CornerStone United Extended Auto Warranty Review

Stephen Kenney
by Stephen Kenney

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Extended warranty contracts rarely cover high-mileage, modified, or recreational vehicles. CornerStone United aims to fill that service gap. It has been supplying warranty contracts since 1973 across the US and Canada.


While CornerStone United may be one of your only options for RV and lifted vehicle protection plans, is the coverage worth the premium? The best extended car warranty companies provide peace of mind by offering a hassle-free claims process and extensive coverage.


This article will provide a closer look at CornerStone United reviews, costs, coverage, and more to help you determine if the provider is right for your needs. In addition to reading our review, we recommend comparing free quotes from our top-rated service providers by clicking above. This way, you can make sure you’re getting the best price for coverage.

Pros

CornerStone United has many extended coverage options, including those for vehicles with lifts and RVs.

Cons

Customer reviews are mixed.

Bottom Line

CornerStone United may be a great choice if you have a non-standard vehicle that needs coverage.

CornerStone United Review: 3.5 Stars

CornerStone United provides auto warranty coverage for vehicles that may not find coverage anywhere else. While some providers offer coverage for high-mileage vehicles, few also include options for vehicles with lifts or RVs. If this applies to you, CornerStone may be one of your only choices.


Based on customer reviews and the prices we were able to gather, CornerStone has competitive rates and average service. Not everyone has been pleased with their CornerStone United coverage, but the company appears to do a solid job paying out claims. Many customers whose claims were denied did not seem to have fully understood their vehicle service contracts.


CornerStone United certainly does not have the kind of negative reputation that we see with other extended warranty providers. It seems like a safe bet for your vehicle. However, there are other reputable companies out there. If you are insuring a standard vehicle that is not especially old, you should look at all of your options before making a final decision. It’s likely you’ll find better coverage elsewhere.

CornerStone United Highlights

Overall Rating

3.5

Reputation

3.7

Coverage

4.2

Price

3.6

Transparency

3.0

Customer Service

3.0

CornerStone United, based in Hickory, North Carolina, has a wide range of coverage options and add-ons available for drivers across the US and Canada. The mission statement for the company is to specifically provide coverage for vehicles that aren’t covered anywhere else. As such, the list of excluded vehicles is a lot shorter than you will find with other companies.


All warranty programs are insured by companies with an AM Best financial strength rating of A- or better. This means that CornerStone administrators and insurers should have no issue paying out claims. All coverage plans are sold through agents, dealers, manufacturers, distributors, or auctioneers, so you can’t purchase a policy from CornerStone United directly.

CornerStone United Extended Auto Warranty Coverage

CornerStone United will cover new and used cars up to 19 years old and up to 200,000 miles. For new vehicles, a CornerStone United extended warranty lasts up to 8 years/150,000 miles. Used vehicles can get coverage with CornerStone for up to 5 years/75,000 miles.


There are four types of extended warranties available through the company’s CornerStone Auto program: Ultimate, Select, Basic, and Powertrain. The coverage provided by each plan is outlined in the chart below.

Powertrain

Basic

Select

Ultimate

Engine

Turbo /Supercharger

Transmission

Transfer Unit

Drive Axle

Steering

Electrical Components

Suspension

Brakes

Air Conditioning

Cooling System

Fuel Gauge Sending Unit

MAP Sensor

Four-Wheel Steering

Anti-Lock Brakes

Fuel Delivery System

Glove Box Door and Hinge

Fuel Sensor

GPS System

Exclusionary

While coverage terms can be lengthy, you can also purchase short-term contracts through CornerStone United for terms as low as 3 months/3,000 miles.


Common extended warranty coverage exclusions include:

  • Maintenance items
  • Exhaust system
  • Clutches
  • Tires/wheels
  • Batteries

Additional Coverage with CornerStone

CornerStone United also sells Ultimate Wrap and Ultimate Certified Wrap packages. These types of coverage are intended to supplement manufacturer powertrain warranties. They include coverage for all components besides those that are part of the powertrain.


Many manufacturer warranties come with separate bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties. The powertrain coverage will usually last a couple of years longer than the bumper-to-bumper warranty. This is where a “wrap” package could be useful. It will effectively replace the bumper-to-bumper coverage.


In addition to the four main plans outlined in the chart above, there are a host of other coverage options offered by CornerStone United:

  • Luxury electronics: Covers GPS, phone, entertainment, and internet access systems and is automatically included with the Ultimate plan
  • Snowplow coverage: Adds coverage for vehicles with snowplow attachments
  • Lifted/lowered suspension or oversized tires coverage: For vehicles with modified suspensions or oversized tires
  • Consequential: Covers a non-covered part if it is damaged due to the failure of a covered part, and vice versa
  • Rental expense upgrade: Increases rental benefit to $60 for every 8 hours of labor time, up to a maximum of $360
  • Mobility equipment coverage: For vehicles with chair lift motors, hydraulic ramp controls, or similar lift accessories
  • Commercial use coverage: Required if you intend to use your covered vehicle for commercial purposes

You can also purchase tire and wheel protection from CornerStone United in three different packages:

  • Basic: Repair or replacement for tire if damaged by a road hazard
  • Select: Repair or replacement for tires and wheels if damaged by a road hazard
  • Ultimate: Expands coverage to include curb damage and cosmetic repairs

Benefits

Additional benefits that are included with every extended car warranty plan include:

  • Rental car reimbursement: Covers rental cars up to $200 per service, with $200 additional in the case of major covered component failures
  • Trip interruption benefits: Reimbursement up to $200 for travel and lodging expenses if you break down more than 100 miles from home
  • Roadside assistance: $100 per occurrence for towing, flat tire service, fuel delivery, lock-out service, and battery service

CornerStone United Cost

CornerStone United is slightly better than average when it comes to cost. An extended auto warranty from this provider will likely cost between $1,700 and $1,900, according to reviewers. There are four deductible options for CornerStone United warranty plans: $0, $50, $100, and $200.


Remember, CornerStone plans are sold through manufacturers, agents, and dealerships. There is no way for you to get a free quote online. The final cost of your contract will likely depend on your location, vehicle make, model, mileage, and the terms of your coverage.


Although we couldn’t get a quote for a CornerStone extended warranty, we found several customer reviews through the Better Business Bureau (BBB) that detailed costs for automobiles and recreational camping vehicles.

Vehicle

CornerStone United Plan

Coverage Term

Cost

2005

Dodge Ram Diesel 2500

Not specified

3 years/100,000 miles

$1,895

2007

Ford Edge

Not specified

Not specified

$1,728

2014 Blue Ridge Camper

Ultimate

7 years

$2,786

RV

Not specified

7 years

$2,000

Assuming that the Dodge Ram is covered by the lowest level of coverage offered by CornerStone (Powertrain), $1,895 is a competitive price. Similar contracts from other providers run between $1,000 and $2,000 for three years of coverage.

All CornerStone extended warranties include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Quotes and Claims Processes

A CornerStone United contract must be purchased through a manufacturer, agent, or dealership. To find an agent near you, reach out to CornerStone online or by calling 877-667-1762. When you call an agent for a quote, be prepared with your vehicle year, make, model, and mileage, as well as your vehicle identification number (VIN).


Once you have a CornerStone plan and wish to file a claim, you can head to any repair shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®). Give your policy information to the mechanic, and they will contact CornerStone. If your claim is approved, CornerStone will pay the mechanic directly, and you will pay only your deductible.

CornerStone United Reviews and Ratings

CornerStone United has an A+ rating from the BBB. The customer review score is about average at 3.0 out of 5.0 stars, but this is based on very few reviews.


Customer complaints against CornerStone are typical for an extended warranty company. Some vehicle owners complain about a lack of coverage or claims denial, but others report positive experiences. Here are two examples:

“We got the repair without prior authorization… [CornerStone] denied it, stating that we did not get prior authorization. I wrote a letter stating the circumstances [and] asked that they escalate the claim and reconsider since it was the dealer who failed to get the authorization. They were awesome and accepted the claim and reimbursed me for my out-of-pocket cost minus the deductible.” - Shannon and Joe L. via BBB
“I bought the top-of-the-line warranty. Every claim I have made was denied or reduced.”- Chad W. via BBB

Top Recommendations for Extended Car Warranties

Even if you think CornerStone United sounds like the right provider for your needs, you should take the time to compare quotes from a few other choices.


When we reviewed the most popular extended warranty companies in the industry, Endurance was one of the providers that came out on top for having excellent coverage, reasonable prices, and quality customer service. Here’s why we like them.

Endurance: Best Coverage

Endurance is a well-regarded provider. It is backed by an AM Best A-rated insurance company and was a 2020 Inc. 5000 honoree. Endurance is our highest-rated provider with 4.6 out of 5.0 stars because it offers the best quality of coverage.


With an Endurance auto warranty, you have access to six vehicle service contracts that range from basic powertrain protection to bumper-to-bumper exclusionary contracts. Here’s a look at the quotes we received from Endurance when we reached out for coverage for a 2017 Ford Explorer with 45,000 miles:

Endurance Plan

Term Length

Financing

Down Payment

Deductible

Supreme

3 years/80,000 miles

$166.88/month for 18 months

$178.10

$100.00

Secure

3 years/36,000 miles

$156.28/month for 18 months

$168.05

$100.00

In addition to great coverage and prices, Endurance has some of the most comprehensive customer benefits. When you purchase a plan, you receive one year free of Endurance Elite Benefits that includes benefits like two free tire repairs or replacements, key fob replacement, and total loss protection.


To find out how much you would pay for an Endurance extended warranty, get a free quote for your vehicle below.



Our rating: 4.6 out of 5.0

Endurance is our pick for best coverage with its comprehensive warranty options.

Get Quote

(888) 650-5952

Methodology

Our review team prides itself on sharing accurate and unbiased information with consumers. We have accumulated data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate our rankings of the industry’s best providers. Companies receive a score out of 5.0 overall, as well as a rating in each of the following categories:
  • 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
Stephen Kenney

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.

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