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CarShield is one of the country’s most popular independent warranty providers, offering drivers month-to-month contracts, flexible protection plans, and a range of deductibles. In our review of the best extended auto warranty companies, we gave CarShield the distinction of Most Affordable. But do CarShield reviews from customers suggest the low-cost option is the best choice?
Below, we delve into CarShield reviews, coverage options, and costs to help you determine whether a CarShield extended warranty may be right for your vehicle.
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Most Affordable
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Well-known provider that offers great coverage with great pricing |
CarShield Warranty Highlights
Founded in 2005 and based in Saint Peters, Missouri, CarShield is technically a vehicle service contract broker, meaning it offers protection plans administered by other companies, called obligators. This setup gives drivers a wider variety of coverage options and price points.
If you have a CarShield vehicle service contract, covered repairs can be made at any dealership or repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®). This makes finding an eligible mechanic easy, which is important if you have a breakdown far from home. CarShield also includes perks to help cover the costs of getting you to the nearest repair shop.
CarShield Extended Warranty Coverage Overview
What an extended car warranty covers depends on the plan that you choose. CarShield offers six comprehensive coverage plans:
| CarShield Warranty | Details |
|---|---|
| Diamond | Comparable to a new car manufacturer’s warranty, CarShield Diamond coverage is an exclusionary plan. This means all systems and components of your vehicle are included, except for a short list of non-covered parts. |
| Platinum | Good for high-mileage vehicles or used cars, the Platinum plan covers certain parts of your vehicle’s engine, transmission, cooling system, air conditioning, steering, brakes, electrical components, fuel pump, and more. CarShield Platinum is stated-component coverage, meaning each covered part is listed in the vehicle service contract. |
| Gold | As CarShield’s enhanced powertrain coverage, the Gold plan focuses on common powertrain components such as the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. It also includes parts such as the alternator, power window motors, and starter. |
| Silver | The Silver plan is CarShield’s most basic (and most affordable) powertrain plan. It covers only the most important parts of your vehicle, including your engine, transmission, water pump, and drive axle. |
| Aluminum | The Aluminum plan covers most computer-related and electrical components, including the power seat control, sensors, cruise control, electronic gauges, and LCD screens. |
| Motorcycle & ATV | If you have a motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle that needs coverage, CarShield offers plans for specialty vehicles. |
Most of CarShield’s plans allow customers to transfer coverage to subsequent owners. The process requires a $50 administrative fee, and customers cannot transfer coverage to other vehicles.
CarShield contracts can be canceled at any time.
Exclusions
Even the most comprehensive extended auto warranties have their limits. The exclusions in CarShield plans are common among almost every extended warranty provider on the market.
CarShield does not cover:
- Parts that have been modified or altered
- Wear-and-tear components such as brake pads and air filters
- Damage caused by acts of nature, collision, vandalism, or lack of proper maintenance
- Auto repairs that have been made without pre-authorization from a CarShield claims representative
Added Benefits
With CarShield contracts, drivers also receive:
- 24-hour roadside assistance
- Courtesy towing for breakdowns
- Rental car reimbursement (not included with all plans)
CarShield Extended Warranty Costs
CarShield is an affordable provider compared to other extended car warranty companies. Our research team conducted a 2021 warranty survey polling 1,000 drivers, and most said they paid $1,500 to $2,500 for their vehicle service contracts. For reference, the total cost of CarShield’s most comprehensive protection plan is $1,794.04.
Note that your extended car warranty costs will vary depending on your situation. Your car’s age, make, model, and mileage will all affect how much you pay for coverage.
We reached out to CarShield for free quotes on a couple vehicles, and the company gave us the following pricing:
| Vehicle Type | CarShield Warranty | Term Length | Monthly Payment | Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Toyota Camry | Diamond | 5 years/100,000 miles | $83.28 for 18 months | $100 |
| 2013 Honda Accord | Gold | Unlimited | $99.99 monthly | $100 |
With CarShield, drivers can choose from multiple deductibles, starting at $0. The company also offers monthly payment plans, so you don’t have to worry about being locked into a long-term contract.
How Do CarShield Extended Warranties Work?
CarShield offers an easy process for purchasing an extended warranty. To get a quote, you can call the warranty provider directly or input your information on their website. When our team called to inquire about a quote, the hold time was less than a minute and the whole call took about 10 minutes.
If you need to use your extended warranty coverage, you can file a claim online or over the phone. You can also take your vehicle to any licensed repair facility if you experience a mechanical breakdown. If your repairs are covered under warranty, CarShield will pay the repair shop directly. You will only have to pay a deductible for service.
CarShield Reviews & Ratings
CarShield has been featured on ESPN, CNN, HGTV, and TBS and has a number of celebrity endorsements. Additionally, there are thousands of online CarShield reviews from customers. The company holds a driver rating of 4.1 out of 5.0 stars on Google, with more than 8,000 reviews. It also received 4.0 stars on Trustpilot, with over 21,000 driver ratings.
Despite these positive CarShield reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives the company an F rating and indicates a pattern of complaints involving pushy or misleading sales and advertising, difficulty canceling policies, and rude CarShield representatives.
There are more than 1,100 CarShield customer reviews on the BBB website, with an average rating of 1.45 out of 5.0 stars. CarShield customer service responds to many comments, and about 1,200 complaints have been closed in the past year. The complaints actually represent a small number in comparison to the more than a million contracts the provider says it has sold.
Here’s what a few customers had to say in CarShield reviews:
Positive CarShield Reviews
“I have had to use CarShield two times. Both times they responded and covered my repairs without any hassle.” – Mary M. via BBB
“We bought a car warranty for our 2007 Impala. We were in California when the transmission went out. CarShield stepped in, got the claim approved quickly, and we were back on the road. Don’t know what we would have done without them.” – Marion Roth via Google
Negative CarShield Reviews
“Paid $121 per month, and when my car broke down, they didn’t pay a cent.” – Lee via BBB
“I bought CarShield because of the awesome commercials. On the phone, the salesperson said that ‘anything that is not a wear item is covered, so no brake pads, no tires, etc.’ … Turns out that a lot of things are not covered. There are 10 pages of fine print.” – Marco Borrillo via Google
Conclusion: Is CarShield Worth the Money?
Our research on CarShield’s coverage options, costs, and customer service shows that CarShield could be a great choice to protect your vehicle in the long run, especially if you’re on a tight budget and in need of a used car warranty.
Although the company has received complaints, CarShield reviews are predominantly positive, and the company has a good name in the industry. Considering CarShield is one of the best extended warranty companies and says it has covered more than 1 million vehicles in 16 years, a few hundred negative comments barely make a dent in the company’s reputation.
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Most Affordable
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Well-known provider that offers great coverage with great pricing |
Our Top Picks for Extended Warranty Coverage
It’s always smart to shop around for extended warranty plans to make sure you’re getting the best deal for the coverage you need. We recommend comparing free quotes from CarShield with quotes from other reputable extended car warranty companies. Two of those companies – Endurance and CARCHEX – we spotlight below.
Endurance: Best Overall
Endurance is a reputable extended car warranty provider that’s been in business since 2006. The company stands out in the vehicle protection industry for being a direct extended warranty provider, rather than a broker or reseller. This means that Endurance provides and fulfills most of its plans without any outside help.
Endurance offers six comprehensive levels of coverage from which drivers can choose. Each plan comes with one year of Endurance Elite Benefits, which include perks such as tire replacement, a collision discount, key fob replacement, 24/7 roadside assistance, and more. Endurance has solid reviews from customers, with a 4.4-star rating out of 5.0 on Trustpilot and a 3.4-star rating on the BBB website.
You can find out more about the company in our Endurance warranty review.
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Best Overall
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Industry veteran that handles your plan directly, from quote to claim |
CARCHEX: Best for Used Cars
CARCHEX is a reputable third-party warranty provider offering various services to drivers. The company has five levels of coverage and a long list of perks, including fuel delivery, towing coverage, 24/7 roadside assistance, trip interruption coverage, and rental car reimbursement.
CARCHEX has an A+ rating from the BBB but earns just 2.16 stars out of 5.0 based on driver reviews. The warranty provider has a 3.2-star rating from Trustpilot.
Read our CARCHEX review to find out more about the third-party warranty provider.
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Best for Used Cars
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Top-rated provider with unmatched customer service and affordable coverage |
FAQ: CarShield Reviews
How much does CarShield cost per month?
Based on our research, the average cost of a CarShield Diamond plan for a late-2010s SUV with fewer than 50,000 miles costs between $100 and $130 per month with a $100 deductible. However, a Gold plan for a 2013 sedan with just under 100,000 miles would also cost $130 per month with a $100 deductible.
Is CarShield worth having?
As our pick for Most Affordable third-party warranty provider, CarShield can be a good choice for drivers seeking low-cost coverage. The provider offers multiple coverage plans and month-to-month contracts, but buying any protection plan carries the risk of paying for services you may not need.
What repairs does CarShield cover?
CarShield repair coverage depends on the extended auto warranty you purchase. The provider offers basic powertrain warranty plans that cover the engine, transmission, and drive axles. CarShield also offers exclusionary, bumper-to-bumper warranties that cover almost every mechanical and electrical component. Most of the company’s protection plans provide coverage somewhere between a powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Does CarShield cover electrical problems?
CarShield’s Platinum plan and Diamond plan both cover electrical systems. The Aluminum plan covers most electrical parts, including the starter and navigation systems.
Are extended car warranties worth it?
An extended car warranty can be worth it for owners of older vehicles who want peace of mind and want to avoid paying for unexpected repair costs out of pocket. But this depends on your needs and your vehicle. It’s a good idea to check average repair costs on sites such as RepairPal to compare them to your extended car warranty quotes.
Does CarShield have a deductible?
With CarShield, customers can choose the deductible – as low as $0 – with their plan. However, just like with car insurance, a lower deductible means a higher premium.
What is the average cost of a CarShield warranty?
In our study, customers reported an average cost of $1,500 to $2,500 total for their CarShield warranty.
How do you cancel CarShield?
To cancel CarShield, you’ll need to contact customer support directly and submit a policy cancellation notice. If you cancel within the first 30 days of your policy, you’ll get a full refund. After 30 days, you can get a prorated refund for the amount of time left on your policy in most cases.
Does CarShield cover brakes?
Four of CarShield’s warranty plans cover the actual brakes on your vehicle. However, normal wear items like brake pads are not covered.
What is CarShield’s waiting period?
All CarShield plans come with a 20-day/500-mile waiting period before becoming active. This is to prevent the company from covering pre-existing mechanical issues.
Original article: CarShield Reviews: Cost, Coverage, & More (2021)
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