Car Shield Reviews
CarShield is one of the most prominent names in the car warranty industry. Based on the company’s overall score of 4.3 out of 5.0 stars in our 2024 extended warranty study, its reputation appears to be well-earned. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that CarShield is the best choice for every driver.
Our experts took a detailed look at the coverage options, benefits, and rates CarShield offers. We also studied dozens of customer reviews to get an accurate assessment of what the company offers and the quality of its services. You’ll find what we learned in the article below, along with a few other highly rated extended car warranty providers to consider.
CarShield Review
In our most recent car warranty study, we gave CarShield 4.3 out of 5.0 stars. The overall score is based on factors such as industry standing, coverage, customer service, and affordability.
That rating was one of the highest of any provider in our industry wide study, putting CarShield among the top options overall. The company performed especially well when it comes to affordable coverage and benefits.
Expand the section below to see a table with a breakdown of how CarShield performed in each category.
- Coverage for high-mileage vehicles: CarShield offers plans for cars with up to 300,000 miles, well beyond what many providers are willing to cover.
- Included benefits: CarShield plans come with roadside assistance as a free perk. This often costs extra and can offer valuable peace of mind.
- Affordable coverage: CarShield earned the title for Affordable Monthly Payments in our 2024 study due to its competitive rates. The company will likely be one of the cheaper options for many drivers.
CarShield Pros and Cons
| CarShield Pros | CarShield Cons |
|---|---|
| Makes direct payments to repair shops | Not all plans come with rental car reimbursement |
| Coverage can be used at any ASE-certified mechanic | Relatively high number of negative reviews |
| High maximum mileage limit of 300,000 miles |
Is CarShield Worth It?
Whether a CarShield plan is worth it for you depends on factors like your vehicle’s reliability and your financial situation. If you want to protect your car for the long run or crave peace of mind about costly repairs that otherwise would’ve been out of pocket, CarShield could be worth it.
CarShield offers a useful range of plans and very reasonably priced coverage for such a reputable extended car warranty company. The provider’s prices make it an especially attractive option if you’re on a tight budget and in need of a used car warranty.
CarShield Highlights
Founded: 2005
Headquarters: St. Peters, Missouri
Coverage levels: 8
CarShield is one of the country’s most popular independent warranty providers, offering affordable rates, flexible protection plans, and a range of deductibles. For a low, fixed price with month-to-month payments that are an industry rarity, CarShield warranties go beyond a factory warranty in covering expenses incurred as a result of mechanical breakdown.
CarShield is technically a vehicle service contract broker, meaning that it offers protection plans administered by other companies such as American Auto Shield. This setup gives drivers a wider variety of coverage options and price points. You can even find coverage for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, and other alternative vehicles.
CarShield has been featured on ESPN, CNN, HGTV, and TBS and has a number of celebrity endorsements, including one from rapper and actor Ice-T.
CarShield Customer Reviews and Ratings
CarShield customer reviews vary greatly, though most drivers report positive experiences. However, reviews for CarShield customer service representatives are mixed.
CarShield Ratings
The company has a 4.3-star rating out of 5.0 on Trustpilot, where 76% of over 49,000 customer reviews are positive. However, CarShield reviews are much lower on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), where it only has a 1.6-star rating out of 5.0 from over 2,600 reviewers.
Despite mixed reviews, the BBB offers CarShield an A+ rating. This rating is increased from CarShield’s recent rating of F, and the company also gained accreditation from the BBB in March 2024.
CarShield Warranty Quotes
The table below shows some of the quotes we received from CarShield.
| Vehicle Type | CarShield Warranty | Term Length | Monthly Payment | Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Altima | Diamond plan | Unlimited; month-to-month | $149.99 monthly | $200 |
| 2021 Jeep Cherokee | Diamond plan | Unlimited; month-to-month | $149.99 monthly | $200 |
| 2015 Chevrolet Silverado | Gold plan | Unlimited; month-to-month | $149.99 monthly | $250 |
| 2015 Jeep Cherokee | Gold plan | Unlimited; month-to-month | $149.99 monthly | $250 |
With CarShield, drivers can choose from multiple deductibles that start at $0. The company specializes in monthly payment plans, so motorists don’t have to worry about being locked into long-term contracts.
CarShield Warranty Cost Factors
Extended car warranty costs with CarShield will vary based on your situation. There are a few factors that go into the cost of your coverage, including the details of your car and the plan you choose. Your particular contract may fall outside of the price range shown above.
Some of the main factors that influence the cost of a CarShield extended warranty include:
- Type of vehicle: The make and model of your vehicle will affect how much you pay for a car warranty. Typically, luxury and vintage vehicles will cost more to cover.
- Vehicle age and mileage: Usually, older vehicles and models with higher mileage will cost more to cover under a warranty. That’s because they’re at a higher risk of breakdowns.
- Level of coverage: Most companies offer multiple warranty coverage levels, and the higher range of parts covered will come with a higher cost.
- Deductible: Similar to car insurance companies, CarShield lets you choose your deductible. The lower you set your deductible, the more you’re likely to pay for warranty coverage.
- Warranty provider: Companies charge different rates, even for the same level of coverage on an equal vehicle. This is why it’s important to get a few free quotes to compare.
CarShield Coverage
What an extended car warranty covers depends on the plan you choose. CarShield offers eight plans that range from powertrain-only coverage to exclusionary coverage similar to a factory warranty.
CarShield Extended Warranty Plans
In the table in the collapsed section below, you’ll find summaries of each of the coverage plans CarShield offers. Expand the section with the arrow to read them.
| CarShield Plan | Coverage Details |
|---|---|
| Carshield Diamond | Comparable to a new car manufacturer’s warranty, CarShield Diamond coverage is an exclusionary plan. This means comprehensive coverage for all systems and components of your vehicle except for a short list of noncovered parts. |
| Carshield Platinum | Good for high-mileage vehicles or used cars, the Platinum plan covers certain parts of your vehicle’s engine, transmission, cooling system, air conditioning, steering, brakes, electrical components, and fuel pump. CarShield Platinum is stated-component coverage, meaning that each covered part is listed in the vehicle service contract. |
| Carshield Gold | As CarShield’s enhanced powertrain coverage, the Gold plan focuses on common powertrain components such as the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. It also includes select components in the fuel system and other parts, such as the alternator, power window motors, and starter. |
| Carshield Gold Select | The Carshield Gold Select plan is a version of the Gold plan designed for high-mileage vehicles. This plan offers the same enhanced powertrain coverage, but lacks coverage for select fuel system components. |
| Carshield Silver | The Silver plan is CarShield’s most basic and affordable powertrain plan. It covers only the most important parts of your vehicle such as its engine, transmission, water pump, and drive axle. |
| Carshield Aluminum | The Aluminum plan covers most computer-related and electrical components, including the power seat control, sensors, cruise control, electronic gauges, and LCD screens. |
| Carshield Motorcycle & ATV | If you have a motorcycle or ATV that needs coverage, CarShield offers plans for specialty vehicles. |
| Electric Vehicle | CarShield’s Electric Vehicle coverage is designed specifically for EVs and covers components other plans wont, including the electric drive unit, battery back, and other critical electrical systems. |
CarShield Additional Benefits
In many CarShield reviews, customers touted the company’s benefits. With CarShield warranty contracts, drivers receive the following perks:
- 24-hour roadside assistance with services such as fuel delivery
- Courtesy towing for breakdowns (not included with all plans)
- Rental car reimbursement (not included with all plans)
CarShield Warranty Exclusions
CarShield does not cover:
- Parts that have been modified or altered
- Regular maintenance items such as windshield wiper blade replacements and oil changes
- Wear and tear components such as brake pads and air filters
- Damage caused by acts of nature, collision, vandalism, or lack of proper maintenance
- Auto repairs that have been made without pre-authorization from a CarShield claims representative
Even the most comprehensive extended auto warranties have their limits. The exclusions in CarShield plans are common among almost every extended warranty provider on the market.
CarShield Mobile App
The CarShield mobile app, available for Android and iOS, allows policyholders to view details of their contracts on mobile devices. On the app, you can quickly find information on warranty claims, customer service, and roadside assistance.
CarShield Mobile has overall positive ratings from users online. The app has an average rating of 3.4 out of 5.0 stars on Google Play and 3.3 on the App Store.
How Does CarShield Work?
CarShield vehicle service contracts allow you to pay ahead of time, either in the form of an upfront payment or on a monthly basis, to cover the cost of mechanical breakdown repairs. When you need repairs, CarShield will pay for the work minus your deductible as long as the affected components are covered and your account is in good standing.
CarShield Quote Process
According to many of the CarShield reviews we saw, the company offers an easy process for purchasing an extended warranty. You can get a quote by inputting your information on the company’s website.
It may seem more convenient to get a quote over the phone, but this isn’t always the case. When our team called CarShield to inquire about a quote, we were put on hold multiple times for a total of 15 minutes.
If you’re interested in purchasing an extended warranty, we recommend getting a quote from CarShield to see if the extended warranty company is a good option for you. CarShield reviews indicate that customer service representatives are generally friendly and will provide you with a reasonably priced quote. You can also receive a free quote online at CarShield.com.
How To Use a CarShield Warranty
It’s easy to find mechanics who accept CarShield coverage. If you have a vehicle service contract through the company, covered repairs can be made at any dealership or repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®). Here’s how it works:
- Make sure repairs are covered: Check your CarShield contract to ensure that the repairs you need are actually covered.
- Take your vehicle in: Have repairs done at the certified repair center or dealership of your choice. Be sure to mention that you have and will be using extended warranty coverage.
- Pay your deductible: To have repair work done, you’ll need to pay your deductible amount.
- Let CarShield pay the rest: A CarShield representative will work directly with the facility to pay the remainder of your repair costs.
More than a few of the CarShield reviews we read mentioned a smooth, easy repair and claims process. This means that you can reasonably expect the same from the provider.
CarShield Deductible Options
CarShield allows you to choose your deductible in most cases. The company offers deductibles ranging from $0 to $250. A $200 deductible appears to be the standard option.
CarShield Waiting Period
Like most vehicle service contract providers, CarShield plans come with a mandatory waiting period on covered repairs of 20 days and 500 miles. This helps the provider to ensure that warranty coverage won’t be used on preexisting conditions.
CarShield Warranty Transfer Policy
CarShield warranties are transferable. The company allows you to transfer your warranty to another owner if you sell your vehicle for a $50 fee. This can be a great add-on to make your car more valuable should you decide to sell it while your warranty is still active.
However, coverage follows the vehicle. You can’t transfer the warranty to another vehicle you own or buy. Instead, you’ll have to sign up for a new policy.
How To Cancel CarShield
You can cancel a CarShield policy at any time. However, to cancel your contract you’ll need to contact customer support directly and submit a policy cancellation notice.
If you cancel within the first 30 days of your policy, you’ll get a full refund. After 30 days, you’ll likely get a prorated refund for the amount of time left on your policy.
CarShield vs. Manufacturer Extended Warranty
Many automotive manufacturers offer their own vehicle service contracts. In terms of price and coverage, these tend to be somewhat competitive with CarShield and other third-party warranty companies.
However, there are some key differences. Manufacturer warranties typically require you to have auto repairs done at the dealership while third-party warranties allow for work at any ASE-certified repair facility.
In addition, third-party warranty companies typically offer more choices in terms of plans and coverage than automakers. Many manufacturer plans only offer one level of coverage, which may explain why CarShield reviews often praise the company’s multiple options.
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