National Vehicle Protection Services Review
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When it comes time to extend your vehicle’s warranty coverage, there is a sea of service providers from which to choose. National Vehicle Protection Services (NVPS) is one of many extended service contract providers.
The best extended auto warranty companies provide peace of mind and reasonable financing. The worst companies use high-pressure sales tactics to bully consumers into bad deals. This article will see where National Vehicle Protection Services falls by providing transparent information. We’ll look at coverage options, cost, the claims process, and customer reviews to determine an overall provider score and recommendation.
In addition to reading our review, be sure to seek out quotes for yourself. A number of elements can influence the final price of a car warranty, including your location and vehicle mileage. The prices we discuss can give you an indication of cost, but you won’t know your own options unless you seek them out yourself. The buttons above can help you get started.
Pros | Direct payments to repair facilities and roadside assistance benefits. |
Cons | Poor customer service, difficult quotes process, and questionable business practices. |
Bottom Line | National Warranty Services offers three extended auto warranty plans, but we recommend purchasing coverage from a more credible provider. |
Table of contents
- National Vehicle Protection Services Review: 1.8 Stars
- What is National Vehicle Protection Services?
- What Does National Vehicle Protection Services Cover?
- National Vehicle Protection Services Cost
- Quotes and Claims Processes
- National Vehicle Protection Services Ratings and Reviews
- Top Recommendations for Extended Car Warranties
- Methodology
National Vehicle Protection Services Review: 1.8 Stars
We do not recommend National Vehicle Protection Services when it comes to covering your vehicle. There are a slew of better alternatives, from extended manufacturer warranties to more reputable third-party providers.
When you purchase an extended warranty, you want to know that your car is protected by an honest company that will stand by its service agreement. National Vehicle Protection Services has a pattern of misleading sales practices and, in our experience, rude customer service representatives. An easy quotes process should be the bare minimum for any extended warranty provider, and the fact that this company makes it so hard to get a quote is a major red flag.
What is National Vehicle Protection Services?
Overall Rating |
1.8 |
|---|---|
Reputation |
1.4 |
Coverage |
2.3 |
Price |
3.5 |
Transparency |
1.0 |
Customer Service |
1.0 |
National Vehicle Protection Services is an extended auto warranty provider that has been in business for 12 years and operates out of Missouri. Despite being around for some time, it is not as well-known as younger competitors—likely for a reason.
The company has a history of poor customer reviews and lackluster claims servicing. While it offers competitive pricing, there is little else to recommend National Vehicle Protection Services for.
What Does National Vehicle Protection Services Cover?
Core |
Comprehensive |
Complete |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Engine |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Transmission |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Water Pump |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Differential |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Turbo/Supercharger |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Air Conditioning |
✓* |
✓ |
✓ |
Starter |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Alternator |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Water Pump |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Brake System |
✓* |
✓* |
|
Fuel System |
✓* |
✓* |
|
Power Windows and Seats |
✓* |
✓* |
|
Navigation System |
✓* |
✓* |
|
Back-Up Camera |
✓* |
✓* |
|
Factory-Installed Radio |
✓* |
||
Anti-Theft Systems |
✓* |
||
Heated Seats |
✓* |
||
Emissions System |
✓* |
||
Exclusionary |
✓* |
*Available as additional coverage.
The longest available term is 7 years or 100,000 miles. All policies are transferable and include a $100 deductible.
Customers are responsible for regular maintenance. This includes things like oil changes, tire rotations, and manufacturer-recommended inspections.
Additional perks of getting coverage through National Vehicle Protection Services include:
- Courtesy towing
- Rental car reimbursement
- Roadside assistance
National Vehicle Protection Services Cost
The final cost of a vehicle service contract is variable. Prices depend on your location, vehicle model, and mileage. High-mileage vehicles are more expensive to cover and not always eligible for a bumper-to-bumper extended warranty.
National Vehicle Protection Services does not list prices on its website, but we were able to find several reviews on the company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile, in which customers reported paying between $3,200 and $4,000 for coverage. Assuming these reports were for full-coverage contracts between four and five years (which is the industry standard), this is an average price for the industry.
Quotes and Claims Processes
This is abnormal. In our experience, most extended warranty providers have fast and easy quotes processes. Even less-reputable providers make an effort when it comes to sales.
Claims
For those with a National Vehicle Protection Services contract, claims are handled by the company’s claims department. When your vehicle is in need of a repair, you can bring it to any repair shop that’s been certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®). Give your policy information to the shop, and it will contact NVPS to handle the rest. After repairs are made, NVPS pays mechanics directly, and all you’ll need to cover is your deductible.
National Vehicle Protection Services Ratings and Reviews
- Misleading and high-pressure sales or advertising practices
- Difficulty cancelling contracts
- Rude/intimidating customer service
- Harassing phone calls
In a number of instances, consumers claimed that National Vehicle Protection Services sent out misleading mailers that appeared to fraudulently claim affiliation with their dealership or manufacturer. The company also seems to have been targeting the elderly. More than one customer complained that an elderly parent was duped into signing up for a contract.
National Vehicle Protection Services has replied to the BBB alert and claims to be working to address these complaints. It created a compliance department in 2019 to address customer concerns, but this appears to have done little to reduce the complaints.
Top Recommendations for Extended Car Warranties
While we don’t recommend National Vehicle Protection Services, there are other top-notch extended auto warranty providers out there. If you’ve decided that a vehicle service contract is the best way to manage your car’s repair costs, consider checking out some of our top recommended providers.
As with any expensive purchase, you should get multiple quotes specific to your vehicle and compare pricing among providers.
Endurance: Best Coverage
If you're looking for a reputable car warranty company backed by over 15 years of industry experience, Endurance is the right provider for you.
Endurance offers a total of six levels of coverage. The first five are extended warranties with varying levels of coverage to protect against mechanical breakdowns. The last Endurance plan, EnduranceAdvantage™, is a combination between an extended auto warranty and a maintenance contract.
Warranty plans come with 1-year free of Endurance Elite Benefits including roadside assistance, total loss protection, collision discount, key fob replacement, tire repair or replacement, and access to the Endurance mobile app.
To learn if Endurance is the best fit for your needs, use our tool below to get a free quote.
Our rating: 4.6 out of 5.0
Endurance is our pick for best coverage with its comprehensive warranty options.
CarShield: Best Value
There are six different service contracts that can be purchased through CarShield. The longest contracts extend for up to 300,000 miles of coverage. In our in-depth CarShield review, we asked CarShield for quotes on a 2013 Dodge Caravan with 88,000 miles and were offered the following terms for a powertrain warranty:
Plan |
Term Length |
Financing |
Down Payment |
Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Gold |
4 years/48,000 miles |
$78/month for 18 months |
$250 |
$ 100 |
Among our top recommended providers, CarShield offers some of the lowest prices for coverage. For this reason, we named CarShield the Best Value option in 2021.
While CarShield has received a few negative customer reviews, many of which mention a lag in claims servicing, the majority of customers report satisfaction. The company has a “Great” rating on Trustpilot based on over 23,000 reviews.
Learn more about coverage from CarShield by getting a free, personalized quote.
Our rating: 4.2 out of 5.0
Our research found this provider to be the most affordable. Plus, it offers monthly plans.
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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