Shopping for an extended car warranty may not sound very fun, but having this protection can provide considerable peace of mind. After all, the best-extended car warranties can ensure your car gets fixed during a covered breakdown. Best of all, your extended warranty coverage will actually pay for the repairs.
But which extended car warranty company should you purchase coverage from? Because there are quite a few reputable providers in this space, it’s crucial to compare them based on the warranty coverage they offer, their ratings and reviews, and the perks they offer customers.
While we believe Endurance may offer the best extended warranties out there, we went on to compare the top six companies in this space. If you’re in the market for the best-extended car warranty money can buy, read on to learn more.
Most Important Factors for Extended Car Warranties
While price is a major consideration when comparing extended car warranties, you’ll also need to consider the coverage you’re buying and how it compares to other providers. For example, some extended car warranties offer nearly bumper-to-bumper coverage with maintenance included, whereas others only cover certain components of your vehicle.
As you compare extended car warranties, you should note that some require waiting periods before you can use your coverage. Make sure you know your plan’s waiting period before you move forward.
While extended car warranty companies let you enter your information to get a free quote online, you usually need to speak with a customer service agent to get pricing for available plans.
As you compare extended car warranties, make sure you price out coverage plans from at least three or four providers. Doing so is the best way to ensure you get quality protection for a price you can afford.
The Best Extended Car Warranties of May 2024
Endurance
Endurance is one of the largest providers of vehicle service contracts in the United States, and they are backed by an AM Best “A” rated insurance company. This means you can rest assured your extended car warranty will cover claims as they arise and that you’ll have protection against the costs and stress that typically come with auto breakdowns and other failures.
One major benefit of Endurance is the fact they’re a direct provider of their extended warranty coverage. This means you’ll purchase your plan from Endurance and that they will manage your coverage from quote to claim.
Endurance also has a large selection of coverage plans to choose from, including six different plans that range from basic to their top-tier Advantage plan with maintenance included.
Select Auto Protect
Select Auto Protect has been in operation for over 30 years, and they offer a range of extended car warranty plans that can be used at any ASE-certified repair facility. They offer three main extended warranty plans to choose from — Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Where the basic Silver plan provides coverage for basic vehicle components like your transmission and brake system, Platinum coverage offers more robust protection for more components, including your heat system, fuel system, and front and back suspension.
One major benefit of Select Auto-Protect is the fact it covers cars of any age, make, or model. This means you can use this provider for older cars you own or for classic cars, and regardless of your vehicle’s mileage.
CarShield
CarShield was originally founded in 2005, and the company has become a major provider of extended car warranties since then. In addition to offering five different extended warranty plans for eligible vehicles, they also offer extended warranty protection specifically for motorcycles and ATVs.
CarShield offers five main extended car warranty plans for cars, which range from a basic “Aluminum” plan to “Diamond” coverage. Where the most basic coverage options only protect some components of your vehicle, Diamond coverage works similarly to the bumper-to-bumper coverage that comes with a new car.
Complete Car Warranty
Complete Car Warranty was only established in 2019, so there are few places to find user testimonials or reviews about the company online. However, we chose them for our ranking based on the fact their plans are highly customizable. For starters, Complete Car Warranty offers five different levels of CarGuard coverage ranging from Powertrain (basic protection) to robust Platinum coverage. However, the provider also offers more plans to choose from within their Matrix and Royal levels.
Each tier of coverage comes with a unique set of covered components, so you can customize your warranty coverage to your exact needs. All plans also come with roadside assistance, and you can have your car repaired at any certified vehicle mechanic nationwide.
Carchex
CarChex has been in operation since 2003, and the company added extended car warranties to its portfolio of offerings in 2004. Since then, the company has grown to become one of the most trusted extended warranty providers in the United States. They are one of the few companies in this space who is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), where they also boast an A+ rating.
CarChex offers five levels of extended warranty coverage for shoppers to choose from, ranging from basic Bronze protection all the way up to comprehensive Titanium coverage. Their plans also come with the largest selection of covered benefits, which include towing, rental car coverage, gas delivery, trip interruption insurance, and more.
Autopom!
Autopom! is another extended car warranty provider that has an A+ rating with the BBB. This company also offers a wide range of warranty plans with plenty of included benefits. For example, customers get a 30 to 60-day money-back guarantee, 24-hour roadside assistance, and trip interruption reimbursement coverage as standard benefits.
When it comes to the extended warranty coverage this company offers, consumers have four main plans to choose from. Options include Powertrain Plus coverage, which protects only the main components of your car, all the way up to Exclusionary coverage, which is closer to a new car warranty coverage. Most of their plans provide the option to tailor your warranty to your needs.
The Best Extended Car Warranties of 2024
COMPANY
KEY FEATURES
COVERAGE OPTIONS
Endurance
* Direct Provider * Backed by an AM Best “A” Rated Insurance Company
* Six Plans Ranging From basic to Advantage Plan With Maintenance Included
Select Auto Protect
* Operates for Over 30 Years * Coverage for Cars of Any Age, Make, or Model
* Silver (Basic), Gold, and Platinum
CarShield
* Founded in 2005 * Offers Warranty for Motorcycles & ATVs
* Five Plans: Basic “Aluminum” to “Diamond” Coverage (Like Bumper-To-Bumper)
Complete Car Warranty
* Established in 2019 * Highly Customizable Plans * Nationwide Repair Options
* Five Levels of CarGuard Coverage (PowerTrain to Platinum) * Matrix and Royal Levels
CarChex
* Founded in 2003 * A+ Rating With BBB
* Five Levels: Bronze to Titanium * Includes Towing, Rental Car Coverage, Etc.
AutoPom!
* A+ Rating With BBB * 30 to 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee 24-Hour Roadside Assistance
* Four Main Plans: PowerTrain Plus to Exclusionary (Close to New Car Warranty)
Other Companies We Considered
There are so many extended warranty providers offering plans today that it was hard to select the options for our ranking. The following companies barely missed the cut.
ForeverCar
ForeverCar is an extended car warranty provider that has been in operation since 2015. They offer four levels of extended warranty coverage with included benefits like rental car coverage, 24-7 roadside assistance, and travel expense reimbursement.
Olive
Olive was considered for our ranking based on the fact they are one of the only providers that lets you get a free online quote for extended warranty coverage without speaking to an agent. However, this provider only has three plans to choose from. They also just launched in 2020, so there aren’t many user testimonials or reviews to compare.
How We Found the Best Extended Car Warranties
The extended car warranty companies that made our ranking were found to be the “best” among all providers in this space. While some of our analysis was subjective, we compared each company and selected them based on the following attributes.
Multiple Plans
While some of the extended auto warranty companies we included in our ranking offer more plans than others, we only selected providers who have at least three tiers of extended warranty coverage to choose from. We also looked for companies that offer ways to customize your plan to your needs, whether with additional add-on coverage or a more robust selection of benefits.
Choose Your Own Repair Shop
We only selected companies that let you get your car fixed at a large selection of auto repair shops. Generally speaking, the providers for our ranking allow repairs at all ASE-certified repair shops or with any certified mechanic.
Money-Back Guarantees
Most of the companies on our list offer a 30-day or 60-day money-back guarantee.
Included Benefits
We also looked for extended car warranties that come with included benefits from which consumers can benefit. Perks we looked for include roadside assistance, trip interruption insurance, gas delivery, rental car coverage, and more.
What You Need to Know About Extended Car Warranties
As you compare extended car warranties, there are several factors you need to consider that may be buried in the fine print. Details to look for in your plan include:
Waiting Periods: Most extended car warranties have a waiting period that applies before you can use your coverage. Make sure you know about the waiting period you’re dealing with, as well as how waiting periods compare across providers.
Deductibles: You will typically need to pay a deductible to file a claim with your extended warranty company. Make sure the deductible you choose is one you can easily afford.
Vehicle Limitations: Some vehicle makes and models may not qualify for extended warranty coverage with certain providers.
Length of Coverage: Finally, note that many companies offer limited coverage for a specific timeline (i.e., 36 months or three years). Make sure you know about potential limitations and what happens next.
Not Car Insurance: A common misconception is that auto warranties and insurance are the same things. That is not correct. To find out more about auto insurance, see our best auto insurance companies.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also lists some specific “gotchas” to watch out for when choosing an extended car warranty. For example, they point out that few auto service contracts cover all repairs and maintenance and that you should watch out for exclusions and other fine print in your plans.
They also note that service contracts often limit how much they’ll pay for towing or related rental car expenses.
The Bottom Line – Best Extended Car Warranty for 2024
In the quest for peace of mind on the road, extended car warranties have emerged as a popular solution. With numerous options available, discerning which warranty best suits your needs can be challenging.
Endurance stands out as a top contender, but the market boasts other reliable providers like Select Auto Protect and CarShield, each offering unique features.
Key considerations when choosing a warranty include understanding waiting periods, ensuring affordable deductibles, acknowledging vehicle limitations, and recognizing the length of coverage.
Remember, warranties differ from auto insurance; it’s imperative to differentiate the two. Always be vigilant about the fine print to avoid potential pitfalls and ensure a smooth journey ahead.
Their streamlined online application can have you approved in a matter of minutes. And according to Ladder, many applications are approved without a medical exam requirement.
In this Ladder review, I’ll let you know what types of policies they offer, key features, who is eligible, and how much you can expect to pay.
Ladder only offers term life insurance policies. Ladder’s mission is to offer affordable policies with speed and ease. Term life insurance best fits that product type.
When applying with Ladder, you should be aware the company does not offer policy riders. These optional additional coverage provisions provide more benefits but at a higher premium. That higher premium is the reason why Ladder doesn’t offer them.
Ladder’s most unique feature is that it allows you to increase or decrease your coverage as needed.
Laddering Up/Laddering Down
The name Ladder hints at its most unique feature – the ability to increase or decrease your coverage as needed. The process is known as ‘laddering up’ or ‘laddering down.’
Existing policyholders can increase their death benefit amount as their needs change, subject to underwriting and approval.
Conversely, if your coverage needs decline, you can reduce the death benefit. In short, Ladder Life puts you in charge of the policy’s face amount and the premium you’ll pay. You can request a change to your coverage by visiting the Ladder account page.
Laddering your policy, up or down, is completely free. And you can ladder your policy as often as you like. Naturally, the premium will increase if you ladder up the policy amount. And if you ladder down the death benefit, the premium will decrease.
Term Length Options
Ladder offers terms ranging from 10 to 30 years, the maximum term you can qualify for, regardless of age. That said, your age at the time of application may reduce the maximum term for which you qualify. The maximum issue age is 60.
Ladder uses a simple calculation to determine the maximum term length of a policy. Your current age, plus the term length, cannot exceed 70. For example, if you’re 40, the longest term is 30 years (40+30 = 70.) If you’re 50, the longest term is 20 years (50+20 = 70.)
Ladder policies are underwritten based on your nearest birthday. For example, if you will be 45 in four months, your age will be considered 45 years, not 44.
Policies are renewable for up to 5 years after the guaranteed level premium term. The new premium will be based on your age at renewal and, therefore, higher, but this is how term life insurance renewals work.
Ladder Pricing
Like all life insurance policies, Ladder policy premiums depend on a combination of factors. Those include your age at the time of application, health condition, occupation, hobbies and pastimes, and even geographic location.
We requested information for a non-smoking 40-year-old male in excellent health with no family history of major illnesses, and we received the following quotes for $1 million in coverage:
10 years – $37.50 per month
15 years – $47.70 per month
20 years – $61.80 per month
25 years – $96.90 per month
30 years – $114.30 per month
We then requested a policy for a non-smoking 40-year-old female in excellent health with no family history of major illnesses, and we received the following quotes for $1 million in coverage:
10 years – $35.40 per month
15 years – $46.80 per month
20 years – $52.50 per month
25 years – $77.10 per month
30 years – $88.50 per month
The monthly premiums for men are slightly higher than for women, which is common throughout the life insurance industry. This owes to the fact that women statistically live longer than men by several years.
The premium rate increases with the term of the policy because the longer the term, the greater the likelihood the company will ultimately pay the death benefit.
Ladder coverage limits range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $8 million (up to $3 million in CA).
If you apply for $3 million or less, you won’t have to take a medical exam, just answer health questions. Applicants applying for benefits greater than $3 million may need to submit to a medical exam.
Policies offered through Ladder have a single death benefit payout, which is paid in a lump sum to the beneficiaries upon the death of the insured.
Unlike some life insurance companies, there is no option to distribute benefits in installments or through any other payout method.
As mentioned, Ladder does not offer common life insurance riders, so you won’t have the ability to add provisions, such as a spousal rider, an accelerated death benefit (living benefits), double indemnity (increased death benefit for death caused by an accident), or a conversion provision that enables you to convert the term policy to a permanent, whole life policy before the term expires.
Ladder Coverage Eligibility
Ladder offers coverage for those between the ages of 20 and 60. If you are over 60, you’ll need to make an application elsewhere.
Each application is for a single individual, so there is no capability to apply jointly with your spouse or to add your children. Each person will need to complete a separate application.
Policies are available only to US citizens and lawful permanent resident aliens who have lived in the US for at least two years. Ladder offers policies in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia.
Ladder Application Process
The application process takes place online, which helps Ladder keep premiums low.
You can apply for coverage in as little as 5 minutes. You will not be required to complete a medical exam for coverage up to $3 million.
But for coverage above $3 million, the approval decision may be delayed several weeks.
Ladder Underwriting
When completing the application, Ladder will request basic information, like your name and email address.
In making the underwriting decision, they’ll also request the following information:
Whether a biological parent or sibling has been diagnosed by a physician with diabetes, cancer, heart disease, Huntington’s Disease, or Lynch Syndrome before the age of 60?
Your annual household income.
How many children do you have?
Your remaining mortgage balance.
Your answers to these and other questions will determine your eligibility for life insurance coverage, as well as the premium you’ll pay for the policy.
Ladder Life is a legitimate term life insurance services provider, offering policies in all 50 US states. The following information indicates its financial strength and how it’s perceived within the insurance industry and by its customers.
Financial Strength
Since Ladder is not the direct issuer of the policies it offers, the company is not rated for financial strength by A.M. Best, the industry’s most well-recognized insurance company rating agency.
But the ratings for two of Ladder’s issuing companies are as follows:
Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York, A+ (Superior)*
Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company, A (Excellent)*
Since each of the companies is rated “A” or higher by A.M. Best, each is highly likely to have the financial strength to pay the policy death benefit, if necessary.
Ladder’s third issuing company is its affiliate, Ladder Life Insurance Company. Ladder Life Insurance Company has earned a Financial Stability Rating® (FSR) of A (Exceptional) from Demotech, Inc. FSRs are a leading indicator of financial stability, providing an objective baseline of future solvency.
The most current FSRs must be verified by visiting www.demotech.com
Third-Party Ratings
In addition to financial strength ratings by A.M. Best, we’ve also considered the credit rating of each of the three providers behind Ladder. The credit rating indicates the company’s ability to meet its financial obligations and continue operations as a going concern.
The news here is as good as it is with the financial strength ratings. The table below shows the credit ratings of two of the companies from two major corporate credit evaluation agencies:
Insurance Company / Rating Service
Moody’s
Standard & Poor’s
Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York
Aa3 (4th of 21 ratings)
AA (3rd of 21 ratings)
Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company®
N/A
N/A
Customer Service Ratings
Perhaps the best indicator of Ladder’s reputation as a life insurance services provider is to look at the ratings provided by the people who deal most closely with Ladder – its customers.
Ladder has an Excellent Trustpilot score of 4.8/5, based on over 2,600 customer reviews. 89% of customers have assigned them a 5-star rating, and only 4% rated them three stars or fewer.
We could not locate a rating for Ladder with the Better Business Bureau. However, the BBB has an “A+” (highest) rating for Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company® and has been agency-accredited since 1990.
There is, however, no BBB rating for Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York, perhaps because the company is an affiliated organization.
How We Evaluated Ladder Life Insurance
We’ve evaluated Ladder based on the policy terms offered, the dollar amount of the death benefits, and the premiums’ cost. We’ve also taken into account applicant eligibility, as well as the apparent underwriting criteria the company uses.
We’ve also considered third-party information about the company, including its financial strength and reputation. Finally, we considered factors that make Ladder Life unique regarding what niche they fill in the insurance industry.
Ladder is one of the best online life insurance companies for term insurance. While they don’t offer as many coverage options as other providers (term life only, no riders), they provide straightforward term coverage that’s affordable and easy to apply for.
You can complete the entire process online, and if you’re in good health, you likely won’t require a medical exam.
Ladder partners with top-notch insurance companies and can boast very high customer ratings. And their Ladder Up/Down features only add to Ladder’s convenience.
Of course, if you fall outside Ladder’s qualifying criteria, i.e., over 60, want universal or whole life insurance, or require specialized coverage via insurance riders, then Ladder is not for you.
The bottom line is if you meet Ladder’s age requirements and are of good health, it’s one of the best places to get term life insurance – which is what the vast majority of American adults need.
How We Review Insurance Companies:
Good Financial Cents systematically reviews U.S. insurance companies, emphasizing policy offerings, customer experiences, and overall reliability.
Our goal is to present a balanced and comprehensive perspective to potential policyholders. Editorial transparency remains a cornerstone of our approach.
We actively collect information from insurance companies and place significant weight on customer feedback. By integrating this feedback with our research, we can offer a well-rounded evaluation.
Each company is then rated based on multiple criteria, resulting in a star rating from one to five.
For a deeper understanding of the criteria we use to rate insurance companies and our evaluation approach, please refer to our editorial guidelines and full disclaimer.
Product Description: Ladder is a life insurance services provider that offers term life insurance policies to consumers. It was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA.
Ladder offers term life insurance coverage of between $100K to $8M with no medical exams for coverage up to $3M (just answer health-related questions). Adjust coverage anytime.
Cost and Fees
Customer Service
User Experience
Product Offerings
Overall
4.3
Pros
Offers adjustable term life insurance ranging from 10 to 30 years in 5-year increments.
The company has a user-friendly website and offers a range of online tools and resources to help consumers understand and compare different life insurance options.
Offers no medical exam coverage up to $3M, which may be a good option for individuals who are unable or unwilling to undergo a medical exam as part of the application process.
Cons
No-exam life insurance policies are typically more expensive than traditional life insurance policies
May not be the best option for individuals with pre-existing health conditions or other risk factors
Do not offer riders on their insurance policies such as: Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) rider, waiver of premium rider, or return of premium rider.
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*Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York has been rated A+ (Superior) affirmed October 2021 and Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company® has been rated A (Excellent) based on an analysis of financial position and operating performance, by A.M. Best Company, an independent analyst of the insurance industry. For the latest rating, accesswww.ambest.com.
Ladder Insurance Services, LLC (CA license # 0K22568; AR license # 3000140372) offers term life insurance policies: (i) in California, on behalf of its affiliate, Ladder Life Insurance Company, Menlo Park, CA (policy form # P-LL100CA); (ii) in New York, on behalf of Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York, New York, NY (policy form # MN-26); and (iii) Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company®, Kansas City, MO (policy form # ICC17-M-1069, M-1069 and policy # TL-146) in the District of Columbia and all states except New York and California. Only Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York is authorized to issue life insurance in the state of New York. Insurance policy prices, coverages, features, terms, benefits, exclusions, limitations, and available discounts vary among these insurers and are subject to qualifications. Each insurer is solely responsible for any claims and has financial responsibility for its own products.
