Best Extended Vehicle Protection Companies

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.

Any plans offered by CARCHEX are not extended warranties, but are often referred to by consumers as such. CARCHEX vehicle service contracts (also called “protection plans”) operate similarly to extended warranties and provide repair coverage for mechanical breakdowns after factory warranties expire.

When your car’s manufacturer warranty expires, you’ll be responsible for paying for all repairs completely out of pocket if a mechanical breakdown happens or a part malfunctions. For times like this, many drivers typically turn towards companies that sell vehicle service contracts. 

Often referred to as “extended car warranties” by consumers, vehicle service contracts (or “protection plans”) cover repairs for cars that suffer from mechanical breakdown after the original factory warranty has expired. 

Founded: 1999
Headquarters: Baltimore, Maryland
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating: A+

It’s been over 20 years since CARCHEX started protecting drivers, and it’s consistently ranked as one of the best vehicle protection companies. Drivers receive a strong commitment to “Customer Experience Above All,” as seen by the A+ rating and accreditation offered by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

CARCHEX customers can choose from five coverage levels, from the expansive coverage found in the Titanium plan down to the basic coverage of their cars’ engine and transmission with the powertrain plan. Each of the best auto protection options from CARCHEX comes with roadside assistance, towing coverage, rental car reimbursement, fuel delivery service, and trip interruption benefits. The CARCHEX claims process is straightforward, efficient, and generally receives positive reviews.

From an exceptional customer service reputation to industry expertise, it’s tough to beat a CARCHEX auto protection plan.

Founded: 2006
Headquarters: Northbrook, Illinois
BBB Rating: A-

With an Endurance extended vehicle service contract, drivers receive one year of free benefits such as key fob replacement, collision discounts, and limited total loss protection. The company’s six coverage plans also make it one of the best extended service companies, as they cover everything from the powertrain to routine maintenance needs.

Founded: 2009
Headquarters: Lake Forest, California
BBB Rating: A+

Excellent customer service is autopom!’s calling card. The company has an impressive average customer rating of 4.1 out of 5.0 on the BBB, which indicates that autopom! responds quickly to complaints. When it comes to coverage, autopom! keeps things simple with three levels of protection. You can customize plans within these three basic levels of coverage.

Founded: 2014
Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
BBB Rating: A

Everything Breaks features flexible month-to-month contracts and five total levels of vehicle protection. There are four standard vehicle service contract options, all of which feature an Elite variant for high-value vehicles. You can also choose the company’s unique road club program (known as Critical Coverage) that pays a set amount of repair costs and offers roadside assistance as well.

Founded: 1968
Headquarters: Jacksonville, Florida
BBB Rating: A+

Omega Auto Care has been around since 1968, when it was founded as an auto repair business. The company began selling vehicle service contracts about 20 years ago. Omega has an A+ from the BBB, which reflects its reputation for strong customer service. In terms of coverage, Omega offers five levels of protection and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Costs for the best vehicle protection plans largely depend on your chosen provider and level of coverage. In our May 2024 auto protection survey, we polled 1,000 consumers and about 57% paid between $1,000 and $3,000 for their extended vehicle service plans.

Factors That Affect Vehicle Protection Plan Costs

There’s no set amount that the best vehicle service contract goes for, as prices are specifically calculated for each individual situation. However, the following are some elements that help determine how much you’ll pay:

• Level of coverage—The more extensive your coverage, the higher the price you’ll likely pay.
• Length of coverage—The best auto protection plans that last for many years will probably cost more than shorter options, though it’ll likely be less per month.
• Make, model, and age of your vehicle—Certain types of vehicles will cost more to cover, so the best vehicle protection plan companies will charge a rate specific to your own.
• Mileage on your car—Models with greater mileage on them will be more prone to mechanical breakdowns, so they’ll have higher vehicle service contract costs.
• Deductible amount—Higher deductibles lead to a lower monthly rate, though you’ll be liable for more money when a breakdown occurs.

Countless parts that can be covered by a CARCHEX vehicle protection plan, and we’ll name a few below. From the Extra Care plan up to top-of-the-line Titanium coverage, know that your needs will be well served by the best vehicle service contract from CARCHEX.

Below is an overview of the coverage offered by each CARCHEX plan:

• Titanium—This is the plan that’s most similar to a factory warranty, covering almost all vehicle components with only a short list of exclusions.
• Platinum—The Platinum plan provides a high level of stated-component coverage that includes elements of all major vehicle systems.
• Powertrain Plus—This is a traditional powertrain plan, covering the engine, transmission, and drive axle. It also protects the air conditioning and various electrical components.
• Powertrain—This basic powertrain plan offers protection for key engine components, the transmission, drive axle, and transfer case. These are the most expensive car parts to fix, typically.
• Extra Care—The Extra Care plan covers vital components that aren’t part of the vehicle’s powertrain, including the electrical system, steering, suspension, and brakes.

If you’re wondering about more specific car parts, head to one of the CARCHEX sample contracts to learn about your coverage.

Vehicle Service Contract Benefits

Many of the best vehicle protection plans come with several benefits to complement your coverage. Below are some of the perks offered to CARCHEX customers:

Additionally, each of the best auto protection plans from CARCHEX comes with various standard services. We’ll list some of the most valuable ones below:

• Roadside assistance
• Towing coverage
• Rental car reimbursement
• Gas delivery
• Trip interruption services

CARCHEX stands as the best vehicle service contract provider because it offers a plethora of services with all five coverage plans. Rather than cutting corners, we’d prefer to offer superb long-term automotive coverage to every single CARCHEX customer.

Vehicle Service Contract Exclusions

Plans from the best vehicle service contract providers almost always cover your vehicle’s powertrain components such as the engine, transmission, alternator, and drive axle. Higher-level plans can cover nearly everything in your car, so choose an exclusionary protection plan if you’re looking for extensive coverage.

Even the best vehicle service contract has some exclusions, though. Below, we’ll explain the most common:

• Wear-and-tear components—You’ll usually need to cover brake pad replacements, new windshield wipers, and other parts that break down after some time. Some plans from CARCHEX cover wear and tear components.
• Damage due to poor maintenance or misuse—If you fail to maintain your vehicle, the best vehicle protection plans won’t resolve these preventable issues.
• Problems from a collision or the environment—Damages from car accidents, flooding, and hail may be covered by car insurance, but they’re excluded from the best vehicle service contracts.
• Excluded components—Bumpers, headlights, tires, and glass will almost never be covered by even the top vehicle protection plans.

Remember that vehicle service contracts are intended to cover mechanical breakdowns, not damages from outside factors. CARCHEX stands ready to protect cars as parts begin to fail, so make sure to pick up one of the best auto protection plans if you’re looking for some peace of mind.

Exactly how your vehicle service contract works depends on your contract administrator, but many of the best providers follow similar procedures. The claims process for CARCHEX coverage works as follows:

• As soon as you notice an issue, bring your vehicle to a repair shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
• Provide the mechanic with vehicle protection plan information, including a number to contact your plan administrator. Your specific number will be listed below.
• The mechanic will perform a diagnosis, which is reported to your plan administrator.
• If the repair is covered, CARCHEX pays the repair shop directly, minus your deductible.

CARCHEX and some of the other best vehicle service contract providers include rental car coverage while your vehicle receives covered repairs at the shop.

CARCHEX Claims Numbers

Since CARCHEX works with several administrators, your claims phone number depends on which contract administrator you have. If you have a problem with your administrator handling a claim, reach out to CARCHEX and we’ll resolve the issue.

Can You Cancel a CARCHEX Vehicle Protection Plan?

You can cancel a CARCHEX protection plan at any point as long as you have not yet filed a claim. If you cancel within 30 days, expect to receive a full refund. You’ll get a prorated refund instead if you cancel your contract after the first 30 days.

Covered repairs vary across every plan, so look up exactly what’s covered before committing. If you have a used vehicle in need of exclusionary protection, your needs won’t be the same as someone who wants powertrain coverage because their manufacturer’s warranty just ended.

No matter which plan you choose, CARCHEX offers the best vehicle protection plans on the market. If you’re unsure about which coverage type works best, reach out to our representatives who will gladly walk you through the details.

CARCHEX compares favorably with the competition in multiple ways. Our goal is to consistently lead the industry, and we strive to meet that standard each day. Below, you’ll see how we’re working to create the best vehicle protection plans on the market.

Not all of the best vehicle service contract companies or dealerships place the same emphasis on customer service as CARCHEX, so it’s critical to perform a thorough comparison before buying. Ask providers about these benefits as you may find that they’re unavailable or hidden in the contract’s fine print. We believe they’re important enough for CARCHEX customers to receive right from the start.

Here are some frequently asked questions about companies that offer vehicle service contracts: 

Sources:

BBB:
https://www.bbb.org/us/md/hunt-valley/profile/extended-warranty-contract-service-companies/carchex-0011-23015869

BBB:
https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/jacksonville/profile/auto-warranty-plans/omega-home-auto-care-0403-235965926

BBB:
https://www.bbb.org/us/tx/dallas/profile/warranty-plans/everything-breaks-0875-90916669

BBB:
https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/lake-forest/profile/auto-warranty-services/autopom-1126-100095551

BBB:
https://www.bbb.org/us/il/northbrook/profile/auto-warranty-plans/endurance-warranty-services-llc-0654-88077689