Dec. 9, 2025Updated Dec. 15, 2025, 2:09 p.m. ET
- CarShield offers extended warranty plans for high-mileage vehicles, covering cars up to 300,000 miles with no age limit.
- Monthly plan costs typically range from $90 to $150, depending on the vehicle and level of coverage selected.
- Coverage excludes pre-existing conditions, routine maintenance, cosmetic damage and failures from neglect or accidents.
A CarShield warranty offers peace of mind should your car break down due to normal wear and tear, not to mention perks like 24/7 roadside assistance and high-mileage eligibility. However, it’s not the right fit for every driver.
CarShield didn’t make our top 10 car warranty company list, largely due to higher plan costs, mixed customer reviews and concerns about reliability. Still, it remains a popular choice for many drivers seeking flexible coverage or for their high-mileage cars.
In this CarShield review, we’ll break down its coverage options, pricing, reputation and whether it’s the right warranty provider for your needs.
About CarShield warranty
CarShield is an extended car warranty provider that offers service repair contracts for nearly all types of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, electric vehicles, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). With no vehicle age limit and a generous 300,000-mileage eligibility, this warranty company is great for drivers looking for coverage for their older vehicles.
However, CarShield is currently facing a federal class action lawsuit over allegations that it failed to provide promised warranty coverage. This lawsuit was filed in March 2025 and remains unresolved. In 2024, CarShield was ordered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to pay out $10 million for deceiving advertisements and telemarketing. With these suits in mind, the Team at USA Today urges consumers to take caution before purchasing a warranty plan.
Alternatives to CarShield warranty
Due to the company’s current lawsuit over promised coverage, CarShield may not be the best choice for your extended car warranty coverage. Instead, check out reputable providers like FlexCare, CarEdge or Premier Auto Protect.
CarShield warranty pros and cons
Pros:
Cons:
- Monthly costs may be higher than those of competitors
- Currently facing a federal class action lawsuit over not providing promised warranty coverage
CarShield plans and pricing
Most CarShield warranty plans fall between $90 to $150 per month, but can be more depending on the type of vehicle, vehicle age, mileage and components covered.
The more comprehensive the plan, the higher the cost. The Diamond plan, which most closely resembles a manufacturer’s warranty, is CarShield’s highest coverage plan and covers nearly every component of your vehicle. This plan is ideal for drivers whose manufacturer’s warranty has expired, yet still want the most coverage possible.
If you still have warranty coverage or have recently replaced major components, such as your transmission or AC system, you may not need such extensive coverage. You can save money with the Gold Select or Platinum plan.
| Plan | Coverage | Average monthly cost |
| Diamond | Engine, transmission, AC, electrical system, starter, water pump, fuel pump, steering, brake system, suspension, and more. | $130-$150 |
| Platinum | Engine, transmission, AC, electrical system, starter, water pump, fuel pump and more. | $120-$140 |
| Gold Select | Engine, transmission, and water pump, starter, alternator, A/C and power window motors. | $100-$130 |
| Silver | All lubricated parts on your engine, transmission and water pump. | $90-$120 |
| Aluminum | Electrical and computer-related systems | $90-$110 |
| Motorcycle and ATV | Electric vehicle components, like the electric drive unit, electrical system and battery pack. | $100-$130 |
| Electric Vehicle | Electric vehicle components, like the electric drive unit, the electrical system, and the battery pack. | $110-$130 |
* Cost data based on consumer quotes and reported plan costs via third-party review sites. Our research team received quotes for a 2020 Ford Explorer and the cost data fell within the above ranges.
CarShield restrictions and exclusions
Deductibles
The typical deductible is $100 per approved repair, which is standard across the car warranty industry. However, you may have the option to choose a deductible as low as $0 or as high as $500, depending on your plan and monthly payment. Higher deductibles result in lower monthly premiums, whereas you’ll pay a higher monthly fee for a lower deductible.
Waiting period
CarShield’s waiting period (the set number of days and/or miles required to pass before you can make a claim) is just 25 days and 500 miles, which is less than the average 30 days and 1,000 miles we see with other providers. This means you can start making claims sooner than other leading car warranty companies.
Vehicle age and mileage limit
CarShield offers generous mileage eligibility of up to 300,000 miles, so your older, higher-mileage vehicles can get coverage. There is no formal age restriction, so even your 30-year-old Toyota Camry is eligible for comprehensive warranty coverage.
If your vehicle has over 100,000 miles, CarShield recommends the Gold Select plan or higher.
Other notable exclusions
CarShield’s exclusions are typical compared with other car warranty companies. Different than car insurance, you can expect the company to exclude the following under your warranty plan:
- Pre-existing conditions (issues present before coverage starts)
- Routine maintenance and wear-and-tear items, such as brake pads and lightbulbs
- Cosmetic damage
- Failures due to neglect (e.g., missed oil changes)
- Collision or environmental damage (accidents, floods, fires, hail, vandalism)
- Unauthorized repairs or modifications.
- Failures caused by a lack of proper maintenance, corrosion, or use of incorrect fuel.
Note: You are responsible for staying up-to-date on regular car maintenance and may be asked to produce maintenance records before your claim is approved.
To see more about exclusions and limitations, read CarShield’s online sample contract.
CarShield warranty claims process
When your car breaks down and you want to cash in on your warranty, follow these steps:
- Call CarShield’s claims department to find your nearest approved repair shop
- Make an appointment to take your car in (or have it towed) to the shop
- Give your CarShield contract to the service manager or technician
- The repair shop diagnoses your vehicle and calls CarShield for approval
- Repairs covered by your warranty are approved
- CarShield pays the repair shop directly
- Pick up your vehicle and drive away
How to buy a CarShield extended car warranty
Unlike some providers, the quote process isn’t instant, which makes comparing providers more challenging. To get a quote from CarShield, you need to fill out their online form or call a sales representative:
- Call a sales representative or go online and click “Get Free Quote”
- Submit your vehicle’s make, model and mileage
- Add your contact information and location
- Get your free, personalized quote
Is CarShield right for you?
If you have an older vehicle or a car with higher mileage, then CarShield is worth the free quote. But due to the multiple lawsuits and ongoing investigations, it may not be the most reliable or transparent option for long-term peace of mind.
Before you buy, weigh the potential savings against the risk of denied claims and customer service issues.
How we rate CarShield
To rate car warranty companies like CarShield, our team built a comprehensive methodology that ranks each company based on 43 individual factors under five categories: Coverage, cost, company transparency, reliability and customer experience.
- 24 car warranty companies ranked
- 43 factors analyzed
- 900+ data points considered
Frequently asked questions
How much does CarShield cost every month?
CarShield warranty plans typically cost between $90 and $150 per month, but you may pay more depending on the type of car, mileage and age of your vehicle.
What does CarShield not pay for?
CarShield warranties will not pay out for pre-existing conditions, normal wear-and-tear items like brake pads and windshield wipers, damage from lack of maintenance, accidents, theft or vandalism. You may not get coverage for aftermarket modifications to your vehicle.
Will CarShield pay for a new engine?
Higher coverage plans, like Platinum and Silver, include full coverage for your engine. If the engine breaks down due to normal wear and tear covered by your warranty, then CarShield will pay to fix or replace the broken components.
Do dealerships honor CarShield?
As long as the dealership is within CarShield’s repair network, it will honor a CarShield warranty. To make certain, call CarShield directly and ask if your dealership is within their provider network.