Young driver experiences roadside breakdown

CarShield vs. Endurance

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Endurance
4.6
Industry Standing: 4.4/5.0
Coverage: 4.9/5.0
Affordability: 4.5/5.0
Transparency: 5.0/5.0
Customer Service: 4.4/5.0
idée We recommend Endurance as the best warranty provider
  • Best Overall
  • Coverage Plans: 6 options plus maintenance plan
  • Odometer Limit: Up to 200,000 miles
  • Free Cancellation: 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Longest Term: 8 years of coverage
  • Discounts: $300 same-day signup discount, $250 shopping voucher, and others
Plan coverage includes Endurance Elite perks™
Factory-level bumper-to-bumper plan Free membership for first year
Multiple powertrain/mid-level choices $500 collision discount
Scheduled maintenance coverage Tire repair or replacement
24/7 emergency roadside assistance Total loss protection up to $1,000
Trip interruption reimbursement Key fob replacement and repair
Rental vehicle coverage Endurance mobile app
Towing allowance $250 credit with shopping or dining partners
  • Both CarShield and Endurance are top-rated extended car warranty providers. 
  • CarShield and Endurance have both paid out millions in claims over the past decade, but one company may offer you a better deal than the other.
  • If you plan to drive your car beyond the factory warranty, an extended warranty can be a good idea.

When you buy a new car, it’s covered by a manufacturer’s warranty for several years. But what do you do if the original warranty expires, or you buy a used car with an expired warranty? We recommend considering an extended warranty to provide peace of mind and protect you from unexpected repairs.

You have many options when it comes to the best extended car warranty companies. In this article we’ll look at CarShield vs. Endurance, comparing the plans, costs, exclusions, reviews, and benefits of each top-rated provider.

Endurance vs. CarShield Comparison

CarShield and Endurance are two top providers in the world of extended auto warranties. Both are well established and have paid out millions in claims over the past decade. There are also many differences between the two, so let’s dive into the details.

CarShield logo

CarShield Warranty Overview

Below are the basics about CarShield. 

Who Is CarShield?

  • CarShield offers eight plan levels with 19 individual contracts.
  • CarShield works with highly rated administrators to back its contracts.
  • CarShield plans can cover high-tech components and specialty vehicles.
  • CarShield is a well-known provider, protecting more than two million vehicles and paying over $1 billion in claims.

CarShield Quick Facts

  • Founded in 2005
  • Over 2 million vehicles covered
  • Headquartered in St. Peters, Missouri
CarShield ProsCarShield Cons
Eight coverage levelsHigh number of complaints
Multiple pricing optionsNo coverage for hybrid vehicles
Sample contracts available online

Endurance Warranty Overview

Check out the facts about Endurance.

Endurance mode

Who Is Endurance?

  • Endurance has six levels of coverage.
  • Plans come with one free year of Endurance Elite Benefits, which includes roadside assistance, tire repair and replacement, and more.
  • Drivers can choose any ASE-certified mechanic for auto repairs.
  • Endurance is a direct provider, so you deal with only one company when purchasing a plan or filing a claim.

Endurance Quick Facts

  • Founded in 2006
  • Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois
  • Maximum coverage limits of 8 years or 200,000+ miles
Endurance ProsEndurance Cons
Direct warranty providerPerks only free for the first year
Endurance Elite Benefits
6 levels of coverage plus add-ons


CarShield vs. Endurance: Coverage

CarShield and Endurance both offer extensive coverage plan options, ranging from basic powertrain coverage to exclusionary bumper-to-bumper coverage.

CarShield Plans

CarShield offers six coverage levels:

Coverage LevelDetails
DiamondThis is the highest level of coverage, similar to a factory bumper-to-bumper warranty. It covers the entire car except specifically excluded parts like wear items and cosmetic materials.
PlatinumThe Platinum plan covers hundreds of parts on most major systems including air conditioning, electrical, and steering. It’s the best coverage option for vehicles with higher mileage.
GoldThis mid-tier plan covers the powertrain plus the turbocharger, fuel, cooling, A/C, and electrical systems.
Gold SelectThis plan covers everything that the Gold plan covers except for the fuel pump and fuel injector. 
SilverThis is CarShield’s most affordable plan. It covers the powertrain, which is the engine, transmission, and drive axle. The plan also covers a few extra parts like the water pump and internally lubricated turbocharger components.
AluminumThe Aluminum plan is designed to cover high-tech parts like sensors and instruments gauges. It also covers some basic components on other systems, but it doesn’t cover the powertrain.
Motorcycle & ATVCarShield offers Platinum and Silver plans tailored to motorcycles, ATVs, and other specialty vehicles.
Electric VehicleThis vehicle service contract covers EV-specific components like the battery pack, electric drive unit, and more. 

Additional Benefits

Along with the coverage plans, CarShield offers the following benefits for its customers:

  • Key lock-out service
  • Fuel delivery service
  • Tow and winch services
  • Battery jump-start service
  • Rental car reimbursement
  • Trip interruption reimbursement for food and lodging

CarShield Warranty Exclusions

CarShield plans don’t cover routine maintenance or normal wear and tear. Pre-existing conditions or damage from neglect, lack of maintenance, environmental events, or accidents are not covered either.

One other thing to point out – CarShield plans contain a “betterment clause,” which is common in the industry. This basically says CarShield won’t pay for a substitute part if it upgrades the value of your car. 

Endurance Plans

Here are the six plans you can choose from:

Coverage LevelDetails
SupremeThe Supreme plan is Endurance’s bumper-to-bumper exclusionary coverage warranty. It’s the most comprehensive and expensive plan.
SuperiorThis plan covers hundreds of parts on most systems of the vehicle. It’s the highest level of stated-component coverage available.
Secure PlusThis plan adds coverage for the brakes, steering, and turbocharger, plus it covers more parts for the air conditioning and electrical system.
Select PremierThis plan covers a few more parts than the Secure plan including the air conditioning and some electrical components. It’s a good option for high-mileage vehicles.
SecureThis basic plan covers the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. These elements make up the powertrain and can be expensive to fix.
EnduranceAdvantage™This plan offers high-level stated-component coverage plus regularly scheduled maintenance services like oil changes.

Endurance also offers a few add-on coverage options. You can add a high-tech package to a Superior plan and a hybrid vehicle package to a Superior or Secure Plus plan. Tire modifications and body or suspension lifts are also covered (with a surcharge). 

Some Endurance warranties cover up to 200,000+ miles, though the coverage you’ll find depends on your car and its condition.

Additional Benefits

All Endurance plans come with one free year of Endurance Elite, which includes: 

  • Key fob replacement
  • Endurance Protect app
  • 24/7 roadside assistance
  • Repair or replacement of four tires per year
  • Collision repair
  • Total loss protection
  • Up to $5,000 in repair financing for non-covered components

Endurance Warranty Exclusions

Endurance and CarShield warranties contain similar general exclusions:

  • Wear items
  • Regular maintenance
  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Environmental events or accidents
  • Damage from neglect or lack of maintenance

Unlike CarShield, Endurance does not use betterment clauses in its contracts. In other words, Endurance would allow a new or better part to replace an older one even if it boosts the value of your car. Contract clauses like these can go unnoticed and cause headaches later on if misunderstood.


CarShield vs. Endurance: Cost

We recognized CarShield for its affordable monthly payments. That said, Endurance tends to have lower total costs for plans. Below, we’ve outlined the basics of each providers’ cost.

CarShield Cost 

We found that CarShield warranties are some of the most affordable, usually costing $120 to $140 a month. Extended warranty plans are tailored to your car and its age, so you’ll have to get a quote to find an exact price.

CarShield has an interesting pricing model. It offers unlimited mileage contracts and charges a monthly payment for however long you have the warranty. A long contract with CarShield (5 or more years) tends to cost more than a contract of the same length from Endurance. This is because Endurance puts a set price on the term, and you pay it off before the five years are up.

Some CarShield plans come with a $0 deductible, while others may require deductibles of $100 to $200 per repair visit. 

CarShield also offers month-to-month contracts, which is fairly unique in the industry. These contracts might be a bit more expensive, but they give you more flexibility. 

Is CarShield worth the cost per month? From a strictly financial perspective, there’s a chance any warranty will cost more than the repairs it pays for in the end. But if you wouldn’t be able to pay for an expensive repair, the peace of mind and financial stability are worth it.

Endurance Cost

Like CarShield, Endurance prices are tailored to your situation. In our research, we found that Endurance monthly prices are a bit higher compared to other companies. Expect to pay anywhere from $120 to $150 or more per month. That said, a bumper-to-bumper plan from Endurance costs about $351 per year of coverage, while the equivalent plan from CarShield costs about $1,440 per year of coverage.

With Endurance, you might pay between $100 and $200 for a deductible when you visit a repair facility. Some contracts allow you to add a disappearing deductible option. 


CarShield vs. Endurance: Customer Reviews

Customer experiences can tell you a lot about a provider’s quality and reputation. Below, we’ve compiled customer reviews and industry ratings for both providers to give you a better idea of how they stack up.

CarShield Reviews

CarShield has a 4.1-star rating on Trustpilot from over 45,000 reviews and a 4.3-star rating on Google from almost 15,000 reviews. However, it also has a C- rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for a pattern of complaints. 

The company has over 3,300 complaints on the BBB from the last three years, which sounds like a lot. But overall, when you consider how many customers CarShield has, it isn’t that many. 

We looked at customer reviews for CarShield to find common themes. Complaints mention coverage and claim payout issues, and positive comments praise efficient, helpful, and friendly customer service.

Endurance Reviews 

Endurance has a smaller number of online reviews overall. Over 8,000 reviewers on Trustpilot gave Endurance 3.6 stars overall

Endurance also has a high number of positive customer reviews on the BBB, which is uncommon. Unfortunately, Endurance has a rating of D+ at this time because the BBB is evaluating a pattern of complaints. 

Positive customer reviews about Endurance mention great service and easy claims and repair processes. Complaints focus on coverage inconsistencies and poor communication.


Endurance vs. CarShield

Looking at CarShield and Endurance side-by-side, both have advantages in different areas. Deciding between them may come down to contract specifics for your situation. 

Here’s a quick comparison of the main differences.

CarShieldEndurance
Coverage Levels86
Contracts Available195
Deductibles$0+$0, $50, $100, or $200
Years of Experience1918
Accepted Repair Sites30,000+30,000+
Transferable PlansYesYes
Cancellable PlansYesYes
30-Day Money-Back GuaranteeYesYes
EndorsementsIce-T, Chris Berman, Larry McReynolds, Adrienne Janic, and Ernie HudsonDanica Patrick, Courtney Hanson, and Katie Osbourne

If you want to deal with the same company when you shop for a protection plan and when you make a claim, go with Endurance. If you want a bit more control over monthly payment plans, check out CarShield. In the end, it’s a good idea to get a free quote from both since the cost for similar coverage can be different.

Endurance
4.6
Industry Standing: 4.4/5.0
Coverage: 4.9/5.0
Affordability: 4.5/5.0
Transparency: 5.0/5.0
Customer Service: 4.4/5.0
idée We recommend Endurance as the best warranty provider
  • Best Overall
  • Coverage Plans: 6 options plus maintenance plan
  • Odometer Limit: Up to 200,000 miles
  • Free Cancellation: 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Longest Term: 8 years of coverage
  • Discounts: $300 same-day signup discount, $250 shopping voucher, and others
Plan coverage includes Endurance Elite perks™
Factory-level bumper-to-bumper plan Free membership for first year
Multiple powertrain/mid-level choices $500 collision discount
Scheduled maintenance coverage Tire repair or replacement
24/7 emergency roadside assistance Total loss protection up to $1,000
Trip interruption reimbursement Key fob replacement and repair
Rental vehicle coverage Endurance mobile app
Towing allowance $250 credit with shopping or dining partners
carshield vs endurance
When shopping for an extended warranty, carefully read the contract details.

Is an Extended Warranty Worth It?

Every year, automakers pack more features into new vehicles. These features can be expensive to repair, and some may even need recalibration when a neighboring component is replaced. 

This is the case with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). According to Automotive Fleet, here’s what Kelley Hatlee, National Service Department Customer Support Supervisor for Enterprise Fleet Management, says about ADAS:

“[ADAS] also adds additional steps to common repair procedures that didn’t exist previously. For example, many minor body repairs, windshield replacements, and steering and suspension repairs now require ADAS recalibration. This adds to the complexity of the repair, increasing labor costs.”

It’s easy to love safety and performance features. It’s also easy to forget about the possible repair cost. Vehicle service contracts, also called extended warranties, can help cover repairs so you can focus on enjoying your vehicle. Here are a few more reasons why you might consider an extended warranty:

  • As your car ages, you may encounter more expensive repairs. An extended warranty can keep your monthly budget predictable. 
  • Your manufacturer’s warranty may be comprehensive, but it won’t last forever. Extended warranties can expand coverage up to 150,000 miles or more. 
  • Many extended warranties come with extra benefits like roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and towing at no extra cost.

CarShield and Endurance Competitors

Two more reputable extended car warranty companies – CARCHEX and autopom! – have paid out millions in claims as well. Our CARCHEX vs. autopom! comparison gets into the specifics to help you make an educated decision.


Endurance Warranty vs. CarShield: Conclusion

At the end of the day, we rank Endurance slightly ahead of CarShield because it has more extensive coverage options and benefits. That said, both companies offer good warranty protection. We recommend getting free quotes from both providers to see which offers the better deal.


CarShield and Endurance: FAQ

Below are a few frequently asked questions about comparing CarShield vs. Endurance:

Is Endurance warranty better than CarShield?

We compared both companies head-to-head and found Endurance has better coverage selection and industry reputation than CarShield overall. That said, CarShield covers higher-mileage vehicles, which may be important to you.

What companies are better than CarShield?

If you’re looking to cover maintenance services like oil changes in addition to mechanical breakdowns, Endurance is a better option than CarShield.

Is Endurance cheaper than CarShield?

According to quotes we received, CarShield has lower monthly payments but Endurance is cheaper overall. This is because CarShield charges a monthly payment for however long you have the warranty, while Endurance charges a fixed amount for a set plan.


Our Methodology

Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best extended auto warranty providers.

  • Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, availability, and years in business when giving this score.
  • Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car warranty company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account the number of plans offered by each provider, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
  • Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations to give this rating.
  • Transparency: We consider the transparency of each company’s contracts and the availability of a money-back guarantee when determining this score.
  • Customer Service: Reputable extended car warranty companies operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

  1. I have been without a car since June 29th because endurance doesn’t have bandwidth or care to follow up with a shop so the repair can be done. Customers can’t get any in-depth answers to the issue. You can hold avg 1:00 per call and get no where

  2. My plan–EVPU2120903 must be cancelled today.
    I do not want the warranty I received.
    Please cancel and confirm the cancellation..

    1. Hi Ronald, please contact the warranty provider you’re referring to – this is only a review of the services. We have no relation to the company themselves.

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