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American Auto Shield

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6.3

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: March 22nd, 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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3.9

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145 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

39%

4 grade

30%

3 grade

10%

2 grade

9%

1 grade

12%

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Eric

The company as a whole has been outstanding. But, I have just made my first claim and it's not working out so well at this point. My guess is Car Shield likes paying out money for repairs. My vehicle needs the lifters replaced because two have had catastrophic failures. So instead of replacing all lifters, you all are only replacing two. With that said and miles on my vehicle there is a 90% probability that one or some of the remaining lifters will fail soon. That means I will be making another claim to replace more lifters, which in turn will cost you more money. When more fail I'll make another claim and so on. It would be in Car Shields best interest to replace them at this current point in time.

5 months ago

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Sherry

Not BBB certified, real picky about paying claims. You just pay forever on this.

1 week ago

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Odell Cohens Jr Monroe, NC

I love what this company stands for and I have been a customer for over a year or so. I just recently put my jeep in the shop because it didn't pass emissions so I could get it registered and here it is over two weeks later 16 days to be exact no vehicle, no rental, or no courtesy car for my wife to get to and from. Finally, after numerous calls and you are more than welcome to check your email and phone call recordings and finally they are sending an Inspector to hopefully approve the job. I believe that this is unsatisfactory...it just doesn't take this long on behalf of the dealership and Carshield!

3 years ago

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JuanR Oklahoma City, OK

Had a claim to have a starter and alternator repaired CarShield did not want to pay the shop for their part, but wanted to ship their own part in which would have taken 1 to 2 days or longer. So I had to come out of packet to pay difference to have to completed that day, because I need my vehicle for work that next day and could not be without vehicle 1 to 3 longer.

1 year ago Edited December 19, 2022

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Karen Nelson Raleigh, NC

Had 2 claims and wasn't impressed. 1 claim for Axles. Due to backordered parts, CarShield left us paying $800+ for the parts. 1 claim for Check Engine light which ended up being 3 engine rings allowing oit to leak up into spark plugs etc. and fault catalytic converters. Called for a tow and was told that if the claim ($1200) wasn't covered, I'd have to pay the tow bill. Used AAA instead. Claim for both issues was denied. Neither oil seals nor catalytic converters were covered.

1 year ago

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BJohnson

It's a long process with certain repairs and it's not fair to the paying customer to be without a car due to the fact carshield has to send out an inspector with certain repairs and it can take weeks and that's what makes shops not wanting to take the job. I was forced to trade my 2017 Q50 in just because no shop wanted to take carshield to repair my turbos.

1 year ago

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Claudio Williams New York, NY

Customer service is great.....! Claim was not covered 100% but my car is a Mercedes Benz and parts and labor are over the rates of other makes. The 3 day car rental was NOT paid at all and the claim for that rental was denied. I filed a complaint and a customer service advisor called me back lowering my monthly payment rate to a more affordable payment. Coverage remained the same.

1 year ago

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Rick Fisk Lake Zurich, IL

I had a great experience purchasing the warranty and felt it was a good product until I traded cars and got a new car with full warranty. The cancellation process was very frustrating because of willful ignorance on the part of the customer representative. What had been a good experience soured as I felt they sapped the last dime out of me in the cancellation process ignoring the policy language about a refund for for 29 unused days after cancellation.

3 years ago

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David Barr Houston, TX

Like having help with repair cost. Don't like being deceived. Need to cover more of the overall repair cost especially for senior citizens with low incomes. If you want to be #1 auto repair insurance company....THEN BE THE #1 auto repair insurance company with customer endorsement. Do & Cover more!

1 year ago

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Zequeira Jose Miami, FL

I was told the repair is not covered my mechanic said they were going to get back to him reference my transmission but 30 and take was not covered I thought that was part of the fuel system sales person very convincing we must read the small print

2 years ago

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[email protected] Harvest, AL

you guys need more Bodies ,,,,,,, the biggest complain from the reapir shops is the TIME it takes to get RESPONSEs on repairs Many of the local dealers in Huntsville want take the product. Bentley Cadillac being one

3 years ago

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Sandra Shoytush Schenectady, NY

CarShield should have discussed the options on my policy before I chose my level of coverage. I think that the exhaust system should be covered because of its exposure to the elements.

2 months ago

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Bernie Dearborn, MI

The new EV platform along with hybrid motors reduce/eliminate costly standard motor repair. With this in mind, CarShield should seriously consider covering the replacement of these gas-replacement batteries.

1 year ago

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Robert Yingst Lancaster, PA

I never had to use their services as I just needed it for a few months. When I tried to cancel I was placed on hold for about 25 minutes. Terrible customer service when you want to cancel.

2 years ago

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Terrie Morris Kansas City, KS

Well making payments is easy ! I havent had to file a claim yet but when I do I will give a star with how they took care of me. Right now I am making payments and that is very easy lol.

3 years ago