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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Crash Course:
- Endurance offers the best exclusionary vehicle service contract.
- CARCHEX is our top pick for a stated-component extended car warranty.
- The best extended powertrain warranty is available from autopom!.
- Based on our extensive research, Endurance, autopom!, CARCHEX, Toco, and Everything Breaks are our top five reputable vehicle service contract providers.
The best extended car warranty plans offer financial protection, predictable expenses, and peace of mind on the road. However, finding the best plan to fit your budget and vehicle protection needs can be challenging. In this guide, we’ll highlight plans from some of the best car warranty companies in the industry to help you purchase the right vehicle service contract.
Best Extended Car Warranty Plans
Here’s a breakdown of our top-rated vehicle protection plans from reputable providers:
| Plan Category | Best Plan | Our Provider Affordability Rating (Out of 5.0) |
|---|---|---|
| Exclusionary | Endurance Supreme | 5.0 |
| Stated Component | CARCHEX Platinum | 4.2 |
| Powertrain | autopom! Powertrain Plus | 5.0 |
| Maintenance | Everything Breaks Maintenance Program | 4.0 |
| Included Benefits | Endurance Elite | 5.0 |
Best Exclusionary Extended Car Warranty: Endurance Supreme
We chose Endurance’s Supreme plan as the best exclusionary contract due to its solid coverage and strong provider reputation.
The Endurance Supreme plan offers coverage that, like most manufacturers’ new car warranties, only has a short list of excluded parts. It covers all major components and systems of your car, such as those in the engine, suspension, braking, steering, and navigation, but it won’t cover damages to paint, glass, or your bumpers. Check out our dedicated review of this plan to learn more.
We give the provider the nod here due to its excellent industry reputation, strong online reviews, and competitive pricing. Endurance even offers a Highline version of the Supreme plan for Audi and Porsche owners.
Endurance Supreme Cost
Our research team got multiple quotes for Endurance’s Supreme plan for different cars with 42,000 miles on the odometer. Each quote is for two and half years or 40,000 miles of coverage, and they all come with a $100 deductible. The down payment for all plans is the first month’s payment plus $29.
| Vehicle Make/Model | Monthly Payment (for 30 Months) | Total Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Altima | $87.81 | $2,663.30 |
| 2021 Jeep Cherokee | $90.68 | $2,749.40 |
| 2021 Ram 1500 | $90.68 | $2,749.40 |
About Endurance
| Endurance Pros | Endurance Cons |
|---|---|
| Handles claims directly | Elite benefits only free for one year |
| Positive reviews on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) | Some companies offer cheaper coverage |
| Offers plans with unlimited mileage |
Endurance earned the top spot in our 2024 auto warranty study and stands out as one of the only direct providers in the industry, meaning it handles all claims directly rather than going through a middleman. We give the company an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5.0 stars and our award for Best Overall vehicle service contract provider.
Customers give Endurance high marks on sites like Trustpilot (3.8 stars out of 5.0) and the BBB (3.7 stars out of 5.0). The provider also carries an A- rating from the BBB, which indicates timely responses to consumer complaints.
Best Stated Component Extended Car Warranty: CARCHEX Platinum
If you don’t need (or want to pay for) full, bumper-to-bumper protection, but you’d like more coverage than a basic powertrain plan offers, a stated component plan could be right for you. Based on our research, we found that CARCHEX offers the best one with its Platinum contract.
The CARCHEX Platinum plan covers many components in all major vehicle systems, like the engine, transmission, cooling system, drive axles, brakes, and more.
CARCHEX offers vehicle protection for up to 250,000 miles, among the most generous limits in the industry.
CARCHEX Platinum Cost
According to our secret shopping experience, plans from CARCHEX typically range from $110 to $190 per month or $1,320 to $2,040 per year. We were able to get discounts by negotiating with the representative over the phone. Plans come with deductible options ranging from $0 to $250.
About CARCHEX
| CARCHEX Pros | CARCHEX Cons |
|---|---|
| A+ rating from the BBB | Protection can vary by plan administrator |
| Strong industry reputation | No motorcycle or RV coverage options |
| 25 years of experience |
CARCHEX takes our Best Reputation award thanks to its 25 years of experience in the vehicle protection industry and A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB. The provider also maintains partnerships with industry leaders like CARFAX and Kelley Blue Book.
Best Powertrain Extended Car Warranty: autopom! Powertrain Plus
Powertrain contracts protect only the most vital parts of your car, like the engine, transmission, and drive axle. We chose autopom!’s Powertrain Plus plan as the top basic plan because of its solid coverage. This vehicle service contract covers basic powertrain elements as well as electric items that vary by plan.
Autopom! Powertrain Plus Cost
We got a quote for one of autopom!’s Powertrain Plus plans:
| Vehicle Make/Model | Vehicle Miles | Term Length | Monthly Payment (for 36 Months) | Deductible | Total Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Honda Accord | 90,000 | 5 years/75,000 miles | $187 | $0 | $6,732 |
While the initial price may not look that affordable compared to other providers, this plan comes with longer term limits – which tends to be more common for powertrain plans. It’s also easy to get a discount when speaking to a representative on the phone. When we called to get quotes for autopom! plans, we got as much as $1,200 off the total price of some plan offerings.
About autopom!
| autopom! Pros | autopom! Cons |
|---|---|
| A+ rating from the BBB | Available plans vary by state and vehicle |
| Excellent customer service | No sample contracts available on website |
| Outstanding ratings on Trustpilot |
Among all the companies in our study, autopom! is one of the most customer-focused choices. On top of a stellar reputation for customer service, the company goes beyond the normal level of service and actively advocates for customers when issues pop up. Customers give autopom! high marks on both the BBB (4.2 out of 5.0 stars) and Trustpilot (4.6 out of 5.0 stars).
Although autopom! requires higher down payments than most other vehicle service contract providers (usually more than a monthly payment), the company features generally low auto protection rates. The cost per year of coverage with autopom! is well below the industry average.
Best Extended Car Warranty Maintenance Package: Everything Breaks Maintenance Program
While not all providers offer maintenance packages, Everything Breaks does, and it’s a solid one. While it isn’t a traditional warranty like others on this list, Everything Breaks features a unique road club program called Critical Coverage that combines traditional roadside assistance benefits with partial coverage of mechanical repairs.
When you opt for a yearly Critical Coverage plan (rather than a month-to-month contract), you also receive coverage for oil changes, brake pad replacements, one cooling system service, one engine diagnostic service, one alignment service, and one safety inspection with wiper blade replacement.
About Everything Breaks
| Everything Breaks Pros | Everything Breaks Cons |
|---|---|
| Flexible month-to-month contracts | Some plans cost more than the industry average |
| A rating from the BBB | Mixed customer reviews |
| Unique road club program |
We give Everything Breaks our award for Best Claims Process because the provider’s app makes it easy to submit and manage claims. The company’s flexible coverage options also help it stand out from the competition. We also like that Everything Breaks is transparent about pricing. The Critical Coverage Road Club program costs $358.56 per year with no deductible.
Best Extended Car Warranty Included Benefits: Endurance Elite
Many vehicle service contract providers offer benefits with their plans, but we found Endurance’s to be the best. Each Endurance vehicle protection plan comes with a free year of Endurance Elite benefits. This perks package includes total loss protection, key fob replacement, tire repair and replacement, and a collision discount that covers up to $500 in repairs after an accident.
Best Extended Car Warranty Plans: What You Need To Know
An extended car warranty covers the cost of repairs that occur due to mechanical breakdowns caused by faulty car parts or workmanship flaws. You may hear extended car warranties referred to as vehicle protection plans or vehicle service contracts.
In exchange for a one-time or monthly payment, the best extended car warranty providers will cover the cost of mechanical repairs that fall under the coverage outlined in your contract. Drivers aren’t required to purchase extended warranties, but many do since they add peace of mind, reducing the stress of surprise car repair bills.
Types of Extended Car Warranties
While each provider offers varying levels of coverage, most plans fall into one of three categories:
- Bumper-to-bumper warranty: Commonly known as exclusionary coverage, bumper-to-bumper warranties cover all vehicle components except ones that are specifically mentioned as exclusions. These plans are similar to the new car limited warranties you get from dealerships and they come with the highest price tags.
- Stated-Component Coverage: In contrast, named-component plans mention the parts of your vehicle that are covered rather than what isn’t. Typically, a stated-component plan covers most of your vehicle’s major systems and often includes coverage for some electrical components like your air conditioning.
- Powertrain Warranty: The most basic and affordable level of warranty coverage is a powertrain plan. Sometimes referred to as a drivetrain warranty, a powertrain warranty only covers the most critical parts of your car such as its transmission and drive axles.
Many of the best extended car warranty providers offer specialized options that cover high-tech electronics, EVs, and classic or exotic cars. Some also offer plans that can take care of routine maintenance services such as oil changes and tire rotations or replace wear-and-tear items like brake pads and windshield wiper blades.
Extended Car Warranty Terms and Conditions
Although extended warranty terms and conditions will vary depending on the provider, the following elements are common:
- Waiting period: You can expect to have at least a 30-day waiting period for your vehicle protection plan to take effect. Providers put these conditions in place to avoid covering vehicles with pre-existing issues.
- Cancellation: Most of the top third-party auto protection companies offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you cancel beyond this 30-day window, you can often receive a prorated refund.
- Transferability: Many of our top-rated extended warranty providers make their plans transferable to a new owner. Although this sometimes comes with a fee, it’s worthwhile since a protection plan can enhance the value of your vehicle.
- Purchase window: While you almost always have to purchase a manufacturer extended warranty before the factory warranty expires, independent providers allow you to purchase a plan at any time.
Extended Car Warranty Costs
In our secret shopper research, we found that the average extended auto warranty plan costs about $1,054 per year of coverage. This is more or less consistent with what we learned from our 2024 auto warranty survey: a majority of the 1,000+ respondents said they paid between $1,000 and $3,500 in total for their extended warranty plans.
Is an Extended Car Warranty Worth It?
In terms of financial value, whether extended warranties are worth it is somewhat up to chance. If your car ends up needing repairs, there’s a strong likelihood you’ll pay less for a warranty than for the cost to fix the issue. However, it’s possible you won’t need your coverage, meaning you’ll have paid for something that goes unused.
Still, extended auto warranties can be worth it in other ways, including the following:
- Peace of mind: If you’ve ever driven a car under warranty, you may have felt better knowing that potential auto repair costs were already covered. An extended vehicle protection plan offers that same peace of mind after your factory warranty expires.
- Extra benefits: In addition to your coverage, the best extended car warranties come with benefits like roadside assistance and trip interruption coverage. These perks, which may reduce hassle on the road, will otherwise come at an additional cost from auto insurance companies.
- Predictable expenses: Many people prefer to make regular monthly payments to avoid large surprise expenses for car repairs. A warranty plan can help keep your finances predictable and reduce your risk of needing to come up with a large sum of money at a moment’s notice. With warranty coverage, you can avoid paying out of pocket for various car repair and replacement costs.
Repairing and Maintaining a Vehicle Can Be Expensive
According to RepairPal, the annual average cost of repairs and maintenance across all auto brands is $652. Based on recent history, you can count on that figure rising in 2025 and beyond. Here’s a look at how much the cost of auto repair has increased in recent years:
Most Extended Warranty Owners Are Happy With Their Investments
According to our 2024 extended warranty survey, the vast majority of warrantyholders are happy with their purchases. Just over 93% of respondents said they were satisfied with their extended warranty claim experience. About 95% of those surveyed reported that they were generally satisfied with their vehicle protection plan.
Extended Car Warranty Scams and How To Avoid Them
Extended car warranty scams are, unfortunately, quite common. Scammers typically pose as representatives of an automobile manufacturer, dealership, or insurance company. What follows is usually a pitch to renew your auto warranty that includes a request for personal information.
The first way to avoid getting scammed in this way is to avoid suspicious calls of all kinds. If you find yourself on the line with a suspected scammer, ask to call back, and then look up the actual number of the company they claim to represent. Of course, you should never provide any personal information like a social security number, driver’s license number, or bank account details over the phone unless you can verify that you’re dealing with a legitimate company that you’ve done business with in the past.
To report an extended car warranty scam, visit the FCC’S Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Center.
How To Get the Best Extended Car Warranty Plan: Guide
There is no single best extended warranty provider for everyone. Certain providers may have better prices for your coverage needs and vehicles than others. Some auto warranty companies may offer benefits or coverage packages that work better for you.
Here are a few tips that can help you choose the best coverage provider – for you and your vehicle:
- Assess your needs: Do you really need bumper-to-bumper coverage like you’d get with a manufacturer’s warranty? Or will basic powertrain coverage satisfy your needs? Know what you’re looking for in a plan and provider before you start shopping.
- Consider your budget: Think about how much you can reasonably afford to spend, either as an upfront lump sum or in monthly installments. Figuring out your budget can help to guide your decision.
- Find a few options you like: Most extended warranty companies offer similar products, but there are differences that make some more attractive than others. You can use roundups like this one to find providers that offer the options, benefits, and customer service that you desire.
- Request quotes: You can and should get free quotes from at least three of the best extended car warranty providers as part of your process. While you may get sales calls and emails after requesting them, these quotes come with no obligations. Take time to weigh the offers you receive.
- Go with your gut: There are a lot of things to consider when choosing an extended warranty company and plan, but at the end of the day, much of the value of a service contract is in how you feel about it. Even if it’s not strictly the cheapest option, the best extended car warranty company for you is the one that you feel best about. Listen to your instincts.
What Is the Best Extended Car Warranty Plan?: Conclusion
The best extended car warranty plan depends on your coverage needs and budget. Endurance, CARCHEX, autopom!, and Everything Breaks are some of our top-rated vehicle protection plan providers. You’ll find affordable and reliable coverage from any of these companies. We recommend comparing quotes before you make a final decision.
Best Overall Warranty Provider
Best Extended Car Warranty: FAQ
Below are a few frequently asked questions about the best extended car warranties:
Who has the best extended car warranty?
Endurance is our top-rated vehicle service contract provider and offers the best exclusionary plan, according to our research. Autopom!, CARCHEX, and Everything Breaks all check in near the top of our extended warranty company rankings.
Can you negotiate the price of an extended warranty?
Many third-party providers allow you to negotiate the total price of your vehicle service contract. When we did our secret shopping study, we were able to successfully negotiate down costs from CARCHEX, CarShield, Toco, Vehicle Assurance, and autopom!.
What does an extended warranty cover?
Extended auto warranties cover select mechanical components. Basic extended warranties (typically referred to as powertrain or drivetrain warranty coverage) protect the parts of your car that help the vehicle move, like the engine, transmission, and drive axle.
A more comprehensive coverage plan (typically referred to as a bumper-to-bumper warranty) covers the same components as a powertrain plan, plus your car’s cooling and electrical systems, high-tech components, air conditioning system, and more.
Our Methodology
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.
