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CARCHEX gets okay scores from NerdWallet compared to some other extended car warranty providers. The company offers one of the lowest-cost monthly rates we found for newer cars, and has customer-friendly perks like trip interruption and rental car coverage.
However, CARCHEX’s coverage for a high-mileage vehicle was pricier than most competitors. Generic sample contracts are available on the website, but our NerdWallet shopping team was only able to get pricing quotes over the phone. Other warranty companies like Endurance and Olive let you see your quote online.
The company, like several others we’ve reviewed, is a broker, not a direct claims administrator. We found eight companies that administer CARCHEX claims, though our quote came from American Auto Shield — the same company that offered us our Carshield quote. CARCHEX also isn’t Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited like most of its competitors, which is a red flag.
To give you a better idea of CARCHEX’s offerings, NerdWallet’s editorial team investigated contracts, compared quotes for different vehicles and read dozens of customer reviews. Here’s what we found.
Why trust NerdWallet
Our Home Services Team reviewed nine extended warranty companies across 50 unique rating factors.
We’ve read hundreds of pages of service agreements to compare coverage, exclusions and policies.
We’ve researched more than just the biggest national extended car warranty companies.
The Nerds’ take on CARCHEX
Best for inclusive coverage
CARCHEX
NerdWallet rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
What makes it shine: For a newer car, the quotes we received from CARCHEX (based on per-mile and per-month cost) were on the low end compared to other providers. The coverage offered to us included a luxury electronics package, which is spelled out in the sample agreement as either one replacement or one repair of front/rearview cameras and sensors, voice activation systems and similar items. We also like the availability of sample contracts on the CARCHEX website for all five plan options.
What could be better: CARCHEX doesn’t offer online quotes, so you must call to get one. That can be time-consuming when you simply want to compare quotes. As a broker, CARCHEX sells vehicle service contracts provided by third-party administrators, so it doesn’t handle its own claims.
📌 CARCHEX extended car warranty plans
All CARCHEX plans include towing and lockout services, 24/7 roadside assistance, rental car coverage and services for a dead battery and empty gas tank. All CARCHEX plans have specific coverage additions for hybrid and electric vehicles, but there’s no separate EV plan.
These are your options, from narrowest to widest coverage:
Powertrain (Bronze): Basic coverage for pre-owned vehicles only. Covers the following components and systems:
Major engine components.
Major transmission components.
Specific parts of the turbocharger, cooling, transfer unit and drive axle systems.
Powertrain Plus (Silver): Covers the following components and systems:
Major engine components.
Major transmission components.
Specific parts of the turbocharger, cooling, transfer unit, drive axle, air conditioning, electrical and fuel systems.
(Maybe) Gold: A sample contract we received directly from CARCHEX also details a “Gold” level plan in between Silver and Platinum that adds braking and steering components, but it’s not on the CARCHEX website.
Platinum: High-level stated-component coverage. Covers the following components and systems:
Major engine components.
Major transmission components.
Specific parts of the cooling system, transfer unit, drive axle, electrical, steering, air conditioning, suspension, brakes, electronic high-tech, fuel system, turbocharger, audio center and emissions systems. A sample agreement we got from CARCHEX says that this plan also covers seals and gaskets.
Titanium: Exclusionary coverage, which provides the broadest coverage. This means the plan covers all parts and systems in your vehicle (with specific exclusions). This plan is intended to most closely replace an original manufacturer warranty.
A CARCHEX sample contract lists 60+ components that are excluded in a Titanium plan, such as lights, handles, hinges, hoses, and any part that the original vehicle manufacturer has promised to replace or maintain.
🚨 Nerd Alert: A sample agreement we got from CARCHEX says that this plan also covers seals and gaskets, though the generic contract on the CARCHEX website says that this plan excludes “body seals and gaskets.”
Extra Care: Intended to complement powertrain coverage. Covers the following systems:
Specific parts of the cooling, electrical, steering, air conditioning, suspension, brakes, electronic high-tech, fuel, turbocharger and audio systems.
💸 How much CARCHEX will cost you
These were the costs we were quoted for a CARCHEX exclusionary plan, adjusted to include down payments and likely contract terms.
2025 Toyota SUV with 5k miles: $45.82 monthly or 3.8 cents per mile.
2025 Audi sedan with 7k miles: $52.48 monthly or 4.4 cents per mile.
2017 Honda sedan with 80k miles: $139.99 monthly or 11.6 cents per mile.
The price you’ll pay depends on your car’s make, model, age and mileage, plus the plan you choose. You can make monthly payments or pay per term.
CARCHEX has an app and an online customer portal where you can make payments and get claims support. CARCHEX will either reimburse you directly or the repair facility once your claim is approved.
How CARCHEX pricing compares to competitors
A CARCHEX exclusionary plan lands above and below the average prices we found when shopping, depending on the vehicle you’re getting quotes for. These are the average costs we found when shopping for an exclusionary plan across all the extended warranty companies we reviewed:
2025 Toyota SUV with 5k miles: $63 average monthly (about $35 to $115 range), or 5.4 cents per mile.
2025 Audi sedan with 7k miles: $84 average monthly (about $40 to $175 range), or 7.69 cents per mile.
2017 Honda sedan with 80k miles: $102 average monthly (about $60 to $140 range), or 8.49 cents per mile.
CARCHEX quoted us different deductibles depending on the car we were shopping for.
Toyota: $250, or $500 for engine or transmission replacement.
Audi: $500 for any repair.
Honda: $1,000 for the first 90 days. $250 after 90 days, or $500 for engine or transmission replacement.
Deductibles across the companies we reviewed range from $100 to $500 per repair. Some charge deductibles based on a percentage of the total repair cost, and one charges different percentages based on how many years you’ve had the warranty (the longer you’ve had the warranty, the lower the deductible). Several other companies charge a higher deductible ($500) for engine or transmission repairs, and a lower deductible ($250) for other repairs. Only one company, Olive, lets you choose a higher deductible for a lower premium fully online.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Don’t expect an extended warranty to cover wear-and-tear items like tires, brake pads and rotors that need maintenance or replacing because they’re worn out. Car warranties, including CARCHEX extended warranty plans, pay to repair or replace components and systems that malfunction because of mechanical or electrical failure.
💡 CARCHEX has top-tier membership perks
Like most other extended warranty companies we reviewed, CARCHEX offers 24-hour roadside assistance, including towing, flat tires, lockout, battery and fuel/fluid delivery. However, there are a few extra benefits you get with a CARCHEX extended warranty. Here are our favorites:
Rental car coverage. CARCHEX pays up to $40 per day for up to 7 days for you to rent a car while your vehicle is under service, with a maximum payout of $320 per repair visit. Among the companies we reviewed, only Carshield had a higher maximum payout ($420).
Trip interruption. CARCHEX pays up to $125 per day for up to 4 days per breakdown, up to a $500 maximum. Several companies we reviewed, such as Olive and Premier Auto Protect, don’t list trip interruption coverage. Carshield pays the same amount, and Endurance pays more per day but has a three-day and $450 maximum per breakdown.
🚨 The catch with CARCHEX
There are a few aspects of CARCHEX coverage with limits to watch out for. Here’s what to know:
Resulting damage. CARCHEX doesn’t cover damage to a covered part caused by a non-covered part, or vice versa. Extended warranty companies don’t typically cover damage from a non-covered part to a covered part, but several companies do cover damage from a covered part to a non-covered part, such as Olive, Premier Auto Protect and Ox Car Care.
Aggregate limit. CARCHEX will only cover repairs up to either $15,000 or the average retail value of your car, whichever is higher. On the phone, a CARCHEX representative told us that they will cover up to the cash value of the vehicle. Some warranties, like Olive’s, have no set aggregate dollar limits, which can be more generous depending on the car’s value. Some, like Ox Car Care’s, have a lower limit ($7,500).
🚙 Used-car coverage can be costly
Compared to other providers, CARCHEX gave us the highest-priced quote for an older, higher-mileage vehicle. They recommended us a $139.99 monthly contract, with no mileage term available. CARCHEX limits claims and benefits for used cars to $10,000 per monthly term, which we considered generous for a higher-mileage car.
This month-to-month structure can be appealing for used-car owners not wanting a long-term commitment. Since many used cars already have higher mileage, month-to-month coverage may be a budget-friendly way to get protection, without paying for a multi-year term you won’t use if you hit the mileage limit first.
CARCHEX also charges a $1,000 repair deductible for claims made in the first 90 days of your coverage for a higher-mileage vehicle. After 90 days, it drops to $250, except for engine or transmission replacement, which is $500.
Who can get a CARCHEX plan?
What car owners say about CARCHEX
This section highlights customer reviews and posts about CARCHEX. Reddit is an online forum where users share their thoughts in “threads” on various topics. The popular site includes plenty of discussion on financial subjects like extended car warranties, so I sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about CARCHEX. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances. Likewise, I can’t verify the experiences customers post on consumer review websites.
We couldn’t find many positive comments about CARCHEX on Reddit. Positive reviews on the Better Business Bureau website mostly discuss the experience with purchasing a CARCHEX warranty, not the actual claims process.
🟢 A standout positive review:
“I haven’t had a chance to use their services yet but the phone experience was excellent.”
— Ronald, Better Business Bureau review, January 2025
Negative comments about CARCHEX reflect general customer complaints about extended warranties. These typically include issues with claim denials and unhelpful customer service.
🔴 A standout negative review:
“I have been dissatisfied with the way CARCHEX has been handling my claim. The mechanics tried to upload the information but was unable and nobody at Carchex assisted them with processing the claim. I called several times a day and I kept getting a different story about the car.”
– Joe, Better Business Bureau review, March 2026
🚨 Nerd Alert: CARCHEX is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB website warns that CARCHEX inaccurately advertises BBB affiliation. We found a page on the CARCHEX website that claims that CARCHEX is BBB accredited, which isn’t true.
CARCHEX earns poor average ratings (2.6 out of 5 stars overall) on customer review websites, including the BBB website, Consumer Affairs and Trustpilot.
NerdWallet’s Editorial Team Picks for Best Overall Extended Car Warranties
See which extended car warranties our writers and editors think are the best options for car owners.
What to know before buying an extended car warranty
To help avoid costly misunderstandings in the future, make sure to read the coverage and exclusions information in your contract. You have a right to read your contract before purchasing a plan, and it’s important to understand that extended car warranties:
They always have exclusions to coverage, no matter what their sales pitches say. Read your contract carefully before purchasing a plan — especially anything listed as an exclusion or limit of liability. For example, extended warranties tend not to cover damage to a covered part that’s caused by a non-covered part.
They may not pay enough to cover the full cost of repairing a covered item. For example, extended car warranties often authorize hourly labor rates up to the repair facility’s posted labor rate, and reimburse for the hours needed to complete the repair based on a nationally recognized labor guide. Your repair may take longer or cost more than your warranty is willing to pay.
Frequently asked questions about CARCHEX
How long do you have to have CARCHEX before you can use it?
You can start making claims through CARCHEX after 30 days and 1,000 miles or 90 days and 200 miles, whichever combination is met first. This is standard for most of the extended warranties we reviewed. Competitor Olive has no wait time for you to start making claims after purchasing a warranty.
Does CARCHEX offer refunds?
CARCHEX does offer a full refund if you cancel within the first 30 days of your plan. After 30 days, you can still cancel for a prorated refund for a $75 fee.
Can I transfer my CARCHEX car warranty to a new car owner?
Yes, you can transfer your CARCHEX car warranty to a new owner for a $50 fee. Some warranties aren’t transferable (Toco), but some don’t charge a fee (Olive).
Endurance
Why it’s a good alternative to CARCHEX
Endurance:
Is a direct provider and administrator that handles most of its own claims in-house.
Offers seven customizable plans with built-in trip interruption coverage and roadside assistance.
Makes quotes available online and clearly explains coverage in preview contracts.
This option makes more sense for car owners who want extra perks from a direct administrator.
Best consumer-friendly terms
Olive
Why it’s a good alternative to CARCHEX
Olive:
Is the only extended car warranty company we reviewed with no waiting period for coverage to begin.
Spells out exact national guides used to set labor cost limits.
Has among the lowest per-mile and per-month cost for non-luxury car brands.
This option makes more sense for car owners who don’t want to wait 30 days for their extended warranty to kick in.
Best for 24/7 claim filing
Premier Auto Protect
on Premier Auto Protect’s website
Why it’s a good alternative to CARCHEX
Premier Auto Protect:
This option makes more sense for car owners who want the ability to file a claim anytime.
How we rate and review car warranties
More on NerdWallet.com
About the author
Dalia Ramirez writes about home and car services for NerdWallet. She has previously written about estate planning, cryptocurrencies, small business software and other personal finance topics. Dalia has a B.A. in science and technology studies from Wesleyan University. Her work has appeared in publications including The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg and The Associated Press. She is based in San Francisco.
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