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 review team gave Endurance 4.6 out of 5.0 stars and recognition for Best Overall in our 2024 warranty study.
- 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.
After compiling hundreds of hours of research, Endurance once again earned the highest score of any vehicle service contract provider in our 2024 industry-wide study. In this review, we go over the main reasons why.
Our team took an in-depth look at Endurance’s coverage options, costs, and reputation within the industry and among customers. In the following article, we share what we learned about Endurance and how it compares to some of the other top extended car warranty providers. You’ll also find a couple of recommendations for providers to consider alongside Endurance.
Endurance Warranty Review
Endurance earned a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars from our editorial team, along with recognition for being the Best Overall provider in 2024.
Review Category | Endurance Warranty Rating |
---|---|
Overall | 4.6 |
Industry Standing | 4.6 |
Coverage | 4.9 |
Affordability | 4.9 |
Customer Service | 3.9 |
The company’s overall rating was calculated based on Endurance ratings across four areas: industry standing, coverage, affordability, and customer service. The rating system is based on the same methodology our research team uses to deliver unbiased reviews of leading vehicle protection plan companies.
The table below shows the pros and cons of purchasing an Endurance vehicle service contract.
Endurance Warranty Pros | Endurance Warranty Cons |
---|---|
Direct provider of coverage | Some policyholders report a difficult claims process |
Coverage can be used at any ASE®-certified* mechanic | |
Coverage options for high-mileage vehicles | |
Plans come with one free year of Endurance Elite Benefits |
Is Endurance 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*
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.
Besides outperforming other companies in our industry-wide review, Endurance was 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.
Is Endurance Good?
In our survey, about 64% of Endurance customers said they were very satisfied with the company while another 33% said they were slightly satisfied. Only about 4% said they were slightly unsatisfied.
We also asked respondents to provide comments on their experiences. Multiple people said customer service representatives are easy to reach and helpful. One customer said they liked that Endurance works with any dealership and another said they appreciate the high level of coverage.
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 customers can also select the EnduranceAdvantage package. This maintenance package is available at three coverage levels – Prime, Plus, and Preferred. These plans offer a unique combination of mechanical breakdown coverage and vehicle maintenance.
Endurance Customer Reviews
Endurance has many positive reviews across the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. 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.
Below, you’ll see Endurance’s ratings and some additional information to put those scores into context.
Endurance Warranty Reviews: BBB
Endurance has an A- rating from the BBB. It also has a 3.7-star rating out of 5.0 from over 4,000 customer reviews on the consumer website. The direct provider has closed more than 3,000 complaints on the BBB over the past three years and almost 1,400 in the last 12 months alone. While this may seem like a high number, it is just a small percentage of Endurance’s business.
Endurance Car Warranty Reviews: Trustpilot
On Trustpilot, Endurance holds an “Average” rating on the website, with 3.6 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.
Endurance Mobile App
Endurance Mobile has mediocre reviews. Users on the Apple Store give the app an average rating of 2.4 out of 5.0 stars, while users on the Google Play Store give the app 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 that last for up to 200,000+ miles, the first five of which 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.
Endurance Warranty Plans
Endurance plans are broken into two main varieties: inclusionary and exclusionary plans. The inclusionary Endurance plans only cover parts explicitly listed in the contracts, while exclusionary plans list any exclusions and cover anything not listed in the contract. Both the Supreme plan and the EnduranceAdvantage plan are exclusionary contracts.
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 for those specifically excluded from 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: With the shortest waiting period of all plans (30 days and 1,000 miles), 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 coverage option is designed to protect the most vital components of high-mileage vehicles that are prone to mechanical failures. 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.
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. But all plans do come with sample contracts on the site.
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. 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, vehicles with more than eight cylinders, and vehicles with incomplete chassis.
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 Warranty Plan | Secure Plus | Superior | Supreme |
---|---|---|---|
Air conditioning | |||
Brakes | |||
Cooling system | |||
Drive axle | |||
Electrical components | |||
Engine | |||
Suspension | |||
Fuel | |||
Seals and gaskets | |||
Steering | |||
Transfer case | |||
Transmission | |||
Turbocharger/supercharger |
What Does Endurance Warranty Not Cover?
While Endurance plans protect you against the cost of many repairs, they don’t cover all issues. 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 won’t be covered by an Endurance vehicle protection plan:
- Weather and environmental damage
- Problems from improper use
- Damage from lack of proper maintenance
- Preexisting issues
- Repairs to cars with salvaged titles
- Repairs to cars with altered odometers
EnduranceAdvantage Plans
Endurance customers can also select the EnduranceAdvantage package. This maintenance package is available at three coverage levels – Prime, Plus, and Preferred. These plans offer a unique combination of mechanical breakdown coverage and vehicle maintenance. Coverage includes engine diagnostics, tire repairs or changes, brake pads, oil filters, and wiper blade replacements.
Regular Services Covered by EnduranceAdvantage
All EnduranceAdvantage plans include these regular maintenance needs:
- Annual safety inspection services
- Annual alignment check
- Annual tire rotations
- Up to three filter and oil change
One-Time Services Covered by EnduranceAdvantage
Each plan also includes the following one-time maintenance services:
- Battery replacement
- Cooling system maintenance
- One wiper blade set replacement
- Brake pad/shoe replacement
- Three scheduled services
Endurance Warranty Cost
The cost of an Endurance vehicle protection plan ranges from $88 to $140 per month, according to our research. This means that Endurance customers tend to pay around $1,056 to $1,700 per year of coverage.
Remember that the cost of your Endurance plan will depend on the level of coverage you choose and your personal situation.
Endurance Warranty Prices
In our 2024 survey of 1,000 extended car warranty buyers, we found that the most popular price range for a warranty was between $1,000 and $1,500 total for coverage. A down payment of the first month’s monthly price plus $29 may be necessary, though Endurance customers often have it waived. Deductibles are usually $100, but other options include $0 or $200.
Endurance Quotes
We reached out to Endurance to get sample quotes for plans lasting 2.5 years/40,000 miles. If you’re interested in an Endurance estimate, the table below contains pricing information our team received for some of the company’s most popular coverage plans.
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 |
Like many other providers, Endurance doesn’t have a standard cost for each of its plans. Instead, it describes many “moving parts” that are used to determine the pricing of each driver’s vehicle service contract. Additionally, Endurance offers to set up specialized payment plans for customers who want extra financial guidance.
Endurance Warranty Discounts
Endurance is one of the few third-party providers to offer plenty 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 hasn’t needed repairs for six months or more.
- 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
Endurance customers have the option to pay upfront or in monthly installments for up to 36 months. You can also typically lower your monthly payment by making a higher down payment or choosing a higher deductible or longer payment period. With Endurance, you won’t have to pay any interest on your plans, so customers can take advantage of the payment schedule that works for them.
Endurance customers can make a payment through the company’s online portal. New warranty policies can take up to five business days to reflect on your account. You will receive your account credentials to set up payments and access your contract info after your contract is finalized.
Is An Endurance Car Warranty Worth It?
Endurance Warranty 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, and affordable prices. In addition, every Endurance plan also comes with one free year of Endurance Elite Benefits, which we’ll discuss in further detail below.
Endurance Elite Benefits
Endurance distinguishes itself from competitors by offering one year of free Endurance Elite Benefits, which are often mentioned positively in Endurance warranty reviews. 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 receive free Endurance Elite Benefits over the first year of your vehicle protection plan. After the first year, the 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)
- Trip interruption coverage of $150 per day (maximum of $450) if 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 an insurance company with 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 that already existed.
- 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, 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 and don’t have to work with a third party when filing a claim. This contrasts with providers that use third-party administrators, requiring you to deal with a different company than the one you bought from.
How To File a Warranty Claim: Endurance Warranties
Many Endurance warranty reviews mention how easy it is to file a claim with the company. Getting covered repairs done under warranty 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.
Endurance Auto Warranty Reviews: Conclusion
Endurance Warranty Services LLC earned 4.6 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. After comparing every major third-party provider, Endurance came out on top due to its strong reputation and the many positive reviews we found.
Extended Warranty Companies: Alternative Options
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 warranties 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.
CARCHEX: Best Reputation
CARCHEX is a reputable extended warranty company that’s been in the industry for more than 20 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 third-party warranty provider has average ratings across customer review outlets. CARCHEX holds an A+ rating from the BBB and a 2.7-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.
autopom!: Best Claims Experience
Started in 2009 in Lake Forest, California, autopom! is an extended warranty company with a name that stands for “automotive peace of mind.” Autopom! differentiates itself by only working with A-rated insurers and administrators including Royal Administration and Integrity Admin Group. Its plans can cover vehicles up to 20 model years old.
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.
You can read all about the warranty provider in our autopom! review.
Endurance Car Warranty Reviews: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about Endurance vehicle service contracts:
Which is better: Endurance or CarShield?
In our CarShield vs. Endurance review, we found that Endurance is best for drivers looking for a provider that works directly with customers and that CarShield is best for those wanting monthly payment plans rather than long-term contracts. CarShield also recently got involved in a scandal that required the company to pay $10 million in fines to the Federal Trade Commission due to misleading advertising.
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 bumper-to-bumper protection that protects almost everything, depending on the plan.
Which company offers the best aftermarket warranty?
Based on our research of the top extended car warranty companies, our team rated Endurance as Best Overall among third-party aftermarket coverage providers. Endurance has a wide range of coverage options at affordable price points as well as strong reviews from customers.
What is the Endurance car warranty phone number?
You can reach a team member by calling the Endurance phone number at 866-432-4443. Since the company is a direct provider, the person you speak to will be able to answer questions and help with your policy.
Who owns Endurance auto warranty?
TRP Capital Partners owns Endurance. The group bought Endurance warranty in June 2015.
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.
Is an extended auto warranty the same as mechanical breakdown insurance?
An extended car warranty is similar to mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) in that both of them pay for unexpected repairs that fall under the coverage agreement. The main difference is that while an extended warranty is offered by a manufacturer or third-party coverage provider, MBI policies are offered by car insurance companies.
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 3.6-star rating out of 5.0 on Trustpilot. Customer reviews frequently mention the company’s transparent contracts, excellent claims process, and strong customer service.
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.
Is Endurance the same as CarShield?
No, Endurance and CarShield are two separate companies that both offer extended car warranty plans for drivers. We named Endurance the Best Overall in our industry-wide review of the best extended car warranty companies, while CarShield received the award for Affordable Monthly Payments.
Will Endurance replace an engine?
Yes, all Endurance plans cover engine failure resulting from a mechanical breakdown or cause. This means that the repair shop will replace your engine if they cannot fix it themselves.
Will Endurance replace a transmission?
Similar to a new vehicle’s factory warranty coverage, each Endurance vehicle service contract will replace your transmission in the event of an unexpected breakdown.
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.