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If you are searching for an extended auto warranty, you may have heard of CARS Protection Plus. The provider has been in business for more than 20 years. But how does its extended warranty compare to the competition?
We’ve taken the time to look deeper into CARS Protection Plus warranty reviews, company’s reputation, coverage levels, and cost. Below, we will determine whether or not the CARS Protection Plus warranty is worth it.
To go ahead and get free extended warranty quotes from our top recommended providers, click below.
CARS Protection Plus has been in business since 1998 when the company was founded with just six employees. Today, the provider serves all 50 states with an industry-high 200,000-mile acceptance limitation. That means a CARS Protection Plus warranty can cover most cars on the road. The biggest limitation the provider has is that consumers cannot get quotes on the CARS Protection Plus website. They must go through an authorized retailer.
There are some manufacturer warranties that cover your vehicle from the date of purchase for many years, with Hyundai and Kia being among the best. But what are you going to do when your factory warranty expires? What if your used car doesn’t come with a warranty?
If you don’t have an extended warranty, also known as a vehicle service contract, in place, you will be responsible for any repair costs associated with a mechanical breakdown. Only 40 percent of Americans can cover a $1,000 emergency. For those without a savings account, an unexpected car repair could mean going into debt.
Most car repairs won’t cost you thousands of dollars, but if something major like your engine or transmission were to malfunction, you could be left with a hefty bill. Take a look at some of the average costs for major car repairs from CarBrain.com to see if you could foot the bill.
If these numbers make you uneasy, it’s wise to consider your extended car warranty options. With monthly payments, you might find that taking care of your vehicle is less expensive than you initially thought.
The CARS Protection Plus warranty has more options than most providers, with a total of 11 protection plans for your vehicle. However, many of these are closely related and difficult to differentiate from one another. It doesn’t help that the CARS Protection Plus warranty website is outdated, and the plans don’t appear to be listed in any particular order online.
CARS Protection Plus considers the following options to be vehicle service contracts:
In addition, there are four Flex Protect levels to choose from with the CARS Protection Plus warranty. Each includes diagnostic charges and rental benefits:
While each plan has its own terms and conditions, there are some parts that are regularly excluded with the CARS Protection Plus warranty, even on the most comprehensive plans.
If you are considering a CARS Protection Plus warranty, you will want to carefully read your entire contract before signing to determine what is and isn’t included with your coverage.
With the CARS Protection Plus warranty, most plans come with towing, roadside assistance, and rental car coverage. The trouble is that all of these perks are limited to a certain amount, some of which are restrictive. These added benefits don’t offer as much peace of mind as we would hope for.
It’s clear that CARS Protection Plus is a reputable company, striving to cover repairs on consumers’ vehicles. The organization maintains an A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, which isn’t something to be taken lightly in this industry.
Additionally, CARS Protection Plus claims to be a part of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, as well as several independent Automobile Dealers Associations in various states. It is also a partner of Meineke.
The only way to get an accurate price for the CARS Protection Plus warranty is to receive a free quote from an authorized retailer. It’s clear that the Flex Protect Levels are going to cost more than the other service contracts. These protection plans can cover a higher labor rate, up to $75 per hour, but allow customers to adjust that to $160 per hour as well.
Other factors that will affect the price of a CARS Protection Plus warranty include the following:
During regular business hours, it isn’t difficult to get in contact with the customer service representatives at CARS. The only time that you might have a problem getting answers is if you want a free quote. The CARS Protection Plus warranty is not available for purchase on the CARS Protection Plus website. Instead, consumers must go through an authorized retailer.
There are some areas where CARS Protection Plus delivers a positive customer experience. For one, you can choose any repair shop to honor your vehicle warranty. CARS Protection Plus also pays the repair facility directly, so you don’t have to pay anything for covered repairs other than your deductible and any charges that go beyond what your CARS warranty includes.
As for transferability, the CARS Protection Plus warranty can be transferred to a new vehicle owner for a $99 fee.
When we look at reviews online, it’s clear that opinions of the CARS Protection Plus warranty can go one way or the other. The provider has just over a 1-star rating on the BBB, while Google rates it with 2.5 stars based on more than 300 reviews. Here are a few customer reviews:
“Had an AC evaporator go bad on my Subaru Impreza. Took into the shop [and the] repair was $1,350 [and] CARS picked up $949 of it. Thanks! I’ve had CARS warranties on several of my vehicles over the years, and they have always stepped up and paid a fair share of the repair as outlined in whatever warranty I’ve had with them. I highly recommend CARS if you have a used car you need coverage on.”
“We bought this warranty plan for our Volkswagen Tiguan. We had to use the warranty for a water pump, rear main seal, and timing cover. The company said they would only cover the water pump. They wouldn’t even cover any of the other repairs. The repair work cost $1,500. The company only paid $300. Do not purchase this warranty! They are a horrible company!”
If you aren’t sold on the CARS Protection Plus warranty, there are plenty of other reputable providers out there for vehicle service contracts. We recently researched the best extended car warranty companies in the nation. In our investigation, we found several companies that provide great coverage and service for reasonable prices.
Use the tool below to get free quotes from our top picks.
Endurance offers direct-to-consumer extended warranties, which means that warranty services and claims are handled directly by Endurance. We gave it a 4.6-star rating and named it the provider with the best coverage.
With Endurance, you don’t have to worry about a middleman or underwriting provider, and Endurance is also known for its excellent customer service during the quote and claims process.
Additionally, Endurance warranty plans allow car owners to choose from any repair shop certified by Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) to complete their covered repairs.
Reputable extended car warranty company that offers six levels of coverage and has excellent customer reviews. It is our choice for Best Coverage and our top overall pick for extended warranty providers.
CARCHEX maintains an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB, and it has received endorsements from industry leaders like CARFAX, Kelley Blue Book, and Edmunds.com. Our review team gave the company a 4.4 star rating.
CARCHEX offers a total of five extended warranty plans, each of which can be customized. All plans include 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, gas delivery, trip interruption services, and lockout services.
CARCHEX has five customizable extended warranty plans, excellent customer service, and great added perks. We recognize CARCHEX as the Best for Used Cars.
Having trouble deciding between Endurance and CARCHEX? Read our Endurance vs. CARCHEX review.
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
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