CARCHEX has a history built on reliable customer service since it was founded in 1999, providing pre-owned vehicle inspections. In 2003, the current CEO, Jason Goldsmith, used CARCHEX to have a 1996 Jaguar XJS convertible inspected when the price seemed too good to be true. The inspection confirmed Goldsmith’s suspicions, and he was so impressed that he bought CARCHEX and expanded the services offered by including an extended car warranty service.
Editorial Breakdown
Coverage
Customer Service
Price
Ease of Purchase
Overall Rating
Bottom Line
CARCHEX offers multiple vehicle protection options including five car warranty plans. Each plan offers different levels of protection with terms ranging from five to seven years.
CARCHEX is best known for its car warranty service and they offer several auto-related products like an inspections service, auto insurance, auto financing and roadside assistance. We rated CARCHEX highest in for great service in our Best Car Warranty Buyer’s Guide because the company consistently offers customers access to some of the best auto repair shops and mechanics.
Today, CARCHEX is one of the most trusted and successful names in the vehicle service contracts industry, partnered with AAA, Allstate, CARFAX, Edmunds, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), among other organizations and vehicle-related businesses.
Warranties include roadside assistance, towing, emergency gas delivery, and more at no additional cost
Good reputation and an A+ Better Business Bureau rating
Plans can be financed for up to 21 months with interest or other charges
Cons
Coverage may not start for the first 30 days and 1,000 miles from the date you sign up for your warranty
CARCHEX Car Warranties
A car warranty from CARCHEX includes 24 hour-a-day year-round roadside assistance, towing, car rental when your vehicle is tied up at the shop, trip interruption service, and they will deliver gas if you forget to check the tank level and become stranded. The trip interruption coverage comes in handy if you are traveling by car and your vehicle has a repair issue that keeps it from running safely. If the mechanic has to hold the car overnight for repairs, CARCHEX pays for your meals and hotel.
To offer an extensive selection of car warranties, CARCHEX provides five levels of vehicle service contracts. You can view each car warranty contract on the CARCHEX website, and we listed a summary of what each level covers below. All plans are available for new and used vehicles, except for the Bronze warranty, which is only for used cars.
Level
Coverage
Term
Titanium
Maximum breakdown protection for your vehicle, these bumper-to-bumper plans with very few excluded repairs are the closest to a manufacturer’s warranty you can buy
6-7 years
Platinum
Adds to the Gold warranty with coverage for your car’s suspension, heat and cooling systems, and many additional electrical components. Provides the highest level of coverage for hundreds of specific components
5-7 years
Gold
Covers everything in the Silver package plus brakes and steering. Gold coverage is ideal for vehicles with over 60,000 miles. Flexible terms and pricing
5-7 years
Silver
Silver plans offer everything in the Bronze package with essential coverage for your car’s fuel delivery system, air conditioning and more electrical components
5-7 years
Bronze
Basic coverage for major vehicle systems, such as most engine, electrical and drive axle components
5 years
CARCHEX Car Warranty Plans
*Vehicle age, mileage, state of residence and other restrictions may apply, so not all vehicles will qualify for all CARCHEX car warranty programs.
CARCHEX Car Warranty Prices and Guarantee
Car warranty prices fluctuate depending on the level of coverage, length, vehicle model and age, and other factors. Because of this, each CARCHEX warranty requires an individual quote. The average cost for a car warranty across the industry is around $1,200, and depending on the package you choose, your vehicle, and the length of the warranty, you may pay more or less.
CARCHEX offers a no-haggle, low price, everyday guarantee. While we couldn’t find details to explain the guarantee, there is a 30-day money back guarantee on car warranties. You must get in touch with CARCHEX customer service and submit a form to cancel, and this must be completed before 30 days after you sign the contract.
Beyond the 30-day money back guarantee, you can cancel your Extended Vehicle Protection Plan at any time in most cases and get a prorated refund. Discuss your contract with a CARCHEX representative to understand how the refund process works.
Optional CARCHEX Warranty Coverage
If you want your car’s navigation system covered or you have a car with the latest technology like self-parking, voice recognition, blind spot monitoring and many others, you can add this coverage to your CARCHEX warranty. Key replacement is another option to be considered with key fobs costing up to $400 to replace. You can also add a business use addendum or windshield repair to your warranty.
Source: CARCHEX
CARCHEX Warranty Claims
To take advantage of your CARCHEX warranty, get in touch with an approved repair facility as soon as you notice your vehicle may need to be repaired. If you wait, further damage could result and void your contract for that repair. The easiest way to find an approved vehicle repair facility is to use the CARCHEX mobile app, downloadable from Google Play or iTunes. You can quickly request any assistance included in your car warranty, ask questions or check on the repair status of your vehicle using the app. Of course, you can call CARCHEX at any time of the day or night to start the repair approval process or get questions answered.
Other CARCHEX Vehicle Services
CARCHEX Vehicle Inspections: An ASE certified technician travels to the vehicle, then performs a 155 point pre-purchase inspection with a two to five-mile road test. The CARCHEX inspection report includes the condition of body and paint, dents, scratches, rust, tires and wheels, glass, interior, missing parts, oil leaks, electrical items, and drivetrain performance. This service has two levels. The Gold plan includes a CARFAX report on the vehicle. Prices start at $129.95 for Silver and $139.95 for Gold.
Auto Insurance Comparisons: The CARCHEX Insurance Group provides a free online tool so you can shop and compare car insurance quotes from top companies like ACE, Allied Insurance, Chubb, Cincinnati Insurance, Dairyland Insurance, Encompass, Progressive, Safeco, The Hartford and Travelers.
Auto Financing: CARCHEX can find the best prime and subprime loans from nearly 100 lenders to finance or refinance a vehicle loan. Fill out one simple online form, and within minutes, CARCHEX sends you free quotes from four different lenders.
Roadside Assistance: For as little as $59.95 a year, the CARCHEX Roadside Assistance Plan keeps you covered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Get up to five emergency tows per year, emergency battery, fluid and flat tire assistance, lost key and lockout service and mechanical first aid (minor adjustments to keep your car running) as well as customized trip routing with a specially prepared map.
CARCHEX Complaints
We checked CARCHEX ratings from customers on top review sites ConsumerAffairs, Trust Pilot, Google Reviews and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). CARCHEX scores highly with customers, who have a lot of positive things to say about the service level and the company overall. The ConsumerAffairs rating is nearly 5 out of 5 stars with 674 reviews submitted in the past year. The BBB has accredited CARCHEX for 19 years, and rates the company an A+.
The few complaints we read mostly dealt with not being able to reach a customer support agent. CARCHEX reached out to each person who had concerns about customer service.
If you plan to keep your car after the manufacturer’s warranty expires or you purchased a used vehicle, an extended warranty can be a smart investment. AAA calculates that maintenance and repair costs average $1,186 a year for a new car. A CARCHEX plan can cover expensive repairs and help keep your vehicle running well.
Where can I take my vehicle for repairs?
You can take your vehicle to any ASE licensed repair facility in your area. Repairs could be completed at the original dealer, favorite repair shop, or a national chain that performs vehicle repairs such as Firestone, Goodyear or Pep Boys. You need to contact a CARCHEX representative as soon as you know your vehicle needs repairs.
How does CARCHEX pay for vehicle repairs?
The licensed repair facility you take your vehicle to will call the CARCHEX claims administrator to get the needed repairs authorized. The claim is approved, then CARCHEX pays for the repairs when completed. The only thing you will have to pay is the deductible on your plan.
Does a CARCHEX car warranty cover recall repairs?
No. The vehicle manufacturer must complete recall repairs at no cost to you.
Does the CARCHEX Titanium warranty cover every possible repair?
Almost. It’s easier to point out what the Titanium plan does not cover rather than what it does. Parts not included are those covered by the vehicle’s manufacturer’s warranty and recalls, and there’s no coverage for the optional add-ons we mentioned above (CARCHEX can add those to your plan). Other excluded items are components that wear out and must be replaced, like headlamps, windshield wipers and brakes. CARCHEX will not pick up the cost of repairs due to neglecting to maintain your vehicle. This list is not all-inclusive, so see the contracts available on the CARCHEX website or talk to a representative for details.
Conclusion
Getting hit with unexpected, costly vehicle repairs can derail any budget. CARCHEX provides excellent car warranty choices with varying levels of coverage so you can find an affordable plan and rest easy that your vehicle is in good hands should it need repairs down the road.
Zero star. They take money. Don't pay for claim. Contact me. I have all the facts **. My car is in shop. They don't even answer the phone. When they sold me the warranty they are nice. After they got my money they don't answer. They don't answer the shop calls to pay the claim.
BRYAN A.
BROOMFIELD, CO
July 09 2020 4:38PM
I called today, July 9th and spoke to Michael **, a Carchex representative. He was polite, professional, listened patiently to my concern of not being able to have any communication with American Shield who handles my car repairs.
My auto shop contacted them on July 2nd, to get approval to replace my BMW radiator. The cost of the BMW radiator in Hawaii was $900. American Car Shield said their price for the same BMW radiator was $400 and they would ship it.
On Tuesday, July 7th my day off, I called AS to inquire about the shipment of the radiator and when was the estimated time of arrival. I held on for 2 hours hoping someone would
