In a comprehensive study, our reviews team rated CarShield 4.2 out of 5.0 stars and was recognized as the “Most Affordable” 2022 provider.
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After our comprehensive review of the best extended auto warranty companies, we gave CarShield the distinction of Most Affordable. But do CarShield reviews from customers suggest the low-cost option is the best choice?
Below, we delve into CarShield reviews, coverage options, and costs to help you determine whether a CarShield extended warranty may be right for your vehicle.
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Diamond
- Comparable to a new car’s manufacturer’s warranty
- Exclusionary coverage – all systems and components of your vehicle are included except a short list of non-covered parts
- Great option for new car owners
Platinum
- Best for high-mileage or used cars
- Covers your vehicle’s engine, transmission, cooling system, air conditioning, steering, brakes, electrical components, and fuel pump.
- Stated-component coverage – each covered part is listed in the vehicle service contract
Silver
- Most basic and affordable powertrain plan
- Covers your engine, transmission, water pump and drive axle
CarShield Review
In our industry-wide review of the top warranty providers, CarShield emerged as one of the top options in the industry, earning a score of 4.2 out of 5.0 stars. The company performed especially well when it comes to affordable coverage and benefits, which is why we named them “Most Affordable” in our study of best extended car warranty companies.
CarShield offers plans for cars with up to 300,000 miles and includes roadside assistance with each plan. Some coverage plans even come with rental car reimbursement.
Is CarShield Worth It?
CarShield could be worth it if you want to protect your vehicle in the long run. CarShield offers a useful range of plans and very reasonably-priced coverage for such a reputable extended car warranty company. The company’s prices also make it an especially attractive option if you’re on a tight budget and in need of a used car warranty.
Below is a full list of Carshield’s pros and cons:
| CarShield Pros | CarShield Cons |
|---|---|
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How Does CarShield Work?
CarShield’s plans work by covering repairs after your car has mechanical breakdowns. Similar to insurance coverage, you don’t pay for repairs all at once and instead pay a monthly rate and a small deductible during needed repairs. CarShield offers plans for cars with up to 300,000 miles and includes roadside assistance with each plan. Some coverage plans even come with rental car reimbursement.
What is CarShield?
CarShield is one of the country’s most popular independent warranty providers, offering drivers month-to-month contracts, flexible protection plans, and a range of deductibles.
CarShield is technically a vehicle service contract broker, meaning it offers protection plans administered by other companies such as American Auto Shield, called obligators. This setup gives drivers a wider variety of coverage options and price points. You can even find coverage for ATVs and other alternative vehicles.
CarShield has also been featured on ESPN, CNN, HGTV, and TBS and has a number of celebrity endorsements, including one from rapper and actor Ice-T.
CarShield Company Information
Founded: 2005
Headquarters: St. Peters, Missouri
Coverage Levels: 6
How Much Does CarShield Cost?
CarShield is an affordable provider compared to other extended car warranty companies. Our research team conducted a 2021 warranty survey polling 1,000 drivers, and most said they paid $1,500 to $2,500 for their vehicle service contracts.
CarShield Prices
Your extended car warranty costs with CarShield will vary depending on your situation. Here are some of the main factors that affect the price of your warranty:
- Your car’s age, make, model, and mileage
- Coverage plan
- The deductible you choose
CarShield Rates
Our research team reached out to CarShield for cost estimates on a few vehicles. Based on what saw, most CarShield plans cost between $99.99 and $129.99 per month. However, depending on the coverage you choose and the details of your car, your particular plan may fall outside of this range.
The table below shows some of the quotes we received from CarShield.
| Vehicle Type | CarShield Warranty | Term Length | Monthly Payment | Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Toyota Camry | Diamond | 5 years/100,000 miles | $83.28 for 18 months | $100 |
| 2013 Honda Accord | Gold | Unlimited | $99.99 monthly | $100 |
| 2016 Chevrolet Silverado | Diamond | 5 years/100,000 miles | $129.99 monthly | $100 |
| 2017 Honda CRV | Platinum | Unlimited | $119.99 monthly | $100 |
CarShield Deductible
With CarShield, drivers can choose from multiple deductibles, starting at $0. The company also offers monthly payment plans, so you don’t have to worry about being locked into a long-term contract.
CarShield Extended Warranty Coverage
What an extended car warranty covers depends on the plan you choose. CarShield offers six coverage plans, ranging from powertrain-only coverage to exclusionary coverage similar to a factory warranty.
CarShield Plans
The following table shows the plans CarShield offers:
| CarShield Warranty | Details |
|---|---|
| Diamond | Comparable to a new car’s manufacturer’s warranty, CarShield Diamond coverage is an exclusionary plan. This means comprehensive coverage for all systems and components of your vehicle except for a short list of non-covered parts. |
| Platinum | Good for high-mileage vehicles or used cars, the Platinum plan covers certain parts of your vehicle’s engine, transmission, cooling system, air conditioning, steering, brakes, electrical components, and fuel pump. CarShield Platinum is stated-component coverage, meaning each covered part is listed in the vehicle service contract. |
| Gold | As CarShield’s enhanced powertrain coverage, the Gold plan focuses on common powertrain components such as the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. It also includes parts such as the alternator, power window motors, and starter. |
| Silver | The Silver plan is CarShield’s most basic (and most affordable) powertrain plan. It covers only the most important parts of your vehicle, including your engine, transmission, water pump, and drive axle. |
| Aluminum | The Aluminum plan covers most computer-related and electrical components, including the power seat control, sensors, cruise control, electronic gauges, and LCD screens. |
| Motorcycle & ATV | If you have a motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle that needs coverage, CarShield offers plans for specialty vehicles. |
CarShield Vehicle Service Contract
The more you research before you make a decision, the more likely it is that you’ll find the best coverage for you. CarShield offers sample contracts to help you get a clear understanding of what each plan does and doesn’t cover.
Below, you can see one example of a CarShield sample contract.
CarShield Roadside Assistance (And Other Benefits)
In many CarShield reviews, customers touted the company’s benefits. With CarShield warranty contracts, drivers also receive the following perks:
- 24-hour roadside assistance with services such as fuel delivery
- Courtesy towing for breakdowns (not included with all plans)
- Rental car reimbursement (not included with all plans)
What Does CarShield Not Cover?
CarShield does not cover:
- Parts that have been modified or altered
- Wear-and-tear components such as brake pads and air filters
- Damage caused by acts of nature, collision, vandalism, or lack of proper maintenance
- Auto repairs that have been made without pre-authorization from a CarShield claims representative
Even the most comprehensive extended auto warranties have their limits. The exclusions in CarShield plans are common among almost every extended warranty provider on the market.
CarShield Waiting Period
Like most vehicle service contract providers, CarShield plans come with a mandatory waiting period on covered repairs of 20 days and 500 miles. This helps the provider ensure that warranty coverage won’t be used on pre-existing conditions.
Warranty Transfer Policy
CarShield warranties are transferrable. The company allows you to transfer your warranty to another owner if you sell your vehicle for a $50 fee.
However, the coverage follows the vehicle. You can’t transfer your warranty to another vehicle you own or buy. Instead, you’ll have to sign up for a new policy.
CarShield Mobile App
The CarShield Mobile app, available for Android and iOS, allows policyholders to view details of their contracts on their mobile devices. On the app, you can quickly find information for warranty claims, customer service, and roadside assistance.
CarShield Mobile has overall positive ratings from users online. The app has an average rating of 3.8 out of 5.0 stars on the Apple Store and 3.4 out of 5.0 stars on the Google Play store.
How to Cancel CarShield
You can cancel a CarShield policy at any time. However, to cancel your contract you’ll need to contact customer support directly and submit a policy cancellation notice.
If you cancel within the first 30 days of your policy, you’ll get a full refund. After 30 days, you can get a prorated refund for the amount of time left on your policy in most cases.
How Does CarShield Work?
CarShield vehicle service contracts allow you to pay ahead of time, either in the form of upfront payment in full or on a monthly basis, to cover the cost of mechanical breakdown repairs. When you need repairs, CarShield will pay for the work minus your deductible as long as the affected components are covered and your account is in good standing.
CarShield Quotes
According to many of the CarShield reviews we saw, the company offers an easy process for purchasing an extended warranty. You can get a quote by inputting your information on the company’s website.
However, it may be even easier to get a quote over the phone. When our team called CarShield to inquire about a quote, the hold time was less than a minute and the whole call took about 10 minutes.
Who Accepts CarShield?
If you have a CarShield vehicle service contract, covered repairs can be made at any dealership or repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®). Here’s how it works:
- Make sure repairs are covered: Check your CarShield contract to ensure that the repairs you need are actually covered.
- Take your vehicle in: You can have repairs done at any certified repair center or dealership you choose. Be sure to mention that you have and will be using warranty coverage.
- Pay your deductible: To have repair work done, you’ll need to pay the deposit you chose.
- Let CarShield pay the rest: CarShield will pay the facility directly for the remainder of the repair costs.
More than a few of the CarShield reviews we read mentioned a smooth, easy repair and claims process, meaning you can reasonably expect the same from the provider.
CarShield Customer Reviews And Ratings
There are thousands of online CarShield reviews from customers, most of which are positive. The company holds a rating of 4.1 out of 5.0 stars on Google, with more than 8,000 reviews. It also has 4.0 out of 5.0 stars on Trustpilot, with over 22,000 driver ratings.
Despite these positive CarShield reviews, the BBB gives the company an F rating and indicates a pattern of complaints involving pushy or misleading sales and advertising, difficulty canceling policies, and rude CarShield representatives.
There are more than 1,100 CarShield customer reviews on the BBB website, with an average rating of 1.4 out of 5.0 stars. CarShield customer service responds to many comments, and about 1,200 complaints have been closed in the past year. The complaints actually represent a small number in comparison to the more than a million contracts the provider says it has sold.
CarShield Reviews And Complaints:
Here’s what a few customers had to say in CarShield reviews:
Positive CarShield Reviews
In many of the positive CarShield reviews we saw, customers wrote about how easy it was to use their warranty to pay for car repairs.
“I have had to use CarShield two times. Both times they responded and covered my repairs without any hassle.”
– Mary M. via BBB
“We bought a car warranty for our 2007 Impala. We were in California when the transmission went out. CarShield stepped in, got the claim approved quickly, and we were back on the road. Don’t know what we would have done without them.”
– Marion Roth via Google
CarShield Complaints
Customers who reported a less-than-fulfilling experience in their CarShield reviews tended to focus on certain components not being covered under the extended warranty contract.
“Paid $121 per month, and when my car broke down, they didn’t pay a cent.”
– Lee via BBB
“I bought CarShield because of the awesome commercials. On the phone, the salesperson said that ‘anything that is not a wear item is covered, so no brake pads, no tires, etc.’ … Turns out that a lot of things are not covered. There are 10 pages of fine print.”
– Marco Borrillo via Google
CarShield Warranty Reviews: Conclusion
The company earned a 4.2 out of 5.0-star rating, placing it fourth among all providers. CarShield’s pricing on its warranty plans was the reason we named it “Most Affordable” among providers in our study. CarShield’s pricing on its warranty plans was the reason we named it “Most Affordable” among providers in our study.
Although the company has received complaints, CarShield reviews are predominantly positive, and the company has a good name in the industry. Considering CarShield is one of the best extended warranty companies and says it has covered more than 1 million vehicles in 16 years, a few hundred negative comments barely make a dent in the company’s reputation.
Most Affordable Provider
CarShield Extended Warranty Competitors: Top Picks
It’s always smart to shop around for extended warranty plans to make sure you’re getting the best deal for the coverage you need. We recommend comparing free quotes from CarShield with quotes from other reputable extended car warranty companies. Below, we spotlight two of those companies: Endurance and CARCHEX.
Endurance: Best Overall
Endurance is a reputable extended car warranty provider that’s been in business since 2006. The company stands out in the vehicle protection industry for being a direct extended warranty provider rather than a broker or reseller. This means that Endurance provides and fulfills most of its plans without any outside help.
Endurance offers six levels of coverage. Each plan comes with one year of Endurance Elite Benefits, which include perks such as tire repair or replacement, a collision discount, and 24/7 roadside assistance. Endurance has solid reviews from customers, with a 4.4-star rating out of 5.0 on Trustpilot and a 3.4-star rating out of 5.0 on the BBB website.
You can find out more about the company in our Endurance warranty review.
Best Overall Provider
CARCHEX: Best for Used Cars
CARCHEX is a reputable third-party warranty provider offering five levels of coverage and a long list of perks, including towing coverage, 24/7 roadside assistance, and rental car reimbursement.
CARCHEX has an A+ rating from the BBB but earns just 2.1 stars out of 5.0 based on customer reviews. The warranty provider has a 3.3-star rating out of 5.0 from Trustpilot.
Read our CARCHEX review to find out more about the third-party warranty provider.
Best Provider for Used Cars
CarShield Extended Warranty Reviews: FAQ
Below are a few frequently asked questions about CarShield warranties:
How much does CarShield cost per month?
Based on our research, the average cost of a CarShield Diamond plan for a late-2010s SUV with fewer than 50,000 miles is between $100 and $130 per month with a $100 deductible. A Gold plan for a 2013 sedan with just under 100,000 miles would also cost $130 per month with a $100 deductible.
Is CarShield worth having?
As our pick for Most Affordable third-party warranty provider, CarShield can be a good choice for drivers seeking low-cost coverage. The provider offers multiple coverage plans and month-to-month contracts, but buying any protection plan carries the risk of paying for services you may not need.
What repairs does CarShield cover?
CarShield repair coverage depends on the extended auto warranty you purchase. The provider offers basic powertrain warranty plans that cover the engine, transmission, and drive axles. CarShield also offers exclusionary bumper-to-bumper warranties that cover almost every mechanical and electrical component.
Most of the company’s protection plans provide coverage somewhere between a powertrain warranty and a bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Does CarShield cover electrical problems?
CarShield’s Platinum plan and Diamond plan both cover electrical systems. The Aluminum plan covers most electrical parts, including the starter and navigation systems.
Are extended car warranties worth it?
An extended car warranty can be worth it for owners of older vehicles who want peace of mind and want to avoid paying for unexpected repair costs out of pocket. But this depends on your needs and your vehicle. Check average repair costs on sites such as RepairPal to compare them to your extended car warranty quotes.
Does CarShield have a deductible?
With CarShield, customers can choose the deductible – as low as $0 – with their plans. However, just like with car insurance, a lower deductible means a higher premium.
What is the average cost of a CarShield warranty?
The average cost of a CarShield warranty varies based on several factors, including your vehicle’s age and mileage and the deductible and level of coverage you choose.
Does CarShield cover brakes?
Four of CarShield’s warranty plans cover the actual brakes on your vehicle. However, normal wear items like brake pads are not covered.
What is CarShield’s waiting period?
All CarShield plans come with a 20-day/500-mile waiting period before becoming active. This is to prevent the company from covering pre-existing mechanical issues.
How do you contact CarShield customer service?
To get support for your issue, you can use a form at CarShield.com to submit a request for help. If you need immediate help during business hours, you can call their customer service phone number at 1-800-974-9385. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
Is CarShield a ripoff?
Some internet complaints have attempted to label CarShield as a scam, but its warranty coverage is real and not a ripoff. While it’s true that the company does have a poor rating and a warning from the BBB, it also serves warranties to thousands of customers every year across the country. The amount of positive reviews on multiple sites also suggests that many CarShield customers are happy with their coverage.
Is CarShield mechanical breakdown insurance?
CarShield offers vehicle service contracts, which work similarly to mechanical breakdown insurance. However, mechanical breakdown insurance is sold by insurance providers and typically comes with fewer coverage options and benefits than third-party warranties.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, availability, and years in business when giving 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.
