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Not all cars are created equal, and neither are the warranty plans that protect key components. Whether you buy a new, used or certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle, you have a wealth of options when it comes to long-term protection for your investment. Trying to decide which plan is right for you can be a bit overwhelming.
To aid in your research, we at the Home Media reviews team have reviewed the best car warranty companies and vehicle protection plans in the industry. In this article, we’ll rank factory warranties, third-party extended coverage plans and CPO vehicle service contracts to help you make the best decision for your needs.
It’s easier to understand the car warranty landscape if you separate it into three broad categories: factory warranties , CPO warranties and extended warranties. There is some overlap between these types of protection plans, but there are also some key differences. Just remember that car warranties are intended to protect you from mechanical breakdowns resulting from defects in workmanship and materials — not typical wear and tear, lack of routine maintenance or replacement of items like brake pads and wipers. It’s a good idea to read the fine print before signing on to any warranty contract.
Factory warranties come with new vehicles and offer bumper-to-bumper coverage . Powertrain coverage , which protects the engine, transmission and drive axle, is also included with new vehicles. Terms vary according to the automaker, but you can typically expect to receive three years to four years of protection. CPO warranties are similar in that they’re included from dealerships and offer comprehensive coverage with some common exclusions.
The extended warranty category is more complex. You can purchase extended coverage from a dealership or from a third-party provider. Each option presents some advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a breakdown of your extended warranty purchase options:
These parameters vary depending on the automaker and third-party provider, but you’ll generally have more flexibility with a third-party, independent extended warranty. You don’t have to sacrifice high-quality coverage for this flexibility, either.
When it comes to warranty coverage for new cars, it’s tough to beat a Hyundai warranty . The Korean automaker offers a 5 year/60,000 mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty and 10 years/100,000 miles of powertrain protection. Genesis (Hyundai’s luxury brand) and Kia also provide impressive factory warranty coverage. Here are a few of our favorite factory warranties:
Hyundai complements its impressive new car warranty and powertrain coverage with several other long-term protection plans. You also get a 7 years/unlimited miles anti-perforation warranty to guard against sheet metal defects, as well as 24-hour roadside assistance for five years, with no mileage limit.
Kia matches Hyundai with a 5 year/60,000 mile Limited Basic Warranty and 10 years/100,000 miles of powertrain protection. The automaker also offers a 5 year/100,000 mile anti-perforation warranty and 24-hour roadside assistance for 5 years/60,000 miles. Trip interruption benefits, which reimburses you for expenses in the event of a covered breakdown more than 100 miles from home, are also included.
Mitsubishi joins Hyundai and Kia in offering 5 years/60,000 miles of manufacturer’s warranty coverage. You also get a 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty for extra peace of mind. Also included with new Mitsubishi vehicles is 5 years/unlimited miles of roadside assistance, as well as 7 years/100,000 miles of anti-corrosion/perforation coverage.
Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand, offers impressive factory coverage on new vehicles. You’re covered for 5 years/100,000 kilometers with the Genesis Comprehensive Limited Warranty. Genesis also includes powertrain coverage for the same terms, as well as 24-hour roadside assistance for 5 years/unlimited kilometers. There’s also anti-perforation protection for 5 years/unlimited kilometers.
Cadillac includes a 4 years/50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty with all new vehicles, as well as 6 years/70,000 miles of powertrain coverage. You also get roadside assistance for up to six years or 70,000 miles, whichever comes first. The car manufacturer also covers your first maintenance visit, which includes an oil change, multi-point inspection and tire rotation.
CPO vehicles go through extensive inspections and reconditioning to set them apart from traditional used cars. It’s no surprise, then, that manufacturers include solid warranty protection on these vehicles. Here are a few CPO warranties that we found to have the best coverage:
The Mitsubishi CPO warranty covers powertrain components for 10 years/100,000 miles from the original in-service date. There’s no deductible for covered repairs, which must be performed at Mitsubishi dealerships.
Unlimited-mileage roadside assistance is available for the balance of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. When factory coverage expires, you get roadside assistance throughout the Powertrain Limited Warranty if the issue was caused by a covered powertrain component.
Hyundai matches Mitsubishi with 10 years/100,000 miles of powertrain coverage as part of its CPO warranty. There is a $50 deductible for covered repairs. Rental car reimbursement and 24-hour roadside assistance are also included in the Hyundai CPO warranty.
With a Kia CPO warranty, you get 10 years/100,000 miles of powertrain coverage from the original in-service date. You also get 1 year/12,000 miles of Platinum coverage, which is Kia’s comprehensive exclusionary level of protection. The Kia CPO warranty includes a $50 deductible for covered car repairs.
It’s tough to find a better used car warranty among luxury brands than the one Lexus offers. Known as the L/Certified Limited Warranty, this plan is valid for a minimum of two years (with unlimited mileage) after the expiration of the 4 year/50,000 mile basic warranty for new Lexus vehicles. The first four factory-recommended maintenance services for 2 years/20,000 miles are also covered.
Honda offers powertrain coverage and two levels of non-powertrain warranty coverage for CPO vehicles six or fewer years old. The powertrain coverage lasts for 7 years/100,000 miles, and the non-powertrain options can last from one to five years, covering items such as the alternator, air conditioning and electric motors.
You have a lot of options when it comes to reputable extended car warranty companies . As mentioned earlier, going with a third-party provider gives you more flexibility with warranty options, time of purchase and repair facility. Here are our top picks for independent extended car warranty companies:
Endurance is a direct warranty provider, meaning it doesn’t rely on intermediaries to administer its plans. The company offers six coverage options with terms up to 8 years/200,000+ miles. Every Endurance plan comes with a free year of Endurance Elite benefits, which include perks like tire repairs or replacement, towing and key fob replacement.
Read more: Endurance warranty review
Our first choice for comprehensive warranty coverage.
Carchex offers terms up to 250,000 miles with its service contracts, which makes it a great option for used and high-mileage vehicles. There are five car warranty plans to choose from, all of which are administered by companies such as American Auto Shield. Carchex offers perks like 24-hour roadside assistance, trip interruption coverage and rental car reimbursement.
Coverage for vehicles up to 250,000 miles and excellent customer service.
Protect My Car plans can last up to 125,000 miles. The company also offers prepaid maintenance plans where you pay upfront for services like oil changes, tire rotations and assistance with flat tires. Keep in mind that Protect My Car is not available to car owners in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Missouri, Oklahoma or Washington.
Read more: Protect My Car review
CarShield is known for consistently low premiums, with most contracts costing between $89 and $130 per month. The company also offers six coverage plans that can last up to 300,000 miles. CarShield is a safe bet if you’re looking for affordable extended warranty coverage, but it’s unfortunately not available to residents of California.
A reputable extended warranty provider with industry-low rates.
This company’s unique name stands for “automotive peace of mind.” And judging by the positive customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, autopom! delivers this. There are four levels of coverage available through autopom!, with an upper limit of 7 years/150,000 miles. Each of these service contracts comes with perks like roadside assistance, rental car coverage and trip interruption benefits.
A warranty company with strong customer service and a simple claims process.
Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi all offer 10 years/100,000 miles of powertrain warranty coverage. This means the most essential parts of the engine, transmission and driveline are protected in the event of breakdowns or damage caused by defective materials or workmanship.
Buying an extended auto warranty is a good idea if you plan to keep your vehicle beyond the manufacturer’s new vehicle warranty. If your vehicle model is known for high repair costs or expensive upkeep, you might want to buy an extended service plan as part of the initial purchase.
According to our research, the top five extended warranties from third-party providers are from Endurance, Carchex, Protect My Car, CarShield and autopom!.
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best extended car warranty companies. We collected data on dozens of auto warranty providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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