Best Extended Car Warranty Companies 2026
Six providers still selling in 2026, compared on who actually pays the claim, eligibility, waiting periods, price and customer record.
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We analyzed eight extended car warranty companies and found two of them, Protect My Car and Concord Auto Protect, no longer trading. The six below are ranked on the things that decide whether a plan pays out when you need it: whether the seller administers its own contracts, how old and high-mileage a car it will take, the waiting period, the price of real quotes, and what the BBB and Trustpilot record looks like. Every fact was checked against the company's own site or contract in September 2026.
Endurance
Endurance is the largest direct provider in the category, and that is what earns it the top spot. On most plans the company that sells you the contract is the company that approves and pays the claim, which is the single biggest difference between a good warranty experience and a bad one. It has paid $300 million in claims since 2012, covers vehicles up to 20 years old with no mileage cap, and offers seven tiers, from the powertrain-only Secure to the exclusionary Supreme and the Advantage plans that bundle up to $3,500 a year of maintenance. Prices start around $79 a month and a typical plan runs $100 to $160. It is not perfect: the BBB complaint count is high for the size of the business, a class action over sales practices is working through the Illinois courts, and Massachusetts and California buyers get a different or no product.
Bottom Line
The strongest all-round pick. Direct administration, the widest eligibility window and a real claims history. Read the waiting period and the cancellation terms before you sign, and compare at least one quote against Toco or Olive.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- • Direct provider for most plans: Endurance sells, administers and pays the claim, with no middleman
- • $300 million in claims paid since 2012 and more than 2.3 million vehicles protected
- • Seven plans from basic powertrain to exclusionary Supreme, plus Advantage plans that add up to $3,500 a year of maintenance
- • No mileage cap and vehicles up to 20 years old accepted; pays the repair shop directly
- • Elite Benefits add tire, windshield and key fob cover, free for the first year
Cons
- • Not sold in Massachusetts; in California it sells mechanical breakdown insurance instead, administered by Marathon
- • 30-day and 1,000-mile waiting period before claims
- • 3,621 BBB complaints in three years, with a class action over sales practices proceeding in Illinois
- • Cancellation after 30 days is prorated, less an administrative fee and any claims paid
Coverage Details
- Founded 2006, Northbrook, Illinois; direct administrator of most plans since 2012
- Plans: Secure, Secure Plus, Select Premier, Superior, Supreme, Supreme for Highline Vehicles, and Advantage (Preferred, Plus, Prime) with maintenance included
- Eligibility: vehicles 20 years old or newer; no mileage restrictions on most plans
- Waiting period 30 days and 1,000 miles; deductibles $0 to $200; pays the licensed repair facility of your choice directly
- Roadside assistance 24/7 and rental reimbursement of $30 a day up to $150 per breakdown on all plans
- Elite Benefits: up to four tire repairs or replacements a year, $500 windshield repair, $500 key fob replacement, first year free
- 30-day money-back guarantee; prorated refund after, less an administrative fee; transfer fee applies
- BBB rating A, accredited; Trustpilot 4.1 from more than 15,000 reviews
- Not available in Massachusetts; California customers get mechanical breakdown insurance underwritten by Security National
CarShield
CarShield sells more vehicle service contracts than anyone else, and it is the realistic option once a car passes the point where other providers stop returning calls. Contracts are written on vehicles from model year 1995 with up to 300,000 miles, renew month to month, and come in six tiers plus specialty plans for motorcycles, ATVs and electric vehicles. The FTC's own filing puts typical pricing at $80 to $120 a month; independent quotes run higher on newer cars. Two cautions. CarShield is a broker whose contracts are administered by its sister company American Auto Shield, so the seller is not the payer. And in 2024 it paid $10 million to settle FTC charges that its ads overstated what plans covered, with refund checks mailed in December 2025. We have covered the settlement in detail, and it has not changed our view that CarShield is the right choice for a high-mileage car if you read the contract first.
Bottom Line
Choose CarShield for an older or high-mileage vehicle nothing else will cover, and choose the plan by reading the exclusions rather than the commercial. The FTC order now binds what it can claim in its advertising.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- • The largest seller in the country: more than 2 million vehicles covered and over $1 billion in claims
- • Accepts vehicles up to 300,000 miles and model year 1995 onward, about twice the industry norm
- • Month-to-month contracts that renew monthly, with a full refund in the first month if no claim is made
- • Six plans from powertrain to exclusionary Diamond, plus motorcycle, ATV and EV cover
- • Trip interruption up to $125 a day for four days and rental cover up to 14 days
Cons
- • Paid $10 million to settle FTC charges in 2024 over deceptive advertising; refunds went out to 168,179 customers in December 2025
- • A broker, not the payer: contracts are administered and paid by American Auto Shield, a CarShield company
- • Not sold in California
- • Cancellation fee after the first month and a $10,000 aggregate claims cap per term on the contract we reviewed
Coverage Details
- Founded 2005, St. Peters, Missouri; broker whose contracts are administered by American Auto Shield, Lakewood, Colorado
- Plans: Diamond (exclusionary), Platinum, Gold, Gold Select, Silver (powertrain), Aluminum (electrical), plus Motorcycle/ATV and EV plans
- Eligibility: model year 1995 and newer, up to 300,000 miles
- Waiting period 25 days and 500 miles, or 40 days and 250 miles, whichever is met first; deductibles $0 to $250
- Month-to-month contracts; full refund within the first month with no claim, prorated after less a cancellation fee
- Any ASE-certified repair facility; administrator may pay the shop directly
- Rental up to 7 days, or 14 for engine or transmission replacement; trip interruption $125 a day up to 4 days; roadside via Roadside Protect
- $50 transfer fee within 30 days of sale
- BBB A+, accredited since 2024 with a government-action notice; Trustpilot 4.1 from more than 56,000 reviews
- Not available in California; may refer a licensed California mechanical breakdown insurer
CARCHEX
CARCHEX is the veteran of the category and the one with the widest plan ladder. Six plans run from Powertrain to the exclusionary Titanium, with Powertrain Plus available month to month and a separate plan for electric vehicles, on terms up to 10 years or 250,000 miles. Claims are paid straight to any of more than 30,000 licensed repair facilities. The trade-off is that CARCHEX is a broker: your contract is issued by Liberty STF and administered by one of eight third-party companies, so the firm that sold you the plan is not the firm that pays the claim. Its review scores are the weakest on this page, and independent 2026 quotes ran $140 to $220 a month, so get a second quote before signing.
Bottom Line
The right pick if you want the widest choice of tiers and a long track record, and you are prepared to check which administrator is behind your contract. Compare the quote against Endurance before you commit.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- • Selling vehicle protection since 1999, with six current plans from Powertrain to exclusionary Titanium and a dedicated EV plan
- • Named among the top six extended warranty companies by Expert Market Research in January 2026
- • More than 30,000 repair facilities, and the provider pays the shop directly
- • 30-day money-back guarantee for any reason; plans run up to 10 years or 250,000 miles
Cons
- • A broker: contracts are provided by Liberty STF and administered by third parties including American Auto Shield, Assurant and Zurich
- • Trustpilot score of 3.0 and a BBB customer score of 1.74 from a small number of reviews
- • Quotes in 2026 ran $140 to $220 a month, the highest here
- • Not sold in California; $75 cancellation fee after 30 days and a $50 transfer fee
Coverage Details
- Founded 1999; current company since 2003; Baltimore, Maryland
- Broker: contracts provided by Liberty STF, Inc. and administered by American Auto Shield, American Guardian, Assurant, Enterprise Financial Group, National Administration Services, Royal Administration, The Warranty Group and Zurich
- Plans: Titanium (exclusionary), Platinum, Powertrain Plus, Powertrain, Extra Care, Electric Vehicle; terms up to 10 years or 250,000 miles
- 30-day waiting period; deductibles $0 to $200 on most plans
- 30-day money-back guarantee for any reason; prorated refund after, less a $75 fee and claims paid
- Roadside assistance, towing, rental car and trip interruption included
- Any licensed repair facility nationwide, more than 30,000; claims paid directly to the shop
- Transfer fee $50, or $40 in Florida
- BBB A+; Trustpilot 3.0 from about 1,600 reviews
- Not available in California; may refer a licensed mechanical breakdown insurer
autopom!
autopom! is the small broker with the best customer record in the category: a 4.7 Trustpilot score, BBB accreditation since 2010 and a handful of complaints. It sells three tiers, an Exclusionary plan that covers nearly everything except maintenance items, a Mid-Level stated-component plan and Powertrain Essentials, through administrators including Mercury Select and Royal Administration. Plans start at $78.99 a month and it is one of the few names here that can sell in California, where it operates as licensed mechanical breakdown insurance. Because it is a broker, claims are handled between your repair shop and the administrator rather than by autopom! itself, and eligibility limits vary with the administrator behind your contract.
Bottom Line
The pick if you want a low-pressure buying experience and the best reviews on the page, especially in California. Ask which administrator backs your quote and read that company's contract.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- • Trustpilot 4.7 from more than 440 reviews and only five BBB complaints in three years, the cleanest record here
- • Plans start at $78.99 a month, and independent quotes on a 2021 vehicle came in at $120 to $126
- • Sells in California as regulated mechanical breakdown insurance, which most competitors cannot
- • Three clear tiers: Exclusionary, Mid-Level and Powertrain Essentials, backed by administrators such as Mercury Select and Royal Administration
Cons
- • A broker: autopom! does not administer claims, its partner administrators do
- • Eligibility caps of roughly 140,000 to 150,000 miles depend on the administrator
- • Waiting periods run 30 days and 1,000 miles, longer on some plans
- • Small company with a short list of extras: roadside, rental and trip interruption only
Coverage Details
- Selling since 2010, Lake Forest, California; licensed vehicle service contract broker
- Administrators include Mercury Select Management, Royal Administration Services, Enterprise Financial Group and Integrity Vehicle Group
- Plans: Exclusionary, Mid-Level, Powertrain Essentials
- Waiting period 30 days and 1,000 miles as standard; deductible typically $100
- Full refund within 30 days (60 in some states); prorated after
- 24-hour roadside assistance, rental assistance and trip interruption on all plans
- Sold in California as mechanical breakdown insurance regulated by the state Department of Insurance
- BBB A+, accredited since 2010; Trustpilot 4.7 from about 440 reviews
Toco Warranty
Toco is the month-to-month option. There is no long-term contract, you can cancel whenever you like, and independent quotes on 2021 to 2025 vehicles came in at $72 to $97 a month, the lowest on this page. Coverage is set by your odometer at the time of the claim, from the exclusionary Orange plan under 100,000 miles down to Green, which covers the engine, transmission and turbo past 200,000 miles, with a flat $100 deductible and direct payment to any state-licensed shop. The caution is financial: Toco's holding company filed for Chapter 11 in September 2025, had its plan confirmed in March 2026 and closed the case in June 2026, and the business now operates as Verdoro LLC. Coverage continued throughout, but read the obligor line on your contract. The 90-day waiting period is also the longest here.
Bottom Line
The best way to try a warranty without a multi-year commitment, and the cheapest quotes we found. Weigh the long waiting period and the recent bankruptcy against that flexibility.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- • Month-to-month plans you can cancel at any time, with the lowest quotes on this page at $72 to $97 a month
- • Direct administrator with a single $100 deductible per repair visit, and the plan pays the shop directly
- • Four coverage levels set by your odometer at claim time, from exclusionary Orange to Green for engines over 200,000 miles
- • BBB A+ with a 4.79 customer score, and 4.2 on Trustpilot
Cons
- • Went through Chapter 11 from September 2025 to June 2026 and now trades as Verdoro LLC; the plan was confirmed but check the current obligor on your contract
- • 90-day and 1,000-mile waiting period, the longest here (30 days in Georgia)
- • Not available in California, Massachusetts, Missouri or Washington; contracts are not transferable outside Florida
- • $15,000 aggregate claims limit and a $100 administrative fee on cancellation after 30 days
Coverage Details
- Operating since 2012, Houston, Texas; now Verdoro LLC d/b/a Toco Warranty after a Chapter 11 case closed June 2026
- Provider Toco US, LLC; administrator Toco Warranty Corporation; insured by Technology Insurance Company
- Plans by odometer at claim: Orange under 100,000 miles, Yellow to 150,000, Blue to 200,000, Green to 250,000
- Eligibility: under 20 years old and under 200,000 miles at enrollment; $15,000 aggregate limit
- Waiting period 90 days and 1,000 miles (30 days and 1,000 miles in Georgia); $100 deductible per repair visit
- Month-to-month, cancel any time; full refund within 30 days with no claims, prorated after less a $100 fee
- Roadside assistance, rental $40 per four labor hours up to $200, trip interruption $100 a day up to $300, Openbay+ maintenance discounts
- BBB A+, accredited 2025, 4.79 from 136 reviews; Trustpilot 4.2 from about 590 reviews
- Not available in California, Massachusetts, Missouri or Washington
Olive
Olive is the only provider here whose coverage starts tomorrow. There is no inspection and no waiting period, the whole purchase happens online without a sales call, and the monthly rate is fixed for the term with the option to cancel at any time. Three plans, Powertrain, Powertrain Plus and Complete Care, come with three deductibles each, and the contracts are administered and paid by QBE, a global insurer. The trade-offs are eligibility and extras. Olive only takes vehicles up to 10 model years or 140,000 miles, it offers no roadside assistance or trip interruption, and with a 2020 launch it has the shortest history on the page. Quotes ran from about $50 a month on a new Toyota to $150 on a 2021 Ford Escape.
Bottom Line
The pick if you want cover now and would rather not talk to a salesperson. Newer, lower-mileage cars only, and you will need your own roadside plan.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- • Coverage starts the day after purchase with no inspection and no waiting period, unique on this page
- • Quote and buy entirely online at a fixed monthly rate, cancel any time, with nine deductible options
- • Backed by QBE, a global insurer, which administers the plans and pays any ASE-certified shop directly
- • Plans transfer to a new owner within 30 days of sale at no stated fee
Cons
- • Launched in 2020, the shortest track record here, and only a dozen BBB reviews to judge it by
- • No roadside assistance and no trip interruption; rental is capped at $35 a day for five days
- • Eligibility ends at 10 model years or 140,000 miles, the tightest window on the page
- • Not available in Massachusetts; sold as mechanical breakdown insurance in California
Coverage Details
- Launched April 2020 by Repair Ventures, LLC; plans administered by QBE Administration Services, with QBE Insurance Corporation underwriting California mechanical breakdown insurance
- Plans: Powertrain, Powertrain Plus, Complete Care; three deductibles per plan ($100, $250, $500)
- Eligibility: up to 10 model years or 140,000 miles; coverage runs to 12 years or 185,000 miles
- No waiting period and no inspection; coverage active the day after purchase
- Fixed monthly rate for the term; cancel any time; full refund within 30 days with no claims
- Any ASE-certified repair shop; Olive pays the shop directly
- Rental up to $35 a day for five days; towing up to $100 per claim; no roadside assistance or trip interruption
- Transferable to a new owner within 30 days of sale
- BBB A+, accredited since 2020; not available in Massachusetts
Quick Comparison Table
| Provider | Max Mileage | Price Range | Best For | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Endurance | No mileage cap | $79-$160/mo | Best Overall | 4.7 | Get Quote |
| #2 CarShield | 300,000 miles | $80-$170/mo | Best for High Mileage | 4.3 | Get Quote |
| #3 CARCHEX | 250,000 miles | $140-$220/mo | Best Plan Variety | 4.1 | Get Quote |
| #4 autopom! | 140,000-150,000 miles | $79-$126/mo | Best Customer Reviews | 4 | Get Quote |
| #5 Toco Warranty | 200,000 miles to enroll | $72-$97/mo | Best Month-to-Month Contract | 3.9 | Get Quote |
| #6 Olive | 140,000 to enroll, 185,000 covered | $50-$150/mo | Best for No Waiting Period | 3.8 | Get Quote |
What an Extended Car Warranty Actually Is
None of the companies on this page sells a warranty. They sell a vehicle service contract: a promise to pay for covered mechanical breakdowns, after a waiting period, at a licensed repair shop, minus your deductible. Only a manufacturer can sell a true warranty. The distinction matters because a service contract is regulated as a contract, not as insurance, in most states, which is why California forces these companies to sell "mechanical breakdown insurance" instead and why several of them do not sell there at all.
Who pays the claim?
Every contract has three roles: the seller who takes your money, the administrator who approves and pays claims, and the insurer who backs the administrator if it fails. Endurance and Toco are their own administrators. CarShield's administrator is its sister company American Auto Shield. CARCHEX and autopom! sell contracts administered by other firms. Olive's administrator is QBE. Ask who the administrator is before you sign, because that is who you will be arguing with.
Three levels of coverage
Powertrain: engine, transmission and drive axle only. The cheapest plan and the one that protects against the most expensive single failures. Endurance Secure, CarShield Silver, CARCHEX Powertrain, autopom! Powertrain Essentials, Toco Green and Olive Powertrain sit here.
Stated component: a list of named systems, typically adding air conditioning, electrical, steering, suspension and cooling. If a part is not on the list, it is not covered. Endurance Superior, CarShield Gold and Platinum, CARCHEX Platinum, autopom! Mid-Level, Toco Yellow and Blue, and Olive Powertrain Plus.
Exclusionary: everything is covered except a short list of exclusions, usually wear items, maintenance, cosmetics and pre-existing conditions. The closest thing to a factory warranty. Endurance Supreme, CarShield Diamond, CARCHEX Titanium, autopom! Exclusionary, Toco Orange and Olive Complete Care.
Read the exclusions, not the marketing
The FTC's 2024 case against CarShield turned on the gap between what the ads implied and what the contract excluded. On an exclusionary plan the exclusions list is the whole story, so read it before you pay.
How to Choose an Extended Car Warranty
Start from your car, not from the company. Age, mileage and how long you plan to keep it decide which providers will even quote you.
| Your situation | What to look for | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| Newer car, under 100,000 miles, keeping it for years | Exclusionary plan from a direct provider | Endurance Supreme, or Olive Complete Care for instant cover |
| Car over 150,000 miles or older than 15 years | Wide eligibility window | CarShield, or Endurance (no mileage cap) |
| You want coverage starting this week | No waiting period | Olive |
| You do not want a multi-year commitment | Month-to-month contract | Toco, or CarShield's monthly plans |
| You live in California | Licensed mechanical breakdown insurance | autopom!, Endurance, Olive |
| Motorcycle, ATV or electric vehicle | Specialty plan | CarShield, or CARCHEX EV plan |
| You want the best-reviewed buying experience | Low complaint count, high review scores | autopom! |
Seven questions to ask before you pay
- Who administers the contract? If the answer is not the company you are talking to, look that administrator up.
- What is the waiting period? 30 days and 1,000 miles is standard. Toco's is 90 days. Olive has none.
- What is the deductible, and is it per visit or per repair? Per visit is better; two covered parts in one visit cost one deductible.
- Is there an aggregate cap? Toco caps total claims at $15,000; the CarShield contract we reviewed caps at $10,000 per term. Make sure the cap is above the value of your car.
- Does the plan pay the shop directly? All six here say yes or may do so. You should not be fronting a $4,000 bill.
- What does cancellation cost after 30 days? Prorated refunds are standard, but administrative fees run from $50 to $100 and claims paid are deducted.
- Is it transferable? A transferable plan adds resale value. Toco's is not outside Florida; the others charge $0 to $50.
Red flags
Robocalls about your "expiring warranty" do not come from any company on this page. Walk away from any seller that will not send the full contract before you pay, quotes a price that is only good "today", or cannot tell you who the administrator is. Check the BBB profile for a government-action notice: Concord Auto Protect carried one before it disappeared.
What an Extended Car Warranty Costs in 2026
Nobody publishes a rate card, so we collected quotes from four independent review desks in 2026 and the companies' own starting prices. The ranges below are monthly payments on plans of 18 to 36 months.
| Company | Advertised from | Independent 2026 quotes | Example vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endurance | $79/mo | $88 to $160 | 2022 Camry, 60,000 mi: $125 to $129 by tier |
| CarShield | Under $100/mo (FTC: $80 to $120) | $43 to $170 | 2021 Ford Escape: $149 |
| CARCHEX | Not published | $140 to $220 | 2021 Ford Escape, 50,000 mi, Platinum: $191 |
| autopom! | $78.99/mo | $120 to $126 | 2021 Ford Escape, Exclusionary: $120 |
| Toco | Not published | $72 to $97 | 2021 Ford Escape, Orange: $76 |
| Olive | Not published | $50 to $150 | 2021 Ford Escape, Complete Care: $150 |
What moves the price
The car
- Age and mileage: a 2017 Honda at 80,000 miles quoted 20% to 200% more than a 2025 model at the same company
- Brand: European luxury models quote $40 to $90 a month above a Toyota or Honda
- Powertrain complexity: turbos, dual-clutch gearboxes and hybrids cost more to cover
The plan
- Tier: exclusionary plans cost roughly $5 to $30 a month more than powertrain
- Deductible: moving from $100 to $250 or $500 lowers the premium; Olive offers three per plan
- Term: monthly plans (Toco, CarShield) cost more per month than a paid-up multi-year contract but carry no commitment
Ways to pay less
- Get three quotes. The same 2021 Ford Escape quoted $76 at Toco and $191 at CARCHEX.
- Choose the deductible you can actually pay. A $250 deductible instead of $100 saves money every month and costs $150 once per claim.
- Buy powertrain if the car is reliable. For a Toyota or Honda with a clean history, the engine and transmission are the only bills worth insuring.
- Use the 30-day window. Every company here refunds in full within 30 days if you have not claimed, so you can hold a quote against a competitor's.
- Ask about the first year of extras. Endurance's Elite Benefits are free for year one and $29 a year after.
How We Ranked These Companies
We started with eight companies and removed two that have stopped trading: Protect My Car, which the BBB marks as out of business and whose website no longer sells plans, and Concord Auto Protect, whose domain is parked, whose phones are disconnected and which faces a lawsuit from the Pennsylvania Attorney General. The remaining six were compared on the criteria below. We do not buy contracts or file claims ourselves, and no provider publishes a claim approval rate, so we do not invent one.
| Factor | What we evaluated |
|---|---|
| Contract structure | Whether the seller administers and pays its own claims, or brokers contracts to a third-party administrator |
| Eligibility | Maximum vehicle age and mileage accepted, and states where the company can sell |
| Coverage and terms | Plan tiers, waiting period, deductible, aggregate caps, direct payment to the shop, transferability |
| Price | Advertised starting prices and independent 2026 quotes from NerdWallet, CNBC Select, Cars.com and Automoblog |
| Customer record | BBB rating, accreditation and complaint volume; Trustpilot score and review count; regulatory actions and litigation |
| Extras | Roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, trip interruption and maintenance benefits |
Every company fact on this page was checked in September 2026 against the company's own website or contract, its BBB profile and Trustpilot. Partner compensation does not change the order. Last updated September 8, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Expert answers to common questions about extended car warranties.
Which extended car warranty company is the best?
What is the difference between a direct provider and a broker?
Is an extended car warranty worth it?
How much does an extended car warranty cost in 2026?
Which company covers high-mileage cars?
Is there a waiting period?
What happened with CarShield and the FTC?
Can I cancel an extended car warranty?
Can I use my own mechanic?
Why are Protect My Car and Concord Auto Protect not on this list?
Emily Johnson
Emily is the Insurance Editor at Screened. A licensed insurance agent turned consumer advocate, she has expertise in auto, home, life, and renters insurance.