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CarShield

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5.3

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: December 20th, 2023

CarShield has been providing car warranty services to customers for over 15 years. Over time, CarShield has gained customers' trust through its outstanding customer service and customizable coverage plans. With the variety of car warranty plans, CarShield guarantees consumers will find the plan that will work for their car and budget.

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Customer Review: Kevin Babb from Lake Wales, FLb

"We did have a claim for a parts and labor job that our car needed and CarShield came through like they said they would. We recommend CarShield to everyone."

CarShield has provided vehicle protection to over 1,000,000 cars since its founding in 2005. Its goal is to "provide an exceptional experience by providing every owner of a vehicle with a dependable, reliable, and affordable solution to unexpected and costly repairs." CarShield offers plans for new cars, used cars, and motorcycles. Each of these plans are designed to be flexible to make it easy for the consumer to customize a plan that fits perfectly to their needs.
 
Car owners should be aware that extended car warranties do not cover car repairs resulting from normal wear and tear or failure to properly maintain the vehicle. An extended auto warranty also does not cover pre-existing conditions on the vehicle. It is crucial to keep up to date on the maintenance of your vehicle to prevent voiding your car warranty. An extended car warranty is not car insurance. Car insurance helps cover accident repair costs and liability for accidents. To find an insurance policy, research car insurance providers. An extended warranty is also not a manufacturer's warranty. A manufacturer's warranty typically comes with the purchase of a new vehicle and when this warranty expires you cannot get a new manufacturer's warranty. An extended car warranty must be purchased separately.
 
Read verified CarShield reviews from real CarShield consumers.

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The Good

  • Variety of Warranty Plans
  • Monthly Plans
  • Other Features
  • Excellent Customer Service

Variety of Warranty Plans

CarShield offers a variety of vehicle service contracts to fit car owners' budgets and their car protection service needs. Each offers a unique level of coverage, giving customers options depending on their coverage needs. CarShield offers coverage for cars with up to 250,000 miles on them. This gives those who have cars with higher mileage the opportunity to purchase a car warranty.

  • Diamond — This plan is most similar to the factory warranty that accompanies a new car. It covers practically all the electrical and mechanical parts on the vehicle, ranging from engine and transmission failures to starter problems, and even the computers and sensors within the vehicle.
  • Platinum — This vehicle service contract is very similar to the Diamond protection plan. It protects your vehicle’s engine, transmission, air conditioner, electrical system, starter, water pump, fuel pump, and more.
  • Gold — Gold coverage is ideal for vehicles with over 100,000 miles. This includes the engine, transmission, water pump, alternator, starter, air conditioner, and power windows
  • Silver — This is the most affordable plan CarShield offers to protect the most essential components in a vehicle, such as the engine, transmission, drive axle, and water pump.
  • Aluminum — Since more modern cars have electrical and electronic systems that can be difficult to repair or replace, this plan covers the most advanced systems in a car. This also includes things like basic computer control systems and the infotainment system within a vehicle. This plan does not cover the Power Train on a vehicle.
  • Other — In this category of CarShield’s plans, you will find a number of options that cover unorthodox types of vehicles. These can include things like motorcycle coverage, ATV coverage, and more.

CarShield's extended warranty plans are for new and pre-owned vehicles.

Monthly Plans

In addition to providing plans that are term-based, such as five years and 60,000 miles of coverage, CarShield offers contracts that renew on a monthly basis so you can keep the coverage on your vehicle for as long as you choose. 

Other Features

CarShield offers other features to its clients upon request. All CarShield auto repairs have a very low or nonexistent deductible. When you need a covered repair, it will be fixed 100 percent free, or the customer will be responsible for a minimal deductible for repairs.

Other features are as follows:

  • Courtesy towing anytime your car breaks down
  • Car's engine, axle, and transmission are a few car repairs covered in each CarShield contract
  • Rental car reimbursement with most vehicle service plans
  • 24/7 roadside assistance for vehicle breakdowns

These additional features add value to CarShield's warranties by enhancing client service. Roadside assistance offers peace of mind because car owners can receive help wherever they are on the road. Vehicle service contracts that include rental car coverage offer additional peace of mind because clients know they'll have reliable transportation and financial stability through receiving compensation for a rental car with their extended car warranty benefits.

Allowing clients to choose their repair shop for necessary car repairs, as long as the mechanic is ASE-certified, gives clients flexibility and greater confidence that their car is repaired well. It also allows clients to find more cost-effective repair options than those available at the dealership.

Excellent Customer Service

Overall, the verified reviews that have been left here at Best Company have called customer service at CarShield, "excellent," "quick and painless experience," and "loyal to their customer." CarShield strives to provide great customer service by also offering an option to receive a free quote for coverage, as well as an online form for comments, suggestions, and questions. The company's website is easy to navigate and includes online options to file a claim, check the status of your claim if you already filed a claim, or opt out of mailings or promotions. Overall, the consumers who have left their reviews on Best Company have had positive experiences with CarShield's customer service representatives.

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The Bad

  • Limited General Cost and Contract Information

Limited General Cost and Contract Information

In spite of offering a variety of warranty plans, CarShield is less transparent with its prices than other extended car warranty companies.

The website does not disclose the prices, contract lengths, deductibles, or other fees. However, although it does not disclose the specific CarShield cost up front, potential clients can learn the cost of a car warranty through CarShield by requesting a free quote. To receive a free quote, car owners must input their car's make, model, and mileage.

While it can be frustrating for potential clients not to be able to see general information about warranty cost, it is not uncommon for car warranty companies to not put an exact price on their website because the warranty cost varies based on the warranty selected, age of the car, make, model, and odometer reading (mileage). Extended warranties will vary greatly depending on what vehicle you drive.

By working with a CarShield representative, potential clients can learn more specific information about their service contract options and payment plans and compare it against the costs provided by other warranty companies.

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The Bottom Line

Overall, CarShield is a great option for those looking to purchase an extended warranty for their vehicle. Their wide range of coverage options and their low deductible can make CarShield a more attractive option for those trying to get the most out of their plan.

CarShield's offering of monthly plans makes the company the most flexible option to go with and eliminates the high price of term contracts that are the industry standard. 

Additional service features, like rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance, and choice of repair facility for car repairs, will make it simple and stress-free to ensure that your vehicle is in good hands. It also helps clients save money by avoiding the high cost of getting car repairs done at a dealership. However, lack of transparency on the website might make it difficult to know the prices and other fees you will have to pay for your warranty plan. Specific contract information for each plan is also not readily accessible on its website.

Since online general information is limited, it is important to work with a CarShield representative to learn specific details about its warranty services, like cost, availability of flexible payment plans, and what protection plan options are available to you. CarShield representatives work with each customer to find affordable coverage options that offer high value.

Furthermore, reading verified CarShield reviews from consumers like you is crucial to determining if an extended warranty through CarShield is a good fit for you. The reviews found on Best Company include negative reviews where some have called CarShield a scam and have also reported having difficulty with CarShield claims. Do extensive research before purchasing a CarShield extended warranty.

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3.5

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287 Reviews

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2%

1 grade

36%

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Rick Trout Port Crane, NY

I bought it back in December but didn't need it till now. My side detection modules failed because of a crack in the module. It caused some haywire in the programming. The insurance agent for car shield denied it because he said there was rust in the units. I don't see how he can determine that since the units can't be opened. The initial cause was the crack in the module letting water in and making the unit fail, NOT the rustinside before the crack occurred. There wouldn't be any rust if the unit wasn't cracked. Now I have to bare the cost of fixing it myself. I am now wondering if I should continue to pay for this insurance. I am thinking that I will be denied for the next simple fix. Calling arbitration was impossible. I tried 12 times and I could not get through to them. Think twice or even 3 times before you decide whether or not to go with this company. The agent assigned to look at my car is not there for your interest , only to save the company money. GOOD LUCK

4 years ago

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Wanda Hailey Asheboro, NC

I don't have Car Shield, but was considering adding it as my vehicle protection. However, I spoke with two sales people (one male and one female) and both were so rude, I hung up on both. They apply extreme high pressure tactics that are offensive. All I said was getting the matter would need to first be discussed w/my husband b/f I purchased, and both became argumentative, refusing to take "wait" as an answer, so I hung up both times. I mean, what about simple communication courtesy. No - if this is how the sales people behave, I definitely don't want the product.

2 years ago

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Todd Tucson, AZ

I have a 2012 & 2013 Toyota Prius. What is not covered in their auto warranty is the inverter; a key component in the power train. This fact was not immediately obvious to me, or with the Car Service representative I talked with on the phone. I had an inverter failure covered under the Toyota warranty, otherwise the repair cost would have been $2,200. It took three phone calls to confirm an annual insurance premium of almost $2,000 wouldn’t cover this repair if I had signed on. Might be better for other makes, but not a Toyota hybrid.

4 years ago

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Bill McGowan Albany, NY

Called for a quote from car shield. Aftrr giving my vehicles in formation and getting a quote for $150 per month, I told the girl there was no way I'd pay that much a month for coverage probably never needed. She got belligerent with me and I ended up hanging up on her. That's the kind of company I'd like to deal with... Not!!!

1 year ago

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Scott Orem, UT

I had a car warranty from CarShield for a car of mine a while back and I never thought it was worth it. I paid quite a bit and never used it. I know that is how insurance works but it just didn't seem good either way. Save your money!

4 years ago