- We compare coverage options in this CarShield vs. Endurance guide.
- CarShield and Endurance have both paid out millions in claims over the past decade.
- If you plan to drive your car beyond the factory warranty, an extended warranty can be a good idea.
Affiliate disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you purchase the products below
Car parts fail – it’s just a question of when. Some factory warranties, like the Genesis warranty, extend to five years or 60,000 miles. But if you enjoy your car, you’ll probably drive it much longer. As you pass the 100,000-mile mark, will you be prepared to cover a $2,000 auto repair?
You have many options for third-party extended warranty companies. We’ll compare CarShield vs. Endurance, two of the top providers on the market, by looking at plans, cost, exclusions, reviews, and benefits for each.
| Best Direct Provider | Most Popular |
 |
 |
| Endurance | CarShield |
 |
 |
| Get Quote | Get Quote |
| (877) 374-1840 | (800) 563-2761 |
Is An Extended Warranty a Good Idea?
Every year, automakers pack more features into new cars. These features can be expensive to repair, and some may even need re-calibration when a neighboring component is replaced.
This is the case with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). According to Automotive Fleet, here’s what Kelley Hatlee, National Service Department Customer Support Supervisor for Enterprise Fleet Management, says about ADAS:
“[ADAS] also adds additional steps to common repair procedures that didn’t exist previously. For example, many minor body repairs, windshield replacements, and steering and suspension repairs now require ADAS re-calibration. This adds to the complexity of the repair, increasing labor costs.”
It’s easy to love safety and performance features. It’s also easy to forget about the cost to repair them. Vehicle service contracts, also called extended warranties, can help cover repairs so you can focus on enjoying your vehicle. Here are a few more reasons why you might consider an extended warranty:
- As your car ages, you may encounter more expensive repairs. An extended warranty can keep your monthly budget predictable.
- Your manufacturer’s warranty may be comprehensive, but it won’t last forever. Extended warranties can expand coverage up to 150,000 miles or more.
- Many extended warranties come with extra benefits like roadside assistance at no extra cost.
Head-To-Head Comparison: CarShield vs Endurance
CarShield and Endurance are two top providers in the world of extended warranties. Both are well established and have paid out millions in claims over the past decade. There are also many differences between the two, so let’s dive into the details.
CarShield Warranty Overview
Who Is CarShield?
- CarShield offers six plan levels with 19 individual contracts.
- CarShield works with highly rated administrators to back its contracts.
- CarShield plans can cover high-tech components and specialty vehicles.
- CarShield is a well-known provider, protecting more than one million vehicles and paying over $1 billion in claims.
CarShield Plans
CarShield offers six coverage levels:
| Coverage Level | Details |
|---|---|
| New Car Diamond | This is the highest level of coverage, similar to a factory bumper-to-bumper warranty. It covers the entire car except specifically excluded parts like wear items and cosmetic materials. |
| Platinum | The Platinum plan covers hundreds of parts on most major systems including air conditioning, electrical, and steering. It’s the best coverage option for vehicles with higher mileage. |
| Gold | This mid-tier plan covers the powertrain plus the turbocharger, fuel, cooling, A/C, and electrical systems. |
| Silver | This is CarShield’s most affordable plan. It covers the powertrain, which is the engine, transmission, and drive axle. The plan also covers a few extra parts like the water pump and internally lubricated turbocharger components. |
| Aluminum | The Aluminum plan is designed to cover high-tech parts like sensors and instruments gauges. It also covers some basic components on other systems, but it doesn’t cover the powertrain. |
| Motorcycle & ATV | CarShield offers Platinum and Silver plans tailored to motorcycles, ATVs, and other specialty vehicles. |
Additional Benefits
Along with the coverage plans, CarShield offers the following benefits for its customers:
- Key lock-out service.
- Fuel delivery service.
- Tow and winch services.
- Battery jump-start service.
- Car rental reimbursement.
- Trip interruption reimbursement for food and lodging.
Exclusions
CarShield plans don’t cover routine maintenance or normal wear and tear. Pre-existing conditions or damage from neglect, lack of maintenance, environmental events, or accidents are not covered either. CarShield does not provide coverage for hybrid batteries or parts related to hybrid batteries.
One other thing to point out – CarShield plans contain a “betterment clause,” which is common in the industry. This basically says CarShield won’t pay for a substitute part if it upgrades the value of your car.
Car Shield Cost
Extended warranty plans are tailored to your car and its age, so you’ll have to get a quote to find an exact price. Looking at reviews online, it seems like many plans cost between $100 and $200 per month.
Some CarShield plans come with a $0 deductible, while others may require deductibles of $100 to $200 per repair visit.
CarShield also offers month-to-month contracts, which is fairly unique in the industry. These contracts might be a bit more expensive, but they give you some more flexibility.
Is CarShield worth the cost per month? From a strictly financial perspective, there’s a chance any warranty will cost more than the repairs it pays for in the end. But if you wouldn’t be able to pay for an expensive repair, the peace of mind and financial stability are worth it.
CarShield Reviews
CarShield has a four-star rating on Trustpilot from over 8,000 reviews and a 4.3-star rating on Google from over 2,000 reviews. However, it also has an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau for a pattern of complaints and aggressive marketing mailers.
The company has 741 complaints on the BBB, which sounds like a lot. But overall, when you consider how many customers CarShield has, many more people have had a positive experience than a negative one.
Here’s what one CarShield customer said about their experience on Trustpilot:
“Having CarShield was a great experience. They were there when I needed them. All my car repairs were always taken care of in a timely fashion. I highly recommend them to anyone with an expired factory warranty.” – Marvin C.
Despite the issue of the mailers, many CarShield reviewers talk about how they actually didn’t feel any pressure to buy when working with a customer service agent.
Quick Facts
- Founded in 2005.
- Over 1 million vehicles covered.
- Headquartered in St. Peters, Missouri.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 6 coverage levels | High number of complaints |
| Multiple pricing options | No coverage for hybrid vehicles |
| Sample contracts available online |
Endurance Warranty Overview
Who Is Endurance?
- Endurance has five levels of coverage.
- Perks include roadside assistance and ID theft protection.
- Drivers can choose any ASE-certified mechanic for repairs.
- Endurance is a direct warranty provider, so you deal with only one company when purchasing a plan or filing a claim.
Endurance Plans
Here are the five plans you can choose from:
| Coverage Level | Details |
|---|---|
| Supreme | The Supreme plan is Endurance’s bumper-to-bumper exclusionary warranty. It is the most comprehensive and expensive plan. |
| Superior | This plan covers hundreds of parts on most systems of the vehicle. It is the highest level of stated-component coverage available. |
| Secure Plus | This plan adds coverage for the brakes, steering, and turbocharger, plus it covers more parts for the air conditioning and electrical system. |
| Select Premier | This plan covers a few more parts than the Secure plan including the air conditioning and some electrical components. It’s a good option for high-mileage vehicles. |
| Secure | This basic plan covers the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. These elements make up the powertrain and can be expensive to fix. |
Endurance also offers a few add-on coverage options. You can add a high-tech package to a Superior plan and a hybrid vehicle package to a Superior or Secure Plus plan. Tire modifications and body or suspension lifts are also covered (with a surcharge).
Some Endurance warranties cover up to 200,000 miles, though the coverage you’ll find depends on your car and its condition.
Additional Benefits
All Endurance plans come with one free year of Endurance Elite, which includes:
- Key fob replacement.
- Endurance Protect app.
- ID theft protection tools.
- 24/7 roadside assistance.
- Repair or replacement of two tires per year.
- Personal concierge for directions, reservations, and travel.
- $250 in member rewards plus discounts on retail and dining.
- Up to $5,000 in repair financing for non-covered components.
Exclusions
Endurance warranties contain similar general exclusions as CarShield warranties:
- Wear items.
- Regular maintenance.
- Pre-existing conditions.
- Environmental events or accidents.
- Damage from neglect or lack of maintenance.
There is one difference in our CarShield vs. Endurance comparison that we noticed. Endurance does not use betterment clauses in its contracts. So, Endurance would allow a new or better part to replace an older one even if it boosts the value of your car. Contract clauses like these can go unnoticed and cause headaches later on if misunderstood.
Endurance Cost
Like CarShield, Endurance prices are tailored to your situation. You might pay between $100 and $200 for a deductible when you visit a repair facility. Some contracts allow you to add a disappearing deductible option. In this case, the standard deductible of $100 will be waived when you visit AAMCO for repairs.
Endurance Warranty Reviews
Between CarShield vs. Endurance reputations, Endurance has a smaller number of online reviews, but it has somewhat higher ratings. About 600 reviewers on Trustpilot gave Endurance four stars overall.
Endurance also has a high number of positive customer reviews on the BBB, which is uncommon. Unfortunately, the BBB lists Endurance as “Not Rated.” This is because Endurance had a similar issue to CarShield with sending misleading or aggressive marketing letters. Before this issue, Endurance had a B+ rating.
Here’s what one reviewer on Trustpilot said about their experience with Endurance:
“Thank goodness we had Endurance covering our 2006 Toyota 4 Runner! The transmission went out on it. Endurance told us to take it to the nearest Toyota Dealership. We did and gave them our Endurance policy number. They ordered the parts and within a week we had our SUV fixed and all we had to do is pay the $100 deductible!” – Dianne M.
Quick Facts
- Founded in 2006.
- Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois.
- Maximum coverage limits of 20 years or 200,000 miles.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Direct warranty provider | Not currently rated on the BBB |
| Endurance Elite membership perks | Perks only free for the first year |
| 5 levels of coverage plus add-ons |
CarShield vs. Endurance: Our Pick
Looking at CarShield and Endurance side-by-side, both have advantages in different areas. We think these companies are evenly matched. Deciding between them may come down to contract specifics for your situation.
CarShield vs. Endurance: Side-By-Side Comparison
Here’s a quick comparison of the main differences.
| CarShield | Endurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Levels | 6 | 5 |
| Contracts Available | 19 | 5 |
| Deductibles | $0+ | $100–$200 |
| Years of Experience | 15 | 13 |
| Accepted Repair Sites | 30,000+ | 30,000+ |
| Transferable Plans | Yes | Yes |
| Cancellable Plans | Yes | Yes |
| 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee | Yes | Yes |
| Endorsements | Chris Berman, Larry MC Reynolds, Adrienne Janic, and Ernie Hudson | Courtney Hanson, Katie Osbourne, and the Vehicle Protection Association |
If you want to deal with the same company when you shop for a plan and when you make a claim, go with Endurance. If you want a bit more control over monthly payment plans, check out CarShield. In the end, it’s a good idea to get a quote from both since the cost for similar coverage can be different.
| Best Direct Provider | Most Popular |
|
|
| Endurance | CarShield |
|
|
| Get Quote | Get Quote |
| (877) 374-1840 | (800) 563-2761 |
Expand Your Options With CARCHEX and autopom!
Two more reputable extended car warranty companies – CARCHEX and autopom! – have paid out millions in claims as well. Our CARCHEX vs. autopom! comparison gets into the specifics to help you make an educated decision.
Original article: CarShield vs Endurance Extended Warranty: 2020 Review
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