Is CarShield a Scam? Or Is It Legit?
Last Updated on February 27, 2024
CarShield is a vehicle protection company founded in 2005. The Missouri-based company protects cars across the United States.
CarShield offers extended warranties with flexible payment options, including month-to-month contracts. In exchange for a fee, you get better protection for your vehicle and its components.
Is CarShield legit? Is CarShield worth the price? Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about CarShield and how it works.
Table of Contents:
- What Is CarShield?
- Why Buy CarShield?
- Is CarShield Legit?
- How to Request a Quote with CarShield
- CarShield Packages
- What Does CarShield Cover?
- What Else Does CarShield Cover?
- How Much Does CarShield Cost?
- What Does CarShield Not Cover?
- CarShield Waiting Period
What Is CarShield?
CarShield is one of America’s largest extended warranty companies. The company covers over one million vehicles across the country and has paid over $1 billion in claims since 2005.
With CarShield, you get perks like roadside assistance, extended warranties, and a network of certified repair shops across the United States and Canada. CarShield can cover engine and transmission repairs, for example, that would normally cost $3,000 or more.
CarShield customizes plans for each driver. You can buy basic roadside assistance or a comprehensive extended warranty, depending on your needs and aversion to risk.
CarShield costs between $100 and $130 per month, depending on your desired coverage options, vehicle age, and vehicle type.
Why Buy CarShield?
CarShield is ideal for anyone concerned about covering a sudden and unexpected vehicle repair bill.
40% of Americans cannot cover an unexpected $400 emergency payment. Vehicle repairs can be much higher than this amount, and insurance will not cover most vehicle repairs that occur outside of covered losses.
If you cannot afford a $2,000 auto repair bill today, then CarShield’s monthly plans may be a good option. Instead of paying an unexpected $2,000 repair bill for a blown transmission three months from now, you can pay CarShield $70 per month today.
It costs around $1,000 to repair a vehicle’s air conditioner, for example, and up to $3,400 to replace or repair a vehicle’s transmission. Engine repairs and replacements could cost more than $3,500. CarShield can cover these repairs at zero cost (minus a deductible).
Is CarShield Legit?
CarShield is a legitimate company offering legitimate roadside assistance and extended warranty plans. In exchange for a monthly fee, CarShield covers certain unexpected repairs or replacements.
Founded in 2005, CarShield is backed by thousands of reviews from customers across the United States.
As with many extended warranty providers and insurance companies, CarShield has some negative reviews online from unhappy customers. Many customers do not review their insurer or extended warranty provider until they have a negative experience with a claim, which tends to lower average review scores across the internet. Nevertheless, CarShield has average or better reviews on most websites, including:
- 4.3 stars out of 5 on Consumer Affairs with 3,300+ reviews
- 4.3 stars out of 5 on Google with 5,400+ reviews
- 5.0 stars out of 5 on Customer Lobby with 2,400+ reviews
How to Request a Quote with CarShield
To check how much CarShield costs in your area, request a quote online at CarShield.com. The company offers free estimates to anyone.
Here’s how it works:
- Request a free quote. Tell CarShield about your vehicle or motorcycle and its usage. CarShield may ask for your average monthly or annual mileage, for example, or your approximate commute.
- Personalize coverage. CarShield helps you personalize the ideal options for your vehicle and budget.
- Choose your plan. CarShield displays several options based on your coverage level and protection plan. You can buy a full-featured extended warranty, for example, or a basic roadside assistance plan.
CarShield Packages
CarShield offers six packages to suit needs, vehicle type, and budget. CarShield’s packages include:
Diamond (Best Coverage): CarShield’s Diamond package works similarly to a new car warranty. It covers everything from engine and transmission failure to starter and fuel pump breakdowns.
Platinum (Comprehensive): CarShield’s Platinum package is ideal for vehicles with more miles. It protects components like the engine, transmission, air conditioning system, electrical system, starter, water pump, and fuel pump, among other components.
Gold (Power Train Plus): CarShield’s Power Train Plus covers major and minor vehicle parts, including the engine, transmission, water pump, alternator, starter, air conditioning system, power windows, and other components.
Silver (Power Train): CarShield’s Silver package is the company’s most affordable policy. It covers the most important components of a vehicle, including all lubricated parts of the engine, transmission, and water pump.
Aluminum (Specialty Coverage): CarShield’s Aluminum package covers specialty components of certain vehicles. It covers computer-related problems like issues with the engine control module, starter, alternator, navigation and GPS, electrical system, and more.
Motorcycle & RV: CarShield offers plans for motorcycles and RVs. These plans cover certain critical components of your motorcycle and RV at various coverage options and price points.
What Does CarShield Cover?
CarShield covers different parts of your vehicle based on your package. Generally, however, it functions similarly to an extended warranty, covering the cost of repairing or replacing crucial parts of your vehicle while you’re covered by CarShield.
Diamond, Platinum, Gold, and Silver Plans Cover:
- Engine
- Transmission
- Drive axle
- Transfer case
- Water pump
Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Plans Cover:
- Everything above
- Air conditioner
- Fuel delivery system
- Fuel injector
- Fuel pump
- Starter
- Alternator
- Power windows
- Radiator
Diamond and Platinum Plans Cover:
- Everything above
- Steering
- Suspension
- Brake system
- Electrical
- Instrument cluster
Diamond Plan Covers:
- Everything above
- Wiring harness
What Else Does CarShield Cover?
Regardless of your CarShield plan, you get coverage for other items, including:
Emergency Roadside Assistance: Like AAA and other roadside assistance plans, CarShield covers vehicle lockouts, fuel delivery, towing up to certain limits, and other costs incurred from roadside breakdowns.
Rental Car Reimbursement: If your main vehicle needs repairs and you rent a car while it’s being repaired, then CarShield covers the cost of the rental car through rental car reimbursement coverage.
Trip Interruption Coverage: If vehicle repairs interrupt your trip, and you’re a long way from home, then CarShield could compensate you for hotels, meals, rental car expenses, and other costs incurred from interrupting your trip.
How Much Does CarShield Cost?
To determine if CarShield is worth it, it helps to consider the average cost.
CarShield costs between $99.99 to $129.99 per month, depending on your vehicle type, your vehicle age, your vehicle condition, and your coverage options.
The more coverage you get, the more you’ll pay. CarShield’s Diamond and Platinum plans tend to cost around $129.99 per month, for example, while the Gold and Silver plans may cost around $99.99 per month, depending on your vehicle.
When you need to make a CarShield claim, you pay a deductible, then CarShield covers the rest.
What Does CarShield Not Cover?
CarShield does not cover everything within your vehicle and all its problems.
Items not covered by CarShield include:
- Repairs you performed without authorization from CarShield
- Damage caused by wear and tear or a lack of maintenance
- Damage caused by acts of nature, theft, vandalism, or falling objects
- Modifications and additions to your vehicle
- Damage caused by misusing your vehicle, including racing or driving off-road
- Pre-existing mechanical issues (i.e., problems with your vehicle before you signed up for CarShield)
CarShield Waiting Period
CarShield has a waiting period. After you buy CarShield, you need to wait 20 days and 500 miles before coverage kicks in.
If you buy CarShield knowing you have a problem with your vehicle, then CarShield may deny your claim. This waiting period is designed to prevent this complication.
Final Word on Carshield
CarShield is a legitimate extended warranty provider covering crucial components of your vehicle at different coverage options and packages.
Depending on your vehicle and coverage options, you could pay $100 to $130 per month for CarShield’s vehicle protection packages.
Contact CarShield to get an estimate on your vehicle coverage package.
