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We reviewed the best extended auto warranty providers, and here are our top picks.
A used car warranty can help protect owners of older vehicles from surprise bills and expensive repairs. But purchasing one isn’t the right decision for everyone, and some providers are more reputable than others.
Our research experts put together this guide to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about buying an extended warranty for your used vehicle. We’ll go over the ins and outs of vehicle service plans and take a look at the best extended auto warranty companies from our 2023 industrywide study.
After conducting thorough research, our team picked the providers listed below as the best used car warranty companies for 2023.
In the following section, we go into further detail about each of these providers. Expand the section to learn more about these companies, the plans they offer, and their advantages and disadvantages.
Endurance earned the top spot in our general auto warranty study, but it also makes a great option for used car warranties. As one of the only direct providers in the industry, Endurance offers high-quality coverage at affordable rates with a simple, straightforward claims process.
Year founded: 2006 BBB rating: Not rated Number of plans: Six coverage levels Highest mileage limit: 200,000 miles Affordability: Endurance claims to save you up to 60% more than brokers Featured plan: The EnduranceAdvantage plan covers cars up to 200,000 miles and is best for used vehicles and high-mileage vehicles
Endurance currently offers six car warranty plans for drivers, which can cover 200,000 miles or more:
Every Endurance auto warranty comes with roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage. Drivers also receive one free year of Endurance Elite Benefits. Some of this program’s perks include:
Read more: Endurance warranty review
Industry veteran that handles your plan directly, from quote to claim
CARCHEX is one of the oldest and most respected warranty providers in the industry. And when it comes to used car warranties, it’s also the best, according to our 2023 auto warranty study. CARCHEX offers multiple coverage options for vehicles up to 250,000 miles at affordable prices and includes benefits like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement.
Year founded: 1999 Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating: A+ Number of plans: Five levels (21 available contracts from suppliers) Highest mileage limit: 250,000 miles Affordability: Monthly payment plans and $0 deductibles available Featured plan: Platinum and Powertrain Plus plans are best for high-mileage cars
Here’s an overview of the plans CARCHEX offers:
All CARCHEX plans come with 24/7 roadside assistance, towing services, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage.
Top-rated provider with unmatched customer service and affordable coverage
Rather than a multiyear plan, Olive allows users to sign up for month-to-month coverage that works on a subscription model, similar to Netflix or other streaming services. This allows drivers to initiate and cancel plans easily using the company’s convenient online platform. That makes Olive a great option for people who are unsure of whether or not they want extended coverage for their used car.
Year founded: 2020 BBB rating: A+ Number of plans: Three coverage levels Highest mileage limit: Unlimited Affordability: Affordable, based on a subscription model that allows you to easily start and cancel coverage Featured plan: Complete Care offers the most comprehensive coverage, with exclusionary coverage that rivals many factory warranties
Here are the three levels of coverage you can get with Olive:
Read more: Olive warranty review
CarShield is one of the few providers to offer coverage specifically designed for electronic components like GPS navigation systems, sensors, and entertainment systems. This makes the provider a strong option for owners of used luxury vehicles especially. With options for vehicles with up to 300,000 miles, CarShield is also worth considering for high-mileage used cars.
Year founded: 2005 BBB rating: D Number of plans: Six coverage levels and 19 plans, including coverage for motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) Highest mileage limit: 300,000 miles Affordability: Month-to-month plans and $0 deductibles available Featured plan: The Diamond plan is the company’s most popular because it’s comparable to a manufacturer’s warranty
CarShield stands out from many competitors for its low prices and comprehensive coverage. The company has covered more than 1 million vehicles and its administrators have paid out over $1 billion in claims.
CarShield offers six coverage plans that can be paid in month-to-month installments. Here’s an overview of each plan:
CarShield plans come with 24-hour roadside assistance, courtesy towing after mechanical breakdowns, and rental car reimbursement.
Well-known provider that offers great coverage with great pricing
Protect My Car offers some of the most flexible payment terms in the industry on highly rated coverage. But it’s the free tire rotations and oil changes that come with each plan that truly set Protect My Car apart. These services are not usually covered by extended warranty plans but can help extend the life of your used vehicle when performed regularly.
Year founded: 2005 BBB rating: C Number of plans: Three plans Highest mileage limit: 200,000 Affordability: Flexible terms make monthly payments affordable, and with options for $100 or $200 deductibles Featured plan: The Ultimate vehicle service contract is the most comprehensive, offering optional coverage for navigation systems
Protect My Car offers three vehicle service contracts that can protect your vehicle for up to 200,000 miles. Here’s a breakdown of the plans:
All Protect My Car plans come with free oil changes and tire rotations that last for the duration of the contract.
Read more: Protect My Car review
Omega Auto Care wraps up our list of the best used car warranty companies. This company stands out because it offers both maintenance coverage and tire hazard protection on all plans. These benefits can help you keep your car in good shape. Aside from that, Omega Auto Care offers five plans that run the gamut from factory coverage to basic powertrain protection.
Year founded: 1968 BBB rating: A+ with accreditation Number of plans: Five plans Affordability: Monthly payments are slightly higher with 24-month payment terms instead of 36. $100 deductible is cut to $0 if you use a RepairPal-certified mechanic. Featured plan: The three Powertrain plan options can cover up to 250,000 miles, which is a long coverage limit for the industry.
Omega Auto Care offers five plan options in total. The powertrain plans can cover up to 250,000 miles, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy your used vehicle without worrying about repairs. The Used Stated plan covers up to 150,000 miles, and the Exclusionary plan covers up to 100,000 miles. Here’s a breakdown of the plans:
All Omega Auto Care plans come with 24/7 roadside assistance, trip interruption, rental car coverage, maintenance coverage, and road hazard tire protection. This is more than what many companies offer.
A car warranty covers the cost of repairing mechanical failures that happen within a certain coverage period. New cars come with factory warranties that average three years or 36,000 miles of coverage, though some last longer. An extended car warranty – also known as a vehicle protection plan or a vehicle service contract – is a plan you can purchase to maintain coverage after your factory warranty expires.
Some used cars come with warranties from the dealership. In many cases, these are packaged with certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles. These cars have been inspected by the dealership and are typically only a few years removed from their original warranty coverage.
In addition, some extended coverage plans transfer over to the new owner when a vehicle is sold. That means you may find used cars other than CPO vehicles that come with warranty coverage.
You can get a warranty for most used cars. Manufacturer extended warranties often have relatively tight mileage and model year restrictions. However, many aftermarket warranty providers offer plans for much older vehicles with hundreds of thousands of miles.
A used car warranty is well worth it for many drivers. But whether or not it’s worth it in your case depends on the vehicle and personal preferences.
Here are a few points to consider when deciding whether or not a vehicle protection plan is worth it for you:
The cost of a used car warranty varies greatly based on your vehicle, the type of coverage you choose, and other factors. In our most recent auto warranty survey, around half of extended warranty customers said they paid between $1,600 and $3,200 in total for their coverage. The survey was part of our annual auto warranty study and collected answers from over 1,000 warranty customers around the U.S.
In the following sections, we’ll go over the main factors that affect the cost of used car coverage. We also provide sample quotes from our secret shopper study to compare.
Some of the key variables that affect the cost of a used vehicle service contract include:
Our research team obtained quotes from each warranty company for a 2018 Toyota Camry with 30,000 miles. Here are the prices we received from the top used car warranty companies:
*This quote for Olive is based on a 2013 Toyota Camry with 92,000 miles on it, so the actual warranty cost is probably slightly lower than the price you see here.
All of the warranties we obtained quotes for had deductibles of $100.
An extended warranty works by covering car repair costs for items that fall under the coverage terms listed in the contract. Which components are covered depends on the type of warranty plan you purchase. These contracts also come with exclusions that dictate parts and sources of damage that the warranty won’t cover.
Extended car warranty companies offer a variety of coverage plans. However, the majority of these plans fall into three main categories. Expand the section below to learn more about each of these coverage levels.
This warranty type, also known as a drivetrain warranty, covers the engine, drive axle, transmission, and related components. Powertrain warranties are normally the least expensive since they don’t include electrical systems, brake parts, or heating and cooling systems.
This common type of plan includes powertrain coverage and additional components such as air conditioning, electrical components, and the fuel delivery system. These stated-component plans offer broad protection for many listed parts but don’t have the same level of coverage as exclusionary warranties.
Sometimes called exclusionary plans, a bumper-to-bumper warranty comes with a short list of components that are not covered, rather than a list of items that are. Bumper-to-bumper coverage is closest to the factory warranty plans offered by many manufacturers. Though more expensive, this vehicle protection plan can be the difference between a small deductible and a costly repair.
Used car service contracts can cover a lot, but there are some things they almost never protect. Some of the most common used vehicle warranty exclusions include:
Some providers do include coverage for many of these items, but that’s an exception to the rule. Providing coverage for things like maintenance services and wear and tear parts is uncommon but a major benefit when part of a plan.
A vehicle service plan is a big financial decision. Like any other major purchase, it pays to be a smart shopper. Learning how to shop strategically for a used car warranty can help you find the best car coverage at a reasonable price.
If you want to purchase coverage for your pre-owned vehicle, you have a few choices. Which option is best for you depends on both your vehicle and personal preferences.
Many used car dealerships offer warranty plans through partner providers. You may be offered one when you buy your vehicle.
In general, these plans are often marked up to make room for the dealer to make a profit. That doesn’t mean you should always ignore them, however. Many used vehicle dealerships will still sell you a plan at a later time, so you can compare their offers with those from other options before deciding.
Some used vehicles are eligible for an extended warranty from their manufacturer. Depending on the automaker, they can sometimes provide a strong value for the cost.
However, these plans also often come with key limitations. Most automakers require you to purchase a manufacturer’s extended warranty within a certain time frame – typically within the new vehicle factory warranty period. In addition, many of these coverage plans require you to have your car serviced at dealership shops, limiting your options for repair facilities.
You can also purchase an extended warranty for a used vehicle from one of many independent coverage providers. These companies offer a few distinct advantages over your other options.
Some of the biggest advantages of extended car warranties from independent providers include:
Not all warranty providers and plans offer the same quality of service and value as one another. Many of the coverage plans you find online may look similar. But as always, the differences are often in the details.
There are a few things you should expect from an extended warranty provider and contract. These include:
These are all important factors to consider during your research. Don’t allow price to be your only driving factor as you buy an extended auto warranty.
Just as there are many features to look out for in a service contract, there are also red flags to avoid. Poor-quality providers can be frustrating to work with and may not even deliver the services you agreed to.
Expand the section below to see some of the most important warning signs to watch out for.
If you notice any of the following signs, you can probably find a better plan or provider:
Before you agree to any contract, make sure to read it in its entirety – including the fine print. You may find details that make a used car warranty less useful or comprehensive than it seems at first glance.
A used car warranty can be worth the cost even if you don’t use all of the coverage you pay for. It can be a valuable tool for managing the expenses of owning an older vehicle and avoiding the stress and hassle of worrying about unexpected repair bills.
You have several options for where to get an extended warranty for your used vehicle, but third-party providers tend to offer the most flexibility and options. Our editors named CARCHEX and Endurance as the best warranty providers for used cars, but any company that made our top six is worth looking into.
Which provider offers the best price and plan for you depends on your vehicle and preferences. Comparing multiple offers can help you make the right choice for a used car warranty.
To help car owners make an informed decision about warranty providers, our researchers conducted several head-to-head reviews of top companies in the industry. These include:
If your used vehicle has a lot of miles on it, our team also took an in-depth look at the best extended warranties for cars over 100k miles. You’ll find reviews of the best coverage plans for high-mileage cars to help you make the right choice.
Here are a few frequently asked questions about buying used car warranties.
Our research team named Endurance, CARCHEX, Olive, and CarShield as some of the best auto warranty providers. These companies earned that distinction based on their services, reputations, and cost.
Cars become more prone to mechanical breakdowns as they age, which means more time spent in the repair shop. An extended warranty on an older vehicle can help offset these out-of-pocket costs, but there’s no guarantee that a protection plan will cover every repair. It may be less worth it to buy an extended warranty for used vehicles with a strong reputation for reliability, such as models made by Honda and Toyota.
An extended warranty on a used car can cost as little as a few hundred dollars to as much as several thousand. It depends on the car, plan provider, length and amount of coverage, and deductible.
Most extended warranties don’t start until after 30 days or a certain number of miles, usually either 1,000 or 3,000.
An aftermarket warranty is coverage from a third-party company. These warranties don’t always use original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. This shouldn’t have serious effects, but it’s often better to have parts that are specifically made for your car model.
You can buy an extended warranty on a used car from a wide variety of sources. Some car manufacturers offer their own extended warranties, but you can also purchase coverage from one of many reputable used car warranty companies on almost any vehicle.
Some states, such as California, have laws that require a certain category of car dealerships to have a 30-day warranty on used cars that they sell. However, the vast majority of states and used car dealers don’t fall under these laws.
If you have a manufacturer’s warranty, you’ll most likely need to take your car to the dealership for repairs. However, with most third-party used car warranty companies, you can take your vehicle to the certified repair facility of your choice.
In most cases, car warranties transfer when the vehicle changes ownership. A used car warranty is attached to the vehicle identification number (VIN) and will cover repairs for the duration of the warranty period, as long as its premiums are paid for.
Used car warranties and MBI policies serve the same purpose in that they cover the cost of unexpected car repairs due to mechanical failure. However, MBI policies are typically add-ons sold by car insurance companies, whereas used car warranties are sold by auto manufacturers and independent providers.
Olive was the cheapest option overall for used car coverage in our 2023 warranty study. You’ll also likely find affordable rates from CarShield and Concord Auto Protect. Remember that because prices are individualized, these providers may not be the cheapest for you and your vehicle.
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.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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