In a Nutshell
pros
- Motorcycle and ATV coverage
- Personalized policies
- Competitive prices
cons
- Phone claims during business hours rather than 24/7
- Mixed reviews from past customers
CarShield Plans
CarShield offers 6 different plans, including 5 auto and 1 motorcycle and ATV option. Prices vary according to your vehicle and its condition, and quotes are developed on a case-by-case basis.
Gold (Best for power train and electrics)
Aluminum (Best for electrics coverage)
Motorcycle & ATV (Best for small vehicles)
Air Conditioning
No
No
Brakes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Cooling System
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Drive Axle
No
Yes
Electrical Components
Yes
Yes
Engine
No
Yes
Suspension
Yes
Yes
Fuel
Yes
Yes
No
Gaskets
Yes
Yes
Yes
Steering
Yes
Yes
Yes
Transfer Case
No
No
Transmission
Yes
No
Yes
Turbo/Supercharger
Yes
No
Yes
Optional Add-Ons
Roadside protection bundle
Car rental reimbursement
Trip interruption reimbursement
Plan Exclusions
Any item not specifically listed in your policy won’t be covered. Your policy will be void if you don’t maintain your vehicle appropriately or if you use an unauthorized repairer. Acts of nature are also excluded, and these stretch to include theft, vandalism, fire, or other natural disasters. You may also have trouble making a claim if you’ve made any modifications or alterations to your vehicle, especially if these don’t meet the manufacturer’s specifications.
CarShield Plan Pricing
Although CarShield has specified protection levels, its prices vary on a case-by-case basis. To find out how much you can expect to pay, you will need to request a quote via the company website or by speaking with a sales representative. According to the company website, prices start from just $99 per month. In general, CarShield comes in at the more budget end of the price spectrum.
How to file a claim with CarShield
Claims can be filed either via the company website (24/7) or by calling the customer service team (7:30 am to 7:00 pm CST). The deductible varies with each plan, but most often it is only $100 and can be as low as $0. Most plans come with rental car coverage for up to 7 days while your vehicle is being repaired.
Repair times will vary according to the severity of your problem and the repairer you use. There doesn’t appear to be any payout cap for general repairs, although specific cases such as emergency repair do come with variable caps.
Is CarShield Legit?
CarShield receives mixed reviews across the web. It’s not BBB accredited, and it receives a terrible F rating. There have been 2150 customer complaints in the past 3 years, which are generally centered around misleading policies and difficulties making claims. However, the CarShield team is active here, and most complaints are resolved in a satisfactory manner. On a more positive note, the company receives a 4-star rating on Trustpilot from more than 21,500 reviews.
What’s Unique About CarShield?
CarShield offers quite standard vehicle warranty policies. It’s nice to see that it has variable prices according to the age and condition of your vehicle. The roadside protection bundle is also an attractive feature that includes roadside assistance, lost keyfob assistance, trip interruption protection, road hazard tire protection, and windshield protection.
Help and Support
CarShield offers phone support from 7 am to 6 pm (CST) Monday to Friday and 8 am to 3 pm (CST) Saturday. Email and online ticketing are also available, but don’t expect an immediate response.
There’s also an excellent FAQ section that contains a decent selection of useful information, along with an Education Center containing numerous informational articles.
What about the CarShield App?
There’s an app available for both iOS and Android users. It’s designed to facilitate streamlined policy management and is both attractive and highly functional. It provides you with full 24/7 access to every aspect of your contract, and enables you to file claims and access roadside assistance if necessary.
Bottom Line
CarShield is one of the most popular vehicle warranty vendors around. It boasts competitive prices, a selection of coverage levels, a streamlined claim process, and an attractive app. If you decide to use its services, ensure you’re familiar with the finer aspects of your policy. Otherwise, you may be surprised when the small print prevents you from claiming something you thought you would be able to.
In sum, while it has received mixed reviews, CarShield remains an attractive option for those looking for personalized, competitively priced vehicle warranty solutions.
FAQs
Is CarShield worth it?
Some people will benefit from a CarShield warranty, while others will never get their money’s worth. Those who drive long kilometers or who have slightly older cars will likely get more benefit from the company’s warranty solutions.
Is CarShield a scam?
No, CarShield isn’t a scam. It has a strong track record in the vehicle warranty space, and it claims to have covered more than a million vehicles. However, its policies can be long and a little confusing, and sometimes you won’t be covered for the things you thought you were.
Does CarShield cover older cars?
Yes, CarShield covers older vehicles. There are no hard and fast rules outlining what the mileage or age cutoffs are, though, so you will need to speak with the sales team to find out more.
