Car ownership is a big responsibility, and doing everything you can to protect yourself and other drivers on the road is essential. In most states, it is a requirement to have car insurance if you want to drive on public roads. This helps protect every driver and ensures that you won’t get stuck with a massive bill if you are ever in an accident that is either your fault or the other driver’s. A comprehensive insurance policy will keep you safe and protect your wallet at the same time.

If you have heard about extended warranties but have not looked into them, you might think that they are the same as insurance. Extended warranties function very differently from insurance, though, and they will not be sufficient if you want to comply with the laws in your state.

Extended warranties, more accurately called vehicle service contracts (VSCs), from third-party providers like Endurance, cover your vehicle in the event of a mechanical breakdown instead of an accident. While they won’t satisfy automotive legal requirements, they are incredibly beneficial. Knowing how they differ from insurance and what they have to offer will help you decide if an extended warranty or VSC is right for you.

What Is Endurance Warranty?

Endurance Warranty Services was formed in 2006 in Illinois and has quickly become known as one of the top providers of auto protection in North America. With a wide range of different plans, an extensive collection of extra perks and benefits, and a top-tier customer service team, you can get the protection you are looking for without having to pay for anything you don’t need.

An extended warranty vehicle service contract from a trusted provider, like Endurance, will pay for covered repairs that have to happen due to unexpected breakdowns. No matter how well you take care of your vehicle, you are bound to be faced with a malfunction at some point, and your standard insurance won’t cover it. Having a vehicle service contract in place is the best way to get the peace of mind you need whenever you are behind the wheel.

Understanding the Difference Between Auto Insurance and a Vehicle Service Contract

When it comes to vehicle service contracts and insurance, the biggest difference lies in what kind of damage is covered. In general, your standard auto insurance will cover damage to your vehicle that occurs due to accidents. Whether these accidents are from drivers on the road, weather, or other incidents, your insurance is there to help you pay for the repairs and the repairs on another car if you are at fault for an accident. Most of the time, you will be required to have some kind of insurance for your vehicle before you can legally drive it on the road.

Vehicle service contracts, however, do not cover damage from accidents; instead, they cover damage that happens due to a mechanical breakdown. If, for example, you are driving along and your vehicle starts overheating due to a bad cooling system, your standard insurance won’t pay for that. If you have an extended warranty that covers your cooling system, though, you can get the help you need and avoid paying an expensive auto repair bill.

Why Endurance Is Not Auto Insurance

Endurance coverage does not count as auto insurance because it is not meant to cover accidents on the road. Instead, it is there to help you pay for repair bills that come up due to malfunctions of the vehicle itself. If you live in a state that requires you to have car insurance, an Endurance plan will not meet the requirements.

However, if you combine an Endurance plan with your traditional car insurance, you’ll end up with the ultimate protection for yourself and your vehicle, no matter what happens on the road. Having this kind of comprehensive coverage is great peace of mind when you are in the driver’s seat and protects your bank account from costly repairs and liability.

What Endurance Vehicle Protection Plans Cover

Endurance plans cover the repairs that happen throughout the normal use of your car, offering a wide range of options with different levels of coverage and components. With plans ranging from the most basic powertrain coverage, which includes your engine, transmission, and drive axle, all the way up to exclusionary coverage that protects nearly every component, you can get the perfect plan for your specific needs. As long as the part that has broken down is covered under your auto protection plan, you can get help paying for the repair.

Common Misconceptions About Extended Warranties and Insurance

It is a common misconception that extended warranties and insurance are the same thing. In addition to the fact that they do not cover damage in the same way, there are some other key differences that are incredibly important. Knowing some of these misconceptions and the truth behind them will help you decide what kind of coverage you need for your vehicle.

Misconception #1: Both Extended Warranties and Insurance Offer Replacements

Many people think that both extended warranties and insurance will replace your vehicle in the event of severe damage. The truth, though, is that extended warranties are focused on repairs instead of replacements. While your insurance will replace your vehicle if it is considered a total loss after an accident, extended warranties generally only apply to cars that need repairs. This is why it is so important to have both kinds of protection so you can be covered no matter what happens.

Misconception #2: Filing a Claim is the Same Process

The claims process is very different from that of insurance and extended warranty coverage. With insurance, there are often many different parties involved, including adjusters, appraisers, and even lawyers. With an extended warranty, though, you will usually only be dealing with the repair shop and your extended car warranty administrator. With an Endurance auto protection plan specifically, all you have to do is present your Endurance contract to the shop’s service manager, and it takes care of all the administration. This means that the process is much more streamlined than it is when making an insurance claim.

Misconception #3: An Extended Warranty Covers Everything Insurance Does

Extended auto warranties do not cover everything that insurance covers, and insurance does not cover everything that extended warranties cover. The two types of coverage are incredibly different, and there is not much crossover when it comes to the type of protection they offer. Because of this, if you have both types of plans, you can be sure that you will be covered for nearly every possibility when you and your vehicle are out on the road.

How Endurance Works with Repair Facilities and Claims

One of the things that sets Endurance apart from other VSC providers is the easy claims process. With an Endurance plan, you get access to the RepairPal network of certified shops. With a rigorous vetting process, RepairPal narrows down your search for a top-tier mechanic to the best of the best. This makes it incredibly easy to find the shop that will give you the highest level of expertise and customer service, so you don’t have to do any guesswork.

Once you have decided on a shop, all you have to do is take your car there, present your Endurance contract to the service manager, and everything else will be taken care of. They will make sure that the repair is covered before they do any work, and all you have to do is pay your deductible if you have one, and then wait for the repair to be finished so you can get back on the road.

Benefits of Endurance Auto Protection Plans

As the leading vehicle protection plan provider, Endurance offers many perks for drivers:

A Wide Range of Coverage Options

Endurance offers a large range of coverage options for your car. Whether you have an older high-mileage vehicle or a top-of-the-line luxury car, there is an Endurance warranty plan that will suit your needs. Every Endurance plan is customizable as well, so you don’t have to pay for anything that you don’t need. Plus, Endurance covers vehicles that other providers won’t, such as Canadian Gray Market cars, vehicles with a rebuilt or salvage title, and cars used for commercial purposes like rideshare or delivery.

A Robust Benefits Package

Endurance customers not only get comprehensive coverage with their plan, but they also get a wide range of standard perks and extras that will help keep them safe on the road. These include 24/7 roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and travel interruption coverage. For a small activation fee, you can also get access to Elite Benefits, which include tire repair or replacement, key fob replacement, windshield repair, and more.

Award-Winning Customer Service

Endurance is well-known for offering strong vehicle protection and also has a reputation for excellent customer service. As of this article’s publication, Endurance holds a high star rating on Trustpilot, with over 11,000 customer reviews—many of which highlight the customer service team’s helpful and friendly approach.

In 2025, Endurance earned multiple customer service honors, including an Excellence in Customer Service Award from the Business Intelligence Group (BIG Awards) and a Silver Stevie® Award for Contact Center of the Year. With an experienced team ready to assist, you can count on added peace of mind throughout the repair process.

Get Ultimate Vehicle Protection With Endurance

Making sure that your car has the protection it needs is incredibly important. While you must have insurance to drive legally, it is always a good idea to have extra coverage. A vehicle protection plan from Endurance will help you feel comfortable behind the wheel and ensure that you can get the repairs you need, no matter what the road throws at you.

If you’re ready for ultimate protection, get in touch with our customer service team at (800) 253-8203 or get a FREE quote. You can also shop online to see your price right away and choose the right plan for you.

For more auto expert resources and helpful articles like this one, be sure to head over to the Endurance Warranty blog. There, you will find DIY tips and tricks, provider comparisons, mechanical breakdown insurance information for California residents, and much more.