CarShield currently offers six levels of coverage for most cars and trucks and several tiers of motorcycle, ATV and electric vehicle coverage. Available coverage ranges from essential stated-component coverage to the company’s Diamond exclusionary plan, which functions like a bumper-to-bumper warranty.
CarShield coverage can last up to 10 years or 300,000 miles, which is longer than the terms offered by many other reputable car warranty companies. Below, we take a closer look at CarShield coverage plans, benefits and exclusions to help you choose the best extended car warranty company to work with.
What’s included in CarShield coverage?
The company’s lowest tier stated-component coverage, Silver, will only cover the most essential systems in the vehicle. Diamond, on the other hand, covers a much wider range of auto repairs. See how each of the company’s car and truck coverages compare below:
| Vehicle Part | Diamond | Platinum | Gold | Gold Plus | Silver | Aluminum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Transmission | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Drive axle | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Transfer case | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Water pump | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| AC/heating | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Starter | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Alternator | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Power windows | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Fuel pump | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Radiator | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Fuel injector | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Steering | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Suspension | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Brakes | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Electrical | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| GPS/navigation | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
What benefits does CarShield coverage have?
CarShield contracts come with 24-hour emergency roadside assistance services, trip interruption coverage, emergency repairs reimbursement and rental car reimbursement.
Emergency repairs reimbursement is capped at $500. Trip interruption coverage is limited to a maximum of $125 per day for four days or $500 total per covered instance.
The company’s roadside assistance coverage includes the following services:
- Battery jumpstart
- Flat tire assistance
- Fuel delivery
- Lockout assistance
- Towing
Maximum limits for roadside assistance and rental car benefits vary by contract and are determined during contract purchase. Always ask about coverage maximums before committing to a warranty contract from CarShield or any provider.
What coverage plans does CarShield offer?
CarShield offers five stated-component coverage options and one exclusionary plan. Stated-component plans only provide coverage for parts and repairs specifically listed in their corresponding contracts, while exclusionary plans cover everything except a small list of parts or repairs — essentially bumper-to-bumper coverage.
CarShield operates as a vehicle warranty broker, meaning the company sells contracts that are administered by a third party, in this case American Auto Shield. See an overview of contracts available from CarShield below:
- Diamond: CarShield’s Diamond plan is the company’s only exclusionary contract and is similar to a new vehicle manufacturer’s warranty. The small list of excluded coverages includes cosmetic items, clutches and aftermarket vehicle alterations.
- Platinum: The Platinum plan from CarShield is the company’s highest level of stated-component coverage. This plan offers comprehensive coverage similar to the Diamond plan but with fewer parts covered in each vehicle system.
- Gold: CarShield’s Gold plan is a midlevel stated-component contract that covers the engine, transmission, fuel system, drivetrain and electrical systems.
- Gold Plus: The Gold Plus plan is designed for high-mileage vehicles and covers the engine, transmission, fuel system, drivetrain, alternator, starter, air conditioning system and power windows.
- Silver: CarShield’s Silver plan offers standard powertrain coverage for a limited number of parts and repairs in the engine, transmission, drive axle and water pump.
- Aluminum: The Aluminum vehicle service contract is designed to complement existing powertrain coverage and covers additional parts such as the engine control module, starter, alternator and navigation.
If you have questions about any of CarShield’s plans, you can view sample contracts on its site.
Does CarShield coverage have a waiting period?
All CarShield protection plans come with a breakdown coverage waiting period of either 30 days and 1,000 miles or 90 days and 200 miles, to be determined at the time of contract purchase. There is no waiting period for roadside assistance services covered under any CarShield contract.
What isn’t included in CarShield coverage?
Even the most comprehensive CarShield warranty coverage has limitations. Like most car warranties, CarShield plans won’t offer coverage for wear-and-tear items like brake pads, tires or rotors. These plans also don’t cover routine maintenance services, such as oil changes or filter changes. You’ll need to ensure these tasks are performed on schedule in order to avoid voiding your warranty coverage.
CarShield extended warranty plans don’t cover cosmetic damage, so don’t anticipate coverage for body panels, upholstery, vinyl or fabric car tops or trim. You can also rule out coverage for the following causes of damage:
- Aftermarket alterations
- Any kind of vehicular accident
- Improper vehicle maintenance
- Improper vehicle use
- Severe weather
A comprehensive car insurance policy may provide coverage for select cosmetic damages or damages caused by weather or accidents. To ensure the most comprehensive coverage for your vehicle, know how much coverage your insurance policy and warranty plan each offer.
How do CarShield coverage claims work?
Although CarShield offers reimbursement for emergency car repairs performed at any shop, the company does require drivers to obtain prior authorization for most coverages. Before you take your vehicle to a repair shop, reach out to CarShield or your warranty contract service provider to ensure coverage first.
Next, you’ll need to take your vehicle to one of CarShield’s in-network repair shops. This includes thousands of shops that hold Automotive Service Excellence or ASE certification. Your mechanic will communicate with your coverage provider, and CarShield will pay your repair facility directly for covered repairs.
Final take: CarShield coverage is long lasting and offers several options for different drivers
CarShield is one of the most well-known extended car warranty companies and provides peace of mind through a wide range of vehicle coverages, which extend to motorcycles, ATVs and electric vehicles. The company’s maximum contract terms are higher than most, offering coverage for up to 10 years or 300,000 miles. All plans come with standard roadside assistance coverages, plus generous coverage for trip interruption expenses.
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.
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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