CARCHEX: Reviews, Costs, and Coverage Plans (2024)

We give CARCHEX 4.4 out of 5.0 stars and name it as Best for Used Cars. The company has a wide range of coverage plans, relatively low costs, and all standard extended warranty benefits. CARCHEX is also one of the most popular extended auto warranty providers in the US and receives hundreds of positive customer reviews on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

In this article, we'll carefully examine CARCHEX reviews along with the company's average costs and coverage plans. While CARCHEX ranks among the best extended car warranty providers, its contracts aren't ideal for everyone.

We give CARCHEX an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5.0 stars. With its numerous awards, notable partnerships, A+ rating from the BBB, and accreditation, CARCHEX is among the most reputable extended auto warranty providers.

On top of that, CARCHEX is available in all 50 states and offers five different vehicle service contracts. We name CARCHEX as Best for Used Cars and believe it's an outstanding choice for an extended auto warranty.

CARCHEX Company Overview:

• Founded: 1999
• Headquarters: Baltimore, Maryland
• Availability: All 50 states

CARCHEX is one of the industry's longest-running extended warranty companies, having been founded in 1999. CARCHEX reviews show that drivers appreciate the company's wide-ranging coverage options, generally strong customer service, and affordable pricing.

CARCHEX holds partnerships with CARFAX, Kelley Blue Book, RepairPal, and Edmunds.com. The company earns an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB and administers its contracts through companies like American Auto Shield, Royal Administration Services, and Assurant Solutions.

CARCHEX car warranties vary in cost due to factors that include your vehicle's make, model, and mileage. Our team reached out for instant quotes on a 2017 Ford Explorer with 45,000 miles on the odometer to compare costs.

When we inquired about the top-tier Titanium plan, CARCHEX quoted us $175 per month for 18 months, coming out to a total of $3,150. For Powertrain Plus coverage, we received an offer of $144 per month for 18 months, equaling out to $2,592.

Both of these CARCHEX plans came with a $100 deductible and required a one-month down payment. Below are more details about the warranty quotes we received:

The rates CARCHEX quoted us were comparable to what we received from Endurance and CarShield for the same vehicle and coverage level.

How Much Do Extended Warranties Cost?

Our research team looked at the average cost of extended auto warranties from multiple providers in a 2021 survey. Below are our findings on the average price of an extended car warranty:

Note that CARCHEX won't provide coverage for nonstandard vehicles like motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Also remember that no extended warranty will quite match your new vehicle limited warranty, though CARCHEX reviews say that the company's best plans come close.

You can view sample contracts on the CARCHEX website, where every covered component is listed. With any vehicle service contract, you must maintain your car according to its factory warranty service schedule to keep warranty coverage valid. This means that if you neglect to regularly change your oil, your vehicle service contract may be invalidated.

Titanium Coverage

Titanium coverage is the most comprehensive offering from CARCHEX and is relatively similar to a bumper-to-bumper warranty. Those looking for almost complete car protection should check out the Titanium plan from CARCHEX.

Below, you'll find some important details about Titanium coverage:

CARCHEX reviews routinely mention the broad scope of Titanium coverage as its main upside. There's very little that won't be covered by this plan, making it a great option to reduce stress and find peace of mind while on the road.

Platinum Coverage

Drivers who choose Platinum coverage receive nearly the same protection as with Titanium, though certain high-tech components are excluded. This option is a solid choice for those who want to save money while still getting access to a wide-ranging extended auto warranty.

Some specifics about the CARCHEX Platinum plan can be found below:

Choosing Platinum coverage, according to CARCHEX reviews, is one way to combine outstanding protection with somewhat reduced extended warranty costs.

Powertrain Plus Coverage

CARCHEX Powertrain Plus coverage is an extended car warranty plan that typically comes with reasonable prices. It's definitely not for those who want complete protection for their vehicles, but its intent lies elsewhere.

Choose Powertrain Plus coverage if the aspects below seem to fit your needs:

While Powertrain Plus coverage is pretty affordable, you'll lose protection for parts such as your steering system and brakes. Pick this option if you're looking to save money and don't need the entire car to be covered under warranty.

Powertrain Coverage

Powertrain coverage is a basic powertrain warranty offered by CARCHEX. While the priciest parts of your vehicle like its engine, transmission, and drive axle will be covered, there's little protection for other car components such as the alternator and brakes.

Below is a breakdown of what you can expect from the Powertrain plan:

CARCHEX reviews mention that this coverage option is extremely limited in scope. That's fine if you're looking for trimmed-down coverage, but know beforehand that you won't be getting broad protection for your vehicle.

Extra Care Coverage

Very few extended warranty providers offer a similar plan to CARCHEX Extra Care. That's because this warranty protects nearly all car parts other than powertrain components like the engine, transmission, and drive axle.

Here's a breakdown of what you'll get with the Extra Care plan:

CARCHEX vehicle service contracts promise to pay for certain auto repairs after unexpected mechanical breakdowns. It's important to know that coverage only applies for repairs caused by normal use. Virtually all extended warranty contracts work this way, so don't expect any warranty provider to cover wear and tear.

Do Extended Warranties Actually Cover Repairs?

There are a few exclusions from CARCHEX extended warranties, but that rarely stops drivers from having their mechanical breakdowns covered. Below is data from 1,000 customers on whether car repairs were fully covered by their extended warranty provider:

As with most extended car warranty companies and dealerships, CARCHEX reviews are quite mixed. The company holds a 2.5-star rating out of 5.0 from over 1,500 Trustpilot customer reviews, but the BBB gives CARCHEX an A+ rating and accreditation. It's hard to deny that CARCHEX is a reputable extended car warranty company, however, considering its many endorsements from leaders across the automotive industry.

Positive CARCHEX Reviews

Upbeat CARCHEX reviews mention excellent experiences during the warranty purchase and claims processes.

"I had heard horror stories of trying to utilize warranties when needed, but this was far beyond my greatest expectations. ... The turnaround was so quick. I will definitely be considering a CARCHEX warranty with the next used car I get."

- Andrew R. via BBB

"[The CARCHEX salesperson] gave me some really good advice on buying a car and the pitfalls. He actively dissuaded me from the warranty and the approach I was thinking about. ... He puts the customer first, not selling a product that might do half of what I wanted."

- Mick O. via BBB

Negative CARCHEX Reviews

It's important to note how customers feel about their extended warranty provider once they've filed a claim. While some CARCHEX reviews highlight an easy claims process, that isn't true of every driver. Others may have misread their contracts, leading them to disappointment in the parts covered by CARCHEX.

"I had a $100 deductible on my CARCHEX contract. Had a breakdown, the repair was $4,500. They denied my claim. After six weeks of fighting with them, they paid a portion of it. I had to pay over $2,600."

- Robert U. via BBB

"I would not call it an extended warranty, and the notion of a vehicle service program is overstated. Their calculation [for] average repair rate does not even come close to any certified repair shop."

- Moe A. via BBB

CARCHEX Cancellation

Your warranty contract will explain exactly how to cancel CARCHEX. Usually, drivers must reach out to their warranty administrator in writing to cancel coverage, and then they'll receive a prorated refund minus a cancellation fee.

CARCHEX Money-Back Guarantee

All CARCHEX plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Customers will receive a full refund if they cancel during the waiting period or a prorated refund when canceling after 30 days, as long as no claims have been submitted.

It's pretty easy to get a quote from or file a claim with CARCHEX, though these processes can be a bit confusing to first-timers. We'll run through how both of these processes work below.

CARCHEX Quotes

The process for getting quotes from CARCHEX is extremely straightforward. When we reached out for quotes, it took under a minute for a CARCHEX customer service representative to pick up the phone. While on the line, we received an offer from CARCHEX in under six minutes.

You'll find plenty of CARCHEX reviews from drivers who appreciate the company's instant quote feature. If you'd prefer to explore your coverage options that way, you'll find a simple process on the CARCHEX website.

CARCHEX Claims

The claims process used by CARCHEX is standard for the extended warranty industry. Below are the steps needed to submit a claim for your aftermarket warranty from CARCHEX:

Once you've paid your deductible, the rest of the car repair will be covered by CARCHEX. The company pays repair shops directly, so you won't be charged for the repair upfront or have to wait for reimbursements.

CARCHEX reviews are all across the board when it comes to claims processing. Some people note long wait times, while others praise the speed of service. The speed of claims processing may depend on your contract administrator.

CARCHEX Claims Contact Information

If you have a general question about the CARCHEX claims process, reach out to the company at 888-973-0758. However, you should direct specific claims requests to your warranty administrator. Check your contract to find out which company administers your extended car warranty.

Based on these numbers, it's clear that most drivers consider their extended warranty to be worthwhile. CARCHEX reviews back these findings up, as most motorists seem to view the provider in a positive light.

Will I Use an Extended Car Warranty?

Yes, the majority of motorists do end up using their extended auto warranty at least one time. Below is data from a 2021 survey of extended warranty owners on how often they reached out due to an unexpected mechanical breakdown:

It's common for vehicles to start facing major issues as they get older. According to CARCHEX reviews, an extended warranty can help drivers to resolve challenges in a simple and relatively cost-effective manner.

How Much Do Extended Warranties Cost?

Most drivers thought their extended warranty was worth the cost, as seen by the 41 percent who were satisfied with their coverage. A similar number, 45 percent, paid between $1,500 and $2,500 for their extended service plan.

Even if you believe CARCHEX is the right extended auto warranty provider for you, it's always worth getting free, no-obligation quotes from more than one company to compare pricing and coverage options. You can also get a feel for different providers' customer service standards.

Here are two other top extended car warranty companies to consider contacting for a free quote.

Endurance: Best Coverage

Our review team gives Endurance 4.6 stars out of 5.0 and names it the Best Coverage provider. This is due to perks such as 24/7 roadside assistance, tire repairs and replacements, and collision repair discounts that are free and standard for one year on any Endurance warranty.

Endurance has six coverage options, with one being EnduranceAdvantage™. This offering lets drivers combine a thorough extended warranty with normally excluded maintenance costs such as for oil changes and brake pad replacements.

Read more: Endurance warranty review

For comparison: Endurance vs. CARCHEX

CarShield: Best Monthly Payment Plans

CarShield offers some of the industry's lowest average monthly costs, leading to a 4.5-star rating. From powertrain coverage up to an exclusionary plan, nearly all motorists will get a good deal according to CarShield reviews.

CarShield has sold over 1 million extended car warranties since 2005 and has coverage plans that go up to 300,000 miles on the odometer. The company says its administrators have paid over $1 billion in claims payouts to customers.

Read more: CarShield review

For comparison: CarShield vs. Endurance

Q & A

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about CARCHEX reviews:

What does CARCHEX cover?

CARCHEX coverage depends on your chosen extended warranty. For example, the Titanium plan is similar to a new car's bumper-to-bumper or manufacturer's warranty in that it covers almost every vehicle component. Powertrain coverage, on the other hand, only offers extended vehicle protection for essential components like the engine and transmission.

Is CARCHEX legitimate?

CARCHEX reviews show that it's a legitimate extended car warranty provider. The company holds accreditation and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). CARCHEX also partners with industry leaders such as Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, and CARFAX.

How much is CARCHEX per month?

The monthly price of a CARCHEX warranty depends on several factors including your vehicle's age, mileage, and model. The best way to find out your potential price is to get a free quote for a CARCHEX extended warranty.

Is CARCHEX the same as CarShield?

While CARCHEX and CarShield are both extended warranty providers that can offer peace of mind when it comes to auto repairs, they're separately owned companies.

What is the CARCHEX claims number?

Your CARCHEX claims phone number depends on the company that administers your extended warranty plan. Visit the CARCHEX website or the chart above to determine which claims number to call.

Who owns CARCHEX?

CARCHEX is owned by Jason Goldsmith, an entrepreneur based in Baltimore. He purchased CARCHEX in 2003 and has been the company's CEO ever since.

Does CARCHEX have a waiting period?

Yes, CARCHEX has a 30-day waiting period. This allows the company to make sure that it's not offering protection for an especially problematic vehicle.