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:
- Our team gave Endurance 4.8 out of 5.0 stars and recognition for Best Overall in our industry-wide review.
- Endurance offers six coverage levels to choose from with overall costs ranging from $2,600 to $4,200.
- The provider also offers maintenance coverage through its EnduranceAdvantageTM plans.
Endurance is our pick for the Best Overall extended warranty provider, earning an overall rating of 4.8 stars out of 5.0 from our team of experts. In this review, we’ll highlight the company’s vehicle protection plans, average costs, industry standing, and customer reviews. We’ll also compare Endurance to some of the other best extended car warranty providers along the way.
Endurance Car Warranty Review
Endurance earned 4.8 stars out of 5.0 from our team for having a wide variety of coverage options, affordable prices, and an excellent industry reputation. Here’s a breakdown of how we rated the provider in several key categories:
Review Category | Endurance Warranty Rating |
---|---|
Overall | 4.8 |
Coverage | 5.0 |
Industry Standing | 4.6 |
Affordability | 5.0 |
Customer Service | 4.5 |
Endurance Pros and Cons
The table below outlines a few specific pros and cons of buying an Endurance vehicle service contract.
Endurance Pros | Endurance Cons |
---|---|
Handles claims directly | Not always the cheapest vehicle protection option |
Offers plans with unlimited mileage | Slightly lower Better Business Bureau rating (A-) than some competitors |
Has six levels of coverage to choose from |
Endurance Customer Reviews
Reviews of the company regularly mention how helpful and professional the Endurance’s customer service representatives typically are. Since Endurance is a direct warranty provider, it tends to offer an overall better customer experience.
Not everyone reported having a good customer experience with Endurance, however. Negative Endurance warranty reviews tended to mention communication difficulties and related mix-ups.
Endurance Warranty Reviews BBB
Endurance has a rating of 3.7 stars out of 5.0 from over 4,000 customer reviews on the BBB website. The direct provider has closed more than 3,000 complaints on the BBB over the past three years and just over 1,300 in the last 12 months alone. While this may seem like a high number, it is just a small percentage of the company’s business.
Endurance Warranty Reviews Trustpilot
On Trustpilot, Endurance holds a “Great” customer rating on the website, with a weighted average of 3.8 out of 5.0 stars. Almost 70% of the 9,000+ Endurance customer reviews on the site gave the company a 5-star rating, while 6% gave it a 4-star rating.
Is Endurance Warranty Legit?
Company name: Endurance Warranty Services, LLC
Year founded: 2006
Company type: Direct provider of vehicle service contracts (VSCs) and mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI)
Service area: Available in all 50 states (MBI in California)
Endurance Warranty Services is one of the nation’s most established and trusted extended car protection plan providers. It was included on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private businesses in the U.S., and we gave it our Best Overall award in our industry study.
Endurance was also one of the more popular providers in our 2024 extended warranty survey. In the second quarter of 2024, our team surveyed 1,000 warranty customers. We found that 8% of the respondents purchased an Endurance plan, making it the third most popular provider overall.
What Makes Endurance Stand Out?
Within the vehicle protection plan industry, Endurance stands out for being a direct provider. Rather than acting as a broker or a reseller, Endurance directly provides and fulfills most of its plans with no middleman.
Endurance also offers a maintenance-focused option, which not all providers do. It’s called the EnduranceAdvantage package, and it’s available at three coverage levels – Prime, Plus, and Preferred. These plans offer a unique combination of mechanical breakdown coverage and vehicle maintenance.
Endurance Mobile App
The Endurance mobile app has middling customer reviews. Users on the Apple Store give it an average rating of 2.4 out of 5.0 stars, while users on the Google Play Store give it a score of 2.8 out of 5.0 stars. Policyholders can use the app to access plan information like coverage details and benefits, and to contact customer service or roadside assistance.
Endurance Warranty Coverage
Endurance offers six coverage levels with unlimited mileage. The first five plans range from powertrain to bumper-to-bumper warranties and protect against mechanical breakdowns. The sixth Endurance option combines a vehicle service contract with a car maintenance plan.
What Does Endurance Warranty Cover?
While the plan you choose will determine how much is covered under warranty, all Endurance contracts cover engine failures from mechanical causes. The table below shows a breakdown of the components covered by Endurance’s most popular plans.
Endurance Plan | Supreme | Superior | Secure Plus |
---|---|---|---|
Engine | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Transmission | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Drive axle | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Brakes | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Air conditioning | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Drive Axle | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Electrical components | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Steering | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Turbocharger/supercharger | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Suspension | ![]() | ![]() | |
Fuel system | ![]() | ![]() | |
Cooling system | ![]() | ![]() | |
Seals and gaskets | ![]() |
Endurance Warranty Exclusions
While Endurance plans protect you against the cost of many repairs, they don’t cover everything. For example, you can’t use your warranty to cover damage from a car accident, since that falls under the responsibility of your car insurance.
Here are some other problems that an Endurance vehicle protection plan won’t cover:
- Weather and environmental damage
- Problems from improper use (like racing)
- Damage from lack of proper maintenance
- Preexisting issues
- Repairs to cars with salvaged titles
- Repairs to cars with altered odometers
Endurance Warranty Plans
Endurance plans are broken into two main varieties: inclusionary and exclusionary plans. The inclusionary (also called stated-component) Endurance plans only cover parts listed in the contracts, while exclusionary plans are much more comprehensive and only list out the items that aren’t covered. Both the Supreme and EnduranceAdvantage plan are exclusionary contracts, while the rest are inclusionary.
Each Endurance plan was designed to maximize value for a different set of customers. Below are descriptions for each of the company’s options:
- Supreme: Similar to the coverage provided by a manufacturer’s warranty, the Supreme plan provides maximum protection for all vehicle parts except those specifically listed in your contract.
- Superior: Providing stated-component coverage, the Superior plan covers hundreds of components, including the engine, transmission, transfer case, drive axle, suspension, and cooling system.
- Secure Plus: Secure Plus is a mid-level plan with greater protection than Select Premier coverage. Other than the Supreme plan, this is the only one that covers your vehicle’s gaskets.
- Select Premier: This option is designed to protect important components that are prone to mechanical failures in high-mileage vehicles. It covers parts such as the engine, transmission, transfer case, electrical components, and air conditioning.
- Secure: Offered as Endurance’s most affordable coverage plan, Secure only covers the most vital and costly car parts. It’s a basic powertrain plan that protects just the engine, transmission, transfer case, drive axle, and turbocharger or supercharger.
- EnduranceAdvantage: This option combines mechanical breakdown insurance and routine maintenance coverage. There are three tiers of EnduranceAdvantage coverage – Preferred, Prime, and Plus – and plan eligibility is determined by vehicle age and mileage.
While Endurance offers all six of these plans, it only lists its most popular plans – Supreme, Superior, and Secure Plus – on its website. Based on our research, you may have to ask a sales rep for more specific details on the other three plans.
If you live in California, you’ll need to look elsewhere for extended warranty coverage, as Endurance doesn’t offer protection plans to Golden State residents. It does, however, offer mechanical breakdown insurance in California, which is similar to extended warranty coverage, but is often only available to newer cars.
Endurance Specialty Coverage with Highline
Endurance offers an add-on to its Supreme plan designed specifically for owners of luxury cars called Highline. Highline coverage extends the Endurance vehicle service contract to high-performance cars and other luxury vehicles that many companies won’t cover.
Below are some of the car brands you can protect with Endurance Highline. Note that Endurance Highline isn’t available for all models of these car brands.
The plan also comes with some notable exclusions, like vehicles weighing over one ton, those with more than eight cylinders, and cars with incomplete chassis.
Endurance Warranty Cost
The cost of an Endurance vehicle protection plan ranges from $87 to $140 per month, according to our research. This means that Endurance customers tend to pay around $1,056 to $1,702 per year of coverage.
Remember that the cost of your Endurance plan will depend on the level of coverage you choose as well as your car’s make, model, age, and mileage. Your chosen deductible also makes a difference – Endurance offers options ranging from $0 to $200. The more expensive your deductible, the cheaper your monthly payment, but the more you’ll pay when you need repairs.
Endurance Warranty Prices and Quotes
We reached out to Endurance to get sample quotes for plans lasting 2.5 years/40,000 miles, all with a $100 deductible. See these quotes below:
Vehicle Model | Vehicle Mileage | Endurance Plan | Total Cost |
---|---|---|---|
2021 Nissan Altima | 42,000 miles | Supreme | $87.81 per month for 30 months |
2021 Ram 1500 | 42,000 miles | Secure Plus | $87.23 per month for 30 months |
2015 Nissan Altima | 120,000 miles | Secure Plus | $113.52 per month for 30 months |
2015 Ram 1500 | 120,000 miles | Secure Plus | $125.49 per month for 30 months |
Endurance Warranty Discounts
Endurance is one of the few third-party vehicle service contract providers to offer a wide range of discounts. Ways to save on an Endurance warranty plan include:
- First-time caller discount: Endurance rewards customers with a policy discount for purchasing a plan during their initial call.
- No check engine light discount: You can get a discount on your Endurance policy if your vehicle goes six months or longer without needing a covered repair.
- Government employee discount: Endurance offers savings to many state and federal government employees, such as public school teachers.
- Military discount: Active-duty military members, veterans, and their families receive a discount on coverage from Endurance.
When receiving an Endurance quote, don’t forget to ask about any available discounts that could help you get cheap car warranty coverage.
Endurance Warranty Payments
With Endurance, you can pay upfront or in monthly installments for up to 36 months. You can also lower your monthly payment by making a higher down payment or choosing a higher deductible.
Endurance customers can make a payment through the company’s online portal. Note that new vehicle service contracts can take up to five business days to appear on your online Endurance account. You’ll receive your account credentials to set up payments and access your plan details once your contract is finalized.
Is Endurance Warranty Worth It?
The issue of whether an extended car warranty is worth it comes down to your budget and how long you want to keep your vehicle. Endurance is a solid choice if you want peace of mind and vehicle protection for years to come. The company offers a combination of excellent extended car protection plans, strong customer service, affordable prices, and unique perks, like its year of free Endurance Elite benefits.
Endurance Elite
Endurance distinguishes itself from competitors by offering one year of free Endurance Elite Benefits, which are often mentioned in positive reviews of the company. This program includes the following perks:
- $500 toward key fob replacements or repairs
- Up to four tire replacements or tire repairs per year
- A collision discount of up to $500
- Total loss protection of up to $1,000 toward a replacement vehicle
Keep in mind that you’ll only receive free Endurance Elite Benefits for the first year of your vehicle protection plan. After that, Elite benefits will cost you $29 per month on top of your regular payment.
Endurance Roadside Assistance and Other Benefits
In addition to standard coverage, all Endurance auto warranty contracts come with:
- Rental car reimbursement of $30 per day (maximum of $150 per breakdown) if your car’s in the shop for a covered repair
- Trip interruption coverage of $150 per day (maximum of $450) for food and lodging if a breakdown occurs while you’re more than 100 miles from home
- 24/7 roadside assistance, including lockout services, fuel delivery, flat-tire services, battery jump-starts, and towing
How Do Endurance Warranties Work?
Endurance vehicle protection plans are similar to new car factory warranties, with the main difference being that Endurance pays for repairs instead of the auto manufacturer or dealership. Unlike a car insurance provider, Endurance only covers mechanical breakdowns due to defective materials or workmanship. You are solely responsible for a deductible and a monthly or upfront contract payment.
During our research, we found that Endurance is backed by Wesco Insurance Company, which has an A- financial strength rating from AM Best, showing that it is financially stable and able to pay out claims.
Endurance Warranty: What To Know Before You Buy
Here are some important details to know about purchasing an Endurance extended warranty:
- Waiting period: After you purchase an Endurance car warranty, you will have to wait 30 days or 1,000 miles before your coverage kicks in. This is typical in the industry and protects administrators from covering repairs for preexisting issues.
- Repair network: You can use your Endurance coverage at any repair shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®) certified repair shop. In addition, the provider covers original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts.
- Transfer policy: Any Endurance warranty can be transferred for a $50 fee. If you decide not to transfer the warranty when you sell your vehicle, you can receive a prorated refund.
Endurance Warranty Claims
Endurance simplifies the claims process by giving drivers a single point of contact. This means you will deal with the same company throughout the entire process. Many third-party administrators require you to deal with a different company than the one you bought from.
How to File an Endurance Warranty Claim
Many Endurance reviews mention how easy it is to file a claim with the company. Getting covered repairs done requires just a few simple steps:
- Go to any certified repair shop: Take your car to the licensed repair facility of your choice, as long as it’s certified by the ASE.
- Have your repairs authorized by Endurance: Before agreeing to any auto repairs, provide the repair facility with a copy of your Endurance contract and obtain authorization from Endurance for the claim. This is usually done by the service manager, but you can also call the Endurance claims phone number at 877-414-0134.
- Give authorization to the repair shop: Allow the repair facility to perform any required vehicle teardowns and inspections to diagnose the issue. Endurance will then authorize repairs if the mechanical breakdown is due to the malfunction of a covered component.
- Pay your deductible: You’re responsible for covering your deductible as part of the repair costs. Typically, you choose the deductible amount when you sign up for coverage.
- Send documentation to Endurance: Once repairs are complete, all documentation must be submitted to Endurance within 30 days (365 days in Wisconsin) to be eligible for payment.
How To Cancel an Endurance Warranty
Endurance’s cancellation policy allows you to terminate your extended warranty at any time. You can get a full refund on your plan if you cancel within 30 days of starting coverage and haven’t used it. If you cancel after 30 days, you can get a partial refund based on how long you’ve had coverage and how many miles you’ve driven.
To cancel your Endurance policy, call the company’s customer service phone number at 866-432-4443 and speak to an agent. You can also visit the Endurance website.
Endurance Auto Warranty Reviews: Conclusion
Endurance Warranty Services LLC earned 4.8 out of 5.0 stars in total. This was the highest score among providers in our study and explains why we named Endurance as the industry’s Best Overall option. With comprehensive coverage options and superb customer service, Endurance is one of the best vehicle service contract providers of 2024.
Compare the Best Extended Car Warranty Companies
If you’d like to explore more protection plan options, we recommend CARCHEX and autopom!. Both of these companies offer various coverage plans and terms, especially when it comes to used car contracts and plans for high-mileage vehicles. It’s best to get free quotes from multiple providers and to choose from several options. Learn more about some of the best car warranty companies below.
autopom!: Most Affordable
Autopom! stands for “automotive peace of mind,” and it only works with A-rated insurers and administrators including Royal Administration and Integrity Admin Group. Its affordable plans can cover vehicles up to 20 model years old. The provider carries an A+ rating from the BBB and an impressive 4.6 out of 5.0-star weighted average rating from customers on Trustpilot.
Autopom! offers three different coverage options and a total of 14 distinct contracts. These plans are available in most states, but availability may vary by plan. Autopom! notably offers coverage in California, which many of the best extended car warranty companies do not cover. Its customers report a quick and easy claims process, and we found that its prices are some of the cheapest available.
You can read all about the warranty provider in our autopom! review.
CARCHEX: Best Reputation
CARCHEX is a reputable extended warranty company that’s been in the industry for more than 25 years. The company offers five vehicle service contracts, many of which are geared toward high-mileage vehicles. CARCHEX covers most cars up to 250,000 odometer miles.
The provider has average ratings across customer review outlets. CARCHEX holds an A+ rating from the BBB and a 3.0-star rating out of 5.0 on Trustpilot. It’s endorsed by multiple trusted companies across the industry like Kelley Blue Book, CARFAX, and RepairPal.
You can read all about the provider in our CARCHEX review.
Endurance Car Warranty Reviews: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about Endurance warranty plans.
Is Endurance warranty legit?
Yes, Endurance warranty services is a legitimate company that offers solid coverage options for drivers. In addition, the company has been around since 2006 and has a 3.8-star rating out of 5.0 on Trustpilot. Customer reviews frequently mention the company’s transparent contracts, excellent claims process, and strong customer service.
What does an Endurance extended warranty cover?
Endurance warranty coverage ranges from a basic powertrain warranty that protects your car’s most essential components to exclusionary protection for almost everything.
Can you cancel an Endurance warranty?
You can cancel an Endurance warranty at any time during your contract. You’ll receive a full refund if you cancel within 30 days of beginning your coverage and you get a prorated refund past that point.
Does Endurance pay claims?
Yes, Endurance pays covered claims to the repaired shop directly. This means you will not need to worry about covering out-of-pocket expenses unless the vehicle component that broke down is not under warranty. In addition, Endurance is a direct warranty provider, so you only deal with one company when filing a claim.
Our Methodology: How We Rated Endurance
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.