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CARCHEX Review

Sunday, November 3rd

2024 Auto Warranty Plan Reviews

Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award CARCHEX Review 5 Star Rating

CARCHEX

5 Star Rating
  • Prices available through quotes
  • Five plans to choose from
  • Use coverage with any certified mechanic
  • Includes roadside assistance
  • Extras include rental car coverage
  • 30-day money back guarantee
  • No-haggle guarantee
  • "A+” rating and accreditation from the BBB
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

CARCHEX stands out as one of the most comprehensive providers of automotive protection. Their range of services includes vehicle warranties, inspections, auto insurance, auto finance, and roadside assistance, offering you a one-stop shop for all your auto needs.

Prominently recognized

Recognized and endorsed by prominent national media outlets such as ABC, Fox News, CBS, NBC, and PBS, CARCHEX is established as a trusted industry expert in consumer automotive protection. Their unwavering commitment to "Customer Experience Above All" is exemplified by their friendly and efficient support and high levels of customer satisfaction. A particularly impressive facet of their service is the accessibility to the CEO, Jason Goldsmith, via email, which demonstrates a proactive and personalized approach not commonly found in the industry.

Get a quote right away

To get started at CARCHEX you just need to follow the basic quote process. CARCHEX begins by requesting essential vehicle information as well as your details to get you a quote. A distinctive feature is CARCHEX's proactive approach. The company's customer service calls you right away to discuss plan options. If you do not receive a call, you have the convenience of reaching out to them via phone or engaging in a live chat. The CARCHEX website is easy to browse, so you can quickly find what you need and check out the company's plans before asking for a quote.

Best Auto Warranty Plans

5 plans from partial to almost complete coverage

CARCHEX distinguishes itself with a selection of five comprehensive coverage plans so you can tailor exactly how much coverage you want. Further, you can choose to get your warranty on a term-based timeline or on a monthly payment plan depending on what kind of commitment you're looking for. Unfortunately, CARCHEX doesn't provide price estimates of any kind before getting a quote, so it's not clear how much you might expect to pay with this company. Here's an overview of the auto warranty plans offered here:

  • Titanium Coverage: Renowned as the highest level of coverage, often referred to as "bumper-to-bumper." It's easier to list what the company doesn't cover than to list what it does:
    • Paint, carpeting, or upholstery
    • The frame of your vehicle
    • Manual or hydraulic clutch assembly
    • Body panels and components
    • Light bulbs
    • Keyless entry electronics
    • Spark plugs
    • Shocks and struts
  • Platinum Coverage: Offers the highest level of stated-component coverage, encompassing all major vehicle systems. This covers:
    • Engine for gas and diesel
    • Transmission/transaxle
    • Cooling system
    • Transfer unit
    • Drive axle
    • Electrical
    • Steering
    • Air conditioning
    • Suspension
    • Brakes
    • Electronic high-tech
    • Fuel system
    • Turbocharger/supercharger
    • Audio center
    • Emissions
  • Powertrain Plus: Made for essential coverage of the major systems in your car. These include:
    • Engine for gas and diesel
    • Transmission/transaxle
    • Cooling system
    • Transfer unit
    • Drive axle
    • Electrical
    • Air conditioning
    • Fuel system
  • Powertrain Coverage: This coverage is built to protect you from essential and expensive issues common with your primary systems. It includes:
    • Engine for gas and diesel
    • Transmission/transaxle
    • Cooling system
    • Transfer unit
    • Drive axle
    • Turbocharger/supercharger
  • Extra Care Coverage: Designed to safeguard against the most common and costly vehicle repairs, primarily targeting the engine and transmission.
    • Cooling system
    • Electrical
    • Steering
    • Air conditioning
    • Suspension
    • Brakes
    • Electronic high-tech

Get your vehicle repaired at any certified mechanic

A notable feature of CARCHEX's coverage plans is that they extend access to any licensed repair facility in the United States. This means you can choose from a wide array of repair options, including national chains like Pep Boys, Goodyear, Firestone, and even authorized dealerships. During the claim process, your chosen mechanic will conduct a diagnosis of the vehicle before doing the repairs. This will be sent to CARCHEX's claims department for approval to streamline the process; you don't have to worry about any of it. Then, your mechanic will start repairs and payment will be handled by CARCHEX. Plus, all plans from CARCHEX include roadside assistance and rental car costs.

Best Auto Warranty Plans

No-haggle guarantee and 30-day money back

One standout aspect of CARCHEX's offerings is the company's "no haggle" low-price guarantee. This provides you with confidence that the offer you get during the quote process is the actual amount you'll pay if you decide to work with CARCHEX. CARCHEX extends a 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can change your mind if you need to with no worry about losing money in the process.

Top scores for customer service

CARCHEX's exceptional service is underscored by an "A+” rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. Positive feedback from numerous satisfied customers further attests to their excellence in the field. For example, at one site, CARCHEX holds an impressive 4.3-star rating out of 5, and this is with over 4,000 different reviews to back up the rating. In general, customers said that the customer service at CARCHEX is top-notch. Review after review praises team members and their attention to detail. Customers often felt that CARCHEX representatives were excellent at explaining both sign-up and claims and never felt confused about either process. There are also a host of reviews talking about the simplicity of claims and the support from CARCHEX making the process much more customer-friendly.

This top-tier one-stop shop takes first place

With an impressive array of auto warranty plans, competitive pricing, and a user-friendly one-stop shop designed for quick solutions, CARCHEX stands out as a top-tier choice for auto warranties. With both a no-haggle and money-back guarantee, you can see that the company stands behind its services. Plus, you can trust that their pricing is transparent, which is super helpful in a quote-based industry. Whether you need coverage for just a few areas of your vehicle or the whole thing, you can find a plan that fits you for a term of several years or an ongoing monthly payment. For these reasons, CARCHEX stands out as our top pick.

Where is the Best Place to Get an Auto Warranty Today?

When you become the proud owner of a brand new car, you're often presented with the opportunity to add a warranty to your purchase to help protect your new daily driver. While purchasing a separate warranty is typically optional, it can be a worthwhile investment. Warranties provide a kind of shield to protect you from paying tons of money for an unforeseen problem with your vehicle down the road.

While dealerships often offer warranties on new cars, you might find yourself missing that same security on used models or something you've bought directly from a seller. In that case you might want an auto warranty which is essentially an insurance policy for your vehicle's operating systems.

The Best Auto Warranty Plans Compare Auto Warranty Plans Compare Auto Warranty Plan Reviews What are the best Auto Warranty Plans Best Auto Warranty Plan Reviews

Auto Warranty Plan FAQ

There are lots of companies offering warranty coverage for your car. They work very similarly to health insurance: you'll pay more for higher coverage, some things are covered and some aren't, and your policy will have a time limit. You can shop around for auto warranty plans just like insurance, too: you don't have to go with the plans offered at the dealership.
That depends on your car and your coverage. On a new vehicle, you might pay $25/month for bumper-to-bumper coverage, but an older vehicle's premium could be three times that. You can usually pay in full or monthly, with no difference in total cost.
The cost of your auto warranty will never be cheaper than when your car is new. But, you'll want to read the terms of your plan very carefully. While warranty plans at the dealership usually start from the time the manufacturer's warranty runs out, third-party plans often start from the date you purchase them. That could mean you're paying twice for the same coverage.
Probably. Each provider sets the limit for coverage, but there are options for cars with up to 150,000 miles! Most auto warranty plans are available for cars that are 20 years old or newer.
YES! The most important part of choosing an auto warranty plan is knowing what's covered and what isn't! Even comprehensive plans don't cover items with normal wear-and-tear, like brake pads and tires. The most user-friendly plans usually give you a list of what isn't covered - and if it's not on that list, it's covered!
Sometimes, but it's usually limited to the first 30 days after the purchase date. Again, be sure to read the terms of your auto warranty plan very carefully, to avoid any unpleasant surprises when you go to use your policy for the first time.
Almost all plans let you use the mechanic of your choice. Some providers will reduce your deductible if you go to one of their network partners.
Despite all of the annoying spam phone calls you've gotten, desperately trying to contact you about the expiring warranty on your car, auto warranty plans are a real thing. And, when you choose a plan from a reputable provider, you can save thousands of dollars on car repairs.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

You might be asking, how can an auto warranty help me? Does it make that much of a difference? Imagine this: you're cruising down the highway, windows down, enjoying the breeze through your hair, when suddenly, your engine sputters to a halt, or the electrical system goes haywire, or your steering locks up. What seemed like a normal daily drive is now a massive problem.

Aside from your personal safety, your second-most concern will be the looming costs of repairing whatever just went wrong. It's a horrible feeling, we know. Regardless of whether your vehicle is fresh off the assembly line or a seasoned classic with 100,000+ miles on it, mechanical problems or accidents can happen any time.

That's where auto warranties come in. Basically an auto safety net, these warranties allow you to pay a pre-determined and relatively modest fee, either in monthly installments or a lump sum, and offer you assurance that if one of the problems in the scenario above were to occur to you, you'll be protected from most (if not all) of the financial burden.

Auto warranties encompass a broad spectrum of potential malfunctions, including but not limited to those concerning the transmission (ouch!), engine, powertrain, heating/cooling systems, and various other vital components of your vehicle. Repairing (and/or replacing) any of these items can be extremely expensive, not to mention the frustration and anxiety that come when you have to deal with auto repairs.

For example, replacing a transmission costs thousands of dollars just for the parts. Then you need to worry about the mechanic's fees, which usually cos t at least as much as the parts. An auto warranty can make the difference between breaking the bank (or even looking for a new car), and keeping your trusty vehicle in top condition.

But with so many options out there it can be hard to know what auto warranty plans might work best for you. Don't worry, as your friendly (online) neighborhood car enthusiasts, we've checked out the best options for you. Here are a few factors that might help you make your decision:

  • Price. The cost of an auto warranty plan is a huge part of making your decision. Make sure you check out and compare the pricing structures of multiple warranty plans. Is the plan's cost justifiable, especially if you're hoping not to need it for years to come? Make sure you get the maximum value for your money, and that the pricing schedule (one-time payment vs. monthly payments) is something you're comfortable committing to.
  • Coverage. The type of coverage can also help you make your decision. Which components and potential issues are covered by the warranties? Is there a particular part of your vehicle you want covered? What is the coverage timeline? The last thing you want is to encounter a common problem with your car only to discover that it falls outside of the warranty you've been paying for.
  • Reputation. Don't forget to evaluate a warranty provider's reputation. How seamless and supportive is the process for submitting a claim when the need arises? Can you rely on the warranty provider to stand behind you when you need their help? Checking out the company's reputation and reviews from past customers can give you a clear idea on who to trust to protect you and your vehicle.

To help you find the best warranty plan for your specific needs, Top Consumer Reviews reviewed and ranked the best auto warranty options online today. We want you to feel confident in the safety of your vehicle and know that should the need arise; your auto warranty will protect you and your car. We hope this helps take the stress out of auto ownership and get you back to enjoying the drive, whether you're commuting to work or taking a weekend beach trip with your windows down!

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