Autopom, which stands for “automotive peace of mind,” is among our top-ranked extended car warranty providers. It stands out in the industry for having high customer ratings on different review sites.
Most other top providers have low ratings from claims not being covered or contract terms misunderstandings. Autopom is different in this category, as it has largely positive reviews. Some reviews even mention the founder personally reaching out to them to fix issues.
In our review, we’ll look deeper into Autopom’s coverage options, benefits and costs. We’ll also compare Autopom with some of the other best extended car warranty companies in the marketplace.
Our thoughts on Autopom
Autopom is a solid option if you’re looking for vehicle protection long after your manufacturer’s warranty expires. The company is a well-rounded warranty provider that offers some of the best customer support in the industry.
| Category | Autopom Rating | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.5 | 4.1 |
| Market standing | 4.3 | 4.0 |
| Coverage | 4.5 | 4.2 |
| Cost | 4.9 | 4.0 |
| Trustworthiness | 4.6 | 4.0 |
| Customer service | 4.5 | 4.0 |
What we like about Autopom
Autopom has been in business since 2009 and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This rating is a measure of how well the company responds to and handles customer complaints. Along with this high grade from BBB, Autopom also receives positive feedback from customers on Google Reviews and Trustpilot, which is rare in the industry.
In terms of warranty coverage, we like the fact that Autopom plans can cover vehicles up to 20 years old.
What we don’t like about Autopom
The fact that Autopom warranty plans are administered by an array of different companies gives us some pause. This arrangement means that certain vehicle service contracts (another name for extended auto warranties) are only available in specific states. Autopom plans also require higher down payments than many of the company’s competitors.
Compare top auto warranty companies
Autopom scores highly overall and has some of the lowest monthly costs compared with the other providers that score highly in our research. Here’s how Autopom stacks up against our top extended car warranty companies:
| Company | Rating | Monthly Cost | Max Mileage | BBB Rating | Get Started |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $90–$115 | 200,000 | N/A | |||
| $82–$112 | 150,000 | N/A | |||
| $130–$150 | 250,000 | N/A | |||
| N/A | 250,000 | N/A | |||
| $120–$140 | 300,000 | A |
| Company | Rating | Monthly Cost | Max Mileage | BBB Rating | Get Started |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $90–$115 | 200,000 | N/A | |||
| $82–$112 | 150,000 | N/A | |||
| $130–$150 | 250,000 | N/A | |||
| N/A | 250,000 | N/A | |||
| $120–$140 | 300,000 | A |
On July 31, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that CarShield must pay $10 million to resolve charges that its advertisements and telemarketing for vehicle service contracts have been deceptive and misleading. FTC also claims that CarShield deceptively represented that all repairs were covered under a plan, consumers were entitled to a rental car at no cost and consumers could use the repair facility of their choice. In response, CarShield released a statement indicating that its marketing efforts now include additional details about its plans and coverage, including a link to its sample contracts so consumers can review plans in full before buying. USA TODAY Homefront is reviewing this information and will reevaluate our CarShield scores within the coming weeks.
Autopom vs. Endurance
Endurance is our No. 1 pick for the best extended warranty provider with an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Autopom ties Endurance with the same overall rating, though Endurance edges out ahead based on its coverage options and trustworthiness, where it scores 4.9 out of 5 stars in both categories compared to Autopom’s 4.5 and 4.6 scores, respectively.
Where Autopom shines in relation to Endurance is the company’s cost of coverage. On average, coverage from Autopom costs $666 per year compared to $1,256 for an Endurance plan — a difference of $590 annually. Autopom earned a score of 4.9 out of 5 stars in the cost category, whereas Endurance scored 4.3 out of 5.
Ultimately, Autopom is a solid competitor to Endurance. Though Autopom offers fewer coverage plans, its cost of coverage and customer service make it a strong option for an extended warranty.
| Review Category | Autopom Score | Endurance Score |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Market standing | 4.3 | 4.6 |
| Coverage | 4.5 | 4.9 |
| Cost | 4.9 | 4.3 |
| Trustworthiness | 4.6 | 4.9 |
| Customer Service | 4.5 | 4.1 |
What does Autopom cover?
You can choose from three coverage levels with Autopom: Exclusionary, Mid-Level or Powertrain Plus. Because Autopom plans are administered by a variety of companies (as the company website puts it, “A-rated insurance companies and administrators”), you’ll find that these coverage options can be customized according to your needs.
In California, Autopom sells mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) plans. The main distinction between MBI and an extended car warranty is that MBI plans are regulated by the state insurance commission. Vehicle service contracts are not. In general, the coverage and benefits these types of plans offer are quite similar.
Here’s a quick breakdown of each Autopom coverage level:
- Exclusionary: The Autopom Exclusionary plan is similar to a factory warranty, with bumper-to-bumper coverage of most major systems. Only a short list of exclusions falls outside of coverage here.
- Mid-Level: Along with the components that a powertrain warranty typically protects (engine, transmission and drive axles), the Autopom Mid-Level plan covers steering, braking, air conditioning and various electrical systems.
- Powertrain Plus: This plan protects the engine, transmission, drive axles and air conditioning. Some electrical components are covered as well, although they vary by plan.
Autopom added benefits
All Autopom extended warranty plans feature roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement. Most of the provider’s warranties include trip interruption benefits, and some come with tire repair benefits. Be aware that perks and benefit terms can vary depending on the administrator of your Autopom vehicle protection plan.
Here’s an overview of the additional benefits you can get with an Autopom extended warranty:
- 24-hour roadside assistance: This includes towing, flat tire replacement (with your spare), fuel delivery, battery jump-starts and lockout assistance. Autopom provides a toll-free number to call anytime you need roadside assistance.
- Rental car reimbursement: When your car is in a shop for covered repairs, Autopom will reimburse you for a certain amount per day for rental car costs. Terms vary by contract administrator.
- Trip interruption coverage: This benefit isn’t available with all plans, and terms vary by contract provider. Usually, trip interruption benefits reimburse you for travel expenses when you suffer a covered breakdown over 100 miles from home.
- Tire repair or replacement: Certain Autopom plans help you pay for damage to tires from road hazards such as potholes and nails.
- Your choice of licensed repair facility: With Autopom, covered repairs can be performed at any ASE-certified repair facility in the U.S.
Autopom exclusions
The only specific exclusions listed on the Autopom website are preexisting conditions. These could be issues that are in place before the warranty is purchased or that occur during the 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect.
Autopom doesn’t provide sample contracts online, so you’ll have to call the company to verify what’s excluded from coverage in any specific plan. The following are common exclusions from extended vehicle warranties:
- Wear-and-tear components such as brake pads and wiper blades
- Seals and gaskets — unless replacement is required as part of covered repair
- Routine maintenance services such as oil changes and tire rotations
- Damage due to lack of regular maintenance
- Damage from vehicle misuse or unauthorized repairs
Autopom warranty terms and conditions
Autopom warranty plans feature a maximum term of seven years. The mileage limit for coverage is 150,000 miles, which is lower than you’ll find with our other top-ranked warranty providers. Carchex, for example, has plans that cover vehicles until they have 250,000 miles on the odometer. CarShield leads the way with an impressive 300,000-mile coverage limit with some plans.
Contracts can vary by administrator, and eligibility for specific Autopom plans can vary by state. Depending on your administrator, state and the specific plan you buy, you’ll have either a 30- or 60-day money-back guarantee. You can get a full refund during this specified period, and a prorated refund if you cancel afterward.
How much does Autopom warranty coverage cost?
We reached out to Autopom for warranty quotes on two different vehicles to see how much its extended warranties cost. Each of the plans in the table below comes with a $100 deductible. The provider offers deductible options of $0, $50, $100 and $200.
| Autopom Plan | Vehicle | Mileage | Coverage Term | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exclusionary | 2020 Hyundai Elantra | 30,000 | 5 years/100,000 miles | $112 |
| Exclusionary | 2014 Nissan Altima | 90,000 | 5 years/100,000 miles | $108 |
| Powertrain Plus | 2014 Nissan Altima | 90,000 | Month-to-month | $82 |
The monthly payments Autopom quoted compare favorably with our other top-rated warranty providers and come in at or below average. The average cost for an extended warranty is $108 per month, based on the quotes we received from our top providers.
What affects extended car warranty costs?
Extended car warranty cost depends on several factors. These are the key considerations that go into the price of a long-term vehicle protection plan:
- Vehicle make and model: Classic cars, luxury vehicles and other high-value autos are more susceptible to expensive car repairs and therefore cost more to protect with an extended warranty.
- Mileage: Higher-mileage cars are more likely to need costly repairs, so long-term protection is more expensive for these vehicles.
- Deductible: Choosing a higher deductible means you have lower monthly payments, but it also means you pay more out of pocket for covered repairs.
- Coverage level: A basic powertrain warranty costs less than a more comprehensive coverage plan.
- Provider: You’ll find different coverage prices from one warranty provider to another. We recommend comparing free quotes from as many companies as possible before you make a purchase decision.
Customer thoughts on Autopom
Customer reviews for Autopom are solid across the board. You’ll find a good sample of customer reviews on Google Reviews, where Autopom holds an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 150 reviews. It’s an even better picture on Trustpilot, where over 190 customer reviews gave the company an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars.
While the provider has fewer reviews than a lot of other top extended warranty companies, its ratings are higher than usual. Across its many positive online reviews, friendly and professional Autopom customer service agents are often singled out for praise. Transparent coverage and fair pricing are also common themes in Autopom customer feedback.
Final take: Autopom has high customer ratings but less-than-desirable mileage limits
Autopom has an excellent reputation for outstanding customer service. The company also offers quality warranty coverage at competitive prices. However, compared with other top providers, Autopom doesn’t have as extensive years or mileage limits with its plans. If your vehicle is older with high mileage, you might not qualify for coverage.
All in all, we consider Autopom a well-rounded warranty provider. Get quotes from the company as well as other top providers to get coverage at the right price for you.
Our rating methodology for auto warranty companies
At Homefront, we analyze, rate and rank top vehicle service contract providers to help you discover the right one for your needs. The best automotive service contract companies offer transparency, affordability and expansive coverage options, among other qualities.
We rate companies using our objective scoring methodology. We assess brands on factors that are important to consumers like you — including cost, coverage, market standing, trustworthiness and customer experience. After scoring companies on a 100-point scale, we simplify final scores into the 5-star ratings you see in our content.
BBB, Trustpilot and Google Reviews ratings are accurate as of March 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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