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One of the largest third-party auto warranty companies, CarChex has been an industry leader in the space since its start in 1999. As a result, this is one company most people check out when looking for an extended warranty.
Known for having a good selection of flexible plans, the company has both a good reputation and proven experience with quality customer service. It also makes it easy for new customers to research plans, get a free quote, and potentially sign up without having to go through a lengthy setup process.
There’s a lot to like about CarChex’s offerings, but how does it stack up to some of the major competitors? We’re taking a look at how the CarChex extended auto warranties compare to other options you may be considering for extra coverage for your vehicle. Read on for our in-depth CarChex review.
Better Extended Coverage
Don’t just rely on the factory warranty. New or used, there’s a great extended warranty with one of these providers:
Endurance
Get $350 off an Endurance warranty plan with coupon code: DRIVE350
Going with a factory extended warranty is a good option for basic protection, but you can get more and save more with Endurance, ranked the top extended warranty provider by Consumer Advocates, Consumer Affairs, and Retirement Living.
Offering more comprehensive coverage on repairs and services OEM warranties list in exclusions, an Endurance warranty actually provides the type of coverage many disappointed vehicle owners assume automakers just include automatically.
Get a free quote from Endurance today or call: 1-855-632-3655
Autopom!
If you’re a California resident and need coverage most other providers can’t offer, the autopom! line of mechanical breakdown insurance plans has you covered. All it takes is a short glance to see just how many options you have to find the right plan.
Visit the autopom! website today or call for a free quote: 1-888-528-7487
CarChex Warranty Overview
CarChex has a number of warranty options it calls Extended Vehicle Protection Plans that are available for nearly any make and model vehicle (although other conditions may apply). The way the company breaks down its vehicle service contract lineup is relatively straightforward and easy to understand for potential customers:
- Titanium: CarChex’s highest level of coverage, this plan mimics the scope of most factory bumper-to-bumper warranties from the dealership. It uses a short exclusion list with long (7-10 years) available terms.
- Platinum: The largest inclusion-based plan, this plan is a step down from the Titanium coverage, but still includes major vehicle systems and components.
- Gold: The high-mileage plan in the company’s lineup, the Gold plan is designed for vehicles over 60,000 miles with coverage for vehicle systems that tend to degrade with older age.
- Silver: Somewhat like a powertrain plus plan, the Silver level of coverage offers what the company considers to be the most essential coverage. Coverage terms are shorter (six to seven years).
- Bronze: This is the most basic plan in the company’s lineup. Coverage includes the major vehicle systems like the engine and transmission.
The overall idea of CarChex’s plan lineup is to give customers a number of choices when trying to find the right coverage. Each coverage level breaks down even further into different options and add-ons customers can use to personalize the individual plan. CarChex acts as a broker, selling plans from administrators to the customer.
Finally, Carchex offers a few additions to loyal (and new) Carchex customers. Nearly all of the plans come with extra perks like rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance, and free towing to a nearby auto repair facility for extra peace of mind.
Warranty Costs
Given CarChex’s wide range of plans and services, the final cost varies widely depending on the individual selection, car condition, and driver’s history. The most expensive plans tend to be the high-mileage coverages that accept vehicles with up to 125,000 miles on the engine.
Averaged out, a typical CarChex plan costs around $1,500 for a five-year contract. With the industry average being around $1,200 to $1,800, CarChex falls right in line with other competitors in terms of affordability.
Paymentwise, CarChex makes it easy to pay for a new plan. There are monthly payment options available to customers, and the company accepts most major credit cards with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Thankfully, there’s very little issue with payments when working with an approved repair shop.
Things We Like
The biggest thing to like about CarChex is its reputation and experience in an industry that’s filled with questionable brokers. It’s easy to take advantage of customers from this position, so it’s reassuring to know that CarChex has a long history of quality customer service backed up by other positive reviews from the likes of the Better Business Bureau. It also works with a number of reputable partners.
Compared to smaller brokers, CarChex also has the advantage of offering a lot of options to customers. The five-level coverage model the company uses simplifies the plan options almost too much. Within each level, there are several administrators and plans that fit different customers and vehicles.
The large coverage lineup also allows CarChex to work with administrators based in more restrictive states like California. Between this and the easy application process for potential customers, it’s easy to see why the company is such a large presence among warranty providers.
Like other extended warranty providers, Carchex doesn’t offer much for incidental event
Things We Don’t Like
CarChex does a lot of things right, especially when it comes to serving customers, but there are a couple of drawbacks to consider before signing up for a warranty. The fact that the company acts as a broker is the main issue. As a middleman, there’s an extra hoop customer have to jump through in order to get service help.
There have been some complaints of poor customer service and inaccurate plan statements and enforcement from existing customers trying to connect with a Carchex representative. When there is an issue with getting repair costs covered, CarChex’s broker status with third-party administrators makes it difficult to find the right person to fix the issue.
In extreme cases where customer service has deemed that a refund is necessary (especially after the 30-day money-back guarantee), the company does a good job of honoring most requests. With that said, there have been a few issues with customers receiving the repair or refund reimbursement. Ultimately, these drawbacks are to be expected from such a large company and aren’t much of a concern given CarChex’s overall reputation.
FAQs
Q. What vehicles does CarChex cover?
A. Virtually any typical vehicle is eligible for CarChex coverage. Older vehicles, for example, have plenty of coverage options up to around the 125,000-mile mark. The company doesn’t have any plans for vintage or exotic vehicles.
Q. How much does CarChex cost?
A. Individual plans vary depending on factors like the age and condition of the car, your driving history, and the specific plan. The average cost is around $1,200 to $1,500.
Q. Can I have a CarChex plan on a vehicle with an existing factory warranty coverage?
A. Yes. New or slightly-used vehicles can all have an extended car warranty from virtually any provider.
Is a Warranty from CarChex Worth It?
CarChex has something to offer nearly everyone, so the company is at least worth a look if you’re in the market for an extended warranty. The ultimate value of a CarChex warranty depends on many factors, like the age and condition of your vehicle, but the wide range of plans makes it easier to find something useful to you.
Bottom line: The company’s plan lineup is the biggest draw for CarChex, especially compared to some auto insurance providers. It’s easy to understand and comprehensive enough to fit most vehicles new or old. You may not be saving much money over any competitors, but the amount of personalization is worth the average cost of a plan.
More Information
Here are a few more resources you can use:
- CarChex Website
- CarChex Reviews
Get More Protection
It doesn’t take much to get good coverage for your vehicle. Check out these great extended warranty providers:
Endurance
Get $350 off an Endurance warranty plan with coupon code: DRIVE350
You don’t have to rely on the automaker to give you vehicle coverage that actually saves you money. In fact, most factory extended warranties fall short of customer expectations.
A plan with Endurance, on the other hand, is much more comprehensive. As the top warranty provider, according to Consumer Advocates, Consumer Affairs, and Retirement Living, Endurance can cover things far beyond factory defects and flaws. So, if you want real coverage, it’s time to check out Endurance.
Get a free quote from Endurance today or call: 1-855-632-3655
Autopom!
In California and don’t have many third-party providers who can sell you a warranty plan? Autopom! Offers a number of mechanical breakdown insurance plans for CA residents, meaning you get coverage that’s regulated by the state.
Visit the autopom! website today or call for a free quote: 1-888-528-7487
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