5 Most Reputable Extended Car Warranty Companies

To learn more about our editorial integrity policy and how we make money through affiliate partnerships, read our full disclosure here.

Reputable extended car warranty companies can sometimes seem hard to find. Certain extended warranty providers have confusing contracts and questionable claims policies, but the majority actually have strong reputations.

To help you avoid potential scams, we’ve reviewed the best extended car warranty companies by analyzing price, industry reputation, customer service, and coverage plan options. This article takes a closer look at five of the most reputable extended car warranty companies in the business.

Extended warranty providers that refuse to pay out claims and those that nickel-and-dime customers can be a nightmare. You don’t want to pay for extended warranty coverage only to be consistently faced with a stressful claims process.

Straightforward Warranty Contracts

One of the best ways to find reputable extended car warranty companies is by looking at sample contracts, which transparent companies nearly always provide online.

If a contract is too confusing and has pages of fine print, that’s a bad sign. We found that the average contract length is just under 20 pages. Most contracts detail exactly what’s covered, list out exclusions, and state the exact terms of coverage.

Above-Average Customer Reviews

Another way to find reputable extended car warranty companies is by checking a company’s reputation through customer reviews. Two good websites to start with are the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot.

Look for reviews by customers who had their claims denied. Carefully read to see why the customer’s claim was denied and determine whether this was fair. A denied claim may be the result of a mistake, but reputable extended car warranty companies work to resolve the matter.

Strong Company Reputations

Age isn’t everything, but it certainly helps to know the provider you are doing business with has experience in the industry. Check out a company’s history to find out how long it has been in business. Then, look for industry endorsements and accolades.

A reputable extended car warranty company may receive awards, be supported by legitimate spokespeople, or receive endorsements from auto industry leaders such as the Kelley Blue Book.

Well-Defined Warranty Processes

Reputable extended car warranty companies often pay repair facilities directly, making for a hassle-free claims process. Others provide 30-day money-back guarantees and benefits such as 24/7 roadside assistance and rental car reimbursements along with their vehicle service contracts.

Expect your warranty options to offer similar perks as part of your coverage. That way, you'll be able to pick a legitimate provider that cares strongly about customer service.

Motorists typically find competitive rates and quality customer service when they pick any of the options above. We recommend comparing quotes from each of these providers in order to find the best extended car warranty for your price range and coverage needs.

What Are the Most Popular Extended Warranty Companies?

While popularity doesn't necessarily mean that an extended car warranty company is legitimate, it's a good sign that customers trust it. We ran a 2021 auto warranty survey on 1,000 drivers to learn about reputable extended car warranty companies that are popular. Below are the findings of our study:

Customer Rating: 3.7 stars out of 5.0 on Google

Availability: All 50 states

CARCHEX is a no-brainer for the most reputable extended car warranty companies. In business since 1999, CARCHEX has a strong industry reputation and holds endorsements from the Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, and CARFAX.

CARCHEX is transparent about its warranty contracts, offers a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee during the waiting period, and has a fast and simple quotes process. We believe CARCHEX provides drivers with peace of mind and is the Best for Used Cars among the warranty companies we’ve researched.

Read more: CARCHEX review

CARCHEX Warranty Costs

Drivers rarely face issues getting affordable prices from CARCHEX, and the company offers five coverage levels that can fit nearly anyone's budgetary needs. The company's customer service commitment means that motorists can often work with CARCHEX to discover which option is right for them.

Below are some extended warranty quotes we received after reaching out to CARCHEX:

Customer Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5.0 on Trustpilot

Availability: Every state but California

With six levels of coverage, an Endurance extended vehicle warranty can be found for nearly any driver's needs. Endurance coverage comes with perks such as tire repair and replacement, roadside assistance, towing help, trip interruption coverage, rental car reimbursement, and key fob replacement.

Our analysis found that Endurance prices typically sit right around the industry average. Customer satisfaction is generally on the higher end and salespeople aren't known to be pushy or rude. Taken together, these factors make it clear why Endurance is considered a reputable extended car warranty company.

Read more: Endurance warranty review

Endurance Warranty Costs

Endurance plans are often cheaper than the competition, but they also have relatively brief warranty terms. You'll want to carefully consider the rate you're being quoted to ensure that it offers a strong price point per month. Below are the rates we were offered for an Endurance extended auto warranty.

The price of warranty plans from Endurance was cheaper, but that got somewhat outweighed by its relatively short coverage terms. Compare rates from various reputable extended car warranty companies to make sure you don't overpay for your extended warranty.

Endurance Coverage Plans

There are plenty of coverage plans available through Endurance, including ones specifically tailored for high-mileage cars and drivers who don't want to worry about maintenance needs.

You'll struggle to find coverage from any provider if Endurance doesn't cover your needs. The company has one of the most comprehensive sets of plans on the extended warranty market.

Endurance Elite Benefits

Endurance is also unique in that it administers all of its extended car maintenance plans directly, making it a direct provider. Drivers receive one free year of Endurance Elite Benefits when they sign up for a plan from the company, meaning that you’ll gain access to:

Customer Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5.0 on Trustpilot

Availability: All states but Alaska, California, Hawaii, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Washington

Not only is Protect My Car one of the most reputable extended car warranty companies, but it also offers some of the best long-term coverage options. Protect My Car prices are pretty standard, but the company provides some of the lowest available monthly payment plans.

Protect My Car reviews are overwhelmingly positive. The company has only needed to close 190 complaints with the BBB in the past three years, which isn’t many for an extended warranty provider. Responses to complaints are fast, and many customers seem satisfied with the resolutions.

Read more: Protect My Car review

Protect My Car Warranty Costs

Protect My Car isn't the cheapest extended warranty company on the market, but its rates aren't exorbitantly high. Many motorists feel that the company's rates are balanced out by its strong customer service and long-term payment options.

Below are some rates for an extended car warranty from Protect My Car:

You probably won't find cheap coverage from Protect My Car, but the company is known for its long-term payment options. These help to lower the overall cost of a PMC warranty by stretching auto protection out over the long term.

Protect My Car Coverage Plans

There aren't many offerings from Protect My Car, but they'll still take care of most drivers' desires. One standout feature of the company is the Ambassador Maintenance Plan, which helps to take care of vehicles over 13 years old.

Customer Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5.0 on the BBB

Availability: All states, but only mechanical breakdown insurance in California

It’s easy to include autopom! among the most reputable extended car warranty companies. The company holds an A+ rating with the BBB and receives a rating of 4.6 stars on the site.

While autopom! doesn't cover all luxury vehicles, it does offer high-value exclusionary contracts. Exclusionary contracts provide the most expansive coverage, as they'll take care of everything except for parts that are explicitly listed. With such contracts, it’s easy to know exactly what's covered.

Read more: autopom! review

autopom! Warranty Costs

You'll typically find affordable prices when you opt for an autopom! extended warranty. Combined with the provider's rock-solid customer service standards, it's hard to beat the value found in autopom! coverage.

Below are some autopom! quotes we received upon reaching out for vehicle protection plans.

Customer Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5.0 on Trustpilot

Availability: All states, but only mechanical breakdown insurance in California

ForeverCar has the highest Trustpilot rating of the most reputable extended car warranty companies. Though it hasn't been in business as long as many other providers, ForeverCar has made a name for itself as a top-tier warranty choice.

The company makes a serious effort to resolve customer complaints. Only 1 percent of Trustpilot reviews are "Bad", and ForeverCar responds to nearly every issue raised by drivers. ForeverCar is also known for its knowledgeable staff and simple claims process.

Read more: ForeverCar review

ForeverCar Warranty Costs

It's not often that ForeverCar has the best prices for an extended auto warranty on the market. However, its rates are still competitive and come with an excellent reputation for customer service. ForeverCar's rates for an extended warranty can be found in the table below.

The three-year offerings from ForeverCar are some of the shortest available, leading to lower prices. However, the company still doesn't usually offer the greatest value among auto warranty providers.

Rates are pretty low for ForeverCar coverage, but you'll only receive three years of vehicle protection. That's among the shortest lengths offered by any reputable extended car warranty companies.

ForeverCar Coverage Plans

ForeverCar covers the basics with its coverage plans, but it doesn't have particularly many extras. If you're looking for specialized coverage, there may be better options out there than ForeverCar.

Remember that the exact cost of your extended warranty will depend on the extent of your coverage and your car's make and model. Those who are receiving quotes much higher than $3,200 should consider getting quotes from other providers to make sure that they're receiving fair rates for coverage.

Extended Car Warranty Cost Breakdown

Below, we've added the specific cost data from our 2021 extended auto warranty survey. Keep in mind that certain vehicles and coverage plans may have prices look a bit different from what's listed below.

A vehicle service contract from a reputable extended car warranty company is a great way to add peace of mind on the road. Instead of worrying about unexpected and costly mechanical breakdowns that could occur at any time, motorists gain the assurance that most potential damages will be covered without issue.

Does an Extended Warranty Cover Repairs?

Most drivers who pick up an extended car warranty take advantage of its services, according to data from our 2021 auto warranty survey. Below are the results when we asked motorists whether they've had car repair costs covered by their extended warranty provider.

Keep in mind that an extended warranty does not cover vehicle repairs needed after collisions, environmental damages, theft, and vandalism. These may receive protection from your car insurance provider, though.

How Do I Cancel an Extended Car Warranty?

Generally, drivers need to send a letter to their extended warranty provider or administrator to cancel a vehicle service contract. A small fee may be associated with the cancellation process, though not every extended car warranty company requires drivers to pay.

Motorists often receive a prorated refund when they cancel coverage early. Reputable extended car warranty companies typically offer a 30-day money-back guarantee to drivers who decide within the first month that they don't want a vehicle protection plan.

We'd recommend first looking at CARCHEX, Endurance, Protect My Car, autopom!, and ForeverCar if you're on the hunt for a reputable extended car warranty. All of these providers offer stellar coverage at rates that most drivers can afford.

Those who'd rather consider a broad range of options should make sure to only consider companies with clear vehicle service contracts, a plethora of positive customer reviews, and easy-to-understand warranty processes.

Remember that the easiest way to find reputable extended car warranty companies is by comparing free quotes from various well-regarded providers to discover your cheapest rate. Then, you'll avoid overpaying for coverage that can keep your car safe for years to come.

Q & A

Who has the best extended car warranty for 2022?

The best extended car warranty companies vary by the needs of different car owners. Some of the most reputable extended car warranty companies are CARCHEX, Endurance, autopom!, Protect My Car, and ForeverCar.

Is CarShield a good extended warranty program?

We didn’t include CarShield as a top provider due to the company’s F rating from the BBB, but that doesn’t mean it should be discounted. CarShield offers comprehensive coverage plans at exceptional rates, and it also covers motorcycles and ATVs.

What is a good price for an extended car warranty?

A good price for an extended car warranty depends on your vehicle and the terms of your warranty contract. The average price range for an extended warranty is between about $600 and $1,000 per year. However, your price could be higher or lower depending on your coverage term and financing period.

Can you buy an extended warranty after a purchase?

If you’re looking for an extended warranty from your car’s manufacturer, you must buy it before the end of your new vehicle limited warranty. Third-party providers, on the other hand, let drivers purchase coverage at nearly any point.