How Much Does an Extended Car Warranty Cost?
Buying a car requires a significant financial commitment, and you’re also taking on a certain amount of risk. After all, automobiles with frequent mechanical problems or breakdowns can easily lead to thousands of dollars in repair bills every year.
Extended car warranties can help since they provide additional warranty coverage even after the manufacturer’s warranty ends. According to recent figures from Consumer Affairs, the average extended car warranty could set you back $350 to $1,000 for each year of coverage.
If you’re on a budget but want coverage you can count on, you’ll need to learn about the best extended coverage to buy and which companies offer it. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about extended car warranties and what they include.
What Is an Extended Car Warranty?
When we say “extended car warranties,” we are talking about the type of warranty coverage you purchase from a third-party company. The additional warranty coverage you can buy is optional, yet these plans can easily save you thousands of dollars in repair bills.
Extended car warranties can also be referred to as “vehicle protection plans” or “extended service contracts.” Either way, most extended car warranties let you purchase the following types of coverage:
- Basic powertrain warranty coverage
- Comprehensive bumper-to-bumper coverage
- Towing
- Rental car coverage
- Roadside assistance
Some extended car warranty plans let you choose your own repair facility, while others require you to get your car fixed with in-network repair facilities. Also note that some extended car warranties offer additional benefits like trip interruption insurance, key fob replacement and even oil changes.
The average cost of an extended car warranty depends on the car you drive, the company you purchase warranty coverage from and the warranty coverage type. Because extended warranties vary so widely, you’ll want to spend some time comparing plans and finding out everything they include.
Best Extended Car Warranty Companies of 2022
Remember, you won’t buy this type of coverage from the dealership that sells your car. Instead, you’ll need to shop around and compare coverage with the best car warranty companies of 2022. Many warranty companies offer plans and customer service online and over the phone.
Here is our list of the best extended car warranty companies of 2022:
Best Extended Car Warranty Comparison
If you’re in the market for an extended car warranty, it can help to know which companies offer the features and coverages you need the most. We highlight each of the best extended car warranties with more details below.
Endurance
Founded in 2006, Endurance offers an array of extended coverage plans for almost any vehicle, including cars with high mileage. It also lets you get your car fixed by your preferred dealership or any certified mechanic.
Currently, each of its plans also come with a one-year membership to Endurance Elite — a special benefits package that comes with roadside assistance, key fob replacement, personal concierge service, identity theft recovery and more.
All Endurance plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you decide to change your mind. Coverage is available in every state except for California.
Coverage Benefits and Add-On Options:
Endurance offers several plan options depending on your needs:
- A Secure plan includes coverage for your drive axle, engine, transfer case, transmission and turbo or supercharger.
- A Secure Plus plan includes everything in the Secure plan, as well as air conditioning, brakes, electrical components and steering.
- A Superior plan includes everything in the Secure Plus plan and adds in coverage for your cooling system, suspension and fuel.
- A Supreme plan includes everything in the Superior plan, as well as coverage for gaskets.
Finally, Endurance offers a special Select Premier plan for high-mileage vehicles, and an EnduranceAdvantage plan that includes vehicle maintenance and extensive component protection.
Drawbacks: As we mentioned already, Endurance doesn’t offer extended warranty plans in California. Also be aware that you have to call the company and speak with an agent to get a free quote.
Better Business Bureau Rating: C
Customer Satisfaction Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot
Financial Strength Rating: A rating with AM Best
Concord Auto Protect
Concord Auto Protect is another extended warranty company with excellent reviews from actual users. This company made our ranking because drivers can get their car fixed with any Automotive Service Excellence-certified repair shop or car dealership. Customers also receive roadside assistance with their plan all year long. All of its plans also come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Coverage Benefits and Add-On Options:
Concord Auto Protect offers three tiers of coverage that might work for your needs. These include:
- Powertrain coverage that includes the engine, transmission drive axles, electrical, cooling and brakes. It also offers additional protections like roadside assistance, trip interruption coverage, dead batteries, running out of gas, towing, locksmith services and rental car coverage.
- Advanced coverage includes everything in the Powertrain plan, plus all-wheel-drive or 4×4 components and steering (manual or power).
- Premium coverage includes everything in the Advanced plan, as well as heating, air conditioning, fuel systems, antilock brakes, high-tech electronics, turbo or supercharger, and rear and front suspension.
Drawbacks: One downside of Concord Auto Protect is how this company isn’t backed by an insurance provider. It was also founded in 2013, so it hasn’t been around as long as other companies that made our list.
BBB Rating: B
Customer Satisfaction Rating: 4.7 stars
Financial Strength Rating: Not rated
Carchex
Carchex was founded in 1999, and it has since grown to become one of the most popular extended auto warranty providers. This company offers five tiers of extended warranty protection, and it gets excellent user reviews and an A+ rating with the BBB. Carchex plans let you use any licensed repair facility, and they all come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Coverage Benefits and Add-On Options:
All Carchex plans come with standard benefits, such as roadside assistance, towing, rental car coverage, gas delivery and trip interruption insurance. You can also buy five tiers of coverage for your vehicle, which include the following components:
- Bronze level covers major systems in your vehicle.
- Silver coverage includes major systems as well as some add-ons.
- Gold plans include more comprehensive coverages and benefits.
- Platinum plans include hundreds of specific components covered, including all major systems on the vehicle.
- Titanium coverage includes maximum breakdown protection for your vehicle.
Drawbacks: One of the major drawbacks of Carchex is how it doesn’t offer much information on the components of your vehicle that might be covered with each of its plans. Online user reviews are also OK but not great.
BBB Rating: A+
Customer Satisfaction Rating: 3.3 stars
Financial Strength Rating: Not rated
Protect My Car
Protect My Car is an online platform that lets you shop around for extended car warranties with the benefits you need. This company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all of its plans, and it offers flexible payment plans that make its products easier to purchase. All of its extended warranties also come with 24/7 roadside assistance.
Coverage Benefits and Add-On Options:
Protect My Car offers three different levels of extended warranty coverage for consumers. They include:
- Driveline provides coverage for the engine, transmission, transfer case, drive axle, differential assembly, cooling system, air conditioning and heating, electrical and timing chain.
- Select offers coverage that also includes front and rear suspension and select brake components.
- Supreme provides coverage that also includes turbochargers, and you can add on coverage for the navigation system.
Also note that all Protect My Car plans come with roadside assistance, rental car coverage, oil changes and tire rotations.
Drawbacks: One major downside of Protect My Car is the extensive complaints with the BBB. Even though it has an A+ rating, the company has 134 complaints closed in the last three years.
BBB Rating: A+
Customer Satisfaction Rating: 4.3 stars
Financial Strength Rating: Varies by carrier
Platinum Auto Warranty
Platinum Auto Warranty is another extended auto warranty marketplace, meaning you can enter your information once and receive quotes from multiple providers. The company makes it easy to shop around, but it doesn’t offer a standard set of included benefits or coverage options.
Coverage Benefits and Add-On Options:
Platinum Auto Warranty makes it easy to shop around for extended auto warranty coverage, although the inclusions in your plan will vary.
For example, you can get coverage for your timing belt, gasket leaks, transmission replacement, engine replacement and more. You may also tailor your plan to your needs by only paying for the coverage you want and choosing your own deductible. Also note that each of its plans comes with roadside assistance.
Drawbacks: Since Platinum Auto Warranty is an extended warranty marketplace that offers plans from different providers, it doesn’t offer information on the different tiers of coverage you can buy. You’ll need to speak with an agent to get a quote and find out more.
BBB Rating: Not rated
Customer Satisfaction Rating: Not rated
Financial Strength Rating: Not rated
Complete Car Warranty
Complete Car Warranty is another virtual marketplace that makes it easy to browse extended car warranties with any level of coverage you prefer. Its plans offer an unlimited number of repairs with any repair shop or dealership of your choosing, and they all come with 24/7 roadside assistance. Complete Car Warranty plans are also available in all 50 states.
Coverage Benefits and Add-On Options:
Although Complete Car Warranty is an extended auto warranty marketplace, it does list information on plans it offers online. Specifically, you can use this website to purchase:
- Carguard plans that can include your choice of components,
- Matrix plans with no network, and
- Royal plans with no limits on the number of repairs you can have covered.
Each type of coverage varies in scope, and you’ll need to speak with a Complete Car Warranty specialist to get a free quote.
Drawbacks: The main downside of Complete Car Warranty is the fact that, since it’s an extended warranty marketplace, you will ultimately purchase your plan from a third-party provider.
BBB Rating: B
Customer Satisfaction Rating: Not rated
Financial Strength Rating: Not rated
» Avoid Costly Unexpected Vehicle Repairs TodayComplete Car Warranty
Autopom!
Founded in 2010, Autopom! is another provider that matches customers with extended auto warranties from different companies. Fortunately, it only partners with the best auto warranty administrators in the industry, all of which have an A+ rating with the BBB and are backed by insurance companies with A ratings for financial strength from AM Best.
Coverage Benefits and Add-On Options:
Autopom! plans all let you choose your own certified repair facility, and affordable payment plans can help you fit your warranty into your budget. You also get 24-hour roadside assistance, a 30-day or 60-day money-back guarantee, trip interruption reimbursement, tire protection and more.
Because this company offers plans from multiple providers, you’ll have to request a free quote to find out more details.
Drawbacks: This is an extended auto warranty marketplace, so the plan you purchase will be administered by a third-party company.
BBB Rating: A+
Customer Satisfaction Rating: 4.8 stars
Financial Strength Rating: A or better
How We Chose the Best Extended Car Warranty Companies
The best car warranty companies and platforms that made our ranking all have several important factors in common. Each one has decent or excellent user reviews online and an acceptable rating with the BBB.
We also looked for companies that give customers added benefits like roadside assistance, trip interruption coverage, rental car insurance and key fob replacement. Companies that offer a money-back guarantee were also given preference in our ranking.
Extended Car Warranty FAQs
Are Extended Car Warranties Worth It?
An extended car warranty can be well worth it if your plan helps you save money on pricey repair bills. Make sure to shop around for an extended auto warranty so you can get the coverage you need at a price you can afford.
What Is the Average Cost of an Extended Car Warranty?
The average extended car warranty could set you back $350 to $1,000 for each year of coverage you purchase.
What Is the Best Extended Car Warranty?
The best extended car warranty depends on the coverage you need and the repair facility you want to use. Compare as many plans from top providers as you can before buying coverage.
Where Can I Buy an Extended Car Warranty?
You can buy an extended car warranty from any provider in our ranking online. However, you might have to speak on the phone with an agent to get a free quote.
Do Extended Car Warranties Come With Payment Plans?
Many extended car warranties come with payment plans that spread out the cost over several months or years. Ask about payment plans when you get a free quote from one of the top providers on our list.
Final Thoughts
Extended car warranties can protect you from having to pay thousands of dollars in repair bills if your car breaks down. However, make sure you get the coverage you really need, and that you don’t pay more than you have to for a plan.
We suggest comparing extended car warranties from at least three different companies before you lock one in. With some research and due diligence, you can save money on auto repairs, gain peace of mind and sleep better at night.
