Affiliate disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you purchase the products below.
One of the best ways to protect yourself against the cost of repairing a vehicle with a mechanical issue is through an extended car warranty. CARCHEX tops many industry lists for its great service and coverage for older vehicles. Our team of experts found that CARCHEX reviews are overwhelmingly positive, and after researching the best extended car warranty companies, we believe CARCHEX is a strong choice for most drivers.
In this review, we’ll detail CARCHEX warranty coverage, benefits, and costs, and we’ll see how the company compares to some of its competitors.
| Best Overall | Best for Used Cars | Low-Cost Plans |
 |
 |
 |
| Endurance | CARCHEX | Select Auto Protect |
 |
|
|
| Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
| (866) 990-3410 | (866) 950-7122 | (860) 294-4933 |
CARCHEX Highlights
Commonly rated one of the top extended warranty providers, CARCHEX has been in business since 1999. With its headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, the company offers warranty plans in all 50 states, which is rare in the industry.
CARCHEX is not a direct provider of vehicle service plans. Instead, the company brokers extended warranty policies from Royal Administration Services, Allegiance, and American Auto Shield.
CARCHEX also stands out due to its:
- Extended warranty plans: CARCHEX offers five levels of comprehensive coverage.
- Benefits: Each warranty plan comes with additional perks such as roadside assistance and a 30-day money-back guarantee in case of cancellation.
- Repair shop network: You can take your vehicle to any licensed repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®).
How Much Does a CARCHEX Warranty Cost?
Generally, a CARCHEX warranty costs about $100 to $250 per month or about $214 to $730 per year, depending on your term lengths and payment plan. Most CARCHEX coverage plans also require a down payment, which varies based on your monthly payment plan. Compared to other extended car warranty companies we’ve contacted, this pricing is average for the industry.
We called CARCHEX representatives to get quotes for cars of different makes and ages. Our research teams obtained quotes for two cars operating in Raleigh, North Carolina: a 2018 Toyota Camry with 28,000 miles and a 2013 Honda Accord with 90,000 miles. Here are some of the prices we received.
| Vehicle Type | CARCHEX Warranty | Term Length | Cost | Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Toyota Camry | Titanium | 5 years/100,000 miles | $136.17 for 18 months | $100 |
| 2013 Honda Accord | Silver | 5 years/75,000 miles | $116.09 for 24 months | $100 |
CARCHEX’S highest level of coverage costs a total of $2,451, whereas the lower-tier plan costs around $2,786. In our own 2021 warranty survey, we polled 1,000 consumers and found most pay between $1,500 and $2,500 for extended auto warranties.
How Are Extended Warranty Costs Determined?
Each warranty provider has its own way of determining the cost of a vehicle service contract, but some commonalities exist when it comes to price. The cost of a CARCHEX plan varies based on factors such as:
- Contract
- Deductible
- Coverage level
- Vehicle mileage and age
- Vehicle make and model
- Existing factory warranty coverage
In general, a new car with less mileage will cost less to cover than an older, used car with high mileage. CARCHEX payments can be made upfront or with monthly payment terms that can last up to two years.
CARCHEX Extended Vehicle Protection Plans
CARCHEX offers five vehicle service contracts ranging from basic powertrain coverage to comprehensive coverage that is similar to bumper-to-bumper warranties. Here’s an overview of CARCHEX extended warranty coverage:
| CARCHEX Warranty Plans | Details |
|---|---|
| Diamond | CARCHEX’s Titanium coverage is an exclusionary plan similar to a manufacturer’s warranty. This covers all systems and components of your vehicle, except for a few parts. |
| Platinum | Below CARCHEX’s highest level of coverage is Platinum coverage. This contract still backs repairs for hundreds of stated components, including major vehicle systems. |
| Gold | Intended for vehicles over 60,000 miles, Gold coverage handles powertrain systems and items like brakes, suspension, and steering. |
| Silver | Silver coverage includes the fuel systems, electrical systems, air conditioning, and seals along with the powertrain. |
| Bronze | CARCHEX’s basic, most barebones protection plan includes powertrain coverage and repairs for seals and gaskets within the engine and drive axle. |
CARCHEX gives you multiple warranty options within each coverage tier. This wide range of choices makes it easy to customize a CARCHEX plan to fit the needs of your vehicle, according to CARCHEX reviews from customers.
Not every car will be eligible for each coverage level or plan. Vehicle eligibility is based on many factors, including the age and mileage of your vehicle and your state of residence.
Exclusions
Even though some protection plans promise repairs for hundreds of components, each extended warranty has its exceptions. Here are a few common items typically not covered under a warranty contract:
- Wear-and-tear items such as wiper blades and brakes
- Regular maintenance such as oil changes
- Damage from owner abuse or neglect
- Damage from a collision
- Damage that would be covered under your auto insurance policy
Included Benefits
The best car warranty companies offer customers perks and benefits that go beyond standard vehicle protection. In addition to coverage levels and contracts for almost any car and driver, CARCHEX provides the following perks along with the aforementioned 24/7 roadside assistance:
- Fuel delivery
- Towing coverage
- Trip interruption coverage
- Rental car reimbursement
- Free SiriusXM for eligible vehicles
- Your choice of any licensed repair facility
How CARCHEX Extended Warranties Work
CARCHEX extended warranty plans are easy to purchase. You can get an instant quote on the CARCHEX website or call the company’s customer service line during business hours. When our team called the warranty provider, we were only on hold for a minute and the entire call only lasted 10 minutes. There was also no pressure to purchase a plan over the phone.
CARCHEX reviews mention an easy and efficient claims process. You can call the company to file a claim or take your vehicle to the nearest licensed repair facility or dealership. If your car repairs are covered under warranty, CARCHEX will pay repair costs directly to the shop.
All CARCHEX warranties come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you cancel within this time period, you will receive a full refund. After that, you can cancel for a prorated refund.
CARCHEX Reviews & Customer Service
CARCHEX boasts high ratings across many customer review outlets, including Google and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). An easy way to see if a company takes care of customers is to check its BBB accreditation and rating. CARCHEX has an A+ rating from the BBB and has been BBB-accredited since 2009.
Positive CARCHEX reviews praise the company’s customer service and helpful representatives. Negative reviews mention consistent issues with denied claims.
We’ve added a few CARCHEX reviews below to provide a look at the customer service experience.
Positive CARCHEX Reviews
Positive CARCHEX reviews mostly centered around the helpful, professional service people received and the lack of sales pressure from agents on the phone.
“[The] outstanding customer service representative answered all questions. Also spoke with her supervisor, who was very knowledgeable and friendly. I was very impressed with the professional service and would highly recommend to anyone needing their product.” – Gerald on Trustpilot
“The individual I spoke to was helpful and not pushy. No problems whatsoever. He made sure I understood things and sent me emails describing my protection plan.” – Brian H. on BBB
Negative CARCHEX Reviews
Among the negative CARCHEX reviews we saw in our research, some customers complained about contract misunderstandings and communication issues.
“I had a CARCHEX warranty with top coverage. I filed a claim when my shock/strut failed. CARCHEX covers the strut, but not shock. Although the Mercedes dealer said that it was my strut that failed, CARCHEX called it a shock and they did not want to pay for the repair. After a few days of complaints, they decided to make a partial payment. I canceled my contract with them and it took over a month to get back my refund.” – Basil C. on BBB
“Wait time to talk to someone is ridiculously long. I was on hold for almost an hour. This happened several times. The repair shop couldn’t stay on that long and had to hang up. Wish I hadn’t gotten this company. Very disappointed. Won’t recommend them to anyone.” – John T. on Trustpilot
Conclusion: CARCHEX Is Best for Used Cars
The combination of affordable coverage and a large number of positive CARCHEX reviews is why we gave the company our Best for Used Cars award. The company’s five comprehensive coverage plans provide extra protection, especially for high-mileage vehicles. CARCHEX also offers several driver benefits along with affordable prices.
|
Best for Used Cars
|
Top-rated provider with unmatched customer service and affordable coverage |
Our Other Top Picks for Extended Car Warranties
Even if you’re fairly confident an extended car warranty from CARCHEX is right for your vehicle, you should consider your options. We recommend getting free quotes from at least two other reputable extended car warranty companies: Endurance and CarShield.
Endurance: Best Overall
Endurance stands out from competitors since it operates as a direct warranty provider. This means the company offers and administers its own contracts. Endurance offers six comprehensive vehicle service plans, which range from exclusionary bumper-to-bumper coverage to basic powertrain warranties. Each plan comes with rental car reimbursement, trip interruption coverage, and roadside assistance.
Endurance has positive reviews for a company its size. The warranty provider holds a 4.4-star rating out of 5.0 on Trustpilot and a 3.4-star rating on the BBB website.
Read our Endurance warranty review to find out more about the company.
|
Best Overall
|
Industry veteran that handles your plan directly, from quote to claim |
CarShield: Most Affordable
CarShield is one of the most popular extended warranty providers in the industry. The company says it has sold more than one million contracts since its founding in 2005. CarShield offers six types of coverage, including plans dedicated to specialty vehicles. Plans are available for purchase in every state except California.
CarShield has average customer reviews. The company holds a 4.0-star rating out of 5.0 on Trustpilot but holds a 1.45-star rating on the BBB website. CarShield has closed over 2,100 complaints in the past three years, but this is only a small fraction of the company’s clientele.
Find out more about the warranty provider in our CarShield review.
|
Most Affordable
|
Well-known provider that offers great coverage with great pricing |
FAQ: CARCHEX Reviews
We rounded up the most commonly asked questions about CARCHEX warranties.
What types of cars does CARCHEX cover?
As an extended warranty broker, CARCHEX can offer plans from several warranty providers. This arguably gives CARCHEX the best chance of finding a protection plan that works for your vehicle. Many makes, models, and ages of cars can be protected by an extended warranty, including:
Kia
Audi
Ford
BMW
Volvo
Lexus
Dodge
Toyota
Honda
Nissan
Chrysler
Hyundai
Chevrolet
Volkswagen
Is CARCHEX legitimate?
Yes, CARCHEX is a well-regarded extended auto warranty provider. CARCHEX reviews show positive customer satisfaction ratings, and the company is also backed by several industry experts (including CARFAX, Kelley Blue Book, and Edmunds.com).
Is CARCHEX the same as CarShield?
While both companies work in the aftermarket auto industry, CARCHEX and CarShield are separate businesses.
Are CARCHEX protection plans insured?
Yes, CARCHEX Extended Vehicle Protection Plans are backed by an insurance company, so you can feel confident in your extended warranty.
Who has the best extended warranty?
Our research team has found that independent warranty providers such as Endurance, CARCHEX, CarShield, and Protect My Car can be good choices due to their coverage levels and reputations for service. Ultimately, the best extended warranty company depends on the needs and budget of the vehicle owner.
How do you cancel a CARCHEX warranty?
To cancel a CARCHEX warranty, you must get in touch with CARCHEX customer service and submit an official cancellation form. If you choose to cancel your policy within 30 days, you can get a full refund. After 30 days, you can usually get a prorated amount back on your warranty.
What is the CARCHEX claims number?
If you need to file a claim, the CARCHEX claims phone number is 877-227-2439 (877-CARCHEX). You can call this number 24/7 to file a claim or speak with customer service.
Original article: CARCHEX: Reviews, Costs, & Coverage (2021)
from Automoblog https://ift.tt/2XihAH7
No comments:
Post a Comment