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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Honda Care® is a vehicle service contract from Honda that covers critical components after the manufacturer’s warranty expires. It is available at most Honda dealerships and may be offered when you purchase a new or used Honda.
Is the Honda Care warranty worth it, though? The contract can help pay for the cost of certain repairs, but how does it compare to alternatives? We’ve reviewed the best extended car warranty companies, rating providers based on cost, coverage and service reputation. This review will explain what is included with Honda Care and compare it with coverage from other top providers.
If you’re looking for extended warranty protection at a low price, you’ll want to compare options across multiple providers. You can click above to get free, non-committal quotes from some of the top-rated extended warranty companies in the industry.
What Does Honda Care Cover?
Honda Care can extend your Honda warranty protection up to 8 years/120,000 miles. This is five years longer than the factory bumper-to-bumper warranty and three years longer than the factory powertrain warranty.
However, a Honda Care plan will not necessarily cover all of the same components as the Honda bumper-to-bumper factory warranty. With Honda Care, customers can choose between four levels of coverage:
- New vehicle coverage
- Pre-owned vehicle coverage
- Certified additional coverage
- Powertrain coverage
New vehicle coverage, pre-owned vehicle coverage and certified additional coverage contracts are all exclusionary and cover most Honda parts, including the drivetrain, electronics systems, chassis, heating system, cooling system and Honda genuine accessories. The cost of these contracts is based on vehicle age and mileage, so two drivers may get different quotes for the same plan.
Powertrain coverage includes protection for the engine, transmission, drive axles, and related seals, gaskets and fluids. Powertrain coverage is available only for pre-owned vehicles.
All coverage plans can only be purchased for Hondas that are up to three model years old and have less than 36,000 miles on the odometer. You may be able to purchase coverage for non-Honda vehicles as well, though offers vary from dealership to dealership.
Honda Care Benefits
All Honda Care contracts include the following benefits:
- Rental car reimbursement: Reimburses $35 a day for up to six days while your vehicle is in the shop for repairs
- Commercial coverage: Covers new Hondas used for commercial purposes such as driving for a rideshare company or food delivery
- Roadside assistance: Provides reimbursement for towing, lockouts, fuel delivery and other roadside services
- Trip interruption benefit: Reimburses expenses at $100 a day for up to three days if you break down far from home and need to stay overnight while repairs are made
- 24/7 concierge service: Provides access to a personal concierge to walk you through next steps in the event of a roadside emergency
Honda Sentinel Services
Honda also offers Sentinel plans. The Honda Care Sentinel® Services contract pays for routine oil changes and road hazard tire protection. The Honda Care Sentinel® Plus package covers maintenance and offers component coverage similar to new vehicle coverage.
How Much Does Honda Care Cost?
The cost of a Honda Care warranty depends on your vehicle, and prices may be negotiable at the dealership. To receive a quote, reach out to your local Honda dealer.
Is Honda Care Worth It?
An extended vehicle service contract can bring drivers peace of mind on the road knowing that critical components are covered in case of an unexpected breakdown. However, in some cases, a vehicle service contract does not pay out as much for repairs as it costs to purchase.
To get a better sense of how much Honda drivers pay in repair costs, our review team turns to RepairPal. This site uses driver-reported data to estimate common repairs and repair costs of certain vehicle brands.
RepairPal ranks Honda first place out of 32 car brands in terms of reliability, meaning its vehicles have exceptionally low annual repair costs, need infrequent repairs and have a low likelihood of needing a major fix. Here’s a breakdown of how RepairPal rates Hondas in these three categories, compared with the industry average:
| RepairPal Reliability Factor | Honda Average | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|
| Average Annual Repair Cost | $428 | $652 |
| Frequency of Repairs | 0.3 repairs per year | 0.4 repairs per year |
| Likelihood of Needing a Severe Repair | 10 percent | 12 percent |
If you feel comfortable paying the average annual Honda repair cost out of pocket or if you do not plan to keep your vehicle past the factory warranty expiration date (3 years/36,000 miles), you may want to skip Honda Care.
However, if you want to be protected against the possibility of an especially costly breakdown, or if you want to finance your repair costs over time, a vehicle service contract may be worth the investment. If you are interested in a vehicle service contract, consider if you would be better off with Honda Care or a third-party vehicle service contract.
Honda Care vs. Third-Party Vehicle Service Contracts
In addition to a Honda-backed vehicle service contract, you may want to consider third-party warranty options. Unlike with Honda Care, a third-party vehicle protection plan can typically be purchased at any time in your vehicle’s life, whether your original factory warranty has expired or not. The chart below outlines additional differences between the two types of contracts.
| Honda Care | Third-Party Extended Warranty |
|---|---|
| Must be purchased before the odometer hits 36,000 miles | Can be purchased at any time |
| Extends warranty protection up to 8 years and 120,000 miles | Depending on the provider, can extend warranty coverage up to 15 years or 250,000 miles |
| Must have vehicle serviced at a Honda dealership or pre-approved repair facility | Vehicles can be serviced at any certified repair shop |
Top Recommendations for Extended Car Warranties
If you want to extend your Honda warranty protection but your Honda has already passed the 36,000-mile mark, you’ll need to look at options from independent warranty providers. Even if you have a new Honda, it is worth comparing costs to find the best deal.
In our industry-wide review, we compared warranty companies based on factors including affordability, coverage options, customer service and industry reputation. Learn more about two of our top-rated warranty providers, Endurance and CARCHEX, below.
Endurance: Best Overall
In our Endurance warranty review, we rated Endurance 4.6 stars out of 5.0. To date, it is the only provider we have reviewed to receive this score. We rate Endurance so highly because of its extensive coverage options, high level of customer satisfaction, competitive rates and valuable coverage benefits.
There are six levels of Endurance plans to choose from, including basic and exclusionary coverage. Each comes with perks including roadside assistance, trip interruption coverage and rental car reimbursement. Customers also receive a free year of Endurance Elite Benefits with every plan, which includes extensive benefits such as identity theft recovery assistance, free key fob and tire replacements, and total loss protection.
CARCHEX: Best Reputation
In our CARCHEX review, we rated the provider 4.3 stars out of 5.0. CARCHEX has been around for over 20 years and is a leader in the extended warranty industry, with endorsements from companies like Edmunds.com, CARFAX, RepairPal and Kelley Blue Book. We like CARCHEX because it offers quality coverage for high-mileage vehicles and has some of the lowest rates in the industry. In addition to numerous industry awards, CARCHEX has many satisfied customers and a strong customer reputation.
FAQ:
What’s included in Honda Care?
Honda Care provides coverage for the majority of Honda parts and accessories, with some exclusions for cosmetic and wear-and-tear components. It is similar to the Honda new vehicle warranty, though it’s not quite as comprehensive. Honda Care contracts also include benefits for rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance and trip interruption.
What is Honda Care maintenance?
Honda Care Maintenance is a prepaid maintenance program that covers regular maintenance services like inspections, tire rotations, oil changes and fluid changes.
Does Honda Care cover oil changes?
Honda Care does not cover oil changes, but the Honda Sentinel Plus program provides the same component coverage as Honda Care as well as prepaid oil changes and road hazard protection.
Can I get Honda Care for a non-Honda vehicle?
Yes, you can purchase Honda Care for non-Honda vehicles. See your local Honda dealership for details.
Can I cancel Honda Care?
Customers can cancel Honda Care contracts at any time for a prorated refund.
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.
