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:
- CarShield Silver is the company’s most basic, affordable plan, designed to protect the powertrain components of your car.
- This plan is paid monthly and comes with benefits like 24/7 roadside assistance.
- CarShield Silver may be a good fit for those seeking simple coverage for older or used cars.
Best for those who want simple, affordable coverage, the CarShield Silver plan provides basic powertrain coverage and is the company’s most cost-effective plan.
In this article, we’ll review the CarShield Silver plan and go over the specifics of its cost, coverage, and benefits. If you are interested in learning more about all of CarShield’s plans and want to read of review of the provider as a whole, check out our CarShield review.
CarShield Silver Plan
The CarShield Silver Plan is most basic plan offered, designed to be affordable and cover the most important part of the car – the powertrain. This plan benefits owners of used vehicles who are seeking simple coverage for the components that are necessary to drive.
CarShield Silver Coverage
Of the eight levels of coverage offered by CarShield, the Silver plan provides the lowest level of coverage overall. It’s scaled down from the enhanced powertrain coverage provided by the Gold and Gold Select plans. Parts and components covered under the CarShield Silver plan include:
- A gas or diesel engine
- Transmission
- Turbocharger
- Cooling system
- Transfer case
- Drive axle
CarShield Silver Benefits
- 24-hour emergency roadside assistance
- Lockout service
- Emergency tire service
- Battery service
- Fuel delivery service
- Towing service
- Winching service
The Silver plan is also transferable for a fee, and is cancellable for a full refund within 30 days.
CarShield Silver Coverage Exclusions
There are some parts and systems that the CarShield Silver plan doesn’t cover, including:
- Air conditioner
- Fuel delivery system
- Fuel injector
- Fuel pump
- Steering
- Suspension
- Brake system
- Electrical system
- Instrument cluster
- Factory audio
- Starter
- Alternator
- Power windows
- Radiator
- Wiring harness
This plan also won’t cover wear and tear parts or damage from misuse or pre-existing conditions.
CarShield Silver Plan Cost
Typically, basic plans like CarShield Silver will cost less than more comprehensive plans, like Diamond or Platinum. However, the cost of your plan will depend on the one selected as well as your vehicle’s age, mileage, make and model. You can request a customized quote for your CarShield coverage online.
You can generally get a discount if you are a veteran, law enforcement, senior citizen, or the original vehicle owner. To learn more about CarShield’s prices, check out this CarShield cost guide.
CarShield Silver Review
While CarShield got an impressive 4.2 out of 5.0 overall in our industry review, it only got 3.7 for its industry reputation. In July 2024, CarShield had to pay $10 million to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in order to settle allegations of deceptive, misleading marketing and poor service.
The CarShield Silver plan might still be a good option for you if its cost and coverage fit within your goals, but it’s a good idea to research these allegations and customer reviews.
CarShield Silver: Conclusion
The CarShield Silver plan good for those looking for basic coverage on older vehicles. We recommend getting and comparing quotes from our top-rated providers, like Endurance, autopom!, and CARCHEX to get the best coverage for your money.
CarShield Silver: FAQ
Below are some commonly asked questions about CarShield Silver:
What is the difference between CarShield Gold and Silver?
CarShield’s Gold and Gold Select vehicle service contracts are enhanced powertrain plans, meaning they cover a car’s drivetrain in addition to the A/C and electrical systems. The Silver plan only covers the most essential components in a car’s drivetrain.
What does CarShield not pay for?
Each plan has its own specific exclusions, but no CarShield plan will pay for damage related to pre-existing conditions, a lack of maintenance, vehicle misuse or modifications, theft or vandalism, or the environment.
Is Endurance better than CarShield?
Based on our research, Endurance is a better option than CarShield. In our industry review, Endurance won the top spot as the best overall provider, and scored 4.8 out of 5.0 for its coverage, reputation, affordability, and customer service, and CarShield earned 4.2 out of 5.0.
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.
