An extended auto warranty is a protection plan you can buy from an automaker or dealership to cover mechanical breakdowns. Third-party providers offer similar coverage in the form of vehicle service contracts. We use these terms interchangeably in this article for simplicity.
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An extended warranty for cars over 100,000 miles can be a vital tool in keeping your car on the road. Learn how to find the right plan for you.
Crash Course:
- Endurance is our choice in 2024 for the best extended warranty for cars with more than 100,000 miles.
- The average cost of a vehicle service plan for high-mileage vehicles is $141.10 per month.
- An extended warranty is especially beneficial to owners of older vehicles.
An extended warranty for a car with more than 100,000 miles on it offers the promise of financial protection and a sense of security for owners. But at an average cost of more than $140 per month, that protection and security comes with a significant price tag.
Our team put together this guide to help you decide whether a vehicle service contract is the right choice for you and your aging vehicle. You’ll find our list of the best extended warranty providers for cars with more than 100,000 miles on them, along with information about what to consider when shopping for coverage.
Best Extended Warranty Providers for Cars Over 100K Miles
Endurance is our pick for the best extended car warranty for high-mileage vehicles in 2024, thanks to its wide selection of plans and strong reputation. The table and sections below detail our top five providers:
| Car Warranty Company | Highest Mileage Limit | Longest Term Length | Best Plan for High-Mileage Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Endurance | Unlimited | 8 years | Secure Plus |
| 2. CNA National Warranty Corporation | Lifetime | Lifetime | Mechanical Advantage Care Plus |
| 3. CarShield | 300,000 | 10 years | Gold |
| 4. CARCHEX | 250,000 | 10 years | Powertrain Plus |
| 5. Omega Auto Care | 250,000 | 15 years | Powertrain Enhanced |
#1 Endurance
Endurance won our top spot in 2024 for its unlimited mileage, many coverage options, and perks. The provider does have a maximum term length of eight years, however, which is less than others in our top five.
As a direct provider that services its own warranties, Endurance’s business model enables a simple and easy customer experience. In addition, every Endurance plan comes with roadside assistance and rental car coverage for the duration of the contract. The company also includes one year of its Endurance Elite benefits with each plan, which provides coverage for things like key fob replacement and tire repair and replacement.
Continue reading: Endurance Warranty Review
#2 CNA National Warranty Corporation
CNA National Warranty Corporation is new to our top five for 2024. While it may look like a misprint at first, the company does actually offer extended vehicle protection plans with no mileage or age restrictions. That means that you can cover your vehicle for the rest of its working life if you want to.
CNA National also offers maintenance plans to allow you to cover the routine services that keep your car healthy and reduce the probability of a breakdown. While services like oil changes are vital at any point in a vehicle’s life, performing them regularly and on-schedule has an even bigger impact on cars with more than 100,000 miles on the odometer.
Continue reading: CNA National Warranty Review
#3 CarShield
CarShield came in third, in part for its 300,000-mile coverage limit – one of the highest in the industry and far more than most car owners will ever need. The company’s longest term of 10 years is also an attractive feature for any owner of a high-mileage vehicle.
We found that CarShield offers consistently low prices on its coverage, making it one of the more affordable options on the market. CarShield also provides the option of a month-to-month plan. This allows car owners to try out a warranty with less commitment and risk.
Editor’s note: In July of 2024, The Federal Trade Commission charged CarShield $10 million for deceptive and misleading advertising on its vehicle service contracts. In light of this, we recommend doing your own research to determine whether or not CarShield is still a good option for you.
Continue reading: CarShield Review
#4 CARCHEX
CARCHEX is one of the most established names in the extended vehicle protection contract industry and has long offered coverage plans for high-mileage vehicles. With a mileage limit of 250,000 miles and coverage terms up to 10 years, CARCHEX is still one of the go-to options to look into for covering an older car.
Every CARCHEX plan includes complimentary coverage for roadside assistance, trip interruption, and rental car reimbursement – all of which can easily come in handy when driving a high-mileage vehicle. The company also does not require a down payment, which means a lower cost up front.
Continue reading: CARCHEX Review
#5 Omega Auto Care
With the exception of CNA’s lifetime coverage option, Omega Auto Care offers the longest maximum coverage term on the market at 15 years. The company’s 250,000-mile limit is also on the higher end among car warranty providers, making Omega a viable option for people looking to hang on to their cars for a long time.
Where Omega really shines as a provider is in the benefits it packages with its warranty contracts. Most warranty plans include coverage for maintenance services, trip interruption, and rental car reimbursement, among other perks.
Your Guide to High-Mileage Car Warranties
The right car warranty can offer valuable financial protection and peace of mind for your aging vehicle. But as high-mileage cars have specific needs and features, choosing the right plan takes some careful consideration.
In the following section, we go over everything you need to know to make an informed decision about your vehicle protection purchase.
Can You Get an Extended Warranty for a Car Over 100K Miles?
You can get an extended warranty for a car with more than 100,000 miles on it from one of many aftermarket service plan providers. The best extended car warranty companies from our study offer plans for cars with as many as 300,000 miles on them – and some with even more.
The vast majority of car owners should be able to find a coverage option for their vehicle from somewhere. However, options become limited as cars age and accrue miles. Here are some things to consider:
- Mileage: Different warranty providers have different mileage limits, and often restrict plans based on mileage.
- Age: Warranty providers also have varying age restrictions on vehicles they’re willing to cover.
- Condition: If your car has existing issues when you’re shopping for a warranty, some providers may not cover it. Your car’s mechanical condition could also affect the cost of your coverage.
- Location: Some providers don’t operate in certain states due to differences in regulations and other factors.
How Much Does an Extended Warranty Cost for Cars Over 100K Miles?
The average cost of a car warranty for a vehicle with more than 100,000 miles is $141.10 per month, based on the results of our 2024 secret shopper study. This is averaged across all providers in our study, multiple makes and models, and multiple coverage levels.
In the table below, we provide the average monthly cost of warranty plans for high-mileage cars from our study.
| Car Warranty Company | Average Monthly Cost for High-Mileage Vehicles | Deductible | Down Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toco | $96.50 | $100.00 | First Month |
| Endurance | $125.46 | $100.00 | First month + $29 |
| CarShield | $156.66 | $250.00 | None |
| CARCHEX | $183.32 | $250.00 | None |
Read our secret shopper methodology at the end of this article for more information about how we got our quotes.
Is an Extended Warranty Worth It for Cars Over 100K Miles?
Whether an extended car warranty is right for your older vehicle is part math, part preference. Adding coverage is worth it for many due to the several ways they can benefit car owners. In the following sections, we explore the ways a vehicle service plan can be a useful tool for owners of high-mileage vehicles.
Should You Buy an Extended Warranty for a High-Mileage Vehicle? What To Consider
There’s more to the value of a car warranty than simply the cost of the plan and what you may or may not get out of it in covered repairs. To get a true sense for whether an extended warranty makes sense for you and your car, consider the bigger picture and what you feel comfortable with.
Cost of Repairs
The main purpose of an extended warranty is to cover repair costs that may arise from a mechanical breakdown – which is much more likely to occur with an older vehicle. In the chart below, we provide the average cost for common repairs to older vehicles that would be covered under a powertrain warranty plan.
Current costs are also not your only concern. One major advantage of an extended warranty is that plan costs are based on how much auto repairs cost at the time. That means that even if costs go up for the warranty provider, your coverage plan cost will usually stay the same.
This is a significant point to think about these days, as car owners have seen a sharp rise in repair and maintenance costs in recent years. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the consumer price index (CPI) of vehicle repairs and maintenance has increased by 42.6% since 2018. While people who pay for repairs out of pocket have had to deal with these increases, those who locked in a multi-year warranty plan have not.
Cost of Replacements
When owners of older vehicles are facing a multi thousand dollar repair bill, replacing that vehicle with a new or used car can seem like the sensible option – even if it is much costlier in the long run. Finding financing for a replacement vehicle tends to be easier and cheaper than financing for repairs. And without warranty coverage, your car could be back in the shop next month for another expensive service.
The U.S. has seen a dramatic increase in the price of new and used vehicles since 2020. According to data from Kelley Blue Book (KBB), the average price of a new car has risen 28.2% since the beginning of 2020. While the average price for used cars has started to taper down. As of Q2 2024 that average is still 25.9% higher than it was four years earlier.
Financial Situation
Another factor to consider is your own personal financial status. In most parts of the country, a car is a requirement for getting to and from work and handling other aspects of life. Most people can’t afford to be without a car for long.
With that in mind, it’s important to determine whether you can afford to pay for an expensive repair out of pocket should you need to. For many, the average monthly payment of $140 per month is more manageable than stashing away a few thousand dollars to cover repairs on an older car.
Peace of Mind
One more way in which car warranties can provide value for owners of aging vehicles is in the comfort of knowing that a huge surprise repair bill isn’t lurking just around the corner. Older, high-mileage vehicles are much more likely to break down.
This can be a stressful situation for any driver, but especially for people who may have trouble paying out of pocket to fix their vehicle. When you buy warranty coverage for a car with more than 100,000 miles on it, this is much less of a concern. Having your vehicle’s vital components covered can provide a stress-free experience for car owners.
Extended Warranty for Cars Over 100K Miles: Conclusion
Unless you don’t mind the risk of facing a repair bill in the thousands and can afford to pay for it out of pocket, an extended warranty can be a useful tool for a car that’s passed the 100,000-mile mark. The right plan from a reputable provider can protect your finances, help keep your vehicle on the road longer, and offer you a sense of security.
Endurance is our top choice amongst warranty providers for high-mileage vehicles in 2024. However, all of the providers featured in this article earned their place in our top five by providing reputable service for useful coverage at a reasonable price for older vehicles. As always, getting multiple offers and comparing them is essential to getting the best price.
Best Extended Warranties for Cars Over 100K Miles: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about extended warranties for cars over 100,000 miles.
Can I get an extended warranty after 100K miles?
You can get an extended warranty after 100,000 miles for your car. Many aftermarket providers even offer coverage for high-mileage vehicles well beyond 200,000 miles.
Is it worth getting a 100K mile warranty?
It can be worth getting a warranty for a car over 100,000 miles for several reasons. An extended warranty on an older car can help ensure that repair costs stay manageable and offer peace of mind for the owner.
What is the maximum mileage for an extended warranty?
CNA National Warranty Company offers extended warranty coverage with no maximum mileage. The highest mileage limit among warranty companies with limits is CarShield, which is capped at 300,000 miles.
Does CarShield cover cars over 200,000 miles?
CarShield covers cars over 200,000 miles and up to 300,000 miles. This limit is one of the highest in the industry, with the exception of Endurance and CNA National Warranty Company, which both offer coverage with no mileage limit.
How We Rated The Best Extended Warranties For Cars Over 100k Miles
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.
