What do CarShield reviews have to say about the company?
CarShield extended warranties are some of the most popular in the nation, but are they a good investment for you? To help you make your decision, our team has taken a close look at CarShield reviews, benefits, plans, and exclusions and will summarize everything you need to know in this article.
To make the best financial decision, we always recommend getting a quote from at least three providers, as extended warranty prices vary based on vehicle age, your location, and other factors. For providers with which to compare a CarShield warranty, check out our review of the best extended car warranty companies.
In this article:
How CarShield Warranties Work
CarShield is an independent provider of extended auto warranties for new and used cars. The company offers six types of warranty service plans, ranging from a basic drivetrain warranty to a plan comparable to a new car’s factory warranty. Some of the extended warranty plans provide coverage up to 200,000 miles, making CarShield a good choice for high-mileage vehicles.
Extended warranties are more accurately described as vehicle service contracts, as they're not fulfilled by the vehicle manufacturer. CarShield is a vehicle service contract broker, which means the plans it offers are administered by another organization, also called the obligor.
Sample contracts on CarShield’s website list American Auto Shield as the administrator, though individual contracts may use other administrators. This adds to the variety of options available.
CarShield has been in business for 16 years and has covered over one million vehicles in that time. The company has flexible protection plans and also includes coverage for specialty vehicles and high-tech systems.
CarShield has been featured on ESPN, CNN, HGTV, and TBS. The company also boasts a number of celebrity endorsements. Additionally, thousands of people speak highly of the company in CarShield reviews on Google and Trustpilot.
| CarShield Pros | CarShield Cons |
|---|---|
| 24/7 emergency roadside assistance | Trip interruption reimbursement not always included |
| Choice of certified repair shop | |
| Direct payments to repair facilities | |
| Most contracts are transferable to new owners |
CarShield Coverage Plans
CarShield offers six general types of warranty service plans. One plan is just for motorcycles and ATVs, so we've just described the five plans for automobiles below:
| CarShield Plan | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Diamond | This plan is comparable to a new car’s factory warranty. It is exclusionary and lists only parts that aren't covered to define the contract. Excluded parts include aesthetic parts, trim, hoses, belts, and wear items. |
| Platinum | This plan is the highest level of inclusionary coverage. It covers items that are part of the engine, transmission, cooling system, electrical system, steering, air conditioning, brake system, and more. It doesn’t cover all of the parts that make up each of those systems, but it explicitly lists each covered item. |
| Gold | This plan offers enhanced powertrain coverage. In addition to the engine, transmission, and drive axle, it covers the alternator, starter, power window motor, and more. |
| Silver | This is CarShield’s basic powertrain plan. It covers all lubricated engine parts, the drive axle, transmission, and water pump. |
| Aluminum | This plan is designed for vehicles that have complex electronic systems, as well as luxury vehicles. It includes coverage for power seat control, voice activation control, sensors, cruise control, gauges, instrument clusters, LCD screens, GPS, and more. |
What Is Not Covered By A CarShield Extended Warranty?
CarShield plans don’t cover everything, and each contract details what is excluded. Exclusions common to all CarShield contracts include:
- Repairs performed without prior authorization from the contract administrator
- Damage caused by a lack of maintenance
- Damage caused by acts of nature, theft, vandalism, or falling objects
- Modifications to the vehicle
- Misuse including racing or off-road driving
- Tampering with the odometer
All of these exclusions are common in the industry, to both factory warranties and third-party providers.
CarShield plans have a standard waiting period of 20 days and 500 miles before coverage kicks in. This protects the company from paying for a repair that the customer already knew about. Representatives are allowed to make notes of what is wrong with your car at the time of your extended warranty purchase.
How Much Does CarShield Cost?
CarShield has both limited and unlimited coverage terms. According to our research, both types of plans offer affordable payments that start around $100. One quote we received was $1,993 in total for a 4 year/125,000-mile warranty. Generally speaking, CarShield's prices are cheaper than many of its competitors.
To get a quote from CarShield, you can either call the company or submit some quick information in an online form. If you request a quote online, a representative will call you to discuss your options. Things like mileage, service history, current warranty coverage, and recent mechanical issues can impact the price or the type of plan that is available to you.
During a phone call, you’ll be provided with a coverage plan and monthly payments. While some of CarShield's plans break up the cost over 24 months, most plans are monthly so you can keep the coverage as long as you choose.
According to CarShield reviews on Trustpilot, many customers find affordable monthly payments from the company. To give an idea of pricing, our review team reached out to CarShield for extended automotive warranty quotes on a few vehicles. This is what we found:
| Vehicle | CarShield Warranty Plan |
Term |
Monthly Payment |
Down Payment |
Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 Honda CR-V |
Diamond | 4 years/125,000 miles | $100 for 18 months | $295 | $100 |
|
2016 Lexus ES 350 |
Diamond |
Unlimited |
$99 monthly |
First payment |
$100 |
|
2014 Ford Fusion |
Platinum |
Unlimited |
$99 monthly |
First payment |
$100 |
|
2013 Lexus RX 350 |
Platinum |
Unlimited |
$99 monthly |
First payment |
$100 |
|
2013 Toyota Camry |
Gold |
Unlimited |
$99 monthly |
First payment |
$100 |
|
2016 Lexus ES 350 |
Gold |
Unlimited |
$99 monthly |
First payment |
$100 |
To see how much you would pay for coverage, get a free quote from CarShield for your vehicle.
CarShield Reviews From Customers
Over 7,000 CarShield reviews on Google give the company an average score of 4.1 out of 5.0 stars. Similarly, over 18,000 CarShield reviews on Trustpilot rate the company 4.1 out of 5.0.
Positive reviews mention paid claims and knowledgeable agents. On the other hand, some customers are disappointed when certain parts aren't covered. Below are a few examples of both positive and negative reviews.
Recent Positive CarShield Reviews
"I've had two claims paid without a problem. The [first] claim took less than 24 hours to finish and saved me $400 dollars. The second claim for my alternator [...] was done the same exact day and CarShield saved me $1,300. I have no complaints at all!"
- Eliza P. via the Better Business Bureau (BBB) on 05/03/2021
"So far, CarShield has showed up to do exactly what it promised. I appreciate that [service] was timely, professional, and efficient."
- Michele via Trustpilot on 05/31/2021
Recent Negative CarShield Reviews
"My starter went out in my Infiniti Q56. They only want to pay $178 for a starter. Where in the world [can] you get an Infiniti starter for that price? I called the auto store local to me, and their price was $375. My total bill was $900 with the dealership. They will only pay $563."
- Gloria S. via BBB on 04/22/2021
"My fuel pump was cracked and I ended up paying $1,400 for the repair because it was denied for coverage."
- Ni-Ni via Trustpilot on 06/01/2021
More than half of CarShield reviews on Trustpilot give the company 5.0 stars. However, there are some negative reviews. Getting surprised by a denied repair is not fun, and it seems like that’s what most negative CarShield reviews are about. This is why CarShield customers are encouraged to go over their contracts when they receive them so that they are fully aware of what is covered.
CarShield's mobile app is designed for its customers to view the details of their contracts from their phones. It has over 600 reviews on Google Play with a 3.5-star rating. The app has over 100 reviews on the Apple App Store with a 4.2-star rating.
Our Take On Carshield: 4.5 Stars
We rate CarShield 4.5 out of 5.0 stars and recognize it for having the Best Value in 2021. While it's easy to focus on negative CarShield reviews, the extended warranty company has served thousands of happy customers and offers low rates for comprehensive coverage.
| CarShield Pros | CarShield Cons |
|---|---|
|
24/7 emergency roadside assistance |
Some negative CarShield reviews |
|
Choice of certified repair shop |
Rental car reimbursement not included with all plans |
| Direct payments to repair facilities |
|
|
Most contracts transferable to new car owners |
It’s always a good idea to get quotes from more than one company so you can compare pricing and determine what is right for you. In our review, we found CarShield, CARCHEX, and Endurance to be industry leaders. Use the tool below to get free quotes from these three providers:
Is CarShield Worth It?
In many online CarShield reviews, customers mention finding affordable payment plans and having the repair costs covered as expected. Whether a CarShield warranty would be worth it for your vehicle depends on a few factors, including your personal financial situation and your vehicle's dependability.
Extended coverage from a company like CarShield can help you avoid taking a financial hit from auto repairs. If you're able to easily cover expensive, unexpected car repairs out of pocket, you probably don't need an extended warranty. However, if you'd rather keep your budget more predictable, a CarShield extended warranty is a great option.
When deciding whether to purchase a CarShield warranty, you should also think about how reliable your vehicle is. You can use a site like RepairPal to look up your vehicle and how likely it is that you'll experience a major breakdown.
Keep in mind that even the most reliable vehicles can break down on occasion. The biggest benefit of extended warranty coverage is the peace of mind that expensive repairs won’t wreck your budget.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Warranty providers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of extended warranty plans available, coverage terms, and added benefits like roadside assistance.
- Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of plans and vehicles. Companies with lower prices per year of coverage receive the best scores.
- Transparency: This score takes into account contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each warranty company.
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