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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This article reviews the best extended car warranty companies in Illinois and provides tips for shopping for an extended car warranty in the state.
Best Extended Car Warranty Companies in Illinois
As mentioned, purchasing a vehicle protection plan from a third-party provider is an excellent choice if your car’s factory warranty has expired or if you want more flexibility in terms of plans, deductible options, term limits and repair facilities.
Our review team has evaluated every major vehicle protection plan company, rating them on factors like coverage options, affordability and overall customer satisfaction. Below, we outline our two top recommended providers.
Endurance: Best Provider
Based on our research, Endurance is a high-performing extended warranty provider across the board. It scored well in all of our review categories, including industry reputation, coverage, affordability, transparency and customer service.
The provider offers six coverage plans, which can extend up to 8 years or 200,000 miles. Endurance has sample contracts online, so prospective customers can see what to expect before even reaching out for a quote.
If you’d like to read more about this provider, read our full Endurance warranty review. Or, get a free, personalized Endurance quote by clicking below.
CARCHEX: Best for High-Mileage Cars
If you’re looking to protect a car with more than a few miles on its odometer, we encourage reaching out to CARCHEX for a quote. The provider has five coverage levels to choose from, and its vehicle protection plans can extend up to 10 years or 250,000 miles.
CARCHEX currently holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has a positive industry reputation, partnering with major companies such as CARFAX, Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.com.
Read all the ins and outs of the provider in our comprehensive CARCHEX review, and click below to get a free quote.
We’ve done the homework for you, and in this article, we’ll discuss what we’ve found to be the four top extended warranty companies for used cars. By taking a look at each company’s plan options, coverage eligibility requirements, industry reputations and more, you can narrow down which provider may offer you the best peace of mind on the road.
However, you won’t truly know the best extended car warranty provider for you unless you get personalized quotes from multiple companies. You can start getting free quotes from our highest-rated providers below.
What is an Extended Car Warranty?
An extended car warranty protects your wallet after a mechanical breakdown or factory defect. For example, if you’re driving down the road and your engine suddenly fails, an extended warranty would cover the cost of repairs.
You can purchase extended warranty coverage from your vehicle manufacturer or from a third-party provider, but most automakers require you to either opt-in for extra coverage at the time you buy your vehicle or before your original factory warranty expires. Because of these restrictions, it can be easier to buy a used car warranty from a third-party provider.
Best Extended Warranty Companies for Used Cars
Based on our research, the four best extended warranty companies for used cars are:
- CARCHEX: Best for High-Mileage Cars
- Endurance: Best Provider
- CarShield: Most Affordable
- Protect My Car: Best Long-Term Financing
Here’s a quick provider comparison. You can read more about each car warranty company below.
| CARCHEX | Endurance | CarShield | Protect My Car | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level of Coverage | 5 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| Availability | 50 states | All states except CA | All states except CA | All states except AK, CA, HI, MO, OK, WA |
| Highest Term Limits | 10 years/250,000 miles | 8 years/200,000+ miles | 300,000 miles | 125,000 miles |
| Deductible Options | $0, $50, $100, $200 | $0, $50, $100, $200 | $0, $50, $100 | $100 |
| Sample Contracts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Get a Free Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
Do You Really Need Auto Warranty Coverage?
Determining an auto warranty’s cost-effectiveness comes down to an honest assessment of your finances and your vehicle’s reliability. If you feel comfortable footing the bill for a $500 to $1,000 repair, a car warranty may not be a worthwhile investment. However, drivers frequently mention that the peace of mind extended auto warranties provide is well worth the cost.
How Do Car Repair Warranties Work?
Car repair warranties may work differently from provider to provider, but most have a similar process for filing claims. Typically, you’ll need to take your malfunctioning vehicle to a dealership or certified repair facility, authorize a diagnosis and have your mechanic contact your warranty administrator before repairs begin.
Your warranty administrator will then determine whether or not your repair is covered. In some cases, this may involve sending a claims adjustor out to inspect the vehicle.
Assuming the claim is covered, a reputable warranty administrator will pay the repair shop directly, minus your agreed-upon deductible. Deductible amounts range from $0 to $200, with $100 being the standard.
How Much Does a Car Repair Warranty Cost?
Our researchers have collected quotes from dozens of aftermarket car warranty providers. Our data shows that the average full-coverage car repair warranty for a new vehicle (with fewer than 30,000 miles) costs between $1,700 and $4,000.
High-mileage vehicles are not always eligible for full coverage but can typically be protected by a powertrain plan, which only includes protection for powertrain components such as the engine, transmission, drive axle, and transfer case. The average cost of a powertrain warranty for a vehicle with more than 80,000 miles is between $1,900 and $4,000.
The final cost of your car repair warranty will depend on your provider as well as a number of other factors. The most important factors that impact the cost of a vehicle service plan include:
- Vehicle age
- Vehicle mileage
- Vehicle make and model
- Coverage level
- Coverage term length
- Location
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best extended car warranty company in Illinois?
Our review team named Endurance the Best Provider overall, and the company earned a 9.6 out of 10.0-point rating. We like Endurance’s business model, as it works with customers directly rather than through a middleman. The provider offers six coverage plans with term limits over 200,000 miles, ensuring customers can find a contract tailored to their needs.
