Best Bumper-to-Bumper Extended Warranty Plans
Bumper-to-bumper warranties offer the most comprehensive level of coverage you can buy. These plans are also called “exclusionary warranties” because they come with a list of what’s not covered rather than what is. The coverage found in these plans tends to be similar to the manufacturer’s warranty that comes with new cars.
1. Endurance: Supreme
Endurance Supreme earned the highest score in our extended car warranty study due to its impressive coverage and the company’s role as a direct provider, meaning that Endurance handles everything itself instead of relying on middlemen or third parties. This bumper-to-bumper option covers the vast majority of vehicle components and has only a short list of exclusions.
You’ll receive a free year of Endurance Elite Benefits if you pick the Endurance Supreme plan. This package includes perks such as key fob replacement, a tire allowance, collision discounts and up to $1,000 in total loss replacement. Endurance Elite Benefits also feature benefits like roadside assistance, towing services and rental car reimbursement.
2. Omega Auto Care: New Exclusionary
Omega Auto Care’s New Exclusionary plan is a bumper-to-bumper extended warranty that covers nearly every component and system in your vehicle. It also pays for two hours’ worth of labor if you need an emergency repair.
The New Exclusionary plan also includes a robust roadside assistance package that includes towing, lock-out assistance, fluid delivery, jump starts and flat tire assistance. If you opt in to the Tire Hazard Protection program, tire replacements and repairs will be covered by Omega Auto Care.
3. CarShield: Diamond
The CarShield Diamond plan is a vehicle service contract offering coverage similar to a bumper-to-bumper warranty or a new car’s manufacturer warranty. It covers issues ranging from engine and transmission failure, to starter problems and fuel pump breakdowns. Coverage can last up to 300,000 miles, which is one of the longest mileage limits in the industry.
In addition to the components covered under the Diamond plan, most CarShield contracts also include emergency roadside assistance, towing reimbursements up to $125, lockout and flat tire services and fuel deliveries.
Best Mid-Level Extended Warranty Plans
Unlike exclusionary coverage, mid-level and powertrain plans offer stated-component coverage. This type of contract lists every component that’s covered. If it’s not listed, it’s not covered. Many reliable warranty companies offer several mid-level contracts for people to choose from.
Also called “named-component” or “inclusionary” warranties, these contracts vary more between providers than bumper-to-bumper or powertrain plans. Due to their balance of cost and coverage, stated-component plans tend to be good options for used cars with high mileage. Below are mid-level extended warranty plans from some of our top providers.
1. CarShield: Platinum
The CarShield Platinum plan is one of the more comprehensive stated-component extended warranties we found through our research. It features coverage for 15 of a vehicle’s major systems, including for its air conditioning, power steering and cooling parts.
While there are some exclusions, the CarShield Platinum plan covers much of a car’s electrical system, including its power windows. It even takes care of high-tech electronics such as GPS units and infotainment systems.
2. Endurance: Superior
Endurance offers one of the most complete stated-component coverage plans available with its Superior plan. This option covers nearly everything from the company’s bumper-to-bumper Supreme coverage minus your car’s seals, gaskets and a few minor items.
Like the Supreme plan, the Superior plan comes with a free year of Endurance Elite Benefits. It also comes with benefits like trip interruption coverage and roadside assistance, which last for the duration of your extended warranty contract.
3. Carchex: Platinum
The Carchex Platinum plan is another of the most comprehensive stated-component plans on the market. It covers hundreds of components across 15 major systems in your vehicle, including high-tech electronics, audio, emissions and brakes.
While the plan covers a wide range of parts, it doesn’t protect wear-and-tear items like hoses, housing units, individual bulbs or serpentine belts. There’s also a limit to the plan’s roadside assistance, capping at $125 per occurrence.
Best Powertrain Extended Warranty Plans
Powertrain extended warranties are the lowest coverage tier and are usually the most affordable. They offer basic protection for a car’s most vital systems, making them the best extended car warranty plans for those on a budget. While there are differences between powertrain choices, they typically cover the engine, transmission and drive axles.
1. Carchex: Powertrain Coverage
Drivers looking for bargain-priced coverage from a reputable provider have a strong option with Carchex’s Powertrain Coverage. The plan is bare-bones and only offers coverage for essential components, but it has a low price to match. It’s administered by American Auto Shield and includes perks like roadside assistance and towing coverage.
2. Omega Auto Care: Powertrain
If you need a simple and affordable warranty plan that protects the most vital parts of your vehicle, Omega Auto Care’s Powertrain plan might fit the bill. The company offers three different powertrain plans to choose from, ranging from basic protection to enhanced coverage. All Omega warranties are administered by Lyndon Southern Insurance Company and are available across the nation.
3. CarShield: Gold and Silver
If you want your choice of powertrain extended warranties, CarShield is worth looking into. The company offers a Gold Plan, which is essentially a Powertrain Plus plan, and a Silver Plan that offers basic powertrain coverage. The Gold Plan covers the engine, transmission, water pump, starter, alternator, air conditioning and power window motors. The lower-tiered Silver Plan still protects your vehicles most essential components, including the engine, transmission and water pump.