CarShield Extended Car Warranty review

CarShield reigns supreme when it comes to sheer choice, but how does it stack up in terms getting a quote?

CarShield Extended Car Warranty review
(Image: © CarShield)

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

When it comes to sheer choice of warranty options, CarShield stands at the top of the league. With some 37 choices of vehicle service contracts and five exclusionary plans, Carshield has more plans than many of the companies we've reviewed.

Pros

  • +

    Lots of choice

  • +

    Spanish-language samples available

  • +

    Low cost

Cons

  • -

    No option for email quotes

  • -

    Sales calls can be numerous

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CarShield has been operating since the early 2000s as a vehicle service plan broker, and the company reports that it covers around half a million vehicles. It not only offers coverage across the country, but it's also one of the very few companies that have sample contracts available to look at in Spanish, as well as English. 

The sheer range of plans is where CarShield really stands out, with some 37 options on offer – many more than most of its peers. Its basic packages range from the entry-level Silver though to the comprehensive Diamond. This is why it ranks highly on our list of the best extended car warranties.

Added to these are several speciality packages such as the ‘High tech’ option. It's worth noting that there's a 300,000 mile limit to being approved for coverage.

Carshield review: Cost

  • Quotes can really vary
  • Factors include car condition, make and location
  • Quotes came in at around $0.04 to $0.05 per mile

Quotes for warranties can be incredibly varied depending on a wealth of factors, including the condition of the vehicle, geographic location, make, and model.  

Acquiring quotes for vehicles with 150,000 miles, and looking at a warranty period of 48 months, the quotes that CarShield supplied came in at slightly lower than the average for the industry, at around $0.04 to $0.05 per mile – the latter being the industry average. Services like CARCHEX and Autopom come out cheaper.

CarShield Extended Car Warranty review

(Image credit: CarShield)

CarShield Extended Car Warranty: Products

  • CarShield has 37 products available
  • Its most affordable policy is the Silver policy
  • Gold adds systems such as the alternator and starter

CarShield has 37 products available to customers looking for an extended vehicle warranty. For ease of choice in the first instance, they're generally grouped into six categories, and sample contracts for each are available on its website.

Its most affordable policy is the Silver policy, which is an entry-level, power train and essential systems warranty, that also includes all lubricate parts such as transmission and water pump. 

Gold adds systems such as the alternator and starter, plus electrical systems like the A/C and power windows. Platinum is an even more comprehensive warranty, with Diamond being close to the manufacturers warranty.

Added to these, CarShield also offers a High Tech option, specifically designed to cover Engine Control Modules, GPS systems and the like, and also a Specialty option, which is there for motorcycles and special circumstances. 

CarShield review: Key features

  • Plans to fit every budget and vehicle
  • Use any approved ASE mechanic or shop
  • Speciality plans and Spanish-language sample warranties

Plans to fit every budget and vehicle
CarShield’s range of plans is impressive compared to many of its competitors. Even within its entry-level power train-only plans, there are five options; this choice is available through all of its warranties, including its highest-level exclusionary plans. 

Use any approved ASE mechanic or shop
Although CarShield does have a list of mechanics within its network that customers must use, this list extends to any mechanic approved by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), which is a good standard for mechanics in general. 

Speciality plans and Spanish-language sample warranties
CarShield is one of the few companies to offer extended warranties for motorcycles, through their Speciality packages. It's also one of the few to have sample warranties available in Spanish for potential customers to look at. 

CarShield review: User reviews

  • Not accredited by the Better Business Bureau
  • 4 rating on Trustpilot
  • Requires customers to talk to a salesperson

CarShield is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau but it does have a good rating on Trustpilot, a global business review site, which awards them a 4 star rating – equivalent to ‘Great’. 

Its quote process is generally where the company falters compared to many of its rivals. Although the website has all the standard fields for potential customers to fill out to acquire a quote, the company doesn't email quotes, instead requiring customers to talk to a salesperson – which is a more pressurized situation than many people may feel comfortable with. The number of follow-up calls is also numerous compared to some of its competitors. 

This problem aside, the main CarShield website is otherwise relatively informative, and the length and readability of its contracts are good, with samples of each product available online and, as noted, in Spanish should you require it. 

Should you choose CarShield Extended Car Warranty?

CarShield’s strength lies in the range of products that it can offer customers looking for extended vehicle warranties. The company’s choice of 37 separate plans is well above most of its peers, as well as their customizability, from their entry-level to comprehensive plans. There really does seem to be a plan for almost every vehicle (under the 300,000 mile limit). However, its quote process is less impressive, and could be a deterrent to potential customers who have an aversion to sales calls.  

Paul Oswell

Paul Oswell is a US-based freelance writer for the Guardian, Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Times and more. While working for Top Ten Reviews, Paul has written about a broad range of subjects, but many of these concern money and tax. You'll find his bylines on articles from tax software to payday loans to create your own Will software.