CARCHEX: Commentary, coverage and cost (2021)

CARCHEX Review

In Our Opinion:

CARCHEX is an industry leader that has over 20 years of experience. We've named this company Best for Used Cars because of its many plans geared toward high-mileage vehicles. In addition, CARCHEX will cover many cars up to 250,000 odometer miles.

Industry Standing

Coverage

Affordability

Customer Service

Pros

Over 20 years in the extended warranty business

Partnerships and endorsements from industry leaders

Strong customer service reputation

Money-back guarantee

Cons

Limited coverage for luxury vehicles

Extra cost for hybrid vehicles

5

Best for Used Cars

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One of the best ways to protect yourself against the cost of repairing a vehicle with mechanical damage is through an extended car warranty, and CARCHEX tops many industry lists for its great service and coverage for older vehicles. CARCHEX reviews are overwhelmingly positive and after researching the best extended car warranty companies, we think CARCHEX is a strong choice for most drivers.

In this review, we’ll explain the warranty coverage available through CARCHEX, as well as benefits, costs, and what the company does best compared to competitors. To see how much you would pay for a CARCHEX extended warranty, get a free quote below.

An Overview of CARCHEX

CARCHEX Extended Vehicle Protection Plans

Exclusions

Included Benefits

How Much Does a CARCHEX Warranty Cost?

How Are Extended Warranty Costs Determined?

How Does CARCHEX Protect Your Car?

CARCHEX Reviews & Customer Service

Positive CARCHEX Reviews

Negative CARCHEX Reviews

Conclusion: CARCHEX Is Best for Used Cars

FAQ: CARCHEX Reviews

What types of cars does CARCHEX cover?

Is CARCHEX legitimate?

Is CARCHEX the same as CarShield?

Are CARCHEX protection plans insured?

Who has the best extended warranty?

An Overview of CARCHEX

Commonly rated as one of the top extended warranty providers, CARCHEX has been in business since 1999. The company is based out of Baltimore, Maryland, and offers five unique levels of coverage, plus additional perks such as letting you choose your own repair shop, providing roadside assistance, and a 30-day money-back guarantee in case of cancellation.

One area where CARCHEX sets itself apart from other warranty companies and dealerships is its partnerships and endorsements by leaders in the auto industry. Some car warranties boast one or two endorsements, but CARCHEX offers partnerships with many different industry leaders, including:

CARFAX

Bankrate

Edmunds

SiriusXM

DMV.org

RepairPal

Kelley Blue Book

MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)

CARCHEX Extended Vehicle Protection Plans

As more people choose to keep their cars for longer, it makes sense to add protection that reduces the cost of an expensive car repair. The protection plans from CARCHEX vary by coverage level and come with added benefits for drivers, including endorsements from leaders in the auto industry.

When choosing an extended warranty for your vehicle, having the right amount of coverage is key to get the best bang for your buck. Below is an overview of CARCHEX’s five levels of coverage:

CARCHEX Warranty Plans

Details

Diamond

CARCHEX’s Titanium coverage is an exclusionary plan similar to a manufacturer’s warranty. This covers all systems and components of your vehicle, except for a few non-covered parts.

Platinum

Below CARCHEX’s highest level of coverage is Platinum coverage. This contract still backs repairs for hundreds of stated components, including major vehicles systems.

Gold

Intended for vehicles over 60,000 miles, Gold coverage handles powertrain systems and items like brakes, suspension, and steering.

Silver

Silver coverage includes the fuel systems, electrical systems, and seals along with the powertrain.

Bronze

CARCHEX’s basic most barebones protection plan includes powertrain coverage and repairs for seals and gaskets within the powertrain.

CARCHEX gives you multiple warranty options within each coverage tier. The provider is a broker for vehicle service contracts, which means it partners with warranty providers to give you a variety of coverage. This wide range of choices makes it easy to customize a CARCHEX plan to fit the specific needs of your vehicle, according to CARCHEX reviews from customers.

Not every car will be eligible for each coverage level or plan. Vehicle eligibility is based on many factors, including the age of your vehicle, mileage, and your resident state.

Exclusions

Even though some protection plans promise repairs for hundreds of components, each extended warranty has its exceptions. Here are a few common items typically not covered under a warranty contract:

Wear-and-tear items like wiper blades and brakes

Regular maintenace like oil changes

Damage from owner abuse or neglect

Damage from a collision

Damage that would be covered under you auto insurance policy

Included Benefits

The best car warranty companies will offer additional perks and benefits like roadside assistance to their customers. CARCHEX is no exception. In addition to coverage levels and contracts for almost any car and driver, it also provides a long list of perks, including:

Gas delivery

Towing coverage

24/7 roadside assistance

Rental car reimbursement

Trip interruption coverage

Free SiriusXM for eligible vehicles

Your choice of any licensed repair facility

How Much Does a CARCHEX Warranty Cost?

Generally, a CARCHEX warranty costs about $100 to $250 per month or about $214 to $730 per year, depending on your term lengths and payment plan. Most CARCHEX coverage plans also require a down payment, which varies based on your monthly payment plan. Compared to other extended car warranty companies we talked to, this pricing is average for the industry.<

We called CARCHEX representatives to get quotes for a variety of cars of different makes and ages. Our research teams obtained quotes for two cars operated in Raleigh, North Carolina: a 2018 Toyota Camry with 30,000 miles and a 2013 Honda Accord that’s logged 90,000 miles. Here are some of the prices we received.

Vehicle Type

CARCHEX Warranty

Term Length

5 years/100,000 miles

Deductible

2018 Toyota Camry

Titanium

5 years/100,000 miles

$136.17 for 18 months

$100

2013 Honda Accord

Silver

5 years/75,000 miles

$116.09 for 24 months

$100

CARCHEX’S highest level of coverage costs a total of $2,451, whereas the lower-tier plan costs around $2,785. In our own 2021 warranty survey, we polled 1,000 consumers and found that most pay between $1,500 to $2,500 for an extended auto warranty.

How Are Extended Warranty Costs Determined?

Each warranty provider has its own way of determining the cost of a vehicle service contract, but there are some commonalities when it comes to price. The cost of a CARCHEX plan varies based on factors like:

Contract

Deductible

Coverage level

Vehicle mileage and age

Vehicle make and model

Existing factory warranty coverage

In general, a new car with less mileage will cost less to cover than an older, used car with high mileage. CARCHEX payments can be made monthly or upfront, with monthly payment terms that can last up to two years.

How Does CARCHEX Protect Your Car?

A CARCHEX extended auto warranty foots the bill for expensive repair costs after your factory warranty expires. You’re only responsible for a deductible and a one-time or monthly warranty payment. Unlike car insurance, an extended auto warranty only covers damage caused by defective materials or workmanship. However, your exact coverage will depend on the CARCHEX warranty you purchase.

CARCHEX Reviews & Customer Service

When your car breaks down, there’s nothing worse than an unhelpful customer service line. CARCHEX boasts high ratings from across many different customer review outlets, including Trustpilot, Google, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

An easy way to tell if a company takes care of customers is to check its BBB accreditation and rating. CARCHEX has an A+ rating from the BBB, while also being accredited since 2009. To receive accreditation, a company must show ethical business practices by building trust, being honest, and resolving conflicts promptly.

Read a few CARCHEX reviews from customers below.

Positive CARCHEX Reviews

“[The] outstanding customer service representative answered all questions. Also spoke with her supervisor, who was very knowledgeable and friendly. I was very impressed with the professional service and would highly recommend to anyone needing their product.”

– Gerald on Trustpilot

“The individual I spoke to was helpful and not pushy. No problems whatsoever. He made sure I understood things and sent me emails describing my protection plan.”

– Brian H. on BBB

Negative CARCHEX Reviews

“I had a CARCHEX warranty with top coverage. I filed a claim when my shock/strut failed. CARCHEX covers the strut, but not shock. Although the Mercedes dealer said that it was my strut that failed, CARCHEX called it shock and they did not want to pay for the repair. After a few days of complaints, they decided to make a partial payment. I canceled my contract with them and took over a month to get back my refund.”

– Basil C. on BBB

“Wait time to talk to someone is ridiculously long, I was on hold for almost an hour. This happened several times. The repair shop couldn’t stay on that long and had to hang up. Wish I hadn’t gotten this company. Very disappointed. Won’t recommend them to anyone...”

– John T. on Trustpilot

Conclusion: CARCHEX Is Best for Used Cars

The combination of affordable coverage and highly rated customer service makes CARCHEX a top choice for a vehicle protection plan, especially for high-mileage vehicles. CARCHEX customer service reviews are positive across the board, so you know it’s a trusted provider with a strong reputation.

If you’re still unsure if an extended car warranty from CARCHEX is right for your vehicle, you should consider your options. In fact, we recommend getting quotes from several providers when shopping. Try calling a few other reputable warranty companies and read our Endurance vs. CARCHEX and CARCHEX vs. CarShield reviews. That way, you can be sure you have the right plan at a good price.

FAQ: CARCHEX Reviews

We rounded up the most commonly asked questions about CARCHEX warranties.

What types of cars does CARCHEX cover?

As an extended warranty broker, CARCHEX can offer plans from several different warranty providers. This gives CARCHEX the best chance of finding a protection plan that works for your vehicle. Many different makes, models, and ages of cars can be protected by an extended warranty, including:KiaAudiBMWFordLexusNissanVolvoDodgeHondaToyotaHyundaiChryslerChevroletVolkswagen

Is CARCHEX legitimate?

Yes, CARCHEX is a well-regarded extended auto warranty provider. The company not only boasts high customer satisfaction ratings but is also backed by several industry experts (including CARFAX, Kelley Blue Book, and Edmunds.com).

Is CARCHEX the same as CarShield?

While both companies work in the aftermarket auto industry, they are separate businesses.

Are CARCHEX protection plans insured?

Yes, CARCHEX Extended Vehicle Protection Plans are backed by an insurance company, so you can feel confident in your extended warranty.

Who has the best extended warranty?

Our research team found that independent warranty service providers such as Endurance, CARCHEX, and Protect My Car may be good choices due to their coverage level and service reputation. Ultimately, the best extended warranty company depends on the needs and budget of the car owner.