CarShield Vs. CARCHEX: Which is Best?
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CARCHEX has one of the best reputations from experts in the extended auto warranty industry, but CarShield is more popular among customers. We think that both are among the best extended car warranty companies, but how does CarShield vs. CARCHEX compare?
This review will break down each company by coverage, cost, and customer service reputation. If you are considering an extended car warranty, the first step is to compare quotes.
Table of contents
CarShield vs. CARCHEX Overview
CarShield |
CARCHEX |
|
|---|---|---|
Overall Rating |
4.2 |
4.4 |
Reputation |
3.7 |
5.0 |
Coverage |
4.6 |
4.6 |
Price |
4.5 |
4.3 |
Transparency |
5.0 |
5.0 |
Customer Service |
3.6 |
3.2 |
CarShield: Best Value
CarShield is available in every state except California. It has been in business for 16 years and is the most popular vehicle service contract provider in the industry for its low rates and extensive coverage plans.
CARCHEX: Best For Used Cars
CARCHEX extended warranties are sold in every state, including California. The company has been in business for 22 years and has partnerships with experts including RepairPal, Edmunds.com, CARFAX, and Kelley Blue Book. It is known for its excellent service.
CarShield vs. CARCHEX: Coverage
CarShield Extended Warranty Plans
- Diamond: CarShield’s bumper-to-bumper warranty is similar to a manufacturer’s new car warranty and provides the most comprehensive coverage.
- Platinum: This plan covers your vehicle’s engine, transmission, air conditioning, electrical system, starter, water pump, fuel pump, and more.
- Gold: The Gold plan covers most major and minor vehicle parts, including the engine, transmission, water pump, alternator, starter, air conditioning, and power windows.
- Silver: This powertrain warranty covers all lubricated engine parts, the transmission, and water pump.
- Aluminum: Carshield’s speciality Aluminum plan includes coverage for most electrical and computer components.
- Motorcycle and ATV: CarShield also sells various levels of protection for motorcycles and ATVs.
CARCHEX Extended Warranty Plans
- Titanium: The highest level of CARCHEX coverage, the Titanium plan is an exclusionary warranty, similar to a bumper-to-bumper warranty. Exclusions include upholstery, seat belts, batteries, glass, catalytic converters, body seals and gaskets, and tires.
- Platinum: The Platinum plan covers a number of major systems and components, including the engine, transmission, electrical systems, steering, and more.
- Gold: One step below the Platinum plan, this mid-level coverage protects similar components with the exception of the fuel delivery system and audio center.
- Silver: The Silver plan covers powertrain components as well as the air conditioning, electrical system, fuel system, and seals and gaskets related to covered parts.
- Bronze: A basic powertrain warranty, this plan covers the engine, transmission, cooling system, transfer unit, and drive axle.
CarShield vs. CARCHEX: Exclusionary Warranty Coverage
Component |
CarShield Diamond Plan |
CARCHEX Titanium Plan |
|---|---|---|
Engine |
✓ |
✓ |
Drive axle |
✓ |
✓ |
Air conditioning |
✓ |
✓ |
Electrical components |
✓ |
✓ |
Suspension |
✓ |
✓ |
Transmission |
✓ |
✓ |
Transfer case |
✓ |
✓ |
Turbo/supercharger |
✓ |
✓ |
Steering |
✓ |
✓ |
Rearview camera |
✓ |
|
Tires |
✓* |
*Only original vehicle manufacturer equipped tires or replacement tires of the same size and type are covered.
When trying to choose between CarShield vs. CARCHEX, you will see that the CARCHEX Titanium coverage is slightly more comprehensive. However, CARCHEX doesn’t have a specialty electronics plan like CarShield does.
Comparing Benefits and Add-Ons
In addition to the coverage listed above, both CarShield and CARCHEX offer additional benefits when you purchase an extended auto warranty.
Benefit |
CarShield |
CARCHEX |
|---|---|---|
24/7 roadside assistance |
✓ |
✓ |
Tire service |
✓ |
✓ |
Battery service |
✓ |
✓ |
Towing service |
$75 reimbursement |
$100 reimbursement |
Lockout service |
✓ |
✓ |
Trip interruption |
✓ |
✓ |
Rental car |
Up to $40/day and up to $160 per occurrence |
U p to $30/day for 5 days |
The perks are comparable between both companies, with CARCHEX offering a slightly better towing reimbursement and slightly worse rental car reimbursement.
CarShield vs. CARCHEX: Cost
CarShield and CARCHEX both offer competitive rates, but if you’re trying to decide between CarShield vs. CARCHEX, you will probably find a better price with CarShield. We contacted both warranty companies for quotes for the same vehicles, and CarShield had lower plan costs overall.
Here are the quotes we received for a 2017 Ford Explorer with 45,000 miles and a 2012 Honda Civic with 88,000 miles:
Exclusionary Warranty Cost
Vehicle |
Coverage Term |
Monthly Payment |
Down Payment |
Deductible |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CarShield |
2017 Ford Explorer |
Unlimited |
$129.99 |
$129.99 |
$100.00 |
CARCHEX |
2017 Ford Explorer |
5 years/100,000 miles |
$202.89 for 18 months |
First payment |
$100.00 |
Powertrain Warranty Cost
Vehicle |
Coverage Term |
Monthly Payment |
Down Payment |
Deductible |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CarShield |
2012 Honda Civic |
Unlimited |
$129.99 |
First payment |
$100.00 |
CARCHEX |
2012 Honda Civic |
5 years/150,00 miles |
$190.00 for 18 months |
First payment |
$100.00 |
CarShield offers lower initial monthly payments. However, because CarShield monthly payments continue for the duration of your contract, the long-term cost for a CarShield contract can be higher depending on how long you plan on keeping your extended warranty.
A full-coverage CarShield Diamond extended warranty becomes more expensive after 28 months, and that expense gap widens by $129.99 each additional month. This is an important consideration when comparing CarShield vs. CARCHEX.
Keep in mind though that CarShield does offer plans with specified term limits. It just so happens that we were offered unlimited plans on both of the vehicle quotes listed above. Previously, we also asked CarShield for a Gold plan quote for a 2013 Dodge Caravan with 88,000 miles. We were offered a monthly payment of about $78 for 18 months for a four-year contract. This was significantly cheaper than many competitor plans.
Prices for extended warranties can vary based on your vehicle, mileage, and city. These are the quotes provided for particular cars, and your own quotes from CarShield and CARCHEX may differ.
CarShield vs. CARCHEX: Customer Service
BBB Score |
BBB Customer Rating |
Trustpilot Score |
|
|---|---|---|---|
CarShield |
F |
1.44 |
4.0 |
CARCHEX |
A+ |
2.11 |
3.2 |
CARCHEX has a better industry standing overall. The difference is most dramatically highlighted by each company’s BBB score. While CarShield does have a low BBB score, this score may not necessarily be indicative of the customer service quality of the company.
Keep in mind that while there may be a high volume of complaints, CarShield services an extremely large number of service contracts. Take time to analyze the reviews for yourself before making a final decision.
Final Thoughts on CarShield and CARCHEX
CarShield and CARCHEX are two of the best extended warranty companies in the industry. Each is a well-rounded choice, but we think CarShield especially excels in price and CARCHEX excels in service.
We recommend getting quotes from both providers so you can compare CarShield vs. CARCHEX coverage for yourself.
Other Top Recommendations for Extended Car Warranties
There is no one best car warranty company for everyone. Anytime you shop for extended protection, we recommend getting quotes from a few different providers. Here is our other top choice: Endurance.
Endurance: Best Coverage
When we reviewed the most popular extended warranty companies nationwide, Endurance had the highest overall score. We like Endurance because it provides some of the best coverage. We also found in our Endurance warranty review that the company has a strong customer service reputation, with a 3.34-star customer rating on the BBB and a 4.4-star Trustpilot score.
See how Endurance compares to CARCHEX in our Endurance vs. CARCHEX review. To find out how much you would pay for an Endurance extended warranty, get a free quote for your vehicle.
Our rating: 4.6 out of 5.0
Endurance is our pick for best coverage with its comprehensive warranty options.
Methodology
- Price: Comparing providers can be difficult due to the many factors that influence cost. To determine this score, we employ a secret shopper analysis using different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations.
- Coverage: A wide variety of coverage is essential to support the differing needs of customers. We take into account the number of extended car warranty plans available, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
- Customer Service: The level of customer service and care provided by an extended warranty company is an important consideration. Our review team sifts through customer reviews and complaints from reputable sources such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. We also consider the responsiveness of each company’s customer service team based on our secret shopper analysis.
- Reputation: Good extended warranty providers consistently provide quality experiences. Our team takes into account BBB ratings and the company’s history of reliable service when giving this score.
- Transparency: Customers value a commitment to open and honest communication when it comes to vehicle service contracts. Our team of experts takes into account the availability of money-back guarantees and sample contracts.
Stephen Kenney is a writer and editor who focuses on car insurance, auto financing, and vehicle shipping services. He's a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and has experience covering categories ranging from travel to sports to environmental sustainability. In his free time, Stephen enjoys going on long-distance runs, trying out new recipes, and exploring his adopted hometown of Cincinnati.
More by Stephen Kenney
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