vehicle service contracts

Vehicle Service Contracts

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Crash Course:

  • Vehicle service contracts – vehicle protection plans or extended service contracts provide coverage for specific vehicle parts for a predetermined term.
  • Manufacturers and third-party providers both offer vehicle service contracts.
  • Extended protection can be a worthwhile financial investment for many drivers.

Featured Extended Warranty Companies

We reviewed the best extended auto warranty providers, and here are our top picks.

Best Overall Warranty Provider

4.6

  • Coverage:: 6 plan options, from routine maintenance to full coverage
  • Cost:: Several discounts available
  • Reputation:: Smooth claims experience as a direct provider
Affordable Monthly Payment

4.5

  • Coverage:: 6 plan options, some that last up to 300,000 miles
  • Cost:: Flexible month-to-month contracts
  • Reputation:: Most popular warranty provider
Best Warranty Provider for Used Cars

4.4

  • Coverage:: 6 plan options, the highest similar to a manufacturer’s warranty
  • Cost:: No down payment required
  • Reputation:: Strong BBB (Better Business Bureau) rating

Whether you’re about to purchase a new car or are nearing the end of your factory warranty, you may be considering a vehicle service contract to keep your vehicle in peak condition while also saving money. But what do vehicle service contracts include, and are they worth the cost?

In this article, we’ll discuss vehicle service contracts in-depth, including what they typically cover, additional perks that may be included, and average price points. We’ll also go over the pros and cons of buying an extended warranty from a manufacturer versus a third-party provider.

It’s best practice to get more than one quote when shopping for a vehicle service contract. We’ve reviewed the best extended car warranty companies, and you can reach out to a few of our top recommended providers for free, personalized quotes above.

What Is a Vehicle Service Contract?

A vehicle service contract – also called an extended auto warranty, vehicle protection plan, or extended service contract – protects you from paying for unexpected car repairs out of pocket after your factory warranty expires.

What Do Vehicle Service Contracts Cover?

There are two main types of vehicle service contracts: a powertrain warranty and a bumper-to-bumper warranty. A powertrain warranty covers the components that make your vehicle move: the engine, transmission, transfer case, drive axles, and other related components. A bumper-to-bumper warranty covers most vehicle parts between your front and rear bumpers. Bumper-to-bumper warranties are often exclusionary, meaning that instead of listing every part that’s covered, your contract will only list what isn’t covered.

Many vehicle service contract providers offer coverage in between these two extremes, such as plans that cover your powertrain as well as your brakes, air conditioning, audio system, or other major components.

What Do Vehicle Service Contracts Not Cover?

Even the most extensive vehicle service contracts have a few exclusions. Most plans won’t cover:

  • Tires, wheels, and rims
  • Paint, glass, or upholstery
  • Routine maintenance services
  • Wear-and-tear parts like brake pads and wiper blades
  • Damage resulting from accidents, collisions, abuse, or misuse
  • Damage resulting from environmental events like floods or acid rain

Vehicle service contracts also don’t cover pre-existing issues. Most providers have a waiting period of 30 days and 1,000 miles before coverage kicks in. This is to make sure your vehicle doesn’t have any existing defects.

Can I Cancel A Vehicle Service Contract?

Most vehicle service contract providers will allow you to cancel your extended warranty. However, each provider has their own limitations and restrictions. It is common for providers to charge a cancellation fee and or a prorated fee. Be sure to read the any vehicle service contracts before signing to ensure you fully understand the term limits, coverage, and cancellation policy.

Best Overall Warranty Provider

Our Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0

How Long Does a Vehicle Service Contract Last?

Vehicle service contracts last for an agreed term length that can span anywhere from a few months to over a decade. Usually, a contract comes with a time limit as well as a mileage limit. For example, a 7-year/100,000-mile vehicle service contract lasts for either 7 years or until your vehicle reaches 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. 

Here are a few examples of term limits from popular manufacturers and third-party providers:

Type of Vehicle Service Contract Company Maximum Term Limit
Manufacturer Vehicle Service Contract Honda 8 years/120,000 miles
Toyota 10 years/125,000 miles
Ford 8 years/150,000 miles
Third-Party Vehicle Service Contract Endurance 15 years/200,000+ miles
CARCHEX 10 years/250,000 miles
CarShield 300,000 miles

Vehicle Service Contracts Additional Perks

Many vehicle service contracts come with certain benefits at no additional cost. Typically, these perks include:

  • 24-hour roadside assistance: This service typically includes fuel deliveries, lockout assistance, battery jump-starts, and winching.
  • Towing services: If your vehicle breaks down, the provider will pay for it to be towed to the nearest dealership or authorized repair facility.
  • Rental car reimbursement: When your vehicle is in the shop for a covered repair, a provider may offer reimbursement for alternative transportation, like a rental car.
  • Trip interruption reimbursement: If a mechanical breakdown occurs while you’re far from home and you have to stay overnight while repairs are made, this benefit will help cover food and lodging up to a certain dollar amount.

Vehicle Service Contract Cost

Based on data we’ve sourced from industry-leading providers, the average vehicle service contract cost ranges from about $1,700 to $4,000 in total. This is a large range because costs depend heavily on individualized factors including:

  • The coverage you choose: The more comprehensive your plan is, the more it will cost. Additionally, longer contracts are typically more expensive.
  • The deductible you choose: As with auto insurance, selecting a lower deductible will lead to a higher overall coverage cost. Typical vehicle service contract providers offer $0, $50, $100, and $200 deductible options.
  • Your vehicle age and mileage: If you’re purchasing a policy for an older or higher-mileage vehicle, it’ll typically come at a higher premium. This is because cars tend to break down more often as they age and wear.
  • Your vehicle make and model: If you drive a luxury vehicle or your car has many high-tech components, it’s likely that repairs and replacement parts will be more expensive. Therefore, the cost of your vehicle service contract will be higher.

The cost of your vehicle service contract may also depend on how you choose to pay for it. Many third-party providers offer the option to pay upfront or choose a zero-interest monthly payment plan, which won’t affect your total cost. However, dealerships often allow you to roll the cost of extended coverage into your vehicle financing. This means you’ll be paying interest on your plan.

Are Vehicle Service Contracts Worth It?

Vehicle service contracts are worth it for many drivers. In fact, a recent study by Pegasystems Inc. reported that “62 percent of consumers with active warranties report benefitting from them within the past year.” However, the value of a vehicle service contract will ultimately depend on the driver and vehicle. Extended auto warranties can save money on costly repairs but may not be the best financial investment for everyone.

Here are a few pros and cons of extended car warranties:

Vehicle Service Contract Pros Vehicle Service Contract Cons
They enhance vehicle longevity by ensuring you can afford repairs later in your car’s life. If you do not experience frequent breakdowns, some coverage may go unused.
You’ll save money on expensive repairs, especially if they cost more than you paid for your coverage. Every contract has certain exclusions and limitations, so not all repairs and services will be covered.
Coverage is usually customizable, so you have the choice to only pay for the coverage you want or anticipate needing. There are often waiting periods before coverage kicks in.

Factory Warranty

If you plan on selling your vehicle shortly after your factory warranty expires, you probably don’t need a vehicle service contract. However, if you’re one of the many drivers who intend to keep their vehicles around for the long haul, an extended warranty can help you keep your car running in peak condition.

Car Reliability

However, drivers with highly reliable cars, or even lengthier factory warranties, may just want to budget for repairs rather than purchasing a vehicle service contract.

If you’re unsure about a vehicle service contract’s value, consider reaching out for free, personalized quotes from our top recommended providers below. You can effectively compare plans based on their coverage and price points with multiple quotes.

Best Warranty Provider for Used Cars

Our Rating: 4.4 out of 5.0

Vehicle Service Contract Companies

A vehicle service contract can be purchased either from a manufacturer or a third-party provider. Both options have benefits and disadvantages, so it’s best to look at all aspects before deciding which is best for your needs.

Here are a few differences between manufacturers’ extended warranties and third-party vehicle service contracts:

Manufacturer Vehicle Service Contract Third-Party Vehicle Service Contract
Price Vehicle service contracts offered by manufacturers tend to be more expensive and may be subject to dealership markups. Third-party vehicle service contracts are often more budget-friendly.
Repair Facilities Most manufacturers mandate contract holders to go to a dealership for covered repairs. Third-party providers allow for repairs to be made at dealerships and independent repair shops.
Repair Options Repairs are guaranteed to be performed by factory-trained technicians using genuine replacement parts. Repairs can be performed at a dealership by factory-trained technicians, but third-party providers may not always cover the full cost of genuine parts.
Coverage Options Manufacturers tend to offer between one and three vehicle service contract options. Third-party providers tend to have more plans, with many offering five or six options to choose from.
Time Limits for Purchasing Manufacturer-backed vehicle service contracts usually need to be added on at the time you purchase your vehicle or before your factory warranty expires. Third-party plans can usually be purchased at any time, so long as your vehicle is within a provider’s age and mileage eligibility requirements.
Contract Details A vehicle service contract from a manufacturer may be more specialized for your particular car brand and model. Third-party providers’ vehicle service contracts tend to be more generalized so they can cover many different vehicles.
Term Limits Manufacturer-backed vehicle service contracts only extend up to 150,000 miles. Third-party vehicle service contracts have term limits up to 250,000 miles.

Manufacturer Extended Warranty

Manufacturer-extended warranties are often more expensive compared to third-party warranty companies. The warranties usually offer fewer coverage options and the vehicle service contracts from manufacturers are normally required at the time of purchasing your vehicle. You may be able to roll the price of the extended warranty into your vehicle financing, however, this means you will pay interest on the vehicle service contract.

Aftermarket Extended Warranty

Aftermarket warranties provide owners with more flexible coverage options and are often more affordable. Unlike a manufacturer-extended car warranty, third-party extended warranty companies allow you to choose your own repair shop. Third-party plans can be purchased at any time and will provide coverage for up to 250,000 miles, whereas manufacturer warranties typically have term limits of up to 150,000 miles.

Extended Vehicle Service Contracts: Conclusion

In this article, we explained what a vehicle service contract is. More commonly known as an extended warranty, these warranties provide extended warranty coverage for specific parts depending on the plan you choose. Manufacturer-extended warranties have far more limitations, such as where a vehicle can be repaired and the term limits.

Our Top Recommendations for Vehicle Service Contracts

As mentioned, reputable extended car warranty companies have many advantages over manufacturer-backed coverage, including affordability, flexible coverage, and more repair shop options. Our review team has thoroughly researched the industry and identified the best providers on the market. Below, we outline two of our top picks.

Endurance: Best Overall

Endurance is our go-to pick for comprehensive coverage. Here are a few of the provider’s standout features:

  • Endurance’s coverage limits extend up to 15 years or 200,000 miles.
  • There are sample contracts online that you can review before reaching out for a quote.
  • Endurance offers six coverage levels that range from basic powertrain coverage to an exclusionary bumper-to-bumper warranty.
  • Endurance coverage is accepted at thousands of repair facilities nationwide, including dealerships, repair chains, and mom-and-pop shops.

For an in-depth look at this provider, read our Endurance warranty review. You can also click below to get a free, personalized quote from Endurance.

Best Overall Warranty Provider

Our Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0

CARCHEX: Best for Used Cars

If you own an older, higher-mileage vehicle, CARCHEX may offer the best protection for you. Here are a few CARCHEX highlights:

  • You can choose from five coverage plans.
  • Term limits extend up to 10 years or 250,000 miles.
  • CARCHEX protects vehicles up to 20 model years old.
  • The provider offers sample contracts online for added transparency.
  • CARCHEX received an A+ rating from the BBB, reflecting its use of sound business practices.

For more information, read our comprehensive CARCHEX review. You can also click below to find out how much a CARCHEX warranty would cost for your vehicle. If you’re trying to decide between CARCHEX and Endurance, read our Endurance vs. CARCHEX review.

Best Warranty Provider for Used Cars

Our Rating: 4.4 out of 5.0

Vehicle Service Contract: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about vehicle service contracts:

What are vehicle service contracts?

Vehicle service contracts are car warranties that provide coverage for various component parts with varying term lengths offered by manufacturers and third-party companies.

What do vehicle service contracts cover?

Vehicle service contracts usually offer two types of coverage. A powertrain warranty and a bumper-to-bumper warranty. Powertrain warranties cover the parts of your car that make it move while bumper-to-bumper warranties cover most vehicle parts and are often exclusionary, meaning the contract will only list the parts that are not covered.

How much do vehicle service contracts cost?

On average, vehicle service contracts cost between $1,700 to $4,000. The high discrepancy in the range is due to several factors affecting the cost of a vehicle service contract – vehicle age, mileage, make, and model.

Are vehicle service contracts worth it?

Vehicle service contracts save drivers money on unexpected repair bills. Often, the cost of one major repair after a mechanical breakdown is higher than the lifetime cost of a vehicle service contract.

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.