CarShield Reviews

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. We took a deep dive into CarShield’s coverage plans, estimated costs, and customer ratings from sources like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to help you decide if it’s the right warranty company for your needs. Backed by 1,475 total hours of research, we rated CarShield 4.5 out of 5.0 stars and recognized it for having the Best Monthly Payments in the industry.

We arrived at our 4.5 out of 5.0-star rating for CarShield by looking at the provider’s strengths across five key categories. Industry standing, coverage, cost, transparency, and customer service are the criteria we study as we rate and rank extended warranty companies. 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 U.S. 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. We give CarShield just 3.9 out of 5.0 stars in this category largely because it holds an F rating from the BBB. We looked into the reason for its low rating and found that it’s the result of unresolved complaints from customers and instances of misleading advertising.

Coverage

We give CarShield a healthy 4.8 out of 5.0-star rating for coverage due to the many options it gives consumers. The company offers five different coverage levels (plus one plan reserved for motorcycles and ATVs). 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.

Cost

We gathered quotes for several CarShield coverage plans while reviewing the provider. The vehicles we received coverage estimates for were a 2017 Honda CR-V with 45,000 miles and a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado with 55,000 miles.

Based on the quotes we received, CarShield’s prices are average for the extended warranty market. The company offers deductible options of $0, $50, $100, and $500. You can also get a discount on your plan for being a first-time customer or for covering multiple vehicles. We give CarShield a solid 4.6-star rating for cost due to the flexibility it offers and the fact that you can easily customize your plan to fit your monthly budget.

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. CarShield meets our benchmarks for transparency, so we give the company a perfect 5.0-star rating in the category.

Customer Service

CarShield boasts strong customer reviews online, including 4.0 out of 5.0 stars from over 34,000 reviews on Trustpilot. The company also has a healthy 4.2 out of 5.0-star rating based on over 12,000 Google reviews. 

Our team also found that CarShield’s quote process is simple and straightforward, whether you get a quote online or by phone. In some cases, their customer service representatives can be a bit pushy in steering you toward specific plans. Overall, we give CarShield a 4.2 out of 5.0-star rating for customer service.

Is CarShield Any Good?

According to CarShield reviews from customers, many find affordable monthly payments from the company. Additionally, CarShield is the most popular extended warranty company on the market, and its plans can cover vehicles for up to 300,000 miles.

Pros And Cons Of CarShield

Is CarShield Legit?

Yes, CarShield is a legitimate extended auto warranty broker with coverage for new and used cars. The provider has been in business since 2005 over 15 years and has served over 1 million claims during that period. The list below highlights some basic facts about the company:

• Founded: 2005
• Headquarters: St. Peters, Missouri
• Coverage options: Six levels of coverage, including a powertrain warranty, a bumper-to-bumper warranty, and a plan specially designed to cover high-tech electronics
• Coverage terms: Up to 300,000 miles

Note that CarShield extended warranty contracts are not available to drivers in California.

CarShield Reviews And Complaints

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. Below are a few examples of positive and negative CarShield reviews:

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. 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 BBB

“So far, CarShield has showed up to do exactly what it promised. I appreciate that [service] was timely, professional, and efficient.” – Michele via Trustpilot

CarShield Complaints

“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

“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

In our evaluation of the company’s positive and negative reviews, we found that more than 65 percent of CarShield reviews on Trustpilot give the company 5.0 stars. Most negative CarShield reviews come from customers who are surprised when the company denies repairs. It should be noted that Carshield does have a high number of complaints, but this can be attributed to it being the most popular warranty provider on the market. When choosing a vehicle protection plan, potential CarShield customers should carefully review their contract so there’s no question about covered repairs. 

CarShield App Reviews

CarShield’s mobile app allows customers to view the details of their contracts from their phones. The app has over 300 reviews on Google Play and a 3.8-star rating out of 5.0 overall. CarShield’s app fares slightly worse on the Apple App Store with 3.6 stars from over 190 reviews.

Overall, customers are satisfied with CarShield warranties. The chart below shows overall customer satisfaction with extended car warranties, according to our survey results.

The company offers six types of warranty service plans (with one reserved for motorcycles and ATVs), ranging 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, making 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. CarShield is a vehicle service contract broker, meaning that another company administers its plans.

Note that CarShield’s vehicle service contracts only cover specific parts listed on the contract (except the Diamond plan, which lists excluded parts).

Sample contracts on CarShield’s website list American Auto Shield as the administrator, but contracts may use other administrators. This adds to the available warranty options.

CarShield Plans

CarShield’s six 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:

In addition to paying for covered repairs, all 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 for a maximum of four days to take care of meal and lodging costs 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 claim for a few reasons, most of which are common across the extended car warranty industry. Exceptions from the CarShield contract 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
• Misuses such as racing or off-road driving
• Tampering with the odometer
• Preexisting mechanical issues
• The specific part isn’t covered
• The damage was caused by a noncovered part failing
• The damage was due to a lack of maintenance
• The damage is due to 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.

CarShield Claims

If you experience a breakdown, contact the roadside assistance provider outlined in your contract to get a tow to the repair shop. Drivers can reach out by phone, through an online portal, or by using the CarShield app. You can take your car to any shop authorized by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®). There are over 30,000 eligible locations across the U.S.

Make sure the auto repair shop calls a CarShield claims representative for authorization before performing any repairs. 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.

Does CarShield Pay Its Claims?

If CarShield authorizes the repair, you’ll just pay your deductible to the shop. You can also get reimbursed up to $40 per day ($280 maximum) for a rental car if the shop needs to do more than four hours of work.

Details such as reimbursement amounts may vary from contract to contract, depending on your state and contract administrator. These benefits are typical and come with most extended car warranties.

CarShield warranties cost between $109.99 and $139.99 per month on average. Each CarShield vehicle service contract requires one month’s payment to begin coverage.

CarShield Deductible

The quotes we received from CarShield included a $100 deductible per repair. You may find higher or lower deductibles depending on the plan you select and your specific vehicle. For example, some extended warranty plans have a $0 deductible.

CarShield Prices

To get an idea of pricing, our review team reached out to CarShield for extended automotive warranty quotes on a few vehicles. The quotes below apply to plans with unlimited mileage and come with a $100 deductible.

According to data from our 2022 auto warranty survey, most drivers paid between $1,600 and $3,200 for their extended car warranty plan. That makes CarShield’s quotes relatively affordable, though not always the cheapest in the industry.

CarShield Quote

To get a quote from CarShield, you can call the company or submit some quick information through an online form. If you request a quote online, a 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.ca

To make the best financial decision, we recommend getting 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.

In this article, we reviewed CarShield’s plan options, typical pricing, and customer reviews. We rate CarShield vehicle protection plans as some of the best extended warranty options currently on the market. CarShield is an excellent option if you’re looking for both the best coverage and best prices per month.

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 review, we found Endurance, CARCHEX, and Protect My Car to be industry leaders.

Endurance Warranty: Best Coverage

Endurance offers five standard extended warranties plus a sixth plan that combines warranty coverage with regular maintenance coverage. The warranty company can cover cars with more than 250,000 miles on them and it accepts vehicles up to 20 years old.

Read more: Endurance warranty review

CARCHEX: Best For Used Cars

CARCHEX offers five extended warranties 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 like the Kelley Blue Book. CARCHEX can cover vehicles with up to 200,000 miles on the odometer.

Read more: CARCHEX review

Protect My Car: Best Customer Experience

Protect My Car is known to offer great customer service, and it scores well on both the BBB and Trustpilot. Each of the company’s protection plans comes with 24-hour roadside assistance, free oil changes and tire rotations, and membership in a rewards program that offers a wide range of coupons and discounts.

Read more: Protect My Car review

CarShield Warranty Reviews: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about CarShield extended warranties: