CarShield Warranty
Expert Take
Ideal for larger households, CarShield offers affordable plans that include a discount to cover multiple vehicles. It outpaces the competition in coverage for everything from your used car policy to your extended car warranty for specialty, electric and high-mileage vehicles, including motorcycles and ATVs.
Pros
- Specialty and electric vehicle coverage
- Choice of repair shop
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- No online quotes
- Limited customer service hours
- Policies provided by third party
Vault’s Viewpoint on CarShield Warranty
With its robust coverage, CarShield is one of the best extended warranties for cars over 100,000 miles. Its well-rounded coverage works for many different vehicles, offering used and new car warranties. Even if you have an older vehicle, CarShield will cover your high-mileage vehicles up to 300,000 miles and has plans available for specialty vehicles like electric vehicles, motorcycles and ATVs. If you have multiple vehicles in the household, CarShield will also reward you with a discount for purchasing multiple warranties.
While CarShield may not be the cheapest car warranty company, it rates among the best with comprehensive coverage that meets the needs of most drivers. The Better Business Bureau gives the company an A rating, and it holds a 4.2 out of 5.0 rating on Trustpilot based on over 47,000 reviews, with reviewers praising the customer service and repair experience. However, with customer complaints about denied claims, it’s critical to diligently review the terms of your coverage to know exactly what it includes and doesn’t. Our CarShield warranty review can help you determine whether it’s the right fit for your vehicle.
About CarShield Warranty
CarShield has been in business for almost 20 years, covering over 2 million vehicles within that time. The coverage limit for vehicles is 300,000 miles and is spread across eight plans: Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Gold Select, Silver, Aluminum, Motorcycle & ATV and Electric Vehicle. Each warranty caters to various needs, such as the Gold service contract for vehicles over 100,000 miles or the Platinum package that includes everything in the Gold service contract and more.
Key features included with most extended warranty contracts are 24/7 roadside assistance, towing and rental car service. For repairs, you can choose any domestic or Canadian National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence or ASE®-certified repair facility, so you have the extra peace of mind of knowing that a trusted mechanic will repair your vehicle. If you think you may sell your vehicle instead, contracts are transferable. However, some exclusions apply, such as general maintenance, like brake pads and air filters, and issues stemming from previous repairs. CarShield also doesn’t cover any preexisting conditions or issues stemming from repairs completed before coverage. Still, coverage remains competitive and well rounded, offering customers significant value for their dollar.
Attorneys at Sauder Schelkopf have launched an investigation into a potential class action lawsuit against CarShield regarding allegations of excessive denied claims. Allegedly, while the company advertises “bumper to bumper” or “full vehicle coverage,” it doesn’t always provide this coverage and instead denies claims. Even further, CarShield allegedly locks customers into contracts without providing the coverage guaranteed by their monthly premiums.
| Starting Price | $99/month |
| Number of Plans | 8 |
| Online Quotes | No |
| Maximum Mileage | 300,000 |
Who Is CarShield Warranty Best For?
With plans starting at $99 per month, CarShield offers affordable, inclusive plans that make it a top midrange car warranty provider. As mentioned, there is wide coverage for all vehicle types, including high-mileage and electric vehicles, ATVs and motorcycles. With such widespread coverage, you can cover the whole family and still save money because CarShield offers a discount for multiple-vehicle coverage. That also makes it ideal for families with several drivers, making it more affordable to cover your teen’s 200,000-mile Honda. Even if you only have a single vehicle to cover, plans are still affordable and inclusive.
In addition to its overall affordability, CarShield allows you to choose your repair shop as long as it’s ASE®-certified and located within the U.S. or Canada. That gives extra reassurance during an already stressful time that you can trust the mechanic servicing your car. There is even flexibility in how you pay. Representatives will work with you to create a custom payment plan based on your preferred schedule to make payment that much easier. This versatility can be especially beneficial if you have a nontraditional pay schedule.
Who Should Consider an Alternative to CarShield Warranty?
Even with its affordable, inclusive plans, CarShield isn’t for everyone. For one, it’s not the cheapest car warranty company, as companies like CARCHEX and olive.com are cheaper. It also isn’t the fastest. olive.com may be a better option if you need coverage immediately because CarShield typically has a 30-day or 1,000-mile waiting period. You also have to wait to receive your quote by phone because there are no online quotes with CarShield. Instead, a representative customizes your quote according to your vehicle’s year, make, model and mileage.
Additionally, CarShield offers limited customer service hours, so it’s not ideal if you want a provider with around-the-clock support. Although roadside assistance is available 24/7, nonemergency issues will have to wait. That means you can’t make changes or ask questions about your policy unless you call during business hours.
Another critical caveat of CarShield is that a third party called American Auto Shield handles claims. If you prefer one provider to handle everything, another company may be better.
How Does CarShield Warranty Stack Up to Its Competitors?
While an affordable option for many, CarShield isn’t the only car warranty company available. Here’s a look at how CarShield stacks up against the leading competition.
CarShield Warranty vs. Endurance
Endurance is the best car warranty company with simple, widespread coverage that makes it a top choice for high-mileage vehicles.
While both car warranty companies offer coverage for high-mileage vehicles, Endurance has no maximum mileage. CarShield, on the other hand, limits its coverage to vehicles with 300,000 miles. Another difference is that pricing for Endurance begins at $4,000, making it far more expensive than CarShield’s plans, which start at $99 per month. Despite the high price tag, Endurance plan offerings are more limited, with only three options to CarShield’s eight. However, Endurance plans are more inclusive considering the free year of Elite Benefits. This includes perks like complete tire coverage, key fob replacement and total loss protection.
Both plans include 24/7 roadside assistance and towing coverage, but Endurance limits vehicle repairs to the RepairPal network, while CarShield accepts any American or Canadian ASE®-certified repair facility. Additionally, both offer limited customer service hours and require you to confirm your details with a representative before you can begin coverage, which means a waiting period.
CarShield Warranty vs. CARCHEX
CARCHEX is one of the more expensive warranty companies, but it still rates among the best used car warranty companies, along with CarShield. As the veteran among the two, CARCHEX is several years older than CarShield, although they remain closely tied for their extended warranty services.
Both accept high-mileage vehicles, although CarShield is slightly more forgiving than CARCHEX with a maximum mileage of 300,000 miles versus CARCHEX’s maximum of 250,000 miles. Additionally, both companies offer 24/7 roadside assistance, towing coverage and rental car coverage, and you can choose your repair facility with both. However, CARCHEX goes a little further to include gas delivery and trip interruption coverage. CARCHEX offers five plans, making the selection process a bit more manageable compared to CarShield’s eight choices.
As with CarShield, there are no online quotes with CARCHEX, so be prepared to speak to a representative to finalize your contract. CARCHEX contracts also come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get your money back if you’re unhappy with your warranty test drive.
CarShield Warranty vs. olive.com
olive.com is one of the more affordable alternatives for your car warranty, offering some of the best extended car warranties you can buy. With plans pared back compared to CarShield’s more inclusive offerings, it’s a great starting point when your needs are few and affordability is a priority.
Unlike CarShield, olive.com offers online quotes so you can start coverage without delay. Plans start at $10 per month compared to CarShield’s starting price of $99 monthly. olive.com also guarantees its pricing with fixed rates, so you don’t have to worry about price hikes during your term. You also can cancel anytime, unlike CarShield, which requires a contract.
As mentioned, olive.com plans are more limited, with only three plans compared to CarShield’s eight options, and coverage comes with restrictions. For example, both plans include 24/7 roadside assistance, but the coverage is considerably different. olive.com has its RepairPal network and limits your rental car and towing coverage, while CarShield is a bit more generous. Still, there is no waiting period with olive.com, so you can begin coverage much faster than with CarShield, which requires a representative to reach out with a quote first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does CarShield Cost?
CarShield coverage begins at $99 per month. However, the exact cost of a CarShield policy varies based on factors like your vehicle’s year, make, model and mileage.
Is Car Shield Worth It?
Based on our CarShield warranty review, the company provides solid coverage with affordable pricing, echoed by customer CarShield reviews on Trustpilot, where it has amassed almost 47,000 reviews and earned a 4.2 Great rating. However, with certain policy exclusions and a potential lawsuit, you must research your options thoroughly to find the right extended car warranty for your needs.
What Isn’t Covered by a CarShield Policy?
CarShield warranty contracts itemize a list of services and repairs not included with each plan. For example, the Diamond plan doesn’t include repairs to items like brake pads, shocks, wiper blades, oil changes, air filters and tune-ups. It also doesn’t include any previous repairs or preexisting conditions. Before you purchase a CarShield warranty, carefully review what it includes to ensure you get the coverage you need.
