CarShield Vs. Endurance

The Gist:

• Below we compare CarShield vs. Endurance to determine which provider has the best extended warranties based on coverage, cost, reputation, and customer satisfaction.
• CarShield and Endurance have paid millions of dollars in claims over the past decade.
• Once your factory warranty expires, you could be on the hook for expensive repair bills. An extended warranty can protect your vehicle and your wallet.

New cars come with factory warranties that handle repairs for hundreds of components until a specific time limit or mileage is reached. After your factory warranty expires, you can add to your peace of mind by buying extended coverage from a dealership or a third-party provider.

Two names that often pop up when drivers search for extended warranty plans are Endurance and CarShield. Both companies are in the business of selling vehicle service contracts, otherwise known as extended auto warranties. CarShield and Endurance are known for their excellent warranty coverage and competitive pricing, but what’s the best choice when comparing CarShield vs. Endurance? 

This review will look at coverage options from both providers, the cost of their protection plans, and their overall customer experiences. We looked at the best extended car warranty companies to streamline your shopping experience, and while doing so, we compared Endurance vs. CarShield.

CarShield Vs. Endurance Review

After conducting an industry-wide review, we found CarShield and Endurance to be very similar overall – however, the companies have unique differences. Our review team rated Endurance 4.6 out of 5.0 stars and CarShield 4.3 stars. You can see in the table below how CarShield and Endurance stack up against each other.

Review Category	CarShield	Endurance
Reputation	4	4.5
Coverage	5	5
Cost	4	4.5
Customer Experience	4	4.5
Overall Rating	4.3	4.6

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Which Is Better CarShield Or Endurance?

Picking Endurance vs. CarShield isn’t the worst decision to make. Both companies have established industry reputations, countless satisfied customers, and coverage plans for all needs and budgets.

Plans from Endurance offer a more comprehensive range of coverages, and many drivers enjoy the quality of service that comes from Endurance being a direct warranty provider.

CarShield offers month-to-month protection plans, which are great options for customers needing more time to commit to a long-term contract.

Regarding used cars, both Endurance and CarShield offer service plans designed for high-mileage vehicles. Customers can take their cars to any repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE^®) if a covered component breaks.

While CarShield and Endurance offer impressive plans and competitive rates, drivers in California should look elsewhere as they’re not available in the state.

CarShield: Month-to-Month Contracts

CarShield is based out of St. Peters, Missouri, and has over 16 years of experience in the aftermarket automotive industry. The company offers some of the best value in the extended warranty space due to its low-cost plans that provide valuable vehicle protection.

Endurance: Best Plan Offerings

Our choice for Best Coverage is Endurance, a Northbrook, Illinois-based independent provider. The company has an A+ financial strength rating from AM and is backed by an insurer. Also, Endurance was recognized by Inc. 5000 as one of the fastest-growing businesses nationwide.

Unlike many competitors, Endurance is a direct provider. That means it administers its vehicle service contracts instead of brokering deals to other administrators.

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CarShield Vs. Endurance Coverage

Endurance and CarShield offer six coverage options for customers, but they’re not quite identical. Endurance has more fleshed-out offerings for vehicles, while CarShield also provides specialized plans for the electrical system and coverage for ATVs and motorcycles.

Here’s an overview of CarShield vs. Endurance coverage:

CarShield Protection Plans

• Diamond: CarShield’s top-tier, exclusionary bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage
• Platinum: Comprehensive coverage that’s slightly slimmer than the Diamond plan
• Gold: Mid-level option that includes powertrain coverage and backs the alternator, water pump, starter, air conditioning, and power windows
• Silver: Basic powertrain coverage that also takes care of the water pump
• Aluminum: Coverage for high-tech components such as navigation systems and the engine control module
• Motorcycle and ATV: Covers repairs for the powertrain, suspension, brakes, gauges, and more for motorcycles and ATVs

Endurance Protection Plans

• Supreme: Endurance’s most comprehensive plan for bumper-to-bumper coverage
• Superior: Stated-component coverage for hundreds of parts, including the suspension, cooling system, and fuel system
• Secure Plus: Similar coverage to the Secure plan, but with added protection for air conditioning, steering, and brakes
• Secure: Covers essential powertrain components such as the engine, transmission, and drivetrain
• Select Premier: Protection for high-mileage vehicles that includes powertrain coverage
• EnduranceAdvantage™: Extensive component protection mixed with broad maintenance coverage

Some vehicle service plans offer limited maintenance protection as part of their contracts, but it’s far from standard across the industry. The EnduranceAdvantage plan covers tire rotations, oil changes, and other standard maintenance.

What Is Not Covered By CarShield And Endurance Extended Warranties?

Even though having an extended warranty means a wide variety of components are covered in the event of a breakdown or poor quality, CarShield and Endurance won’t pay for everything.

Here are some items not covered under vehicle protection plans:

• Damage from a collision
• Damage from owner abuse or neglect
• Damage from environmental factors
• Damage from improper repairs
• Wear-and-tear items such as brake pads and wiper blades
• Regular maintenance, such as oil changes

CarShield and Endurance Extended Warranty Benefits

Besides potentially covering costs at the repair shop, it’s common for third-party warranty providers to include additional benefits for customers. Here’s a comparison chart of the benefits offered by Endurance vs. CarShield:

Benefit	CarShield	Endurance
24/7 roadside assistance	✔	✔
Towing	✔	✔
Battery jump-starts	✔	✔
Lockout services	✔	✔
Trip interruption coverage	$50 per day up to 3 days	$150 per day up to 3 days
Rental car reimbursement	$40 per day up to 7 days	$30 per day up to 5 days
Tire repair services	✔	✔*
Key fob replacement		✔*

*Only offered as part of your one free year of Endurance Elite Benefits

Regarding customer perks, CarShield and Endurance seem about even. While Endurance Elite Benefits add extras such as key fob replacement, it’s worth noting that drivers only receive one free year of the program.

Endurance’s trip interruption benefits clock in at a max of $450, considerably more than what CarShield offers. However, CarShield provides a far more generous rental car reimbursement program.

Can You Cancel A CarShield Or Endurance Extended Warranty?

Most providers’ contracts include a 30-day money-back guarantee, including Endurance and CarShield. Customers of both companies have the entire waiting period to cancel their contracts and receive full refunds as long as they didn’t file claims in that period. Customers would receive prorated refunds if they filed any claims.

Both providers require a $50 cancellation fee if a customer ends coverage after the 30-day window closes.

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Which Is Cheaper CarShield Or Endurance?

CarShield’s exclusionary coverage is over $1,100 cheaper than the plan from Endurance. CarShield has a higher monthly rate for its powertrain plan, though. While CarShield holds a reputation as one of the most affordable extended car warranty providers, our research makes it clear that Endurance can hold its own.

Bumper-To-Bumper Warranty Cost

For our Endurance vs. CarShield warranty data, we obtained quotes for a 2018 Honda Civic with 30,000 miles.

Warranty Plan	Warranty Term	Payment	Total Cost
CarShield Diamond	5 years/70,000 miles	$88.78 for 18 months $109.99 down payment	$1,708.03
Endurance Supreme	6 years/71,000 miles	$74.60 for 36 months $161.35 down payment	$2,846.95

Powertrain Warranty Cost

The following CarShield vs. Endurance quotes are for a 2012 Subaru Outback with 88,000 miles.

Provider	Warranty Term	Monthly Payment	Total Cost
CarShield Gold	Unlimited	$89.99 per month $89.99 down payment	Varies
Endurance Secure	5 years/51,000 miles	$69.96 for 36 months $152.55 down payment	$2,671.11

Buying An Extended Warranty

The best way to find a competitive, extended warranty rate is by comparing free quotes from multiple providers, so we pitted Endurance vs. CarShield to match up their costs. Each warranty provider determines the rate of an auto warranty differently, but several factors always play a part in your monthly bill:

• Age, make, and model of your vehicle
• Coverage limits
• Deductible amount

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Does CarShield Or Endurance Have Better Customer Service?

Customer service is a mixed bag for both providers. CarShield and Endurance receive less than an A regarding Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings. Below is an overview of industrywide reviews:

	CarShield	Endurance
BBB Rating	D	NR
BBB Customer Score	1.4 out of 5.0 stars	3.7 out of 5.0 stars
BBB Accredited	No	No
Trustpilot Rating	4.1 out of 5.0 stars	3.6 out of 5.0 stars

You can learn much about a company’s customer service by reading reviews from current and previous customers. Let’s see what consumers say about their experiences with CarShield and Endurance. 

CarShield Customer Reviews

CarShield’s poor rating from the BBB stems from complaints claiming the company engages in misleading advertising practices, fails to cover repairs, and doesn’t refund contract holders. Below is a negative review posted about CarShield:

“I have electrical and brake system coverage and CarShield would not cover the claim to fix my truck. It is sad to find out that the company you relied on was not there to help. I canceled my contract and will never do business with them again.”
– Ashley F. via BBB

On the other hand, many customers say CarShield provides speedy service and handles its claims process professionally. You’ll find a positive CarShield review below:

“I have had to use CarShield two times. Both times they responded and covered my repairs without any hassle. I hope they continue to be a good company.”
– Mary M. via BBB

Endurance Customer Reviews

Like CarShield, Endurance warranty reviews mention informative conversations with sales representatives, stories of denied claims, and issues with getting refunds. The BBB attributes Endurance’s C rating to the company’s use of mailers that resemble federal tax documents.

Here’s a negative Endurance customer review found online:

​​”Canceling my policy and it took over [two] hours to do so. I was transferred to several different departments before I spoke with someone who could help me.”
– L. Caldwell via BBB

Below is one of the positive reviews posted about Endurance:

“​​Good coverage at a good price. Filed a claim for a transmission problem. New transmission replacement [at a] shop of my choice. Small deductible and no-hassle service. Very satisfied customer.”
– Kimmy Panico via Trustpilot

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CarShield Vs. Endurance: Conclusion

Picking between CarShield and Endurance is always an excellent decision to make. CarShield and Endurance are reputable companies, as evidenced by the companies’ customer service reviews. Endurance offers a broader range of coverage than CarShield, but CarShield offers similar coverage at a more affordable price. We recommend getting multiple quotes from industry-leading warranty companies before deciding on warranty coverage. That way, you can find the best coverage and price that suits your needs.

Top Recommendations For Extended Car Warranties

If CarShield vs. Endurance isn’t the only warranty decision you’re weighing, CARCHEX is also an exceptional choice to consider for extended warranty coverage.

CARCHEX: High Mileage Limit

CARCHEX is our pick for used car owners because it offers coverage for up to 250,000 miles. Customers can also pick vehicle protection plans that last from monthly all the way up to 10 years.

CARCHEX reviews show that it’s a strong warranty option, as seen by its accreditation and A+ rating from the BBB. The company receives industry endorsements from CARFAX to Kelley Blue Book to RepairPal.

If CARCHEX is an option you’re considering, it’s worth reading our CarShield vs. CARCHEX and Endurance vs. CARCHEX reviews.

CarShield Vs. Endurance: FAQ

Below are common questions asked about CarShield and Endurance extended 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) score well in this category. Established providers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.

• 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.