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American Auto Shield

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5.3

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: September 2nd, 2024

American Auto Shield was established in 2002, and based out of Colorado. American Auto displays its commitment to customers by providing 24/7 customer service options through phone, and live chat. 

American Auto Shield also shows devotion to its community by raising awareness and supporting charities such as Every Child's Hope, Make-A-Wish, Adopt-A-Family, and other great philanthropic efforts. American Auto Shield has also made excellent partners in the industry so that their customers are fully covered in more locations.

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The Good

  • Multiple Customer Support Features
  • Flexible Vehicle Requirements
  • Protection Plans

Multiple Customer Support Features

American Auto Shield offers customer support 24/7 and through phone, and live chat. This is very uncommon in the industry, as most auto warranty companies only offer customer support during normal business hours. 

Some warranty companies do not have the live chat option for support. Live chat is becoming a desirable option for customers who do not have the time or desire to speak on the phone, but don't want to wait for answers through email.

We really like that American Auto Shield understands the desires of customers and offers this form of support. The company also provides a way for customers to submit reports and claims online for added convenience. Its roadside assistance is also 24/7, which is a huge benefit for clients.

Flexible Vehicle Requirements

Many extended warranty companies only cover vehicles within a very limited max year and max mileage range. The average is approximately 15 years, with 175,000 miles. This allows warranty companies to pick and choose which cars they will cover. Older cars or cars with more mileage tend to have more issues than newer cars. It is less risky for these auto warranty companies if they restrict their vehicle protection plans to newer cars with lower mileage.

While American Auto does have restrictions, it is very generous. American Auto covers cars up to 25 years old with 250,000 miles. This makes American Auto Shield's service contracts available to more car owners. American Auto is a great choice for people with older cars with a great deal of mileage.

Protection Plans

American Auto Shield offers several protection plan options that cover different types of automotive issues. These extended warranties offer repair cost coverage for some malfunction and breakdowns once the factory warranty has expired. They do not cover normal wear and tear or damage caused in a car accident.

The vehicle protection plans a customer can choose will depend on how many miles their car has, the age of the car, and what the customer would like covered. Optional coverage may be added to customize an auto warranty, which is very convenient for customers who would like more coverage than what is offered in the basic extended warranty:

  • Deluxe: covers cars up to 20 model years and 150,000 miles. Covers most major car components.
  • Platinum: covers cars up to 20 model years and 100,000 miles. Covers most major car components.
  • Diamond: covers cars up to 9 model years and 90,000 miles. Covers all but a small list of exclusionary parts.

American Auto Shield's powertrain coverage plans include the following:

  • Powertrain: covers cars up to 25 model years and 250,000 miles. Covers engine, transmission, cooling system, and etc.
  • PT Silver: covers cars up to 25 model years and 200,000 miles. Covers engine, transmission, cooling system, and etc.
  • PT Gold: covers cars up to 25 model years and 200,000 miles. Covers engine, transmission, cooling system, and etc.

Each service contract for cars includes roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption assistance. An American Auto Shield vehicle service contract may also be transferred if the vehicle is sold. An extended auto warranty can add value to your vehicle, which is nice for customers who decide to sell their car.

American Auto Shield clients can add coverage for luxury electronics, emissions, and the ability to use the repair shop's labor rate.

In addition to offering good vehicle service contract plans, American Auto Shield also offers service contracts for motorcycles, ATVs, and dirt bikes. These additional protection plan offerings make American Auto Shield stand out from other car warranty companies.

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The Bad

  • Limited Online Cost Information

Limited Online Cost Information

American Auto Shield supplies good information about its extended car warranties, including plan-type and coverage. It would be nice to see cost information. However, because the cost is based on vehicle make, model, and mileage, there is a lot of variability. The level of variability makes it difficult to offer helpful general information.

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The Bottom Line

Should your car have a mechanical breakdown, an extended car warranty can save car owners money on that expensive repair. American Auto Shield offers good protection plan options, and covers more years and mileage that almost any other company in the industry. It shows a commitment to customers and community by investing in technological advances in the industry, and participating in philanthropic efforts.

While American Auto Shield could offer more cost information for each extended warranty, this is difficult due variation based on vehicle-specific information. American Auto Shield is worth considering, especially for those seeking a service contract for a motorcycle, ATV, dirt bike, or car. Before making a final choice, consider what American Auto Shield clients have to say about the service.

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Star Rating

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3.8

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147 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

39%

4 grade

30%

3 grade

10%

2 grade

9%

1 grade

12%

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Review Source

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Michael Conner Fort Lauderdale, FL

The app is not usable after the update even after following all the recommended steps to get it working again, The website doesn’t properly reflect account payments and most recently stated my account was past due. Turns out my account which was on autopay was not past due however I made two payments before this was discovered. The second payment was made thanks to the webpage indicating I had an additional amount due of $16.?? However when I paid this amount I was emailed a receipt for another full payment what happened is the site left off the “2”! With the two you have my monthly payment of $216.?? You can’t upload service records The entire web team needs to be fired.

1 year ago

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Gabriel Viera FL

I called today because for some reason it has taken over 2 weeks to get my claim approved and funds sent to my mechanic so he can start working on fixing my issue. My A/C compressor is not working and it is very hot where I live at which is in Miami, Florida. So I was told by the customer service representative that she will have this escalated and taken care of today. So far I have not heard back from you guys so I’m hoping that by end of day today that it will be resolved. As of now I can’t give you a rating more than 2 stars because nothing has be resolved as of yet and I have been waiting for over 2 weeks now. The customer service rep I spoke with today was very friendly and did apologize for the delay with my claim. I will change my rating as soon as my claim has been resolved but for now this is where I stand. Below I really can’t give any ratings because this has been my first claim since I joined American Auto Shield. But so far it hasn’t been a successful claim process. Thank you

4 years ago

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John Bishop Raleigh, NC

On my first claim, for a water pump for my Corvette, it took Car Shield almost 4 weeks to pay the claim! I had to do without my car for 3 weeks, while it was sitting in the dealers service shop. Then, when Car Shield rep finally got busy considering the claim, he nickel and dimed it to death, for example, he actually argued about not paying for a bolt and nut that held the water pump to the engine block! I couldn't believe it. The dealers service department manager was made to wait 1.5 hours on the phone the first time he called on the claim. He said they were going to quit doing business with Car Shield because of their really bad service.

5 years ago

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Jerry Altamonte Springs, FL

My claim for transmission repair was initially denied due to a technicality. After numerous phone calls from me and from my mechanic, the claim was subsequently approved . The whole process was way more stressful than necessary had it been handled with the ease as advertised. I hesitate recommending Car Shield to anyone without first letting them know of my experience and what to be aware of.

4 years ago

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Kyler Riverview, FL

Well, this was my first experience dealing with A.A.S. & lets just say that we didn't get off to a good or positive start! Granted, to be fair, apparently they had some kind of storm blow through the area this past weekend that knocked out a lot of their phone lines & whatever else. But this was one of the most excruciating experiences of my life having to deal with "trying" to get ahold of someone on the phone to start the claims process. I had this wonderful lady at Ford try for 3 days to get ahold of someone at A.A.S. to no avail, not to mention myself trying also. This past Friday the

5 years ago

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Reginald Goins Slidell, LA

I don’t like that LED lights are not covered for all the money that I spend every month for other things and my LED lights are not covered and also my sunroof is not covered also under this policy. That’s something that needs to changed also or you will be losing a lot of your customers…

2 years ago

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Della R.Quinn Coleman Plainfield, IL

My dislikes, takes too long to correct and error on there behalf. When you "The customer" had to pay out of pocket for repairs that was already covered by Auto Shield. Waiting for hours on phone to get my refund process back to me. Still WAITING!!

5 years ago

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PRIVATE EYE Smyrna, GA

The claims department was very hard to reach. It's been two weeks and no claim has been paid for the warranty service covered in the plan. As of today, I have hired an Attorney.

5 years ago

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Michelle Norristown, PA

Filed a claim I still have not gotten an authorization to have my car repaired but paying the monthly hundred dollar fee for this coverage

5 years ago

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Dr. Brown New York, NY

I have had trouble gaining access to a copy of the contract after more than three weeks after signing up for service.

4 years ago

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Shante Mcclain Chicago, IL

Never got to use it to many red flags as far as what would be covered on my car due to mileage

4 years ago Edited September 29, 2021

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Oscar Dais Glen Rock, NJ

very difficult to get someone on the line to get the repairs done.

5 years ago

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Angie Guitron Floresville, TX

No break downs. I just came on board with this company.

3 years ago