Are you having a hard time choosing an extended car warranty for your valued cars? Then, these two companies may help you trim down your long lists of car warranty providers. Carchex and CarShield are two of the best-extended car warranty providers in the car industry. Since 2004, Carchex, located in Baltimore, Maryland, has been providing extended car warranties in the market. CarShield, on the other hand, started its operation in St. Peters, Missouri has been offering warranty plans since 2005.

To guide and give you a thorough explanation about the services offered by these two companies, we’ve compiled a detailed comparison that highlights their exclusive plans and premium rates.

Carchex Coverage Plans

Today, Carchex offers 5 different coverage plans to help customers find their specific needs.

1. Bronze Coverage

This coverage covers the car with a minimum of 5 years and a maximum terms of 6 years. It covers the major system of a vehicle and designed to protect car owners from the most expensive and common car breakdowns. It also includes the following car components:

  • Engine car components: connecting rods and bearings, crankshaft and main bearings, timing gear, and many more.
  • Transmission car components
  • Drive axle car components

This a better coverage plan for vehicles with 150,000 mileage or more.

2. Silver Coverage

The Silver coverage plan is highly recommended for newly-purchased cars and even pre-owned cars. It also has the same coverage from the bronze coverage with additional perks like:

  • Fuel delivery
  • Electrical and air conditioning system
  • Fuel pump
  • Alternator
  • Fuel tank
  • Clutch
  • Gauges

This coverage plan offers a minimum warranty of 6 years to 7 years and highly recommended for vehicles with more than 100,000 mileage.

3. Gold Coverage:

It covers all major systems of a vehicle for 5 to 10 years warranty terms, which is a good choice for vehicles with 60,000 mileage or more. It also includes the coverages from the silver and bronze plans.

4. Platinum Coverage:

Although it has the same maximum service term from the Gold coverage, it’s one of the most comprehensive plans offered by Carchex. Platinum coverage includes the coverage from Gold, Silver, and Bronze plans with the following additional car components:

  • Suspension components: mounting plates, the upper and lower ball joints, and struts.
  • Enhanced electrical components: solenoids and wiper motors.
  • Heating components: thermostat,  water pump, mounting brackets, and radiator.

The Platinum plan covers hundreds of components and offers the most comprehensive level of stated-component coverage in a 5- to 10-year service term.

5. Titanium Coverage:

The Titanium plan includes the bumper-to-bumper coverage with a minimum term of 7 years and a maximum term of 10 years. It’s the most comprehensive coverage plan that covers most parts of a car with only a short-list of exclusions.

CarShield Coverage Plans

CarShield offers 6 different types of warranty coverage plans — we only listed 5 plans as the other plan is exclusive for ATVs and motorcycles.

1. New Car Diamond:

The New Car Diamond warranty coverage plan is highly recommended for new cars. However, there are excluded car components that you can learn from their 24/7 customer service hotline.

2. Platinum:

This plan offers the most comprehensive inclusionary coverage. It covers the following car components:

  • Engine components
  • Steering components
  • Air conditioning and brake system
  • Electrical system
  • Transmission

3. Gold:

The Gold coverage offers enhanced powertrain coverage that covers the engine, transmission, alternator, power window motor, starter, and more.

4. Silver:

The Silver plan offers the basic powertrain plan that covers all lubricated engine parts, water pump, the drive axle, and the transmission.

5. Aluminum:

This plan is designed to cover complex electronic systems for common and luxury vehicles. It also includes coverage for voice activation control, sensors, gauges, LCD screens, power seat control, and many more.

Coverage differences: Carchex and Carshield

Although their coverage plans are quite similar in terms of their coverage options, you can see that Carchex plans are more flexible and convenient than the Carshield plans.

CARCHEX CarShield
Number of coverage plans 5 6 (one is exclusive for ATVs and motorcycles)
Maximum mileage for coverage 250,000 miles 200,000 miles
Covers specialty vehicles ( motorcycles and ATVs) Not applicable Applicable
Covers hybrid parts (batteries and more) Only specific plans Not applicable
Roadside Assistance $50 max per occurrence – up to 10 occurrences $400 limit per contract
Towing Assistance $100 per occurrence $75 per occurrence

If you’re looking for a warranty plan that also covers motorcycles or ATVs, CarShield is the better option. Although, if you’re looking for a warranty that covers hybrid batteries and parts, then Carchex is the right company for you. In terms of roadside and towing assistance, it’s better to choose Carchex which offers higher allowances.

Warranty Costs: Carchex Vs CarShield

There are several factors that will greatly affect the premium rate for your warranty plans, such as: 

  • Car’s Age
  • Model
  • Mileage

Typically, the older the car, the higher the premium you’ll get from any car warranty companies. It’s also recommended to know your car’s ratings as low-reliability ratings tend to get higher premium rates. Still, the best way to find out the best deal for warranty plans is to contact warranty companies.

Which is better: Carchex or Carshield

It’ll really depend on how these coverage plans can fit your car’s needs. But before making your decision, we highly recommend getting a free quote from each company and review their sample contracts. Once you receive the free quotes and have affordable premium rates, you can mention this to other car warranty providers as they will try to match or even offer a better rate to win your business.