Disclosure: This content was produced by an independent editorial party for the purposes of educating our customers, and is not influenced by the other business operations of CARCHEX.
An extended car warranty is protection from the vehicle manufacturer against mechanical breakdowns. This term is sometimes incorrectly used to describe coverage from third-party providers, which offer similar protection plans called vehicle service contracts. CARCHEX is a vehicle service contract provider.
A used car vehicle service contract can help you avoid the risk of sudden financial disaster and offers drivers some peace of mind on the road. Not all providers offer the same prices, coverage, and quality of service, though. To help you sort through the options, we’ve compiled an in-depth list of the industry’s best used car vehicle protection plan options.
Keep reading for a side-by-side comparison of some of the best vehicle service contract companies. You’ll also learn:
- The benefits of a used car plan from CARCHEX
- What to consider when looking for a third-party company
- The difference between auto insurance, mechanical breakdown insurance, and a vehicle service contract
- What a plan for used cars actually covers
- How a vehicle service contract works
If you’re interested in finding out how CARCHEX Extended Vehicle Protection Plans can keep your vehicle safe on the road, call us at 866-261-3457. We’d be glad to walk you through the process of finding a used car plan and will make sure to answer any questions you may have about used car plans.
What To Look For In a Used Vehicle Protection Company
Finding the right used vehicle protection provider can make all the difference when it comes to extending the life of your vehicle. When looking for a strong third-party company, ensure that your top choices are accredited, affordable, flexible, and trustworthy.
To make the buying process easier, we’ve put together a list of what the best vehicle service contracts for used cars should offer to drivers:
- A commitment to excellent customer service through friendly and available representatives
- Accreditation by the Better Business Bureau and backing by auto industry leaders
- Competitive prices and affordable, flexible payment plans to fit any budget
- A wide range of protection coverage options to fit your needs
- Transparency about the benefits they do and do not offer
- Access to whichever car repair shop you trust most to fix your vehicle
- A quick and reliable claims process
- Claims that are paid directly to the repair shop
The following chart compares some of the industry’s most well-known third-party companies on the factors mentioned above.
How CARCHEX Stands Up to the Competition
| CARCHEX | Endurance | Concord Auto Protect | Liberty Bell Auto Protect | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years in Business | 25 | 18 | 11 | 14 |
| BBB Accredited | Yes | No | No | No |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A- | F | NR |
| Customer Complaints | 100+ | 3,000+ | 300+ | 1+40 |
| Insured Plans | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Coverage Levels | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Deductible | $0–$200 | $0–$200 | $100 | $0–$100 |
How to Shop For a Used Vehicle Protection Plan
When you have a used car, it’s important to maintain it with a vehicle service contract. However, not all used vehicle plans are created equal. Here are some important factors to consider when researching used vehicle protection companies to make sure that you’re getting what’s right for your car, budget, and lifestyle:
Find out how much coverage you’ll get
This is one of the most important factors to look at when buying a used vehicle protection plan. Many third-party companies have different tiers of coverage, each offering different types of coverage and with different pricing structures.
Some provide benefits similar to exclusionary coverage or a factory warranty, while other plans include just major parts like the drivetrain and electrical components such as the alternator. Read the contract’s fine print to determine what is and isn’t covered by your plan.
How Long Will Coverage Last?
You’ll want to get a plan that goes beyond your original manufacturer’s warranty that comes with new vehicles. These usually only last for 3 years/36,000 miles. Just like with different tiers of coverage, companies often also let you choose how long you’ll have coverage for.
Learn the cost of the plan
Carefully consider quotes before purchasing a used car plan. Quotes typically vary based on your vehicle’s make and model, as well as by its mileage and age. Make sure you understand the complete price of your coverage and determine whether there are any monthly costs you’ll need to pay.
Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating
This rating is based on the BBB’s opinion of how a business interacts with its customers. You want a reputable company, so checking customer reviews and the BBB rating will help to ensure that your vehicle protection plan provider is indeed reliable.
Consider the added benefits
Extra expenses such as car rentals add up quickly while your car sits in the repair shop. The best plans include roadside assistance and related benefits such as towing, rental car reimbursement options, and trip interruption services. That way, you’ll keep your out-of-pocket costs to a minimum.
Your Choices for Vehicle Protection
If you have a used car, you may be wondering whether mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), auto insurance, or a vehicle service contract offers the most protection for your vehicle. Here’s an overview of all three options, including the similarities and differences between them.
Auto Insurancecan help to pay for vehicle damages in the event of a theft or accident. A car insurance company has many exclusions such as normal wear and tear, routine maintenance such as oil changes, or auto repair costs not related to an accident. |
Mechanical Breakdown Insurancepays for unexpected mechanical problems that are not related to accidents. Extremely similar to an extended vehicle service contract, as both pay for unexpected repairs. |
Vehicle service contractsusually add trip interruption benefits and 24/7 roadside assistance on top of the coverage provided by mechanical breakdown insurance. |
|---|
Similarities: Mechanical Breakdown Insurance and Vehicle Service Contracts
Mechanical breakdown insurance and vehicle service contracts share the following features:
- Both pay for covered repairs not caused by normal wear and tear.
- Both can range from high-level exclusionary coverage to basic auto protection.
- Both require a monthly payment.
- Both usually require a deductible before repairs are covered.
Differences: Mechanical Breakdown Insurance and Vehicle Service Contracts
The main difference between mechanical breakdown insurance and a vehicle service contract is that only businesses with a property and casualty insurance license can offer MBI. Extended vehicle service contracts are generally provided by companies that specialize in vehicle protection. These vehicle maintenance plans often offer more coverage and a wider variety of benefits for used cars.
Manufacturer Used Car Warranty
If you buy a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle, it may include a limited manufacturer’s warranty. However, a CPO warranty is only for specific cars and typically provides a single year of exclusionary warranty coverage.
Some manufacturers do offer their own extended service contracts. While these may offer great coverage at a competitive price, they also only cover work done at official dealerships. An aftermarket vehicle service contract offers far more flexibility, allowing you to have repairs done by any licensed mechanic.
How Does a Used Vehicle Protection Plan Work?
Though it’s technically a service contract for your vehicle, a protection plan works similarly to an insurance policy. You start out by covering a minimal upfront payment over the course of several months. Your coverage typically goes into effect after a 30-day waiting period and protects you from unexpected and costly future repairs.
Here’s how a used vehicle protection plan works when you have to file a claim:
- When your car needs a repair, gather your plan documentation and get an estimate for the repair.
- Call the company and let it confirm that your repair is covered. The company will also mention whether your plan allows you to take your car to any mechanic. The best companies let you choose from almost any repair shop.
- Take your car in for repairs. Your company may directly pay your mechanic or it may reimburse you for the expenses.
Used vehicle plans should be simple enough to take the hassle out of vehicle repairs. To ensure that you get complete peace of mind from your coverage plan, be sure to pick a reputable provider like CARCHEX.
What Does a Used Vehicle Protection Plan Cover?
There are many used car plans that each offer various levels of protection. The best coverage selection should range from basic powertrain coverage up to plans similar to a new car manufacturer’s warranty. Extended VSCs don’t usually cover regular maintenance, though some offer that as an add-on.
CARCHEX Vehicle Service Contract Options
At CARCHEX, we provide a broad range of plans for your vehicle that include protection for your:
- Engine components, like the water pump, oil pump, and connecting rods
- Transmission components, like the torque converter, vacuum modulator, and transmission mounts
- Drive axle components, like the axle shafts, universal joints, and hub bearings
Our higher-tier Titanium and Platinum plans also cover the fuel delivery and electrical systems, air conditioning, braking, steering, suspension, high-tech components, and heating and cooling parts. Our Titanium plan also takes care of components meant for hybrid or electric vehicles.
Here’s a quick look at CARCHEX’s industry-leading coverage plans. We’re confident that you’ll find one that fits your needs, but call us at 866-261-3457 if you’d prefer to further customize one of our plans.
How Much Does a Used Vehicle Protection Plan Cost?
The price of a used car plan depends on your specific vehicle as well as on your level of coverage, length of protection, and deductible amount that you select. We conducted a survey in 2021 that polled 1,000 consumers and about half claimed to pay between $1,500 and $2,500 for their vehicle protection plan.
To find out exactly how much you can expect to pay for a vehicle service contract, call the team at CARCHEX. We’ll tailor each available Vehicle Protection Plan to make sure that our options suit your specific needs and budget.
Should You Buy a Used Vehicle Protection Plan?
It’s easy to believe that you’ll face no issues on the road, but 69 million drivers deal with a mechanical breakdown each year. That amounts to 1 in 3 motorists in the United States, and those with a used car may be even more vulnerable.
While some repairs may be easy to deal with, the costs often end up steep for those without a used car plan. Below, we’ll look at replacement costs from RepairPal for some common issues faced with older vehicles.
Common Used Car Repairs |
Repair Costs |
|---|---|
Brake master cylinder |
|
Brake calipers |
|
Heater core |
|
Alternator |
|
Radiator |
|
Starter |
|
Transmission |
It’s expensive to maintain an older vehicle without a used car coverage plan. Even common repairs quickly add up over time, which is why coverage from CARCHEX or another reputable company might be the right choice.
Average Costs for Common Car Repairs
Below are the average costs for a few simple repairs that occur with vehicles as they age. While each fix may cost just a couple hundred dollars, it’s easy for repair bills to pile up as the years and miles pass by.
Note that even reliable models from automakers such as Honda and Toyota start to face issues over time. It’s an unavoidable part of owning a used car, regardless of how dependable your vehicle may have seemed at first.
If you’re comfortable with potentially paying thousands out of pocket for car repairs, extended coverage might not be the right choice. For anyone who’d rather have costs covered from the start, used vehicle protection companies like CARCHEX might be worth close consideration.
The Industry’s Top Used Vehicle Service Contract Choice
CARCHEX leads the competition with its Extended Vehicle Protection Plans. There are several reasons why drivers consistently turn to us for high-quality service at an affordable price. A few have been listed below:
- Our A+ rating from the BBB places us among the best third-party VSC companies for used cars. Our promise is “Customer Experience Above All,” whether you’re getting a free quote or filing a claim.
- We’ve been endorsed by top industry-leading companies such as Edmunds.com, Kelley Blue Book, RepairPal, and CARFAX.
- We offer affordable, flexible payment plans customized to your driving needs.
- If you’ve got high-mileage vehicles, used cars, or cars of older model years, you’re still eligible for our Extended Vehicle Protection Plans. In fact, we have several plans for older vehicles with high mileage limits.
Benefits of a CARCHEX Used Vehicle Protection Plans
Here are some other perks of used car plans from CARCHEX:
- We offer affordable payment plans for those who can cover low monthly payments but would be weighed down by an untimely $3,000 repair. Deductibles sit as low as $0.
- CARCHEX provides consultative customer service, so you don’t have to worry about haggling, limited choices, or significant markups. You’ll get quotes tailored to your budget, needs, and driving habits.
- We provide 24/7 roadside assistance that includes gas delivery, towing, and trip interruption services.
- You can choose your own repair facility and aren’t forced to take your car to the dealership. We partner with more than 30,000 certified facilities nationwide, so you’ll always be able to take your car to your most trusted mechanic.
- The CARCHEX No-Haggle, Low Price, Everyday Guarantee™ and 30-Day Money Back Guarantee ensure that you’re completely satisfied with your used car coverage.
- CARCHEX is available in every state and is one of the few companies that offers coverage in California.
- You’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having the best coverage for used cars and can relax knowing that your vehicle and budget are safe.
As one of the industry’s leading used car protection companies, CARCHEX works hard to meet every customer’s needs from the time of purchase through the duration your contract.
CARCHEX Reviews
When comparing your used car options, don’t forget to look through third-party reviews and comparisons. You can learn a lot about vehicle service contract providers from other people’s experiences. It’s also smart to hear what experts think about each vehicle protection company, so you may want to consider what Pat Goss of “MotorWeek” has to say about CARCHEX.
Here’s What CARCHEX Customers Are Saying:
“CARCHEX has good service and I’ve never had a problem. I have three vehicles covered by them currently and also had one before. Everything that’s covered has been covered. Whenever I’ve taken a car in, my service advisor takes care of the problem. I’ve recommended CARCHEX to a couple of people who would’ve taken advantage of it.” — Dave
“I’m still satisfied with my car and I wanted to keep it longer beyond the original warranty. I found CARCHEX online and I talked to someone over the phone and he was very courteous and knowledgeable. It was a good experience and CARCHEX should keep up the good work.” — Bervin
“I was very impressed with the professional service and would highly recommend to anyone needing their product.” — Gerald
“The representative I worked with was very knowledgeable, helpful, and not pushy. Talked where I could understand him and explained everything very well.” — Cynthia
“Working with the representative to find the best warranty product for my vehicle(s) was a breeze. He was able to take my information and quickly find a product that was within my budget range.” — Dennis
CARCHEX: The Best Used Car Protection Plan
CARCHEX stands out as one of the best used vehicle protection companies, so we’d recommend considering one of our affordable but high-quality plans. Call us at 866-261-3457 if you’d like to learn more about how CARCHEX can keep your vehicle safe for years to come.
Our specialists will listen to your needs and help find the Extended Vehicle Protection Plan that’s right for your vehicle, driving habits, and budget. We’ll do so in a low-pressure environment, as we live by our brand promise: “Customer Experience Above All.”
Learn More About Vehicle Protection Plans
If you’d like more information about plans before making a decision, we’ve listed some places to start:
- What Is a Powertrain Plan and What Does It Cover?
- What’s the Best Vehicle Service Contract for Cars Over 100k Miles?
- How Much Does a Vehicle Service Contract Cost?
- 6 Best Aftermarket Vehicle Service Contract Companies
- Is Buying a Vehicle Service Contract on a New Car Worth It?
- Should I Buy a Used Car Vehicle Protection Plan?
- 6 Things to Know About the Best Vehicle Service Contract Providers