CarShield Vs. Carchex: Which Extended Warranty Is Right for You?

By Kiah Treece

CarShield and Carchex are well-known warranty providers that offer more expansive policy choices than competing coverage options. An auto warranty can help provide extended financial protection on your car, allowing you to access more affordable repairs when needed. Read on to learn everything you need to compare coverage for CarShield versus Carchex. 

What Is CarShield?

Founded in 2005, CarShield has protected more than 2 million vehicles. Best known for its wide selection of plans and online customer portal, CarShield can provide cost-effective options to protect your vehicle. However, be sure to read your contract carefully — CarShield has a history of conflict with the Better Business Bureau over deceptive advertising claims. 

How CarShield works

After browsing CarShield coverage, you can submit a quote request form online. After submitting details on the vehicle you want to protect, you’ll receive a call from a sales representative to help you choose the best coverage for your needs. You can also call 800-424-8321 to get a quote more quickly. 

When you need to file a claim, contact CarShield to find a local repair shop that works with your contract. You’ll then ask a representative to create a written estimate, which you’ll submit with a claim inquiry through your online CarShield customer portal, along with maintenance records proving you’ve kept up your vehicle. CarShield will then approve your claim if you qualify and provide further instructions to finalize your repair. 

CarShield Plans

CarShield offers seven unique plan options, which can be beneficial if you’re looking for a choice between policy inclusions. 

• Aluminum: CarShield’s specialty plan protects electrical components and computer-related issues. 
• Silver: The Silver plan covers vital components, including lubricated engine parts, water pumps and transmissions. 
• Gold Select: Best for high-mileage vehicles, Gold Select covers components like the engine, transmission, water pump, alternator, starter, air-conditioning system and power window motors. 
• Gold:  The Gold plan is CarShield’s powertrain plus option. It includes coverage for both major and minor parts like the engine, transmission and power windows. 
• Platinum: The Platinum plan provides comprehensive coverage, including for the engine, starter, transmission, water pump, fuel pump and air conditioner. 
• Diamond: CarShield’s Diamond coverage is comparable to a manufacturer’s warranty. It includes everything from the engine to the fuel pump, transmission failures and starter. 
• Motorcycles and ATVs: This specialized plan for motorcycles and ATVs provides coverage for specific parts and components of these vehicles. 
• Electric Vehicles: This EV-specific plan covers specific components in the electric drive unit, electrical system, battery pack and other systems.

CarShield Pros and Cons

Carchex Plans

Carchex offers five policy plan choices, more than most competing auto warranty providers. 

• Extra Care: Carchex offers an affordable coverage option known as Extra Care. This plan provides limited coverage for systems outside of the powertrain, including steering, braking, electrical and suspension systems. 
• Powertrain: The Powertrain plan is one of Carchex’s more budget-friendly options. It provides protection specifically for your engine, transmission, turbocharger, cooling system, transfer unit and drive axle. Like all of Carchex’s plans, Powertrain-level coverage includes valuable benefits like roadside assistance.
• Powertrain Plus: With Powertrain Plus coverage, you receive all the advantages of the Powertrain plan plus coverage for your air-conditioning, electrical and fuel systems.
• Platinum: The Platinum plan widens the coverage of Powertrain Plus to include steering, suspension, brakes, high-tech electronics, audio centers and emissions components. Additionally, it provides more comprehensive rental car protections.
• Titanium: Carchex’s highest tier available is the Titanium coverage plan. This exclusionary plan covers all components and systems of your vehicle, with only a few noteworthy exceptions, such as paint, carpeting, upholstery, the vehicle frame and other similar items. The Titanium coverage plan is comparable to factory coverage.

All Carchex plans include roadside assistance coverage. The Titanium- and Platinum-level coverages include more extensive protections than more affordable tiers. 

If CarShield and Carchex don’t provide the coverage you want, consider the best extended car warranty plans to find a better fit.

Carchex Pros and Cons

CarShield Vs. Carchex: How They Compare

CarShield and Carchex both offer a variety of plans to choose from, but coverage provisions and requirements vary between companies. Here’s how CarShield and Carchex compare in areas drivers care about the most.

Mileage limits

Carchex and CarShield impose mileage limits on new policy issues, meaning they will not protect vehicles that already have a certain number of miles on them. CarShield’s current mileage limit is 225,000, while Carchex doesn’t publish its upper mileage limit. This means individual mileage limits may vary by location and vehicle make and model. If you have a used car, CarShield may be a better option. Also consider the best used-car warranty companies before committing to coverage.

Waiting period

Both providers offer two waiting period options: 1,000 miles and 30 days or 200 miles and 90 days. You must meet both conditions to satisfy the waiting period requirement. This can make Carchex and CarShield more robust options against competitors if you drive your vehicle less frequently and would struggle to meet a 1,000-mile minimum.

Claims process

The CarShield claims process begins with a call to a representative to find a suitable local repair facility — benefits may be limited to $500 for emergency repairs if you don’t call ahead. You’ll submit your written estimate to CarShield using its online claims submission process. A representative will review your claim and contact you with steps to move forward and submit your repair request.

Carchex’s claims submission process is almost identical to CarShield’s except that you must contact a representative over the phone after receiving your estimate for a written repair. Both Carchex and CarShield have less user-friendly claims processes when compared to other auto warranty options like Endurance, which you may want to factor into your final choice of warranty provider.

Customer satisfaction

Comments on CarShield’s legitimacy vary depending on the source. Trustpilot users found CarShield mostly helpful, awarding it a total of 4.3 out of 5 stars based on 50,449 reviews. Multiple reviewers commented that CarShield had their vehicles repaired quickly and that representatives were friendly and helpful. CarShield has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since March 2024 and has an A grade. Reviews were equally poor — CarShield has an average BBB rating of 1.82 out of 5 stars.

Reviews of Carchex are also mixed by source. While it’s currently accredited with the BBB and maintains an A+ grade, customer reviews across third-party sites are mostly negative. BBB customers awarded Carchex an average rating of 1.96 out of 5.0 stars, while Trustpilot users rated it 2.7 out of 5 stars based on 1,540 reviews.

Customer service

When it comes to customer service, CarShield has the edge over Carchex. CarShield offers a dedicated customer service phone number (800-587-4162), which operates from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET during the business week. Separate phone numbers are available for roadside assistance, claims, payment processing and sales. You can also connect with a CarShield representative through your online account or by submitting a contact request form. 

Carchex offers only a single customer service line (877-227-2439), shared between its customer service and claims processing team. You can also use Carchex’s online ticketing system to receive a response via email. If you value responsive customer service and it gives you peace of mind to have multiple routes of contact at your disposal, CarShield could be a better option.

CarShield Vs. Carchex: Who Each Is Best For

Between CarShield and Carchex, which company offers the better warranty? The ultimate answer will vary depending on the characteristics and policies you value in an auto warranty provider. If you’re looking for more customization for your policy or buying a plan for a motorcycle or ATV, you might appreciate CarShield’s wide range of coverage options. CarShield might also be a better option for those who value customer service team member connections, as it offers a more robust support network than Carchex. 

Carchex can be a viable option if you’re looking for a more extended contract option. While Carchex offers month-to-month pricing at your request, it also supports contracts for coverage that last years. This can be a helpful option if you prefer to lock in your pricing or if you think you’ll have your vehicle for a more extended period.

Ultimately, the best car warranty companies vary by driver. Take time to compare CarShield versus Carchex and other options before purchasing a plan.