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:
- Member’s Choice coverage is only available to credit union members.
- It offers three plans with varying levels of protection, as well as benefits like rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, and travel expense reimbursement.
- In order to learn how much coverage from Member’s Choice costs, you’ll have to speak to a customer representative.
When you drive your new car off the lot, it’s protected by a factory warranty in case of any mechanical mishaps. After a few years, though, this warranty expires, and you might be considering additional coverage options like a Member’s Choice extended warranty.
In this article, we’ll review the coverage, affordability, and availability of a Member’s Choice warranty. Because you must be a credit union member to get coverage, you may not be eligible for Member’s Choice plans, so we’ll also introduce you to a couple of the best extended car warranty companies available to all drivers.
Click below to start getting free, personalized quotes from our top recommended providers, and read on to find out if a Member’s Choice extended warranty is the best option for you.
The listings on this site may be from companies that compensate us, which could influence their placement and order. Not every company, product, or offer has been reviewed.
Member’s Choice Highlights
Member’s Choice extended warranty plans, also called Member’s Choice Mechanical Repair Coverage (MRC) are vehicle service contracts for new cars, but some sources mention a used car warranty available with the provider as well. Unfortunately, there’s not much information available directly from the CUNA Mutual Group, which is the company that offers these plans.
We like the number of deductible options the provider offers, as well as the plans’ transferability and easy cancelability. We also like the fact that when you use your Member’s Choice extended warranty, the repair facility will be paid directly, meaning you won’t have to pay upfront and wait around for a reimbursement check.
Regarding industry standing, CUNA Mutual Group has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, few customer reviews mention Member’s Choice.
Member’s Choice Extended Warranty Coverage
There are three Member’s Choice vehicle protection plans to choose from – Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Terms limits can stretch up to 10 years or 125,000 miles, which is measured from the date you purchase the plan, rather than from your vehicle’s original in-service date.
See below for a coverage comparison between the different plans.
| Vehicle Component | Silver Plan | Gold Plan | Platinum Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front-Wheel Drive | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear-Wheel Drive | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Suspension | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brakes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air Conditioning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Basic Hybrid/Electric Components | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seals and Gaskets | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Advanced Components | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Advanced Hybrid/Electric Components | ✓ | ✓ | |
| High-Tech Systems | ✓ | ||
| Entertainment System | ✓ | ||
| Safety and Security Systems | ✓ | ||
| Convenience Components | ✓ |
Here are some specific examples of some of the components covered:
- Convenience components: Includes parts like the clock, compass, and illuminated vanity mirrors
- Advanced components: Includes parts like the anti-lock brake system, digital or analog dashboard displays, and the radiator
Member’s Choice extended warranties are administered by different companies depending on where you live, so exact coverage details may vary. For a full list of included components, refer to the sample warranty given to you.
What’s Not Included in the Member’s Choice Warranty?
Member’s Choice extended warranty plans have a few exclusions, such as:
- Corrosion damage
- Pre-existing conditions
- Exterior body panels and paint
- Damage from abuse or misuse
- Aftermarket parts and modifications
- Wear-and-tear parts like brake pads and wiper blades
- Normal maintenance services like oil changes and tire rotations
Additional Benefits
All Member’s Choice extended warranty plans come with a few benefits, including:
- Rental reimbursement: While your car is in the shop, a rental car can be reimbursed up to $35 a day for a maximum of five days.
- 24-hour emergency roadside assistance: Roadside services include towing, fluid delivery, battery jump-starts, lockout services, and flat-tire assistance.
- Travel expense reimbursement: If you break down a certain distance from your home, you can be reimbursed for meals and lodging up to $200 per day for a maximum of five days.
You’re also able to transfer your coverage to a subsequent vehicle owner for a small fee. Additionally, your Member’s Choice extended warranty can be canceled at any time. If you do so within 60 days of purchase, you’ll receive a full refund. After the 60-day period, you’ll receive a prorated refund.
How Much Does a Member’s Choice Extended Warranty Cost?
Unfortunately, CUNA Mutual Group doesn’t provide pricing information on Member’s Choice extended warranties, aside from its four deductible options: $0, $100, $250, and $500. Typically, a higher deductible leads to a lower upfront cost. The provider also notes that not all deductible options are available with each coverage plan.
Other factors that will affect your warranty cost can include your vehicle make and model, as well as its mileage and age.
How to Get a Quote & File a Claim
Member’s Choice does not offer any online quote tools, unfortunately. Instead, you’ll need to contact a CUNA representative.
As mentioned, Member’s Choice extended warranty plans are administered through different third-party providers such as the Virginia Surety Company. When filing a claim, you will need to follow instructions given by your plan administrator.
Member’s Choice Extended Warranty: Conclusion
If you’re a credit union member and are eligible for a Member’s Choice extended warranty, we’re not sure you should make the investment. You’ll need to carefully review the contract you’re offered and make sure you fully understand the exclusions, terms, and conditions before deciding whether to purchase coverage.
You should also compare the cost you’re quoted with other companies’ offers to determine whether you’re getting a good deal.
Overall, we think there are better alternatives on the market for extended car warranties, specifically companies that offer more transparency, more robust coverage options, and have plenty of positive customer reviews to verify they are reputable.
Top Recommendations for Extended Car Warranties
Reputable extended car warranty companies not only offer peace of mind, but also flexibility. Below, we give an overview of a few of our top recommended providers.
The listings on this site may be from companies that compensate us, which could influence their placement and order. Not every company, product, or offer has been reviewed.
Endurance: Best Overall
Available in all states except California, Endurance offers six coverage options with 8-year/unlimited mile term limits. Additionally, dealerships, local repair shops, and chain repair facilities like Pep Boys accept Endurance’s coverage, so you can take your vehicle to the shop of your choice.
For more information, read our comprehensive Endurance warranty review.
CARCHEX: Best Reputation
Available in all 50 states, CARCHEX offers five coverage plans, but with a 10-year/250,00-mile maximum term limit. If you’re interested in protecting your used car, CARCHEX might be the best choice. We also named this provider as the one with the best reputation due to its endorsements from companies like Kelley Blue Book and CARFAX.
Check out our full CARCHEX review to learn 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.
