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Daniel Robinson is a content writer specializing in auto insurance, car warranties and car shipping. He has written about these topics for MarketWatch and Jalopnik. Daniel studied American literature and technical writing at East Carolina University. He is based in eastern North Carolina and spends his spare time cooking, playing guitar and getting schooled in video games by his 12-year-old son.
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Buying a high-quality used car can be a smart financial decision, but it does come with some risk that the car could break down. One way to mitigate this risk is to buy an extended warranty. However, it can be tough to know where to start looking for the right long-term vehicle protection plan.
The best used car warranty companies differ slightly from the best extended warranty companies. In general the best providers for used cars offer high mileage limits and options for long terms.
Endurance offers coverage for up to 8 years or 200,000 miles, but it only offers long-term plans.
In our industry-wide review of aftermarket warranty providers, we found that Carchex, Endurance, CarShield, Omega Auto Care and Autopom offer the best long-term vehicle protection plans for used cars.
Although we give Carchex a slightly lower overall rating than Endurance, it takes the top spot here due to its generous mileage limit. Autopom is our second-ranked provider overall, but it comes in fifth place for used car warranties due to its relatively low mileage limit for coverage.
The sections below provide further details on each of our picks for the top used car warranty companies.
Carchex has been in business since 1999 and maintains partnerships with respected names like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, CARFAX and RepairPal. It has coverage available for up to 10 years or 250,000 miles, which makes it a great choice for used vehicles.
Carchex plans are available in all 50 states. Carchex also carries an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which means it has a history of responding to customer complaints on the site.
The cost of Carchex plans can be on the high side. It’s also a little troubling that customers on BBB only give the company 1.9 out of 5.0 stars, although this rating isn’t out of step with many other warranty providers.
Here are some details on the five extended warranty plans Carchex offers:
All Carchex plans come with the following perks:
The quotes we received for Carchex plans for different vehicles and plans ranged from $130 to $150 per month. Even with discounted rates of between $90 and $120 per month, keeping a month-to-month Carchex plan for several years can get pretty expensive.
Carchex plans are generally excellent options for used cars, with the Powertrain Plus option offering the best mix of coverage and value. Along with protection for the engine, transmission and drive axles, the Powertrain Plus plan covers your vehicle’s air conditioning and various electrical components.
What we like Endurance is our pick for the best extended car warranty overall, and it’s also a fine option for higher-mileage used cars as well. The company separates itself from the competition by providing coverage directly to consumers. In other words, there’s no administrator or middleman to go through when you need covered repairs.
Endurance was founded in 2006 and offers extended warranty plans in 49 states. In California, the company offers mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) instead. The main distinction here is that MBI plans are regulated by state insurance commissions, while aftermarket extended warranties are not. The coverage you receive from these protection plans is similar.
What we don’t like There isn’t much to quibble with when it comes to Endurance extended warranty plans. Our only complaint is that the company’s 200,000-mile coverage limit is lower than some of its competitors. For a used car that you’d like to keep on the road for many years, you may be better served by a provider with higher limits.
Although its site only lists three coverage options, Endurance actually has six plans available. Here’s a quick breakdown of Endurance warranty coverage options:
Along with roadside assistance, rental car coverage, and trip interruption benefits, all Endurance plans come with a free year of Endurance Elite benefits. This program includes:
The quotes we gathered from Endurance ranged from around $89 to $115 per month based on coverage terms. With all these estimates attached to plans that last two and a half years, the total cost of an extended warranty could be seen as average or even slightly above even though the monthly costs are low or average.
The Endurance Secure Plus plan is designed for high-mileage vehicles and is the provider’s best option for used cars. Along with the engine, transmission and drive axles, this plan covers your older vehicle’s brakes, steering, air conditioning and various electrical components.
What we like CarShield is an excellent choice for a used car extended warranty due to mileage limits that reach 300,000. The provider is known for low prices and flexible monthly payment options. CarShield also offers six levels of coverage, with one reserved for motorcycles and ATVs.
What we don’t like CarShield’s month-to-month payment model gives you more flexibility than some other providers’ plans, but the monthly cost can be a bit high. Despite the A rating, which means it takes time to respond to and attempt to resolve customer concerns, CarShield still receives a lot of complaints on BBB.
Here’s a look at CarShield’s five coverage options for cars:
All CarShield plans include 24-hour roadside assistance, towing benefits, trip interruption coverage and rental car reimbursement.
CarShield’s Gold plan is probably the best option for a used car warranty. This vehicle service contract is designed for cars with more than 100,000 miles, covering the engine, transmission, water pump, starter, alternator, air conditioning and even power windows.
What we like Omega Auto Care features five coverage levels available in all 50 states, including three different powertrain warranty options. If you use a RepairPal-certified facility for covered repairs, Omega will waive your deductible.
It also offers programs that cover oil changes, battery replacement, brake pads and shoes, and a free safety inspection, which is rare in the extended warranty industry.
What we don’t like While we like the maintenance benefits Omega Auto Care offers, it’s tough to know exactly which perks are available with which plans. The sample contracts the provider features on its website do not include specific information about these benefits.
We also don’t like that we weren’t able to get quotes from this provider.
Here’s a quick summary of Omega Auto Care’s five extended warranty options:
The following benefits are included with all Omega Auto Care plans:
When we reached out to Omega Auto Care for price quotes for its coverage plans, we were unable to get into contact with the sales department. While we couldn’t get quotes, the customer service representative we did reach was friendly, not pushy, and was thorough in explaining plan options.
Omega’s Powertrain plan is the best option for a used car, as it covers vehicles with up to 250,000 miles. You can also upgrade to either the Powertrain Plus or Powertrain Enhanced plan. Both of these plans cover additional components beyond the engine, transmission and drive axles.
What we like Autopom — which stands for “automotive peace of mind” — offers vehicle service contracts in most states and MBI policies in California. Autopom has many positive reviews from customers online, which is rare in this industry. A quick claims process and responsiveness of agents are frequently mentioned in these customer reviews.
What we don’t like The only real drawback with Autopom is that its mileage limits aren’t as generous as the other providers in this lineup. Coverage is available only up to the 150,000-mile mark.
Here are the coverage levels you can choose from with Autopom:
Roadside assistance, trip interruption reimbursement and rental car coverage are included with every Autopom warranty plan.
We gathered quotes for Autopom’s Exclusionary and Powertrain Plus plans. The quotes we received were in line with average costs for the industry. Prices ranged from about $82 per month to around $112 per month, with total costs right around $2,800.
Autopom’s Powertrain Plus plan is likely your best bet for used car coverage. This plan goes beyond the engine, transmission and drive axles to cover air conditioning and basic electrical components.
When you buy a used car, it may have some of its factory warranty coverage remaining. Car dealerships also include some degree of warranty coverage with used vehicles they sell. Certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles typically come with some type of protection as well.
The problem with CPO and used car warranties is that they don’t last very long. Even if you receive fairly comprehensive coverage with your used car purchase, it may only last a year or 12,000 miles.
This is why purchasing an extended car warranty from a third-party company is generally the best way to go. Aftermarket extended car warranty companies give you more flexibility than a manufacturer’s warranty when it comes to repair shops, coverage terms and payment options.
We outlined what vehicle components are covered by various extended warranty coverage levels above, but what isn’t covered by these vehicle service contracts? Here are a few common exclusions from used car warranties:
An extended warranty for a used car can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 or more in total depending on a host of factors. Your vehicle’s age and mileage are key criteria, as older cars with high odometer readings are more prone to expensive repairs.
The following variables also play major roles in determining how much you pay for a used car warranty:
To give you a clearer idea of how much a used car warranty might cost, here are some quotes we received from our top-rated providers to cover a 2020 Hyundai Elantra with 30,000 miles.
Carchex, Endurance, CarShield, Omega Auto Care and Autopom are our top picks for used car warranties. Each of these extended warranty companies offers high-quality coverage with flexible coverage terms and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
To get the best extended car warranty for your budget and coverage needs, be sure to compare quotes online and read the fine print in your vehicle service contract before buying a plan.
We analyze, rate and rank top vehicle service contract providers to help you discover the right one for your needs. The best auto service contract companies offer transparency, affordability and expansive coverage options, among other qualities.
We rate companies using our objective scoring methodology. We assess brands on factors that are important to consumers like you — including cost, coverage, market standing, trustworthiness and customer experience. After scoring companies on a 100-point scale, we simplify final scores into the 5-star ratings you see in our content.
BBB scores are accurate as of February 2024.
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