CarShield Review

Editor’s Note: On July 31, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission announced that CarShield will pay $10 million to settle FTC charges that its advertisements and telemarketing for vehicle service contracts are deceptive and misleading, and that many purchasers found that repairs were not covered. Based on this information and further review, our research team has reevaluated CarShield’s ratings.

Motor1 Reviews Team Take:

• CarShield offers eight coverage plans, including six for standard cars, one for fully electric vehicles, and one for motorcycles and ATVs.
• After mystery shopping for quotes and purchasing a warranty for one of our team member’s vehicles, we found that CarShield warranties cost about $150 per month.
• In July 2024, CarShield paid $10 million to settle with the Federal Trade Commission over charges of deceptive advertising, indicating a pattern of poor customer service and unwarranted denial of coverage claims.

You may have heard of CarShield in your search for an extended warranty—but what makes this company stand out from others? Is it the right company for you and your car? In this article, we’ll deep dive into CarShield’s coverage plans, average costs, and customer ratings to help you decide.

Our team works hard to bring you the most up-to-date information on the best extended car warranty providers, updating our review standards several times each year in the process. Our updates involve mystery shopping to collect warranty quotes, surveying thousands of current and past extended warranty holders, and even buying plans from providers for our own cars.

After 1,475 total hours of research, we previously rated CarShield 4.5 out of 5.0 stars and recognized it as Best for Electric Vehicles in the industry. However, recent charges from the Federal Trade Commission FTC have led us to reevaluate the company, resulting in a changed rating of 3.9 out of 5.0 stars. We’ll discuss the different ways these FTC charges impacted the company’s scores below.

---

Our CarShield Review

As with each provider we review, we arrived at our CarShield rating by looking at the provider’s strengths across five key categories: industry standing, coverage, cost, transparency, and customer service. With CarShield specifically, we also take into consideration recent charges of misleading advertising levied against the company by the FTC. Here’s a bit more detail on each category and how CarShield performed:

Industry Standing

CarShield is one of the better-known extended warranty providers in the United States thanks to its many celebrity endorsements and television ads. The company has been in business since 2005 and its plans are available in every state except California. 

In July 2024, the FTC announced that CarShield would pay $10 million to settle charges that its advertising practices were deceptive. Despite the company’s A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), we reduced CarShield’s rating in our industry category from 4.6 to just 2.6 out of 5.0 stars. The average industry standing rating across all providers is 4.0 out of 5.0.

Coverage

In this category, we give CarShield a healthy 4.8 out of 5.0 stars due to the many options it gives consumers. The company offers six different coverage levels for standard vehicles plus one plan reserved for motorcycles and ATVs and one for electric vehicles, which we’ll detail in the coverage section of this article. 

Warranties made exclusively for electric vehicles are difficult to find from other independent providers in the industry, which is why we’ve named CarShield as the Best for Electric Vehicles.

CarShield plans can last up to 10 years or 300,000 miles, both of which are generous coverage limits for the industry based on our research. Note that CarShield extended warranty contracts are not available to drivers in California.

The average rating across providers in our review is 4.0 out of 5.0. This puts CarShield above the average compared to 43 other providers in this category.

Cost

Our team gathered quotes for several CarShield coverage plans while reviewing the company. The vehicles we received coverage estimates for included:

• 2021 Toyota Camry, Honda CR-V, and Chevrolet Silverado, each with 60,000 miles
• 2017 Toyota Camry, Honda CR-V, and Chevy Silverado, each with 100,000 miles

Our quotes were for CarShield’s plans for standard cars, and we compared them to the 140+ quotes from the other providers in our industry-wide review. Based on our quotes, CarShield’s prices are average for the extended warranty market, which we’ll break down in the cost section of this article.

Despite its average costs, we give CarShield a solid 4.4-star rating for cost for its flexibility and the fact that you can easily customize your plan to fit your monthly budget. The average cost rating for all providers reviewed is 4.2 stars.

Transparency

We keep it pretty simple when we rate a warranty provider for transparency. Companies that offer a money-back guarantee and share sample contracts with plan details receive strong scores. The more upfront a provider’s website is regarding what a consumer can expect from its warranties and services, the stronger our transparency rating for that provider.

CarShield meets our benchmarks for transparency, so we initially gave the company a 4.8-star rating. In light of CarShield’s recent charges of deceptive and misleading advertising, we have reduced that rating to 3.0 out of 5.0 stars. With so many customer reviews indicating denied claims and other issues, we feel this score more accurately reflects CarShield’s transparency practices at this time. The average score in this category is 3.9 stars.

Customer Service

Despite recent complaints filed against the company, CarShield boasts strong customer reviews online, including 4.3 out of 5.0 stars from over 49,000 reviews on Trustpilot. The company also has a healthy 4.3-star rating out of 5.0 based on over 14,900 Google reviews.

Our team also found that CarShield’s quotes process is simple and straightforward, whether you get a quote online or by phone. In some cases, though, its customer service representatives can be a bit pushy with specific plans.

Based on this insight, we give CarShield an overall rating of 3.8 out of 5.0 stars for customer service. The average score in this category from our industry-wide review is 3.8 stars.

Pros And Cons Of CarShield

Is CarShield Reputable?

Yes, CarShield is a legitimate and reputable extended auto warranty broker with coverage for new and used cars. The provider has been in business for almost 20 years and has served over 1 million customers during this period. The list below highlights some basic facts about the company:

• Founded: 2005
• Headquarters: St. Peters, MO
• Coverage options: Eight levels of coverage for standard cars, including one exclusively for electric vehicles and one for motorcycles and ATVs
• Coverage terms: Up to 300,000 miles

---

CarShield Customer Reviews

CarShield has more reviews than any other warranty company on Trustpilot—over 49,000. Positive reviews for CarShield often mention paid claims, knowledgeable agents, and excellent customer service. On the other hand, some customers are disappointed when certain parts aren’t covered.

In our evaluation of the company’s positive and negative reviews, we found that more than 67 percent of CarShield reviews on Trustpilot give the company 5.0 stars. We also found that most negative CarShield reviews come from customers who are surprised when the company denies repairs. 

While this type of complaint is common in the vehicle service contract industry, CarShield’s volume of customer complaints regarding denied claims led to the company paying $10 million to settle with the FTC. This indicates a persistent pattern of misleading advertising and unwarranted claim denials. However, our team also noticed that CarShield is addressing consumer complaints and has responded to reports of the FTC settlement with a statement that the company is working to improve customer relations.

CarShield App Reviews

CarShield’s mobile app allows customers to view the details of their contracts from their phones. While this is useful, ratings for the app are subpar. The app has over 860 reviews on Google Play and a 3.4-star rating out of 5.0 overall. CarShield’s app fares similarly on the App Store with 3.3 stars from over 360 reviews.

---

What Does CarShield Cover?

The company offers eight types of warranty service plans, with one reserved for motorcycles and ATVs and another for just EVs. Plans range from a basic drivetrain warranty to plans comparable to a new car’s factory warranty. Used car warranties from CarShield can cover up to 300,000 miles, which is one of the highest mileage limits in the industry. This makes it a solid choice if you want peace of mind while driving a high-mileage vehicle.

CarShield Coverage

CarShield extended warranties are more accurately described as vehicle service contracts since the vehicle manufacturer doesn’t fulfill them. This means that another company administers CarShield’s plans.

Most companies in the warranty industry are brokers, though Endurance is an example of a direct provider. The main difference between the two is that with brokers, such as CarShield, you contact the plan administrator (a separate company) when you file a claim.

Note that CarShield’s vehicle service contracts only cover specific parts listed on the contract (except the Diamond plan, which only lists excluded parts). Sample contracts on CarShield’s website list American Auto Shield as the administrator, but contracts may use other administrators.

CarShield Plans

CarShield’s eight plans vary from basic coverage for the most important components to comprehensive coverage for the whole car. Take a look at some details described in the table below:

CarShield Plan	What It Covers
Diamond	This plan is comparable to a manufacturer’s warranty. It is exclusionary, so the contract lists only parts not covered, which include aesthetic parts, trim, hoses, belts, and wear items.
Platinum	The Platinum 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, fuel system (including fuel pumps), and more.
Gold	This plan offers enhanced powertrain coverage. In addition to the engine, transmission, and drive axle, it covers the alternator, fuel system, starter, power window motor, and more.
Gold Select	This plan is similar to the Gold plan and offers enhanced powertrain coverage. However, this plan is designed for high-mileage vehicles and doesn’t cover parts and repairs in your vehicle’s fuel system.
Silver	This is CarShield’s basic powertrain plan. It covers all lubricated engine parts and the drive axle, transmission, and water pump.
Aluminum	This plan is designed for luxury vehicles and vehicles with complex electronic systems. It includes coverage for power seat control, voice activation control, sensors, GPS, and more.
Electric Vehicle	Exclusively for fully electric vehicles, this plan covers the electric drive unit, electrical system, battery pack, and other EV components.
Motorcycle & ATV	This plan offers specialty coverage for motorcycles and ATVs, with Platinum and Silver coverage levels.

---

CarShield Benefits

In addition to paying for covered repairs, most CarShield contracts include the following perks:

• CarShield roadside assistance: Those with coverage from CarShield gain access to flat-tire services, towing and winching, lockout help, battery jump-starts, and fluid and fuel deliveries.
• Rental car reimbursement: You’ll receive up to $100 per day to cover a rental car if your vehicle heads to the repair shop.
• Trip interruption reimbursement: Get up to $125 per day to take care of meal and lodging costs (for up to four days) if your car goes to the shop for a covered repair.
• Price lock: Those who maintain CarShield coverage will pay the same rate as long as they continue their policy.
• CarShield rewards: Drivers may receive discounts on rental cars along with lower rates for certain scheduled vehicle maintenance services.

What Does CarShield Not Cover?

The vast majority of CarShield customers report no issues with the company paying for repairs. However, CarShield can deny a car warranty claim for a few reasons, most of which are common across the extended car warranty industry. Exclusions from a CarShield contract include any damages or mechanical issues that come from: 

• Repairs performed without prior authorization from the contract administrator
• A lack of maintenance
• Acts of nature like floods, fire, or fallen objects
• Theft or vandalism
• Modifications to the vehicle
• Misuses such as racing or off-road driving
• Tampering with the odometer
• Pre-existing conditions
• A noncovered part failing
• Normal wear and tear

CarShield Waiting Period

CarShield plans have a standard waiting period of 20 days and 500 miles before coverage kicks in. This delay protects the company from paying for repairs that the customer knew about beforehand. Representatives can note what is wrong with your car when you sign up for an extended vehicle service contract.

A waiting period is standard across the warranty industry. However, some providers like Olive don’t enforce a waiting period before coverage takes effect.

CarShield Claims

If you experience a breakdown, contact the roadside assistance provider outlined in your contract to get a tow to the nearest repair shop. Drivers can reach out by phone, through an online portal, or by using the CarShield app. 

Note that you can take your car to any dealership or shop authorized by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE^®). There are over 1,500 shops across the U.S. where a large percentage of repair technicians are ASE-certified, making it easy to find a repair facility. 

Make sure the auto repair shop calls a CarShield claims representative for authorization before performing any repairs. Recent reviews from CarShield customers have indicated issues with getting coverage approved at their chosen repair facilities.

The only case when you can authorize a repair is when it’s an emergency after hours. You’d have to foot the bill and have CarShield reimburse you in that situation.

---

CarShield Cost

Our research team’s mystery shopping efforts found that CarShield warranties cost $149.99 per month on average. The vehicles we received estimates for were a 2021 Toyota Camry with 60,000 miles, 2021 Honda CR-V with 60,000 miles, and a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado with 60,000 miles. Each CarShield vehicle service contract requires one month’s payment to begin coverage.

In addition to mystery shopping, we also went through with purchasing a CarShield contract for one of our team member’s vehicles, a 2021 BMW X5 with 26,500 miles. The Silver plan we purchased ran $129.99 per month and had a $500 deductible.

CarShield Deductible

CarShield offers a wide range of deductible options ranging from $0 to $500. You may find higher or lower deductibles depending on the plan you select and your specific vehicle. For example, some extended service plans have a $0 deductible.

You can also get a discount on your plan for being a first-time customer or for covering multiple vehicles. Be sure to ask if you qualify for a discount when getting a quote.

CarShield Prices

See the table below to get an idea of pricing for each level of CarShield coverage. The quotes below apply to plans with unlimited mileage and come with a $200 or $250 deductible.

Our research team conducted our most recent auto warranty survey in spring 2024, where 75 percent of CarShield respondents reported paying between $1,000 and $2,500 for their plan. That makes CarShield’s quotes relatively affordable, though not always the cheapest in the industry.

CarShield Quote

To get a car warranty quote from CarShield, you can call the company or submit some quick information through an online form. If you request a quote online, a CarShield representative will call you to discuss your options. Factors such as mileage, service history, your current warranty coverage, and recent mechanical issues can impact the price or type of plan available to you.

CarShield Price Quote Details

During a phone call, you’ll learn about coverage plans 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 for as long as you choose.

To make the best financial decision, we recommend getting free quotes from at least three providers, as extended warranty prices vary based on vehicle age, your location, and other factors. 

Check out our review of the best extended car warranty companies to see our top recommendations.

CarShield Refund Policy

You can get a full refund if you cancel within 30 days and haven’t used the plan. You’ll get a prorated refund based on the time and coverage used after that point. You can also transfer most contracts to secondary buyers if you sell your car.

How To Cancel CarShield

To cancel a CarShield plan, you can contact CarShield’s customer service team at 800-587-4162. American Auto Shield, the contract administrator, requires that all motorists submit a written cancellation request. You can also reach out to a customer service representative at CarShield.com for help during the process.

---

CarShield Warranty Review: Bottom Line

Our researchers took a close look at CarShield’s plan options, pricing, and customer reviews to see how it compares to other leading warranty providers. After a thorough review, we feel that CarShield offers competitive coverage options for reasonable prices. 

The company’s recent settlement with the FTC over deceptive advertising means some drivers may take a risk when working with the company. For this reason, we recommend checking out Endurance or Carchex, two of the top-rated companies in our industry-wide review.

Alternatives To CarShield

It’s always a good idea to get quotes from more than one company so you can compare costs to determine what’s right for you. In our industry-wide review, we found Endurance and Carchex to be industry leaders.

Endurance Warranty: Best Coverage

Endurance earned 4.6 out of 5.0 stars and the superlative of Best Coverage in our review. This is because it offers five standard extended warranties plus a sixth plan that combines warranty coverage with regular maintenance coverage. The warranty company can cover cars for unlimited miles and it accepts vehicles up to 20 years old.

Read more: Endurance Review

Carchex: Best For Used Cars

Carchex offers five vehicle service contracts that come with extras like roadside assistance and trip interruption benefits. In our Carchex review, we found that the provider stood out for its A+ rating from the BBB and for its partnerships with industry authorities such as Kelley Blue Book. Carchex can also cover vehicles that are up to 20 years old, earning it the superlative of Best for Used Cars and an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 in our review.

Read more: Carchex Review

---

CarShield Warranty: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about CarShield extended warranties:

---

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.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

---