Is a Carvana Extended Warranty Worth Buying?
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Carvana is an online used car retailer that allows customers to buy, sell, finance, or trade vehicles from the comfort of home. All Carvana cars come with a dealer warranty, but you can also purchase a Carvana extended warranty to protect your vehicle after your limited coverage expires.
This article will provide an overview of the Carvana extended warranty, called CarvanaCareTM, to help you decide whether it offers the best coverage for your vehicle. It’s important to note that Carvana extended warranty coverage must be purchased during the company’s 7-Day Money Back Guarantee period. If you’re no longer eligible for CarvanaCare, you can still protect your car with a third-party vehicle service contract.
When considering third-party extended coverage, it’s always smart to shop around and get quotes from multiple providers. We have reviewed the best extended auto warranty providers in the industry, and in this article, we’ll compare the Carvana extended warranty with some of its top-rated competitors.
To start getting quotes from the most reputable third-party extended warranty providers in the market, use the tool above.
Table of contents
- Carvana Extended Warranty Highlights
- What Does a Carvana Extended Warranty Cover?
- How Much Does a Carvana Extended Warranty Cost?
- Carvana Extended Warranty Quotes and Claims
- Carvana Extended Warranty Ratings and Reviews
- Final Thoughts: Carvana Extended Warranty
- Top Recommendations for an Extended Car Warranty
- Methodology
- Q & A
Carvana Extended Warranty Highlights
Carvana is an innovator in the car sales industry, but how does it rank among car warranty providers? Read on to find out more about Carvana’s two types of vehicle protection plans: CarvanaCare and Carvana Gap Coverage.
What Does a Carvana Extended Warranty Cover?
- Engine
- Transmission
- Transfer case
- Fuel system
- Air conditioning
- Steering
- Ignition
- Suspension
- Electrical
- Front- and rear-wheel drive
- Cooling system
- Emissions
- Exhaust
- Electric and hybrid parts
The Carvana extended warranty also covers miscellaneous items such as hinges, latches, locks, sensors, and springs, which aren’t always covered under manufacturer or third-party vehicle service contracts.
Carvana extended warranty term limits vary depending on the model and age of the vehicle you purchase. Some luxury models are not covered, but most Carvana cars may be eligible for the following coverage terms:
- 5 years/100,000 miles
- 4 years/90,000 miles
- 3 years/90,000 miles
- 2 years/60,000 miles
Deductibles may also vary based on your vehicle, but the highest deductible for a Carvana extended warranty is only $50.
Carvana Gap Coverage
Gap coverage from Carvana covers the difference between what insurance covers and what you still owe when your vehicle is deemed a total loss after a collision or theft. For example, if you owe $15,000 on your vehicle when your car is totaled, insurance could pay out $12,000 and gap coverage would add $3,000.
Additional Benefits of a Carvana Extended Warranty
The Carvana extended warranty comes with standard benefits including:
- Roadside assistance
- Courtesy towing
- Jump-start services
- Flat tire assistance
- Lockout assistance
- Emergency fuel delivery
When you purchase used vehicles from Carvana, you’ll receive any coverage remaining on the vehicle’s factory warranty. Manufacturer’s warranty terms vary widely, with Ford and Toyota plans looking quite different. Be sure to research the trade-in you’re looking at purchasing to find out what factory coverage it comes with.
Carvana Worry Free Guarantee
Carvana vehicles also come with a dealership limited warranty called the “Worry Free Guarantee,” which covers your car for 100 days or 4,189 miles, whichever comes first. This will give you enough time to have your vehicle inspected at a repair facility, and if any fixes are needed, Carvana will foot the bill minus a $50 deductible.
Carvana’s Worry Free Guarantee is an exclusionary contract that covers all major vehicle systems and components. Parts that won’t be covered under the Worry Free Guarantee include wear-and-tear items, routine maintenance, aftermarket accessories, and cosmetic damage. These exclusions are standard among almost all limited vehicle warranties.
The Worry Free Guarantee also comes with benefits including towing and rental car reimbursements.
How Much Does a Carvana Extended Warranty Cost?
Typically, the annual cost of an extended warranty can fall anywhere between $300 and $1,600, depending on your vehicle’s model, age, and mileage, the provider you choose, the length and level of coverage you select, and your plan’s deductible.
These fees are often broken down into monthly payments, but sometimes they must be paid in a lump sum. The cost of a Carvana extended warranty will likely be rolled into your vehicle’s financing, which means you may end up paying interest on it.
If you’re not satisfied with your Carvana extended warranty coverage, you can cancel CarvanaCare at any time and receive a prorated refund.
Carvana Extended Warranty Quotes and Claims
Carvana extended warranty claims are outsourced to the third-party warranty service SilverRock. SilverRock has a Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating of a B, which is average. Overall, there are some better repair providers out there and the best extended car warranty companies handle claims in-house.
Carvana Extended Warranty Ratings and Reviews
A mix of positive and negative customer reviews is to be expected for any extended service plan provider. Many of Carvana’s negative reviews involve issues with cars being delivered with damages.
Final Thoughts: Carvana Extended Warranty
Carvana’s car vending machines and online shopping model may be leading the industry in innovation, but CarvanaCare coverage and perks seem fairly standard. Without detailed plan information or pricing, it’s difficult to say whether a Carvana extended warranty is worth it. If you’re a prospective Carvana buyer, it may be a good idea to ask a sales representative about CarvanaCare. But if you’re an existing Carvana driver, you’ve probably missed your window to opt for coverage.
In either case, we recommend looking into a third-party extended warranty provider that may be able to offer the same or better coverage with more transparency when it comes to coverage details and costs.
You can start getting quotes from our top recommended third-party providers below.
Top Recommendations for an Extended Car Warranty
Endurance: Best Coverage
Endurance is our highest-rated provider with an overall 4.6 out of 5.0-star rating. It’s a good bet that Endurance will give you strong coverage for the price. An Endurance extended car warranty comes in six tiers:
Supreme |
Exclusionary, bumper-to-bumper coverage |
Superior |
Most component coverage |
Secure Plus |
Shortest waiting period |
Select Premier |
Best for high-mileage vehicles |
Secure |
Most affordable |
EnduranceAdvantage â„¢ |
Includes maintenance needs |
One major perk to getting an Endurance car warranty is that your first year of the Endurance Elite Benefits is free. This rewards program comes with:
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- Key fob replacement
- Total loss protection
- Up to two tire repairs or replacements per year
- Collision discount
- Endurance mobile app
To see how much you would pay for an Endurance auto warranty, get a free quote for your vehicle.
CARCHEX: Best For Used Cars
A CARCHEX extended car warranty can protect your vehicle for up to 10 years or 250,000 miles, making it a great choice for older or high-mileage vehicles. CARCHEX coverage comes in five levels:
Titanium |
Bumper-to-bumper coverage for maximum breakdown protection |
Platinum |
Hundreds of listed components are covered |
Gold |
Coverage for cars over 60,000 miles |
Silver |
Powertrain plus coverage |
Bronze |
Basic coverage for major car systems, the engine, and transmission |
Just a few of the benefits of getting a CARCHEX extended auto warranty include:
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- Towing
- Rental car reimbursement
- Gas delivery
- Trip interruption services
Learn more about CARCHEX by getting a free, no-hassle quote below.
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.
Q & A
Should I buy a Carvana extended warranty?
An extended car warranty can be a good option for those looking to avoid unexpected repair costs or hoping to gain some peace of mind on the road. Carvana extended warranty options are worth a look, though Endurance and CARCHEX warranties may offer similar benefits for less money.
What does a Carvana extended warranty cover?
A Carvana extended warranty, known as CarvanaCare, covers hundreds of car parts ranging from your car’s engine and transmission down to its hybrid and electrical systems.
Can you get a warranty with Carvana?
As long as you buy a car from the company, you can get a Carvana extended warranty. Warranty plans can only be added at the time of the vehicle purchase, though.
Is a Carvana extended warranty any good?
The Carvana extended warranty covers a fair number of car parts and components, but it is hard to recommend the plan due to its vague pricing structure. Clearer cost breakdowns can be found from third-party providers like Endurance and CARCHEX.
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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