Affiliate Disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase coverage from the extended warranty providers outlined here. These commissions come to us at no additional cost to you. Our research team has carefully vetted dozens of extended warranty providers. See our Privacy Policy to learn more.
An extended auto warranty is a plan that covers your vehicle’s most essential component parts in the case of a mechanical breakdown or failure.
Crash Course:
- Powertrain warranties cover only the most essential pieces of your vehicle like the engine and transmission, while bumper-to-bumper warranties cover virtually all mechanical and electrical parts aside from exclusions.
- Warranty plans typically cost between $1,300 and $4,600 on average.
- Our top picks for coverage are Endurance, CARCHEX, and CarShield based on their cost, reputation, customer experience, and coverage levels.
Featured Extended Warranty Companies
We reviewed the best extended auto warranty providers, and here are our top picks.
Best Overall Warranty Provider
-
Coverage:: 6 plan options, from routine maintenance to full coverage
-
Cost:: Several discounts available
-
Reputation:: Smooth claims experience as a direct provider
Affordable Monthly Payment
-
Coverage:: 6 plan options, some that last up to 300,000 miles
-
Cost:: Flexible month-to-month contracts
-
Reputation:: Most popular warranty provider
Best Warranty Provider for Used Cars
-
Coverage:: 6 plan options, the highest similar to a manufacturer’s warranty
-
Cost:: No down payment required
-
Reputation:: Strong BBB (Better Business Bureau) rating
An extended auto warranty is one way to protect your vehicle long-term. Like your vehicle’s factory warranty, an extended car warranty protects you from having to shell out for expensive repair costs after a breakdown. However, there are some pros and cons of extended car warranties that you should be aware of before committing to a contract.
In this article, we’ll discuss extended vehicle warranties in depth, including what they cover, how much they cost, and whether they’re really worth the investment. We’ll also go over which drivers would benefit from additional coverage and who is better off paying for repairs out of pocket.
Our review team researched and ranked the best extended car warranty providers on the market as well as the worst. If you’re beginning to research providers and need a good place to start, click above to receive free, no-obligation quotes from our top three picks.
What Is A Car Extended Warranty?
An extended auto warranty, also called an extended car warranty or vehicle service contract pays for certain repairs after a vehicle’s factory warranty expires. Unlike auto insurance, an extended warranty covers repairs due to defective or malfunctioning parts, not damages caused by an accident or collision.
Contract holders usually pay a deductible at the repair facility and a lump sum or monthly payment for the extended warranty.
What Does An Extended Warranty Cover?
Extended auto warranties come in a variety of coverage levels but are commonly referred to in terms of powertrain warranty coverage and bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage. Powertrain coverage protects the components that make the vehicle move: the engine, transmission, transaxle, and transfer case. Bumper-to-bumper coverage is exclusionary, which means it covers virtually all mechanical and electrical parts except those explicitly listed as exclusions in your contract. All extended auto warranties include protections at or between these two types of coverage.
Depending on the extended car warranty you purchase, you’ll also be eligible for a few additional perks, which usually include:
- Towing to the nearest authorized repair shop
- Rental car reimbursement while your car is in the shop for a covered repair
- Roadside assistance including lockout services, battery jump-starts, fuel deliveries, and more
- Trip interruption reimbursement if you break down a certain number of miles from your home and need to stay the night while your vehicle is repaired
However, the time and cost limitations of these benefits will depend on the contract. For example, some companies offer $50 per day for a rental car, while others only reimburse up to $35 per day.
What Does an Extended Auto Warranty Not Cover?
Extended car warranties are only intended to cover defective parts and materials, meaning that some parts and damages will not be protected. Exclusions usually include:
- Glass
- Wheels and tires
- Environmental damage
- Non-factory-installed parts
- Any alterations or modifications
- Damage caused by misuse or abuse
- Normal routine maintenance services
- Damage caused by racing or competition
- Upholstery, bumpers, exterior paneling, and trim
- Wear-and-tear parts like wiper blades, belts, and hoses
Also, check with your extended auto warranty provider for any contract-specific exclusions.
Best Overall Warranty Provider
Extended Car Warranty Cost
Based on our data, extended auto warranty plans cost between $1,300 and $4,600 on average. This average includes contracts ranging from three to seven years. A few factors affect coverage costs, including the coverage level you choose, your vehicle type, your warranty provider, and more.
Below, we explain what can increase or decrease the price of extended auto warranty coverage.
- Existing coverage: Vehicles currently under warranty are less expensive to cover.
- Deductible: Usually, a higher deductible leads to a lower overall extended auto warranty cost.
- Coverage level and length: More comprehensive contracts, like exclusionary bumper-to-bumper warranties, and lengthier term limits are often more costly.
- Vehicle type: Older, less reliable, and luxury vehicles tend to have higher warranty costs, as they tend to break down more often or require more expensive repairs.
- Provider: Often, independent warranty providers offer more affordable contracts than vehicle manufacturers. While third-party coverage is more generalized, the increased competition between companies makes their extended auto warranties cheaper.
Auto Extended Warranty Quotes
To give you a good idea of what an extended auto warranty may cost, here are several bumper-to-bumper contract quotes for a 2018 Toyota Camry with 28,000 miles from three of our top recommended providers.
| Extended Auto Warranty Provider | Plan Name | Term Length | Deductible | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endurance | Supreme | 5 years/100,000 miles | $100 | $2,732.89 |
| CARCHEX | Titanium | 5 years/100,000 miles | $100 | $2,451.06 |
| Protect My Car | Supreme | 4 years/100,000 miles | $100 | $4,270.92 |
Are Extended Car Warranties Worth It?
An extended auto warranty’s cost-effectiveness varies from driver to driver. If you own a reliable car with a long-lasting factory warranty, you may not need to invest in additional coverage. However, many drivers may still want the peace of mind additional coverage offers or feel more comfortable paying a set cost for repairs upfront. Below, we’ve outlined a few questions to consider when shopping for an extended auto warranty.
Best Warranty Provider for Used Cars
Average Annual Car Repair Costs
Can you afford out-of-pocket repair costs? Depending on your vehicle’s annual repair costs, it may be best to set aside money for your auto budget rather than pay for an extended auto warranty. To estimate how much you may need to budget per year for auto repairs, you can check sites like RepairPal.
Here are a few average annual repair costs for popular models according to RepairPal.
| Manufacturer | Average Repair Costs |
| Kia | $474 |
| Ford | $775 |
| Audi | $987 |
| BMW | $968 |
| Lexus | $551 |
| Toyota | $441 |
| Hyundai | $468 |
If you own a Ford, it’s likely you’ll be able to purchase a vehicle protection plan that will cost you less than $775 per year. However, Toyota drivers may be better off paying for repairs as they arise. If you go this route, make sure you have money set aside for repairs in an emergency vehicle fund, and don’t dip into it throughout the year.
Car Reliability Ratings
How reliable is your vehicle? As mentioned above, drivers with highly reliable cars may not need the extra coverage. However, it can be hard to know your vehicle’s reliability in the long term, especially if it’s new. Using data from RepairPal, here is how the site rates those same popular models on a 5.0-star scale:
| Manufacturer | Reliability Rating |
| Kia | 4.0 |
| Ford | 3.5 |
| Audi | 3.0 |
| BMW | 2.5 |
| Lexus | 4.0 |
| Toyota | 4.0 |
| Hyundai | 4.0 |
Factory Warranty Coverage
What coverage do you already have? You may not need an extended auto warranty if you already have long-lasting and comprehensive factory warranty coverage. However, consider the extra coverage if your original warranty is on the short side or doesn’t cover as many components as you’d like.
Buy Extended Car Warranty
If you want to buy an extended auto warranty for your vehicle, you may be wondering where to start searching for the best plan. There are two main options for where to purchase coverage: from the manufacturer or from an independent warranty company. There are pros and cons with either option, which we’ve outlined below.
| Manufacturer’s Extended Auto Warranty | Third-Party Extended Auto Warranty |
|---|---|
| Often need to buy before the factory warranty expires or at the time of the vehicle’s purchase |
Can be purchased at any time, so long as your vehicle meets the company’s eligibility criteria |
| Vehicle-specific coverage | More general coverage |
| Repairs guaranteed to be made by factory-trained technicians using genuine parts | Repairs may be made by factory-trained technicians using genuine parts, but it’s not guaranteed |
| Often need to take vehicle into a dealership for repair work | Vehicle can be taken to any licensed repair shop for repairs |
| Often more expensive | Often more affordable |
Manufacturer Extended Warranty
Some drivers feel more comfortable purchasing an extended auto warranty from the dealership from which they bought their vehicle and some drivers have strong brand loyalty. One big drawback to manufacturer extended warranties, is that they ofter have strict limitations on where your vehicle can be serviced – usually only at automaker’s dealerships or vehicle service centers.
Aftermarket Warranty
While a manufacturer’s extended auto warranty may be the right choice for some drivers, others can benefit from opting for a reputable third-party company instead. Third-party warranty companies’ extended warranties give drivers more flexible coverage options and are often more affordable than manufacturer-extended car warranties. Unlike automaker extended warranties, third-party companies allow you purchase extended coverage for your vehicle at anytime, even after the factory warranty expires.
Extended Car Warranty: Conclusion
This article reviewed what an extended auto warranty is, what it covers, and how much it costs. We explained the differences between manufacturer-extended warranties and third-party extended warranties. Extended car warranties are a good investment for drivers who want to protect their wallets from costly repairs.
Top Extended Warranty Providers
After thoroughly reviewing the extended warranty industry, we found Endurance and CARCHEX, to be the top providers available. These companies are one of our highest recommendations for various reasons, ranging from their excellent customer service to affordable coverage options and added benefits.
| Endurance | CARCHEX | CarShield | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 5.0 out of 5.0 | 5.0 out of 5.0 | 4.5 out of 5.0 |
| Number of Plan Options | 6 | 5 | 6 |
| Maximum Term Length | 8 years/200,000+ miles | 10 years/250,000 miles | 300,000 miles |
| Deductible Options | $0, $50, $100, $200 | $0, $50, $100, $200 | $0, $50, $100 |
| Availability | All states except CA | All states | All states except CA |
| Get a Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
Endurance: Best Overall
Endurance is one of the few extended car warranty providers that is a direct provider, meaning no brokers or middlemen, which is one of the many reasons why we’ve named it the “Best Overall” provider. After much research, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about this company into one, comprehensive Endurance review.
If you live in California, you’ll need to look elsewhere for coverage, as Endurance doesn’t offer protection plans to California residents. But if you live in any other state, Endurance currently offers six comprehensive levels of coverage, each one carefully designed to maximize coverage and value for the customer:
- Supreme plan: Referred to as bumper-to-bumper coverage, it gives maximum breakdown protection for all parts, unless specifically excluded in the plan.
- Superior plan: As the plan with the most stated-component coverage, Superior covers hundreds of specific components, including the engine, transmission, transfer case, drive axle, suspension, cooling system, and more.
- Secure Plus plan: With the shortest waiting period among all plans (30 days and 1,000 miles), this plan is a mid-level warranty with a higher level of coverage compared to the Select Premier plan.
- Select Premier plan: This plan is designed to protect the vital components of high-mileage vehicles, such as the engine, transmission, transfer case, electrical components, and more.
- Secure plan: This powertrain warranty covers components such as the engine, transmission, transfer case, drive axle, and turbocharger – all at a reasonable price.
EnduranceAdvantage™ plan: Unique in the industry, the Advantage plan works as both an extended car warranty and a maintenance contract. Maintenance coverage includes services such as oil changes, engine diagnostic exams, and brake pad replacements.
If you’re interested in purchasing a plan from Endurance, our tools below can help you get started.
Best Overall Warranty Provider
CARCHEX: Best For Used Cars
Drivers of new, used, and certified pre-owned Toyotas can benefit from up to 10 years of additional protection with a CARCHEX Extended Vehicle Protection Plan. CARCHEX offers five coverage levels, 16 plans, and is accredited through the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.
Depending on which plan you choose, a coverage term of anywhere between five to 10 years will be available. CARCHEX representatives make it easy to decide which of the five protection plans are right for you by taking a consultative approach. Here’s what each of the coverage plans offers:
- Titanium: The highest level of coverage and most similar to factory coverage. Plans at this level provide coverage for all components with a very short list of excluded items.
- Platinum: The highest level of stated-component coverage available, covering hundreds of specific components from all major systems.
- Gold: These programs offer comprehensive coverage for all major system components and are usually a good fit for vehicles with more than 60,000 miles.
- Silver: This is a popular choice for vehicles with high mileage and covers more than just your powertrain, with essential coverage for all the major systems.
- Bronze: This is a great choice for basic protection from the most common and expensive repairs to the engine and transmission.
Best Warranty Provider for Used Cars
Car Extended Warranty: FAQ
What is an extended auto warranty?
An extended auto warranty, also called an extended car warranty or vehicle service contract pays for certain repairs after a vehicle’s factory warranty expires.
How much does an extended car warranty cost?
Based on our data, extended auto warranty plans cost between $1,300 and $4,600 on average. This average includes contracts ranging from three to seven years. A few factors affect coverage costs, including the coverage level you choose, vehicle type, warranty provider, and more.
What does an extended auto warranty cover?
Extended auto warranties offer varying levels of coverage and are commonly referred to as a powertrain or bumper-to-bumper warranty. Powertrain warranties cover the parts of your engine that propel the car forward, and bumper-to-bumper warranties that are exclusionary coverage.
Are extended car warranties worth it?
Yes. Extended car warranties protect drivers from costly repairs when their vehicle experiences a mechanical breakdown. Often, the cost of an extended car warranty is cheaper than one major repair.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, availability, and years in business when giving this score.
- 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.
