CarShield vs CARCHEX: Extended Warranty Comparison (2021)

• Both CarShield and CARCHEX are popular third party extended warranties.
• While CARCHEX is known for providing quality coverage for high mileage vehicles, CarShield is considered one of the most affordable providers in the industry.
• Read our CarShield review and see how the company's coverage compares to CARCHEX.

For a relatively small monthly payment, an extended car warranty can protect your wallet from costly repair bills and provide peace of mind. These warranties come in all shapes and sizes and can be purchased through a dealership or third party company, of which there are hundreds. Below we take a look at one of the most popular third party warranty companies, CarShield, and compare it to another industry leader, CARCHEX.

When buying an extended vehicle warranty, it's best to call, ask questions, and get a quote. When researching the best extended vehicle warranty companies, we recommend that you consider both CARCHEX and CarShield.

Leading Extended Vehicle Warranty Providers

Best for Used Cars	Most affordable
CARCHEX	CarShield
Get a quote	Get a quote
(866) 254-0205	(800) 563-2761

CarShield vs. CARCHEX: Extended Warranty Features

Each extended vehicle warranty has its strengths, and below we've rounded up the top benefits of CarShield and CARCHEX coverage.

Car Shield Review

If you're the type who squirms at the thought of an unexpected, huge bill repair, you may be wondering if the car's warranty is worth it. Vehicle maintenance contracts can be a relief because they guarantee that your vehicle's covered repairs will be covered both mechanically and financially.

When looking for the best third-party car warranty, it's important to explore your options. Some of the most important considerations include:

• Mileage restrictions
• Exceptions to coverage
• Franchises and awards
• Where can you get your car serviced?
• Coverage period
• Vehicle Parts Covered by Protection Plans
• Does the warranty have geographic restrictions?

CARCHEX Review

CARCHEX has a strong reputation for quality customer service, as evidenced by Better Business Bureau A+ ratings and accreditations, as well as other online review scores. The company's mission has always been to act as an advocate for consumers and assist them throughout the process of buying and owning a car, and this is reflected in their policies and practices. CARCHEX takes a customer-centric approach to the sales process, advising customers on the best plan for them, rather than forcing them to make a decision.

CARCHEX is also known in the automotive industry for being trustworthy. The company has been around for over 20 years and has partnerships or endorsements with leading brands such as CARFAX, Kelly Blue Book and Edmunds.

We've researched CarShield Extended Warranties for you. Here is an overview of the pros and cons of CarShield coverage plans.

CarShield and CARCHEX: pros and cons

Below we have outlined the pros and cons of both providers.

CarShield vs. CARCHEX: Coverage Options

Below we compare CarShield and CARCHEX based on their vehicle coverage options.

CarShield coverage plans

CarShield advertises that it has a plan for every type of driver, whether you bought a new car, you're trying to extend the life of an aging car, or your factory warranty has expired. Let's break down the plan options to see what they actually cover:

• Diamond : Similar to a new car manufacturer's warranty, this is a bumper to bumper warranty and covers everything from the engine and transmission to the starter motor, fuel pump, steering, brakes, electrical equipment and air. air conditioning and heating and much more.
• Platinum : A comprehensive coverage plan for high mileage vehicles, Platinum protects parts that wear out over time, such as engine, transmission, air conditioning and heating, starter, fuel and water pumps, and more. .
• Gold A: This mid-level coverage option is a basic plan that covers a good balance of vehicle components. Things like the engine, transmission, air conditioning, and power windows are covered, making it a smart choice for low-risk vehicles such as those with less than 100,000 miles on them.
• Silver : This is the most affordable CarShield policy covering the most important parts of your vehicle such as transmission, alternator and water pump.
• Aluminum . This unique plan is designed for modern vehicles with advanced electrical and electronic systems. Complex systems are covered, but they can also cover basic control systems and infotainment systems.
• Motorcycles and ATVs . As mentioned, CarShield offers two levels of coverage for motorcycles, ATVs, RVs and other vehicles.

Each of the six levels of coverage has multiple contract options, so you can further customize your protection.

CARCHEX coverage plans

CARCHEX offers five coverage plans with limits up to 10 years or 250,000 miles, whichever comes first. These contracts range from basic transmission protection to exceptional coverage, similar to a bumper-to-bumper warranty.

• Titanium . An exceptional coating that protects most mechanical and electrical components, except for high wear and scheduled maintenance components.
• Platinum: covers many claimed components such as electrical system, steering, suspension, brakes and high-tech systems.
• Gold: protects most major systems and is suitable for vehicles over 60,000 miles.
• Silver: covers transmission components along with some additional components such as air conditioning and electrical systems.
• Bronze: transmission coverage for your engine, transmission and drive axle.

CarShield vs CARCHEX: Reviews and Ratings

Customer feedback can be another factor in assessing the overall quality of a supplier's work. We've included customer testimonials from both companies below so you can get a better idea of what your customer experience might look like.

Reviews

We have already mentioned the less than ideal BBB CarShield rating. The BBB also issued one warning to the company regarding a number of complaints alleging that sales and advertising practices are misleading. While this may seem troubling, there are a few things to keep in mind.

1. If you compare the number of complaints with the number of policies sold over the same time period (36 months), a very small percentage of customers experience problems with CarShield.
2. Not all companies respond to BBB comments or receive accreditation as this can be expensive for larger companies.

Positive reviews on other sites somewhat overwhelm the initial reaction from these red flags. On Trustpilot, CarShield has 4.1 stars with over 16,000 reviews. The company has about 6,000 reviews on Google, and an average rating of 4.1 stars.

One Trustpilot reviewer wrote of his customer service experience:

“The agent was very helpful and explained the plan for my car to me in detail. The agent explained how the plan works for me and what repair options I can find. I asked enough questions to know the plan is a good fit for my car.”

Others describe the coverage as "simple" and "excellent". CarShield contract holders have stated that customer service is professional, accommodating, courteous and kind.

However, among the mediocre and negative reviews there are examples of disappointment. In particular, reviewers complain that their claims are rejected. (This is one of the reasons why it's so important to read your contract and know exactly what is and is not covered.)

Customers are also frustrated that CarShield claimants close on weekends and that the process from claim to repair is too long.

Reviews

On the other hand, CARCHEX received an A+ rating from the BBB and an equally high rating from Trustpilot. However, like many providers of extended vehicle warranties, CARCHEX has generally mixed reviews. Here are some customer testimonials about the company.

“CARCHEX had what I wanted in terms of contract duration, items covered and price. This is my second contact purchase with CARCHEX this year and my rep was knowledgeable and personable. No pushy sales, no crazy discount deadlines or other tactics.” — Mark E. via BBB

“I called to ask for a price on my new car and I dealt with a very pushy salesperson. I told him I just needed a quote, a background on the company, to discuss their plans and then call a few other places to compare. He kept calling me dumb and stupid for doing this because the other companies I looked at didn't have good ratings." -Shannon F. via BBB

CarShield vs. CARCHEX: Cost

Below we've outlined how much the most complete coverage plan from each supplier for a 2018 Toyota Camry with 28,000 miles will cost.

CarShield offers an extended warranty plan for just about any budget. We particularly like the flexibility of the company's monthly options. CarShield also has low deductible options. However, keep in mind that a lower deductible means a higher premium.

When we asked for a quote, the price we got for bumper to bumper coverage was $1,000 less than some of the other vendors we contacted. Another benefit is that CarShield does not require a down payment in addition to the down payment of your payment plan. With other companies with extended warranties, we have observed that they range from $50 to $350.

To receive a free quote tailored to your vehicle, please provide CarShield with basic contact information and the year, make, model and mileage of your vehicle.

When it comes to lighting, you will have no shortage of choices with CARCHEX. There are several warranty coverage options for each of the five levels of coverage. These contracts can be further customized. CARCHEX covers select vehicles until they hit the 250,000 miles mark, ideal for drivers who want to continue protecting their older vehicles.

Like CarShield, CARCHEX is known as a low cost extended warranty provider. You can choose to franchise up to $ 0 and the quotes we got were some of the lowest in the market. No Bid Guarantee, Low Price, Daily Guarantee™ means you don't have to ask for discounts - you get the best price up front.

Comparison of CarShield and CARCHEX

By focusing on one third party car warranty company, one can open one's eyes to see how they compare to other providers. While CarShield has many aspects that buyers might find attractive, such as length of stay in the industry and the wide range of contracts on offer, CARCHEX is worth considering for these two reasons as well.

Both companies are similar, offering plans for both new and used vehicles through many tiered custom contracts, but the difference is in the details. Like CARCHEX, CarShield plans include 24/7 roadside assistance, towing and rental car reimbursement, and allow drivers to choose an auto repair shop. When scrutinizing the fine print of vehicle security contracts, CARCHEX offers slightly higher surcharges.

According to Angie's List, the average cost to tow across the country is $109, while battery service can cost anywhere from $75 to $120. This means that you can expect any of the providers to cover most of the costs, but it may not be completely free.

If you have a hybrid, it's worth mentioning that finding coverage through CarShield can be tricky. Some CARCHEX contracts do cover hybrids, but you may be charged extra.

CARCHEX vs. CarShield

Data based on CARCHEX Titanium sample contract and Car Shield Diamond sample contr act. Check to see if there are any changes in your particular contract.

Who should provide you with an extended warranty?

A look at the chart above shows that on paper there are no drastic differences between the two companies. When it comes to choosing the best extended vehicle warranty provider, it all comes down to the details. A lot of it will depend on what you value in a provider, your specific car, and how much you want to pay.

The best way to know you're getting the best coverage at the best prices is to get quotes from multiple providers, starting with these two industry leaders. That way you can talk to their experts and get a custom quote for your car - and get a taste of customer service.

Leading Extended Vehicle Warranty Providers

Most affordable	Best for Used Cars
CarShield	CARCHEX
Get a quote	Get a quote
(800) 563-2761	(866) 254-0205

Consider Endurance

Another provider worth looking into is Endurance. With six coverage plans and up to 200,000 miles of coverage, the Endurance was named the best overall. This provider also stands out as a direct supplier, rather than working through a broker or intermediary as most guarantee providers do. To learn more about this provider, check out the full Endurance Warranty Review.

If you want to know how Endurance is different from CarShield or CARCHEX, check out our comparison articles: CarShield vs. Endurance vs. Endurance vs. CARCHEX.