Powertrain, Powertrain Plus, and Complete Care. You can get an Olive warranty for a car up to 10 years old or with 140,000 miles on the odometer. Once you have a plan, you’re covered for up to 12 years or 185,000 miles.

Below are the details of what each Olive warranty plan covers:

Olive warranty plans come with two extra benefits:

• Towing: If you have a covered breakdown and need to be towed, Olive will reimburse you up to $100.
• Rental car coverage: In the case of a covered breakdown, Olive will reimburse you up to $35 per day for five days for rental car costs. Olive will bump that up an extra two days if the company needs to inspect your vehicle.

One downside to Olive is that it doesn’t cover roadside assistance services like battery jump-starts or lockouts. It also doesn’t cover trip interruption services. This may be one reason why Olive’s warranty plans are more affordable than plans from many of its competitors.

Olive Warranty Plans

Below are summaries of each type of plan that Olive offers:

Olive’s mechanical breakdown insurance provides the same type of protection that its vehicle service contracts offer. Plans are backed by QBE Insurance Group, which holds an A rating from AM Best.

When you get a quote online, you can choose between different plans and see how much each will cost. Olive offers a good range of plans, from factory-level coverage down to basic coverage. However, some drivers may prefer more variety in their options from other companies.

Olive Warranty Cost Estimates

We found that Olive offers affordable warranty plans overall. Our team compared multiple quotes from Olive and learned that prices range from $164 to $234 per month. Total costs for plans are average compared to other options on the market. Also, keep in mind that Olive’s warranty plans only last for three years, while other companies offer plans that can last for five, six, or seven years.

See below for quotes we got from Olive through secret shopping. Your exact price for an Olive warranty plan will vary.

We received quotes that included a $500 deductible, though the company offers deductible options of either $100, $250, or $500. If you choose a lower deductible, you’ll have a higher total cost and monthly cost.

Our secret shoppers found Olive’s quote process to be simple and easy. We also noticed that salespeople were friendly and didn’t use any pushy sales tactics. Overall, Olive provides good prices and a relaxed buying experience that can be completed fully online.

Read more: Olive warranty review

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How To Find The Best Extended Car Warranty

If you want an extended warranty to help out with the cost of car repairs, don’t settle for the first company you come across. To find reliable coverage, it’s important to compare options from the most reputable extended car warranty companies.

Good extended warranty companies are out there, and you can find them if you know where to look. You can use auto industry review sites or resources like Consumer Reports to locate legitimate providers.

Reputable Extended Car Warranty Providers

Due to common perceptions about the extended car warranty industry, perhaps the most important ratings category for many customers is industry reputation. For this reason, we’ve also ranked our top five providers in terms of which is the most reputable extended car warranty company.

We found that Carchex is the most reputable extended auto warranty provider. This is something to consider if company reputation is near the top of your wish list for an extended warranty company.

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What Is An Extended Car Warranty?

An extended car warranty, also called a vehicle service contract or a vehicle protection plan, is designed to cover a variety of auto repairs and give you peace of mind in the process. If you need a repair that’s covered in your contract, you likely won’t have to worry about paying for a tow truck or dipping into your savings to cover rental car costs.

Warranty companies will also handle your claim with the repair shop, either paying the shop directly or reimbursing you. All of our recommended extended warranty providers let drivers go to any repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

You can find extended warranties from your vehicle’s manufacturer, dealerships, or third-party providers. You can also get extended warranties for new cars, certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles, and regular used vehicles.

Extended Auto Warranty Coverage

Generally speaking, an extended car warranty covers mechanical breakdowns due to defects in materials or workmanship. An extended warranty won’t cover parts expected to wear out over time like brake pads, belts, or clutch discs. It also won’t cover any damage from accidents or environmental events since car insurance is designed to take care of those situations.

If you’re considering an extended car warranty, your chosen coverage level will determine how the car will be protected in the event of a mechanical breakdown. Generally, a higher level of coverage is more expensive.

Types Of Extended Car Warranty Coverage

While contracts differ among providers, most offer a mix of stated-component coverage and exclusionary plans. Stated-component contracts list each specific part that’s covered under your warranty, while exclusionary contracts only list the vehicle parts that are not covered.

Types Of Extended Car Warranty Plans

There are typically three main types of extended car warranties: bumper-to-bumper warranties, powertrain plus, and powertrain plans. Understanding the difference between each type of extended warranty can help you decide which level of protection is right for you:

• Bumper-to-bumper: This is an exclusionary plan, highest level of vehicle protection available, providing coverage for most vehicle components. Ironically, these plans do not cover the physical bumpers of your vehicle, but rather protect most parts in between the front and rear bumpers.
• Powertrain plus: Some providers also offer mid-tier extended warranties that cover powertrain components as well as select vehicle systems like the air conditioning, suspension, and brakes. 
• Powertrain: The most basic level of coverage, these contracts only protect the parts of your vehicle that make it move such as the engine, transmission, and drive axles.

Keep in mind that some providers offer plans that fall in between these three types of coverages. Make sure that you fully understand the different car warranty plans offered by the provider you choose.

Extended Car Warranty Benefits

A huge benefit of extended auto warranties is that you can plan out your monthly and yearly budgets. Many car owners avoid paying $1,000 or $2,000 for out-of-pocket repairs with extended warranties.

In addition to paying for repairs or replacements of covered components, the best extended car warranty companies also provide a number of additional benefits such as:

• 24/7 roadside assistance for services like fuel deliveries, battery jump-starts, and lockouts
• Trip interruption coverage if you break down far from home and have to stay the night while your car is being repaired
• Rental car reimbursement while your vehicle is in the shop
• Towing coverage if your vehicle becomes inoperable and needs to be transported to a dealership or repair shop

Extended Car Warranty Exclusions

To be an educated shopper, you should know what extended warranties don’t cover. Even contracts that offer comprehensive coverage for most major systems typically have some exclusions. Below is a list of items and repairs that an extended car warranty doesn’t cover:

• Damage to normal wear and tear items like brake pads and windshield wiper blades
• Regularly scheduled maintenance like oil changes, alignments, etc.
• Preventive maintenance
• Unauthorized repair costs
• Damage due to lack of maintenance, neglect, misuse, or use of improper fuel or fluids
• Damage due to environmental factors, chemicals, or extreme weather conditions
• Damage from theft, vandalism, or an accident-related collision
• Cosmetic items

We recommend that you compare sample warranty contracts and weigh the pros and cons of extended car warranties before deciding on a provider and plan. Sample contracts give you detailed information on what exactly your warranty would cover in case of a needed repair.

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Extended Car Warranty Costs

In our 2023 extended car warranty survey we found that 69 percent of the 1,000 respondents reported paying between $1,500 and $3,500 for their extended warranty. 

Average Cost Of An Extended Car Warranty

Our secret shopper analysis shows that the average yearly cost of an extended car warranty is $977 in total. The table below has a more comprehensive cost breakdown based on type of coverage:

Keep in mind that we calculated these averages based on costs from our top extended warranty providers. Your specific cost for an extended car warranty will depend on a variety of factors, including:

• Your vehicle’s make, model, age, and mileage
• Existing coverage
• The provider you choose
• The coverage level you choose
• The deductible you choose
• How long your contract lasts
• Your payment plan, the length of the payment period, and the amount you pay upfront

Extended Car Warranty Quotes

Top providers allow you to get free quotes for your vehicle online so you can have a better idea of what you would pay for coverage. The easiest way to find the most coverage for the best price is to shop around and compare personalized quotes from a number of top providers. Once you get a few new or used vehicle warranty quotes, you’ll see what prices and monthly payment options are available to you.

How Do Extended Auto Warranties Work?

Every extended warranty company has its own claims process, but most work similarly. After a mechanical breakdown, drivers must take their vehicles to an approved repair facility.

If you purchase an extended warranty from your vehicle manufacturer, repairs must be made at a dealership. In contrast, third-party vehicle protection plans usually allow customers to have vehicles serviced at any ASE-certified repair shop.

The repair shop will perform a diagnosis and contact your extended car warranty company with the results. Your provider will then consult your contract and authorize covered repairs. After repairs are completed, reputable warranty administrators will pay the repair shop directly and you’ll only be responsible for your deductible.

Direct providers work with vehicle repair shops to cover the costs without an administrator. Some companies, however, will have you pay the full price of repairs upfront and send you a reimbursement check.

Typical extended warranty deductible options are $0, $50, $100, $200, and sometimes $500.

Are Extended Car Warranties Worth It?

Whether or not an extended car warranty is worth it depends on your preferences and lifestyle. Drivers who can cover unexpected repairs may not need an extended warranty, but those who prefer to make small monthly payments will find value in extended protection.

In addition, an extended warranty could pay out significantly more for repairs than the initial cost of the warranty. You may want to have an extended warranty simply for the peace of mind it can bring.

If you’re on the fence about purchasing an extended car warranty, we recommend honestly assessing your vehicle’s reliability and your financial situation. If you want to guarantee you aren’t paying for unused coverage, a savings account set up exclusively for mechanical breakdowns is one way to save for repair costs.

Extended Car Warranty Pros And Cons

Here are some benefits and drawbacks to consider when deciding whether to purchase coverage:

Should I Buy An Extended Car Warranty?

If you’re still wondering whether to buy an extended warranty, consider some of the reasons below. You’ll have an answer if you find yourself agreeing with one set of reasons over the other. 

Reasons To Purchase An Extended Warranty

• You can’t afford the cost of repairs that are sudden or unexpected.
• You want to plan for repair costs by financing them over a longer period of time.
• You’re offered a low-priced plan from a reputable extended warranty provider.
• You expect your car to require frequent repairs.
• You drive a luxury vehicle that will require expensive repairs.

Reasons Not To Purchase An Extended Warranty

• You can easily pay for costly repairs out of pocket as they arise.
• You don’t anticipate the cost of vehicle repairs to be more than the cost of an extended warranty.
• You have an exceptionally reliable or new vehicle.

You plan on trading in your vehicle before or shortly after its factory warranty ends.

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Best Extended Car Warranties: Our Take

There are many reputable warranty companies, but we think Endurance has the best extended auto warranty overall. The company offers a wide range of coverage plans that last for many miles. Endurance is also a direct provider, which means you’ll work with the same company for the entire process.

In general, we recommend getting online quotes and comparing prices from several extended warranty providers to find the best fit for your car and budget.

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Best Extended Auto Warranty: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about the best extended car warranties.

How We Rate Warranty Providers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of extended auto warranty providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a warranty company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

• Reputation: It’s important that an extended car warranty company is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a long history of reliable service score well in this category. We also evaluate the availability and transparency of each company’s contracts, as well as whether each provider offers a money-back guarantee.
• Coverage: Our team of experts looks at the number of extended warranty plans available, as well as term limits, exclusions, and added benefits like roadside assistance. Ratings also take into account the availability of maintenance coverage.
• Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact vehicle service contract pricing. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and plans and consider available deductibles.
• Customer Experience: We listen to real customer sales calls and comb through reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Warranty companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the availability of mobile apps and chat features.

*Data accurate at time of publication.