CarShield vs. Endurance
Extended warranty companies sometimes get a bad rap, but it’s not all bad news. Many are legitimate, and actually provide solid coverage for vehicles that would have none otherwise. Two of these companies, Endurance and CarShield, are remarkably similar but do have key differences in customer reviews and service.
Endurance vs CarShield Overview
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Should I get an Endurance or a CarShield Warranty?
Endurance and CarShield are quite similar, both in terms of pricing and service offerings. Both have the same $100 deductible for most plans and both have similar restrictions on what won’t be covered. Most importantly, both have sternly-worded text written about them on the BBB’s website. Only CarShield, however, has had a warning issued against it by the BBB, which advises using caution when dealing with the company. Despite stellar customer reviews, there have been enough complaints that allege deceptive business practices for the organization to feel a warning is necessary. For this reason, we recommend Endurance.
Endurance Overview
Endurance is a company that is known for its great customer service and selection of coverage options for high-mileage vehicles. It allows customers to select their own ASE-certified technician as well, which makes life much easier when a repair is needed. See our full review of Endurance here.
Pros and Cons
- Many high-mileage choices
- Choose your own mechanic
- Solid customer service
- Claims process can be tedious
- Only Elite plan offers tire repair and other additional services
Fast Extended Warranty Rate Quotes
Call now 1-855-534-1173 or get an online quote
Carshield Overview
CarShield has been under scrutiny at the BBB for what is perceived as being deceptive business practices. A few potential customers report bait and switch tactics and sometimes say they don’t get what they paid for. On the upside, the company seems to keep its customers happy once they’ve signed up. See our full review of Carshield here.
Pros and Cons
- Roadside assistance
- Choice of repair shop
- Company pays shops directly
- Issues with customer complaints
- Not all plans include trip interruption reimbursement
- Website information not complete
Plan Options - Endurance vs. Carshield
| Endurance Plan | Overview | Best for.. |
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| Carshield Plan | Overview | Best for.. |
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Warranty Cost - Endurance vs. Carshield
(Get two quotes for your car. One as the mid-tier and one as the best plan)
Mid-tier Plan Cost
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High-end Plan Cost
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Endurance Warranty Reviews
The following reviews come from Consumer Affairs:
"My factory warranty was about to run out but I didn't renew it because it’s Nissan and they’re expensive. My next door neighbor also has Endurance and he's the one that recommended them. The reps explained everything good, and it's good price. I was told the coverage was bumper to bumper, just like it was when I bought a brand new vehicle. $135 is a bit more than what I previously paid for a warranty, but I'm satisfied with it."
"My experience with Endurance went pretty smoothly although there was a little bit of confusion on the last day when we went to sign up and do the payment. They wanted to change the terms on me and it was explained to me that the guy that did my claim was new. I explained to them that we were on a recorded line and those numbers were never mentioned. That was a hiccup but I schooled them on that right away."
"I read these glowing reviews on how easy it is to sign up for Endurance...wait until you need something repaired. I'm still in the process of working my claim, but so far it has been nothing but a headache and it would appear, a waste of money on my part. First was the receipts for oil changes, sent in 3 times each time a different excuse as to why they needed to be resent."
"Endurance goes for longer miles. I signed up with them and I didn't have a really good experience. They promised things that didn't come true. They don't explain things thoroughly if you ask questions about what to do if you have a problem. They don't tell you that when you have a problem with your engine, it goes to a third party to get done. It's not Endurance that you're going through."
Carshield Warranty Reviews
The following reviews are from Consumer Affairs:
"The service department had stated that they requested repair but were told it was not covered. In the call with CarShield they determined that the repair shop had looked up the incorrect policy. In correcting this it is now being fixed."
"There were a few hiccups in the transaction, with the wrong part being sent at first which took more time to correct, but all in all I was completely satisfied. They replaced the engine in my 2008 F-150, which allowed me to be back on the road."
"For what I pay a month for Carshield, they paid less for my repair work than I did. Didn't cover the hoses or taxes. I had to sit at the garage for 2 hours waiting for Carshield to send payment to the garage for the work they did on my car. Was very disappointed!"
"Your policy is not clear and will not pay out on an electrical item that clearly should be covered. I have electrical damage by the alternator and it did damage to the computer and you all will not cover the part."
How to Choose a Warranty Provider for Your Needs?
The most important thing to consider when thinking about an extended warranty is whether or not you actually need one. Many vehicles run without major problems for years, so paying for a warranty in these cases can end up being a big waste of money and time.
Also consider the type of coverage you think you need. If your vehicle is fairly simple, you may want to opt for simple coverage for powertrain and related components. Don’t buy more than you need.
Do your homework ahead of time to make sure you know what is and isn’t covered with your extended warranty.
Top Rated Warranty Companies
CARCHEX is one of the largest, most highly-rated providers of vehicle extended warranties in the market. They have been a trusted name in the business for 20 years.
autopom! is well known in the industry for customer service and responsiveness. The company works directly with 2600 certified repair facilities and has a dedicated customer advocacy program.
Liberty Bell has one of the best reputations and covers more vehicle makes than other warranty companies. This provider has a solid reputation with excellent customer service ratings and has been around for over a decade.
Toco Warranty Corporation is a relative newcomer in the industry, but they are making a splash. They maintain a solid reputation with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Toco is known for offering affordable plans with no down payment and the ability to pay in monthly installments.
Fast Extended Warranty Rate Quotes
Call now 1-855-534-1173 or get an online quote
FAQ
- Can I Transfer My Warranty To A New Owner?
In many cases, yes. You’ll need to check with your warranty provider to make sure of its policies, but most allow some transfer of warranty coverage. In our quest to find the best warranty coverage and prices, we reached out to both CARCHEX and Endurance to find the costs of transferring warranty coverage at both companies. Endurance allows transfers for no cost. CARCHEX also allows transferring coverage, but charges a $50 administration fee to do so.
- What Can Void My Warranty?
This answer could be a post of its own - in fact it is. The most common reasons warranties are voided include modified vehicles, vehicles that were used in racing or competition, vehicles that have been crashed, or vehicles that have been tampered with (speedometer, etc.)
- Why Was My Claim Denied?
You’ll need to call your warranty company to find out for sure, but in most cases it’s a non-covered part that causes the claim to be denied. You may also run into issues if you’ve had a previous repair performed by a non-approved shop.
- Can I Do The Work Myself?
Most warranty companies require that the work be performed by a preapproved technician and that the work be documented by the person doing it. Unless you’re a licensed and approved mechanic by the insurance company, it’s probably best to file a claim.
- Is Carshield a Rip Off?
We can’t characterize CarShield as a ripoff, but we can offer a word of caution. As we shopped for the best rates on warranty coverage, we found CarShield’s representatives to be pushy and not very informative. That, combined with the wall of negative reviews for the company online should be enough for you to exercise caution when shopping CarShield warranties.
- How Much Does Carshield Cost, On Average?
In our prior coverage, we found that CarShield customers pay around $100 per month for the policy. Your mileage may vary, especially if your car has high miles, or if you opt for top-level coverage.
- Is Carshield Worth The Money?
CarShield, and any extended warranty for that matter, can be worth the money if you plan on keeping your car for many years. The best way to come out on top, or at least even, is to do your research and find coverage that meets your needs. Finally, make sure you ask pointed questions about what is and is not covered under your warranty so that there are no surprises when you turn up at the shop expecting a repair.
