Monday, October 14th
2024 Auto Warranty Plan Reviews
CarShield
- Prices available through quotes
- Six plans to choose from
- Use coverage with any ASE mechanic in network
- Includes roadside assistance
- Extras include rental car coverage
- Offers coverage for motorcycles
Founded in 2005, CarShield offers protection for over a million vehicles. With an impressive record of over 1 billion dollars paid in claims, CarShield appears to be a trustworthy warranty provider. In addition to its impressive track record, CarShield has received attention from media outlets like ESPN, Inc. 5000, HGTV, CNN, CNBC, and TBS. One particular standout feature is their flexible payment plans to make car warranties more affordable.
Request a quote to get started
To receive a quote for your chosen coverage plan, CarShield requires you to complete an online form. You'll need to offer details about your vehicle, including the year, make, model, mileage, and personal contact information. Some customers have reported newer vehicle options being missing from the dropdown list on this form, which could be a problem for customers looking for a quote on newer models. If you encounter this issue, reaching out to CarShield directly could be a solution, though it may be frustrating enough to encourage some customers to seek a more updated site to begin with.
Six plans include motorcycles
CarShield offers six distinctive coverage plans, so depending on what you want or need to be covered, you have some flexibility at CarShield. Unfortunately, there's no pricing preview, so in order to get an idea of costs, you'll need to get a quote. Take a look at the various auto warranty tiers offered here:
- Aluminum: Coverage for most electrical and computer problems. Includes:
- Cooling system
- Electrical
- Steering
- Air conditioning
- Suspension
- Brakes
- Electronic high-tech
- Fuel system
- Turbocharger/supercharger
- Audio center
- Silver: Basic powertrain coverage. Includes:
- Engine for gas and diesel
- Transmission/transaxle
- Turbocharger/supercharger
- Cooling system
- Transfer unit
- Drive axle
- Gold: Powertrain coverage is best for vehicles with over 100,000 miles. Includes everything from Silver plus:
- Air conditioning
- Electrical
- Fuel system
- Platinum: Comprehensive coverage is ideal for vehicles with high mileage. Includes everything from Gold plus:
- Suspension
- Brakes
- Electronic high-tech
- Audio center
- Emissions
- Diamond: The top coverage option with CarShield is most similar to new manufacturer warranties. This includes everything from the other plans: basically the entire vehicle minus a few items.
- Motorcycle and ATV: This coverage is only for specialty vehicles like motorcycles and ATVs. It includes:
- Engine
- Transmission
- Primary drive assembly
- Drive axle
- Cooling system
- Electrical
- Steering
- Suspension
- Brakes
- Electronic high-tech
- Fuel delivery
- Gauges
- Seals and gaskets
Get your repairs done in-network
On top of repair basics, you can also use 24/7 roadside assistance and rental car services when you go with CarShield. So if you need to make a claim with this company, you'll never be stranded while waiting for repairs. Furthermore, all CarShield contracts include reliable towing services, making it a comprehensive offering for vehicle protection. CarShield also has a preferred repair network, which is easily accessible on their site. All you need to do is put in your location to find the nearest ASE-certified mechanic near you where you can make your claim and get your repair done. For example, there were 131 different locations based on a test zip code in central Florida, so you likely won't struggle to find a mechanic in the CarShield network.
No money-back guarantee
The only place where CarShield didn't stand out compared to other services in this review was guarantee. There was no guarantee or money-back window that we could find. Given that many other auto warranty services offer a money-back guarantee, this was a little disappointing in comparison.
Mixed reviews and warnings from the BBB
CarShield's reputation is a little mixed. First, the Better Business Bureau has given CarShield a "D” rating due to a substantial number of customer complaints. There is currently an alert on the BBB website, urging customers to exercise care when considering CarShield due to dishonest sales practices (according to customer complaints). On average the reviews across different sites gave CarShield a 3.5-star rating. Some ratings were substantially higher, but low ratings brought it down. Satisfied customers often commend the positive experiences they've had with CarShield's customer service. Conversely, disgruntled customers cite issues such as discrepancies in coverage and a perceived lack of transparency in the claims process or paying way more than they expected.
Good option for motorcyclists
CarShield presents itself as a reputable choice for extended vehicle coverage. By taking the time to thoroughly understand your contract terms and gain a clear understanding of your selected plan, you can reduce the risk of unwelcome surprises. However, the lack of a money-back guarantee and some concerning notes from the reviews bring down Car Shield's rating overall. On the flip side, we were impressed to see motorcycle coverage, which could make this site a solid service for motorcycle owners. With those things in mind, we award CarShield an average rating overall.
More Auto Warranty Plan Reviews
The 10 Best Auto Warranty Plans
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.
Auto Warranty Plan FAQ
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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