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- The MasterTech warranty offers five levels of coverage for new and used cars.
- You can only purchase a MasterTech warranty through a dealership, not directly online.
- MasterTech has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) but mixed reviews.
MasterTech Extended Warranty Review
In Our Opinion:
MasterTech warranty plans offer a well-rounded variety of extended coverage options for new and used vehicles. However, reviews aren’t particularly positive and you can only purchase a MasterTech extended warranty from a car dealership.
MasterTech Warranty Pros
- A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB
- Five different coverage options
- Plenty of standard added benefits
MasterTech Warranty Cons
- Extremely mixed customer reviews
- Only sold at select auto dealerships
- Sample contracts not available online
As your new or used car begins to age, mechanical breakdowns become more likely to occur. Because of this, vehicle owners often add protection through auto warranties, such as the MasterTech warranty or a similar plan from a reputable third-party provider.
Our team has carefully researched MasterTech warranty coverage along with its average cost, claims process, and customer reviews. We’ll explain whether MasterTech’s plans are good choices before revealing a few of the best extended car warranty companies on the market.
MasterTech Warranty Review: 3.9 of 5.0 Stars
The MasterTech warranty earned 3.9 out of 5.0 stars in our extended car warranty review due to its extensive coverage selection and A+ rating from the BBB. However, MasterTech plans are only available through specific dealerships and its reviews aren’t among the industry’s highest.
MasterTech Warranty: Company Overview
The MasterTech warranty is sold by American Financial & Automotive Services Inc. (AFAS), a provider that has offered vehicle protection plans for over 19 years from its base in The Woodlands, Texas. In May 2020, the company was purchased by Assurant, a specialty insurance corporation that’s on the Fortune 500 list.
Coverage for the MasterTech warranty is backed by the American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida, which is also an Assurant affiliate. The insurance group received an A rating for financial strength from AM Best, meaning that it will likely face no issues covering car repairs.
Vehicle service contracts from MasterTech are only available for purchase through authorized dealerships, so there’s no way to buy coverage online or get instant quotes. Because of this, it’s hard to tell how much a MasterTech warranty could cost without going to a car dealer.
MasterTech Extended Warranty Coverage
The MasterTech warranty comes in five coverage levels that range from a powertrain warranty up to almost complete bumper-to-bumper protection. Below is an overview of the coverage you’ll receive from each tier of the MasterTech Vehicle Protection Program®:
| Covered Vehicle Components | MasterTech Warranty Plan: Ultra Plus | MasterTech Warranty Plan: Ultra | MasterTech Warranty Plan: Elite | MasterTech Warranty Plan: Premier | MasterTech Warranty Plan: Primary |
| Engine | x | x | x | x | x |
| Transmission | x | x | x | x | x |
| Drive axles/four-wheel drive | x | x | x | x | x |
| Suspension | x | x | x | x | |
| Steering | x | x | x | x | |
| Electrical systems | x | x | x | x | |
| Brakes | x | x | x | x | |
| Air conditioning | x | x | x | x | |
| Fuel system | x | x | x | x | |
| Cooling system | x | x | x | ||
| High-tech accessories | x | x | x | ||
| Additional items excluded from more basic plans | x | x | |||
| Battery | x | ||||
| Belts and hoses | x | ||||
| Brake pads | x | ||||
| Diagnostics | x | ||||
| Fluids | x | ||||
| Headlamps | x | ||||
| Spark plugs | x | ||||
| Wheel alignment | x | ||||
| Windshield wiper blades | x |
Coverage from MasterTech can last for up to 10 years or 120,000 miles, so you’ll get far longer protection than with a new vehicle limited warranty. On the other hand, providers like CARCHEX and CarShield have term lengths of 250,000 miles or more.
MasterTech Complete Protection Services
Every MasterTech warranty plan comes with perks such as 24-hour roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption benefits. You’ll receive towing and winching services, fuel and fluid deliveries, battery jump-starts, flat-tire help, and lockout assistance as part of the MasterTech warranty’s roadside assistance package.
The MasterTech Complete Protection services vary depending on your extended warranty plan, so we’ll list out these added benefits below:
| MasterTech Warranty Added Benefits | MasterTech Warranty Plan: Ultra Plus | MasterTech Warranty Plan: Ultra | MasterTech Warranty Plan: Elite | MasterTech Warranty Plan: Premier | MasterTech Warranty Plan: Primary |
| Key replacement | x | x | x | x | x |
| Windshield protection | x | x | x | x | |
| Dent protection | x | x | x | ||
| Road hazard protection | x | x |
Drivers can add any of the perks above to their extended car warranty plan for a fee even if they choose a lower level of coverage. Other ancillary coverage types include environmental protection, a theft deterrent program, and guaranteed asset protection (GAP insurance).
Details of these services vary depending on your level of coverage, so expect to receive fewer perks if you have a more restrictive plan. Ultra and Ultra Plus customers can also purchase optional cosmetic wheel replacement coverage, which will cover the cost of wheels that are damaged and can’t be repaired.
MasterTech Extended Warranty Cost
Our research team found that the average extended car warranty costsbetween $1,600 and $3,200 for a plan’s total length. Exact rates depend on the length and extent of your coverage, so these numbers might not reflect your final rate. Below are a few more factors that can affect the final cost of an extended car warranty:
MasterTech warranty plans are only sold by participating dealerships, so you can’t get an instant quote online to determine your potential rate. Because of that, it’s tough to tell whether the company’s prices are competitive with those from other leading extended warranty providers.
We’d recommend getting free quotes from reputable extended car warranty companies like Endurance, CarShield, and CARCHEX. These options all provide greater transparency in pricing than the MasterTech warranty, and each one has multiple coverage plans.
MasterTech Warranty Reviews
As with many extended warranty providers, there are mixed reviews when it comes to the MasterTech vehicle service contract. The company receives an A+ score and accreditation from the BBB, yet it only earns 1.0 star out of 5.0 from customers.
While AFAS gets 4.3 stars out of 5.0 on Google reviews, most of the ratings left for MasterTech warranties in particular are negative. Many drivers mention claims being rejected, though others speak of helpful MasterTech representatives.
MasterTech Customer Reviews
Below are a few MasterTech warranty reviews from customers who were recently in business with the company:
“I have a MasterTech policy for my RV. This blanket of protection has been first class. Every time something breaks in my RV, this policy kicks in and the repairs get done with me only paying the deductible.” – G.A. via Google reviews
“Even after several photos and phone calls from the dealership and a third-party master mechanic that are all supporting my claim, AFAS refuses to even reconsider the claim. I’m now entering litigation against this company.” – Timm D. via BBB
“They will make you wait weeks with no correspondence on the issue. They ignore emails. Had a representative tell me on the phone that she could not look up the email I just sent because they were a nationwide company and have other customers after me waiting weeks to hear about this issue.” – Lora V. via BBB
Remember that these positive and negative reviews don’t represent all MasterTech warranty owners. Also keep in mind that negative reviews are relatively common among extended auto warranty companies.
How Does the MasterTech Warranty Work?
While the MasterTech extended warranty can be purchased at dealerships across the U.S., you can’t buy coverage directly from the company. Luckily, the path for filing automotive claims is much simpler than the MasterTech warranty’s purchasing process.
How To File a Claim With MasterTech
The process of filing a MasterTech warranty claim is relatively straightforward, though it has one significant downside. We’ll break down the claims filing process below:
- Head to your selling dealer for repairs. Unlike with many of the best extended car warranty companies, MasterTech requires you have repairs done by whichever dealership you purchased from. In other words, you can’t head to your favorite local mechanic for needed auto repairs.
- Get authorization from your warranty administrator. Before repairs begin, it’s necessary for you to gain full authorization by sending over all necessary paperwork. You’ll most likely need to have written confirmation of the services to be performed.
- Have approved car repairs performed. Once you’ve gained approval from your MasterTech warranty’s administrator, it’s time to let the repair facility repair your car.
- Receive compensation for repairs. The MasterTech warranty should have no issues covering issues once fixes have been approved at an authorized repair facility. However, the company gives itself 60 days past the claim to resolve all potential issues and provide payment.
You shouldn’t have to pay for vehicle repair costs beyond those of your deductible if you select a MasterTech warranty. However, covered repairs may still be charged to your credit card at the mechanic as you wait for reimbursement from the warranty plan’s administrator.
MasterTech Warranty Phone Numbers
Since you’ll be reaching out to MasterTech and its administrators whenever a mechanical breakdown occurs, it’s important to know who to contact. Here are a few phone numbers that could be helpful depending on your circumstances:
| Warranty administrator in all states but Utah | 800-964-4811 |
| Warranty administrator in Utah | 800-967-3633 |
| Roadside assistance | 866-300-8579 |
| Roadside assistance for RVs | 877-897-0329 |
| Policy cancellation | 800-964-4811 |
Can I Transfer a MasterTech Warranty?
You can transfer your MasterTech vehicle protection plan to another person as long as you send your warranty administrator the following within 30 days:
- Letter requesting the transfer
- Copy of the bill of sale or current odometer reading
- Verifiable service records proving up-to-date maintenance
- Proof of transfer for original coverage under an extended or manufacturer warranty
- $50 transfer payment made out to American Financial Warranty Corporation (AFWC)
- Name, address, and phone number of new car owner
Can I Cancel a MasterTech Warranty?
MasterTech warranties come with a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you’ll have two months to cancel your policy for a full refund as long as no claims have been filed. Refunds will be prorated after this 60-day period and you’ll also be charged a $50 extended warranty cancellation fee. Most companies have a 30-day money-back guarantee, so this is a strong benefit.
To cancel your MasterTech warranty, you must reach out to your plan’s administrator in writing and give proof of the car’s current mileage. Exact details of the cancellation process vary, so check your contract for further details.
MasterTech Warranty: Conclusion
While the MasterTech warranty is backed by a legitimate administrator and comes with added services, we can’t overlook its limited availability and restrictions on repair facilities. The company’s purchasing process is burdensome, so we’d recommend getting quotes elsewhere.
Our Recommendations for an Extended Warranty
Comparing instant quotes, which isn’t possible with MasterTech, simplifies the process of finding the best coverage possible. Make sure to research and get quotes from alternative providers like Endurance and CARCHEX before signing up for a MasterTech warranty.
Endurance: Best Overall
Endurance boasts over 15 years of extended auto warranty experience and it administers vehicle service contracts itself. In other words, you won’t have to work with a middleman for claims as you would with companies like MasterTech. Endurance offers six extended coverage plans, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and a free online quote tool.
Keep reading: Endurance warranty review
CARCHEX: Best for Used Cars
With over 20 years of experience and five coverage plans to choose from, CARCHEX is a great option for a used car warranty. Term limits reach up to 10 years or 250,000 miles, so you can get protection for over double the mileage allowed by the MasterTech warranty. You can also head to any repair shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE?) when you choose a CARCHEX warranty.
Keep reading: CARCHEX review
MasterTech Warranty: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the MasterTech warranty:
Is a MasterTech warranty transferable?
Yes, you can transfer the MasterTech warranty to another person if it’s still in effect when you sell your car. You’ll need to pay a $50 fee and provide certain documentation within 30 days of your vehicle’s sale to successfully transfer ownership.
How long does a MasterTech warranty last?
MasterTech offers extended warranty plans for both used and new vehicles for up to 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first. Other third-party warranty companies offer coverage that lasts for 200,000 miles or more, so the MasterTech mileage limit is a bit low.
Can I cancel a MasterTech warranty?
If you want to cancel your MasterTech warranty, you’ll need to inform your administrator in writing that you’re doing so. You’ll also need to pay a cancellation fee and provide the mileage on your vehicle at the time of cancellation.
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.
