Protecting your car should always be at the top of your list of priorities. When it comes to household expenses, a car repair can be a major contributor, and if you don’t have the protection you need, you could find yourself having to deal with an incredibly costly repair bill. That is why it is so important to have a protection plan in place that will shield you from unexpected breakdowns and issues that can drain your bank account. An aftermarket car warranty is a great option and you have a lot of different choices for your provider.

When you buy a new car from a dealership, it comes with a factory warranty or manufacturer’s warranty. This warranty is usually good for anywhere between three years or 36,000 miles and five years or 60,000 miles, and it is there to protect you from expensive repairs due to issues with the vehicle’s design or problems in the production process. Once this warranty is up on your used car, though, you will be responsible for any repair costs that come along.

If you want to ensure your vehicle is protected after your factory warranty is over, an aftermarket car warranty, also called an extended warranty or vehicle service contract (VSC), can help. There are a wide variety of extended warranty providers on the market, and they all have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Knowing what some of the top warranty providers have to offer and how they stack up will help you make the right decision for your car and your wallet.

Key Features to Look for in an Aftermarket Warranty

When choosing an aftermarket warranty provider, there are many things you should look out for if you want the best coverage. One of the most important is comprehensive protection that covers a wide range of components and systems. Depending on your car and your needs, you may need warranty coverage for things like the electrical system, the air conditioning, and the fuel delivery systems. Be sure to look for a provider and a plan that will give you the protection that will suit you and your needs the best.

Customer service is another essential consideration when picking an aftermarket car warranty provider. When you are dealing with repair shops and claims, you want to be sure that your provider will be on your side and willing to help you get the auto repairs you need. You should also look for a provider that has a streamlined, smooth claims process so you don’t end up getting bogged down with red tape and paperwork when the time comes to have a covered repair done. Read through reviews and ratings to see what other customers have said about their experience with a particular provider and get an idea of what you can expect.

Often, an aftermarket extended warranty comes with extra perks and benefits that can help keep you safe on the road. Things like 24/7 roadside assistance, rental car coverage, and trip interruption protection can all give you peace of mind that you won’t be stranded on the side of the highway if an issue arises with your vehicle. Look for providers that offer the most robust set of perks so you can rest easy whenever you are behind the wheel.

Top Aftermarket Car Warranty Providers

While there are many different aftermarket car warranty providers on the market, some are more prominent than others. Your best option for your protection plan is to choose a provider with a good reputation and a strong foothold in the industry. By knowing how the top providers compare with one another and what each one has to offer, you can make the right choice for your vehicle.

Endurance Warranty Services

Endurance has been offering a wide range of top-quality auto protection plans since 2006, with options for all kinds of vehicles and drivers. Whether you have a high-mileage vehicle or a top-end luxury car, there is a plan that will give you the specific coverage you need. From basic powertrain plans to exclusionary coverage, you can find an aftermarket car warranty that suits you best and helps you keep your car on the road. You can also customize an auto protection plan to fit your needs and budget.

One of the things that Endurance is most known for is our award-winning customer service and sales teams. Endurance has a high star rating on Trustpilot with over 7,000 customer reviews in total, and many of them mention an excellent experience with the customer service team and a dedication to helping customers get the repairs they need. Endurance also makes sure that the claims process is as easy and straightforward as possible. All you have to do is go to the certified repair shop of your choice, show your Endurance contract to the service manager, and we will take care of the rest. As long as your repair is covered, you just need to pay your deductible if you have one and get yourself back on the road.

On top of comprehensive coverage, Endurance also offers a large package of extra perks and benefits to every customer. These include 24/7 roadside assistance and towing, trip interruption coverage, and rental car reimbursement. Plus, for a small activation fee, you can also get access to the Elite Benefits program, which comes with tire repair or replacement, key fob replacement, $1,000 toward total loss protection, and more. All of these benefits can give you the confidence you need whenever you are out on the road.

CARCHEX

CARCHEX started offering aftermarket car warranties in 1999, and since then, they have become one of the leading providers in the business. CARCHEX offers five different tiers of coverage: Extra Care, Powertrain, Powertrain Plus, Platinum, and Titanium. These coverage plans range in coverage from the most basic powertrain warranty protection all the way up to complete exclusionary coverage that protects nearly every component of the vehicle. You can choose the right plan for you based on your vehicle and what you anticipate its needs will be in the coming years.

CARCHEX has a mixed reputation when it comes to customer service. It has a 1.95/5 score on the Better Business Bureau website, with many customers complaining that the service was subpar and that communication was not as helpful as it could have been. The claims process, however, is quite simple. You can take your vehicle to any licensed repair facility, and they will work with CARCHEX to make sure that the repair is covered by your plan. From there, the shop will get an authorization number, and all you have to do is pay your deductible and get your car fixed.

The cost of a CARCHEX aftermarket car warranty will depend heavily on the type of vehicle you have, the model year, and the number of miles on the odometer. It is generally accepted, though, that CARCHEX has a slightly above-average cost for its plans. That being said, they also offer longer warranty terms, with some reaching upwards of 10 years or 100,000 miles, which means that you could end up paying less over time with the right plan. Your best option is to get a quote for your specific vehicle and make your decision based on the estimate.

autopom!

Since 2010, autopom! has been offering different levels of coverage for a variety of drivers. The company is partnered up with a range of other providers, including Olive, Omega Auto Care, and Mercury Mechanical Protection, which makes its plans widely available throughout the United States. autopom! has three different coverage options, including Powertrain, Mid-Level, and Exclusionary. While the Powertrain plan covers only the most essential components of your vehicle, the Mid-Level and Exclusionary coverage plans range from different stated component coverage like the steering and electrical systems all the way up to nearly every component of the vehicle.

When it comes to customer satisfaction and service, autopom! has a very good reputation with a 4.7/5-star rating on the BBB website and a “Great” score on the Trustpilot website. Most of the time, when a complaint arises in a review, the company does everything it can to rectify the issue. autopom! It also has a simple claims process in which you can take your car to any ASE-certified shop, present your membership, and have the repair taken care of by autopom! and the shop’s service manager.

autopom! also offers a wide range of perks and benefits to customers. These include rental car coverage, tire protection, roadside assistance, and trip interruption coverage. While autopom! is a highly rated and reputable aftermarket car warranty provider, the company’s rates are also much higher than the average cost. It will depend on your vehicle and its coverage needs, but you can expect to pay more for your protection plan with autopom! than you would with another provider.

CarShield

CarShield was founded in 2005 and has since become one of the biggest names in aftermarket car warranties. CarShield is known for providing excellent coverage options, with some that are entirely dedicated to certain vehicles. The company’s range of plans includes Motorcycle & ATV, Electric Vehicle, Aluminum, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. The inclusion of specific plans for particular vehicle types could make them a good choice if you are looking for coverage for a vehicle that you might otherwise have trouble finding protection for.

CarShield has predominantly positive reviews on websites like Trustpilot but some glaring problems seem to come up over and over again. One of the issues that customers commonly have is being surprised when repairs aren’t covered. This is an indication that communication during the sign-up process is not as thorough as it could be, so should you decide to get a plan with CarShield, be sure to read the fine print before you finalize everything.

One of the other downsides of working with CarShield is that they are not a direct provider of their extended warranty plans. This means that when the time comes to file a claim, you will have to deal with a different company, and that process can change depending on where you bought your coverage and when you signed up.

CarShield’s rates are about average for the industry, with one exception: they only offer month-to-month contracts or payment plans. While this can be a benefit for some people who don’t want to get stuck with the coverage they don’t need, it can also have some downsides. The main downside is that your coverage may end up being more expensive in the long run. If you are looking to save money while still getting comprehensive coverage, CarShield might not be your best option.

How to Choose the Best Aftermarket Warranty for Your Needs

Comparing the different vehicle protection plans is a great way to find the right provider for your needs. It is also important to know what you should be looking for in your search. Having a good understanding of what features and qualities to keep an eye out for will help you make an informed decision. Some of the ways you can find the perfect aftermarket car warranty include:

1. Assess Your Vehicle’s Needs – Before you decide that a provider is right for you, consider your vehicle’s needs and what problems it is likely to have in the future. If, for example, your particular make and model of vehicle is known for developing electrical issues, be sure to pick a plan that covers the electrical system. This will ensure that your coverage will be useful even as your car ages.
2. Determine Your Budget – Knowing how much you can afford to spend is the best way to keep your options under control. By having a budget in mind before you even start looking, you can instantly narrow down your choices.
3. Compare Plans – You should have a good idea of what plans each provider offers and what components are included with each plan. Then, cross reference the covered components with the price of the plan to find the one that will give you the best possible coverage for your money.
4. Read Reviews – Reading reviews is a great way to find the providers that care the most about their customers and offer the best service and value. When people have a good experience with a provider, they will be more than happy to share that information. The same goes for when they have a bad experience.
5. Contact Providers – Your best bet when shopping for a protection plan for your car is to get as many quotes as possible. It can also be helpful to speak to the customer service team of each provider to get an idea of their dedication to service. Knowing as much as you can about each provider before you make a decision will help you be informed and confident in your choice.

Trust Endurance for Your Aftermarket Protection

When you want the best coverage possible with a wide range of options and benefits, Endurance is your best choice. Endurance has aftermarket plans ranging from the most basic powertrain coverage to exclusionary protection and plans for everything from high-mileage vehicles to top-tier luxury cars. Plus, Endurance covers vehicles that other providers won’t, such as Canadian Gray Market Cars, cars with a rebuilt or salvage title, and vehicles used for commercial purposes like rideshare or delivery.

If you want to take advantage of Endurance’s top-of-the-line coverage and a 30-day money-back guarantee, call (800) 253-8203 or request a FREE quote. You can also shop online to see your price right away.

You can also learn much more at the Endurance Warranty blog, including deep-dive comparisons with other providers, repair shop reviews, information on mechanical breakdown insurance, DIY tips and tricks, and much more.