Best Extended Car Warranty Coverage Plans (2024) (2024)

Written by:

Dash Lewis, Writer

Written by: Dash Lewis Content Writer

01/30/2024 10:54 PM

Key Points:

• Endurance offers the best plan selection from basic to factory-level with unique benefits and maintenance coverage options.
• The highest plan in the industry is a bumper-to-bumper warranty, which covers any breakdown except for a list of exclusions.
• Endurance Supreme, CarShield Diamond, and Omega Auto Care Exclusionary are the best bumper-to-bumper warranty plans in the industry.

The extended warranty world can be hard to navigate. Not only do you have dozens of companies to choose from, but each offers multiple plans. In this article, we’ll show you how to shop for the best extended car warranty coverage plans and help you decide which is right for your situation. Having reviewed the best extended car warranty companies in the industry, we’ll rank our top picks on coverage plans here.

Best Extended Car Warranty Coverage Providers

We’ve reviewed dozens of warranty companies on many aspects. In this section, we’ll rank our top picks by the plans they offer. This includes things like the number of coverage plans, their maximum mileages, added benefits, and more. All our picks offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Below, you can see our top five providers.

1. Endurance

Endurance is our top pick for the best extended car warranty coverage provider. You can find any type of coverage you want from basic powertrain to factory-level bumper-to-bumper. Endurance is a direct provider, which means you only work with Endurance when filing a claim.

Endurance also offers a maintenance plan option, which covers multiple oil changes and tire rotations per year plus one-time services like brake pad replacement and cooling system maintenance.

New customers also get one year of Endurance Elite Benefits for free. This goes beyond the standard benefits of rental car reimbursem*nt, trip interruption, and roadside assistance to include things like key fob replacement, tire repair, and collision benefits.

Read more: Endurance Warranty review

2. Omega Auto Care

Omega Auto Care offers five plans in total. These include a bumper-to-bumper contract, a mid-level plan, and three variations of a powertrain warranty. With these different options, you can choose the coverage amount you want.

Omega Auto Care also stands out for offering tire repair and maintenance coverage. With the tire repair benefit, the company will repair or replace your tires up to a limit if they are damaged due to road hazards. Its maintenance option covers oil changes plus one-time benefits for:

• Brake pads/shoes
• Battery replacement
• Cooling system maintenance
• Safety inspection

All Omega Auto Care coverage plans come with maintenance benefits for one year (benefits begin 30 days after purchase and expire 13 months later). You might not use all of the benefits if you don’t need new brake pads or cooling system maintenance during that time.

3. CarShield

Next on our list of best car warranty coverage plans is CarShield. This is the most popular company in the industry with a 4.1-star rating and over 44,000 customer reviews on Trustpilot. In terms of coverage, CarShield stands out for offering two specific plans: one dedicated to motorcycles and ATVs, and the other to fully electric vehicles (EVs).

EVs are becoming more popular, but not all extended warranty companies currently cover them. CarShield’s electric vehicle plan comes with two options: you can cover the electric drive components or add coverage for more systems like steering, brakes, air conditioning, and electrical components. Besides coverage for EVs, CarShield also offers a variety of options for standard vehicles including bumper-to-bumper coverage.

Read more: CarShield review
Compare: CarShield vs. Endurance

4. Carchex

Carchex has one of the strongest industry reputations with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and some of the best coverage options. The company has five levels of coverage and offers the following benefits on all of them: roadside assistance, trip interruption coverage, and rental car coverage.

Carchex’s Extra Care plan stands out for being a little bit different. This plan is designed to enhance an existing powertrain warranty because it covers complex systems like electrical and air conditioning but not the engine or drivetrain. Most auto manufacturers offer longer powertrain warranties than bumper-to-bumper plans, so this coverage will fill in the gap while you still have a powertrain warranty.

Read more: Carchex review
Compare: Carchex vs. Endurance or Carchex vs. CarShield

5. Olive

Even though Olive^® doesn’t cover as many miles as other companies on our list or offer the same number of plans, it does offer some of the easiest coverage to get. The plans don’t have a waiting period (most other companies require at least 30 days or 1,000 miles before you can use coverage). Additionally, the company was founded just a few years ago and was built for the digital age, making it perfect for younger drivers.

The website makes comparing the fine print of different plans easy. The claims process is also simple because of Olive’s partnership with RepairPal. If you go to a RepairPal Certified shop, Olive will recover $100 of your deductible. On its website you can find a link that will quickly direct you to RepairPal Certified shops in your area.

Olive also stands out for having some of the most affordable payment plans among leading extended car warranty providers. However, plans come with slightly fewer perks, as roadside assistance isn’t included.

Best Extended Car Warranty Plans

Next, we’ll take a look at the best extended auto warranty coverage plans by type: bumper-to-bumper, mid-level, and powertrain.

Best Bumper-To-Bumper Extended Warranty Plans

Endurance Supreme, Carshield Diamond, and Omega Auto Care Exclusionary are our top picks for bumper-to-bumper plans.

1. Endurance Supreme

Endurance’s Supreme plan is a top-of-the-line extended warranty that covers nearly anything on the vehicle. This is the plan to get if you want to keep your vehicle covered like it still has a new car factory warranty. It covers thousands of components in all major systems like the:

• Steering
• Brakes
• High-tech
• Air conditioning
• Suspension
• Engine
• Fuel system
• Transmission, and more

Endurance has a strong reputation in the industry and is known for its responsiveness with covering claims. The company also operates in California where it sells mechanical breakdown insurance. Not all extended warranty companies operate in the state.

2. CarShield Diamond

CarShield’s Diamond plan is another great option for an exclusionary warranty. It covers major parts and systems that are very expensive to repair for car owners, like the engine. It also covers things that are just an inconvenience if they break down. CarShield can cover up to 300,000 miles, which makes it a great option for high-mileage vehicles.

3. Omega Auto Care Exclusionary

Omega Auto Care is another great option for a high-level contract, with benefits like tire repair and maintenance services. The company’s limit of 250,000 miles is also high for the industry. The Exclusionary plan covers everything minus a short list of exclusions.

Excluded items are things like:

• Body panels
• Bumpers
• Trim
• Carpet
• Headlights
• Weather stripping

Best Mid-Level Extended Warranty Plans

Next, let’s check out the best mid-level extended car warranty coverage plans.

1. Carchex Platinum

Carchex’s Platinum plan is one step below its highest plan. That means Platinum covers hundreds of parts on most major systems of the vehicle. This includes the:

• Engine
• Transmission
• Drivetrain
• Steering
• Brakes
• Air conditioning
• Electrical system, and more

These types of plans are good if you want to save a little bit of money by not getting the bumper-to-bumper plan.

2. Endurance Superior

The Endurance Superior plan is a good option for cars with more miles on the odometer. It covers 13 different systems of vehicles like the engine, cooling system, and air conditioning. Similar to Carchex’s Platinum, it’s also the second-highest plan from Endurance.

The Superior plan comes with roadside assistance, trip interruption, and rental car coverage, along with Endurance Elite Benefits for the first year. It’s a good option for a well-maintained used vehicle.

3. Olive Powertrain Plus

Olive’s Powertrain Plus plan is right in the middle of its three options. We found Olive offers monthly payments that are much cheaper than the industry average, so it’s a good budget-friendly option. Olive doesn’t offer roadside assistance on its plans, so that’s something to take into consideration. Olive’s Powertrain Plus plan covers the powertrain plus crucial systems like steering, electrical, air conditioning, and suspension.

Best Powertrain Extended Warranty Coverage Plans

Last but not least, let’s take a look at a few great Powertrain plans. If you’re not familiar with the powertrain, it refers to the engine, transmission, and drivetrain, which are responsible for propelling your car forward.

1. Omega Auto Care Powertrain

There aren’t many powertrains on the market that come with maintenance and tire repair benefits like Omega Auto Care’s plan. The company offers three powertrain plan versions, but we’re talking about the most basic option here.

The plan can cover vehicles that are up to 15 years old and have up to 250,000 miles. Omega’s Powertrain plan covers the engine, transmission, transfer case, and drive axle. It also covers hybrid components and gaskets.

2. Endurance Secure

The Secure plan is Endurance’s most affordable option. It covers the engine, transmission, turbocharger, and drive axles. If you’re looking for an affordable option without too many bells and whistles, this is a good one to pick. It also comes with rental, roadside, and trip interruption benefits. It’s a good option to cover auto repairs on older cars.

3. CarShield Silver

CarShield’s Silver plan covers the powertrain plus the turbocharger and the water pump. Beware that the contract says it covers the cooling system, but that only includes the water pump. It doesn’t cover other parts in the system like the radiator or cooling fan. CarShield’s plans all come with roadside assistance, rental car reimbursem*nt, and trip interruption protection.

Extended Warranty Coverage Guide

The world of extended car warranties can seem daunting if this is your first time shopping for a plan. In this section, we’ll go over what extended warranties do and don’t cover, how they work, and whether they’re worth it.

What Does An Extended Car Warranty Cover?

An extended car warranty covers specific breakdowns due to defects in materials and workmanship on a car. It only covers vehicle components that are outlined in a contract (unless that contract is exclusionary). Extended warranties are also called vehicle protection plans or vehicle service contracts.

Extended warranty contracts come with many pages describing the situations that are covered and those that aren’t. It’s important to read the fine print when you’re shopping around for a plan or even to understand a plan that you already have.

Types Of Extended Warranty Coverage

The two main types of extended warranty coverage plans are exclusionary and stated-component coverage.

• Bumper-to-bumper warranty (exclusionary): This is the highest level of extended warranty coverage. It covers any mechanical breakdown except for a list of exclusions placed in the contract, which is why it’s called exclusionary coverage. An example is Endurance’s Supreme plan. This level is also called comprehensive coverage and it’s similar to a manufacturer’s warranty on a new vehicle.
• Mid-level and powertrain warranty (stated-component): All other extended warranty contracts are called stated-component plans. They cover only the exact parts written on the contract. This includes mid-level plans like Carchex’s Platinum plan and basic powertrain warranties like CarShield’s Silver plan. Stated component plans have a wide range of coverage.

You might also find a third type of plan that technically falls under a stated component contract. This is a wrap plan that covers higher component systems like electrical and air conditioning but doesn’t cover the powertrain. This type of plan is designed to enhance existing powertrain coverage.

Maintenance Coverage

Some extended warranty companies offer maintenance coverage options like Endurance’s Advantage plan, which covers multiple oil changes and tire rotations per year plus things like brake pad replacements and cooling system service. Keeping your car well-maintained can help you avoid future issues that can evolve into breakdowns.

What Does An Extended Warranty Not Cover?

No matter what a salesperson may tell you, extended warranties don’t cover everything. Even if they say all of your engine components are covered, some breakdowns would not be covered. These are called exclusions.

One common exclusion is damage to any covered part by a non-covered part. Let’s say your car battery explodes, causing damage to the engine. Even though your warranty might cover the engine, it won’t cover damage caused by a battery.

Another important realization is that extended warranties don’t cover parts that are simply worn without breaking down. Your mechanic might suggest replacing a certain part that is 60 percent worn out, but the warranty might not cover replacement until it has fully deteriorated.

Similarly, warranties don’t cover wear-and-tear items like brake pads, hoses, bulbs, or filters. These items are expected to wear out so they are considered maintenance-related issues–not mechanical breakdowns.

Below are a few more exclusions that are common to extended car warranties:

• Damage from misuse or a lack of maintenance
• Aftermarket parts
• Routine maintenance services
• Car repairs that upgrade the vehicle in value
• Damage from accidents or environmental factors (this is what car insurance is for)
• Damage to cosmetic components like trim, upholstery, or the dashboard
• Pre-existing conditions

How Does An Extended Car Warranty Work?

When you have a breakdown, there’s a general step-by-step process that takes effect:

1. Get to safety and get your car to an approved mechanic. Your plan might include roadside assistance or towing to help out.
2. Authorize a teardown for the mechanic to diagnose the issue upfront. You may not have to do this depending on what the problem is. The warranty won’t pay for this teardown if the breakdown isn’t covered.
3. Have the mechanic call your extended warranty company. The warranty provider will have to authorize the repair before anything can be done. It’s at this point that reliable warranty companies are distinguished from the rest. A company should have no problem covering something that is written in the contract.
4. Once the repair is authorized, the repair shop will do the work. Reputable extended warranty companies will pay the repair facility directly.

Other companies might inconveniently require you to pay for the repair and seek reimbursem*nt after the fact. You should only have to pay your deductible to the repair shop.

Is It Worth Getting An Extended Car Warranty?

Whether or not it’s worth getting an extended warranty depends on your situation. Below are a few considerations to think about.

How To Shop For Extended Car Warranty Plans

Not only are there different types of warranties, which we covered above, but there are different types of companies that sell them.

Auto Manufacturers

You can get extended warranties from all major auto manufacturers. Some might require you to buy a warranty when you buy the vehicle, and most require you to get it within the factory warranty period. Service plans can range from basic powertrain to bumper-to-bumper coverage, and they usually last between 80,000 to 150,000 miles maximum.

Third-Party Warranty Companies

There are a variety of third-party companies that specialize in warranties–like Endurance and Carchex. These companies sell plans backed by administrators, not auto manufacturers. They typically offer more coverage plan options as well as higher mileage limits.

Below we compare manufacturer vs. third-party extended warranties:

Used Car Dealerships

You can also find extended warranties from used car dealerships when you shop for a vehicle. These are also third-party plans, but the dealer might not give you many options to compare. Also, dealer plans are often marked up so the dealer can make a profit.

Until you can compare other options, we don’t recommend going with an off-brand warranty from a used car dealership.

Insurance Company Plans

Some automotive insurance companies like Geico offer vehicle service contracts that are called mechanical breakdown insurance. This type of plan covers mechanical breakdowns but you often have fewer choices for coverage and repair shops. Covered repairs may also be limited compared to dedicated vehicle warranty companies.

Best Extended Warranty Plans: Our Take

To sum it up, we recommend shopping from Endurance, CarShield, Omega Auto Care, Carchex, and Olive for the best warranty plan selection. These companies all offer a wide range of coverage options and benefits. Compare multiple free quotes to find the best one that works for you.

Best Extended Car Warranty Coverage: FAQ

Below are a few frequently asked questions about extended car warranty coverage plans.

How We Rate Car Warranty Companies

Our review team extensively researches extended car warranty providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

• Reliability: Warranty providers that earn strong ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), work with reliable partners and administrators, and have a long history in the warranty industry score well in this category.
• Coverage Plans: We take a close look at the coverage plans available through each provider, including how many are offered, maximum term limits, plan exclusions, and more. We also evaluate the added benefits companies include with their warranty plans, such as roadside assistance and trip interruption benefits.
• Pricing: Our team performs a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and coverage plans to get a sense of a provider’s average costs. We see how each company’s pricing, deductible options, and discount opportunities compare to competitors when determining this score.
• Transparency: We evaluate the availability and transparency of each company’s contracts, as well as whether each provider offers a money-back guarantee.
• Customer Experience: We consider customer reviews and complaints from sites like the BBB and Trustpilot. Our team also reaches out to customer service reps during our secret shopper analysis to get a sense of the customer experience with each company.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

Dash Lewis Content Writer