Is an EasyCare Warranty Worth It? (Guide)
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If you’re worried about a mechanical breakdown after your factory warranty has expired, an EasyCare warranty could be your key to peace of mind on the road. But is it worth the investment?
In this review, we’ll dive into the cost, coverage, and customer service provided by EasyCare warranty services and discover how EasyCare measures up against the industry’s best extended car warranty companies. To get the mechanical breakdown protection you need at a fair price, we recommend comparing quotes from top providers.
Table of contents
EasyCare Warranty Review: 3.9 Stars
An EasyCare warranty is not a bad option for drivers looking for extended vehicle protection. EasyCare offers comprehensive coverage at a great price, and the company’s A- BBB rating shows that it's generally a trustworthy warranty provider.
However, you may be able to find more flexibility and better benefits if you purchase an extended warranty independent of a dealership. It's also possible that you'll find better customer service with another provider.
EasyCare Warranty Overview
Overall Rating |
3.9 |
|---|---|
Reputation |
3.8 |
Coverage |
4.2 |
Price |
4.5 |
Transparency |
3.6 |
Customer Service |
3.5 |
The Automobile Protection Corporation (APCO) has been underwriting EasyCare vehicle protection contracts since the early ’90s. With a long, positive industry reputation and multiple vehicle protection products, EasyCare is a decent extended car warranty provider. Motorists can purchase EasyCare warranty coverage directly from their car’s selling dealership.
How Much Does an EasyCare Warranty Cost?
Vehicle |
EasyCare Warranty Plan |
EasyCare Warranty Term Length |
EasyCare Warranty Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
2019 Honda Fit EX |
TotalCare |
10 years/120,000 miles |
$2,000 with a $100 deductible |
2014 Lexus IS 250 (certified pre-owned) |
TotalCare |
10 years/120,000 miles |
$1,500 |
2015 Kia Soul+ |
TotalCare |
Unknown |
$3,730 |
2011 Jetta SE PZEV (certified pre-owned) |
TotalCare |
5 years/100,000 miles |
$1,200 |
In our 2021 extended car warranty survey which polled 1,000 consumers, 45 percent of respondents said they paid between $1,500 and $2,500 for their extended car warranty. With an EasyCare warranty, you may end up paying more long-term since you are purchasing from a dealership. You may have to roll the cost of your extended warranty into your vehicle's financing, which means you'll be paying interest on it.
If you buy coverage from a warranty company separate from the dealership, you'll be able to make payments in interest-free monthly installments or pay the full price upfront.
What Does an EasyCare Warranty Cover?
There are four levels of EasyCare warranty coverage: TotalCare, StatedCare, PrimaryCare, and PowerCare. Depending on the plan you choose, an EasyCare warranty can cover most components from bumper to bumper or just the powertrain.
Here’s a breakdown of the components that each EasyCare warranty covers:
PowerCare |
PrimaryCare |
StatedCare |
TotalCare |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Engine |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Transmission |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Transfer Case |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Front and Rear Drive Axle |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Seals and Gaskets |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Fluids |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Fuel System |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Cooling System |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Heating and Air Conditioning |
✓* |
✓* |
✓ |
|
Braking System |
✓* |
✓* |
✓ |
|
Front and Rear Suspension |
✓* |
✓ |
||
Steering |
✓* |
✓ |
||
Electrical System |
✓* |
✓ |
||
High-Tech Components |
✓* |
✓ |
*System is partially covered.
TotalCare vs. Other EasyCare PlansOne thing that sets the TotalCare warranty apart from the other three EasyCare warranty plans is that it includes coverage for hybrid vehicles along with other items such as:
- Door handles
- Trunk shocks
- Glove box latch
- Locking cylinders
- Seat tracks
- Door strikers and latches
- Hood and trunk latches
- Hood springs
- Locking hub assembly
- Air pump
- Exhaust gas recirculation (ERG) valves
If you're looking for comprehensive coverage on your vehicle, be sure to consider the TotalCare coverage plan. It's the most extensive EasyCare warranty available, though it will also cost the most.
EasyCare Warranty Benefits
- Rental car reimbursement: Get reimbursed up to $30 per day for six days, or upgrade your rental car reimbursement to get $50 per day for six days.
- Towing: Get reimbursed up to $65 per towing occurrence if you choose to tow your vehicle to a licensed repair facility or $100 per occurrence if you have your car towed to a dealership.
- Trip interruption coverage: Get reimbursed up to $100 per day for a maximum of $300 if your car breaks down more than 50 miles away from your home.
- Emergency roadside assistance: Get assistance with services including flat-tire changes, fuel deliveries, lockouts, and battery jump-starts.
All EasyCare warranty contracts are transferable, which could increase the resale value of your car if you choose to sell it.
Optional EasyCare Warranty Add-Ons
EasyCare warranty has impressive additional coverage options you can choose to add on to your vehicle service contract. These include:
- Tire and wheel road hazard protection: Covers tire repairs or replacements if they’re damaged by a road hazard
- Guaranteed asset protection (GAP): Helps you pay the remaining balance on your loan after your insurance payout if your vehicle is deemed a total loss
- Rideshare coverage: Covers your vehicle if you use it commercially to drive for Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare service
- Select Bundle: Can include benefits like windshield repair, paint scratch repair, cosmetic wheel repair, road hazard tire and wheel repair, roadside assistance, and key replacements
- SelectCare: Provides protection for everyday wear parts that are not typically covered with an extended car warranty, like brake pads and batteries
- Paintless dent repair: Covers small dents or dings in your vehicle’s painted sheet metal
- KeyCare: Provides 24/7 lockout assistance, recovery, identity theft protection, and covered transportation
- Scheduled maintenance: Covers your vehicle’s recommended scheduled maintenance
- Appearance protection: Provides a variety of coverage for interior and exterior treated services
- Theft protection: Reimburses you for costs you may incur after your car is stolen, such as insurance policy deductibles
While you'll have to pay for these extra coverages, it's nice that those with an EasyCare warranty have the option to fully protect their car with the benefits above.
How Does an EasyCare Warranty Work?
To file an EasyCare warranty claim after a mechanical breakdown has occurred, follow these steps:
- Call the roadside assistance number on your contract to get a tow if needed. Or, if possible, drive your car to your selling dealer’s service department. If you’re traveling when you break down, you can take your car to any licensed repair facility.
- Ask the repair shop to call EasyCare and have your claim approved before beginning repairs.
- Pay your deductible to the repair shop, and EasyCare will cover the rest of your covered repair costs.
EasyCare’s claims department is open from Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm EST and Saturday from 9:00 am to noon.
How Do You Cancel an EasyCare Warranty?
To cancel EasyCare warranty coverage, call the dealership that sold you the contract. You'll most likely need to go to the EasyCare website, print off a cancellation form, and send it to the dealership. If your contract was financed with the purchase of your vehicle, any refund will be sent to your lienholder.
EasyCare Warranty Reviews
EasyCare holds an A- rating by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and receives a lowly average customer score of 1.2 stars out of 5.0. Positive reviews on the BBB website detail satisfaction with luxury vehicle protection, the ease of getting prior approval for claims, and EasyCare’s professional and courteous staff.
Negative EasyCare warranty reviews express dissatisfaction with GAP coverage, slow GAP claims servicing, and trouble with claims being denied for parts that customers thought would be covered. Based on EasyCare warranty reviews, those looking for high-quality vehicle protection might want to look elsewhere for an extended warranty plan.
Other Top Extended Car Warranty Companies
An EasyCare warranty may be a good fit for your coverage needs and budget, but it’s always smart to get quotes from multiple providers to make sure you’re getting the best possible bang for your buck.
Our research team has looked into every major extended warranty company and evaluated their plans, pricing, benefits, customer experiences, and industry reputation. Based on our research, we recommend customers looking for reputable extended car warranty companies check out Endurance and CarShield.
Endurance: Best Coverage
Endurance is our highest-rated extended car warranty provider overall. Endurance offers customers six coverage options including two levels of powertrain warranties, comprehensive stated-component coverage, exclusionary bumper-to-bumper protection, and even a specialty plan for high-mileage vehicles.
All Endurance auto warranties come with a free year of Endurance Elite Benefits, which gives drivers access to the following:
- Roadside assistance
- Key fob replacements
- Total loss protection
- Tire repairs and replacements
- Collision discount
- Endurance mobile app
Read more in our complete Endurance warranty review.
CarShield: Best Value
EasyCare warranty prices are impressive, but if you’re looking for similarly budget-friendly coverage independent of a dealership, check out CarShield. CarShield offers customers five automotive coverage options ranging from a basic powertrain plan to a full bumper-to-bumper warranty. It’s also our only top-rated provider that has a plan for motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.
Benefits that come with all CarShield extended warranties include rental car reimbursement, towing services, and 24/7 roadside assistance.
Learn more about this provider in our comprehensive CarShield review.
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
Who owns EasyCare warranty?
EasyCare is owned by the Automobile Protection Corporation (APCO). The company has been in business for over 35 years and sells and administers a wide range of automotive aftermarket products.
How long do I have to cancel an extended warranty?
Most third-party warranty companies give you an initial 30 days to cancel your extended warranty. After that time passes, you'll likely be given a prorated refund for the amount of time your vehicle was not covered.
Is an EasyCare warranty transferable?
Yes, all EasyCare warranty plans are transferable if you decide to sell your car. Having an extended warranty on your vehicle may increase its overall resale value.
How much will I get back if I cancel my extended warranty?
If you cancel within the first 30 days, you'll likely receive the full amount that you paid. If you wait longer than the initial 30 days, you will receive a prorated refund.
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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They put their customers thru hell, pure hell