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Considering CarShield? Learn about coverage plans, exclusions, and what real customers have to say.
Considering CarShield? Learn about coverage plans, exclusions, and what real customers have to say.
CarShield reviews are a mixed bag. Great service, speedy claims processes, and affordable plans come up consistently in positive feedback.
However, customers have consistent complaints about the service, use of cheap parts, and long wait times. CarShield’s 2024 settlement with the Federal Trade Commission has also been a major trust hurdle to overcome.
So, is CarShield right for you? Let’s break it down, starting with an overview of the coverage.
If you haven’t caught any of their many ads, you might be wondering what CarShield is.
CarShield is a provider of vehicle service contracts (VSCs), which are commonly marketed as extended warranties. The company offers customizable plans that come with benefits like roadside assistance, towing services, and more. (Some benefits may be plan-dependent.)
CarShield’s coverage includes seven plans, making it one of the most flexible VSC providers. Another benefit is that CarShield can cover cars with up to 300,000 miles. It’s therefore one of the few options for high-mileage vehicles.
Here’s a breakdown of the seven main plans and what they cover:
CarShield’s Diamond plan, an exclusionary contract, is most similar to the manufacturer’s bumper-to-bumper warranty that comes with a new car.
CarShield states that this is the best option for a higher-mileage vehicle. It covers powertrain components, but also includes steering and suspension, electrical and high-tech components, and climate control.
For vehicles 100,000 miles and up, an upgraded powertrain plan protects essential vehicle components, as well as the electrical system, starter, water and fuel pumps, and more.
The lowest-tier option provides protection for the most important components, including all lubricated parts of the engine, transmission, and water pump.
For more complex vehicles, the Aluminum plan protects most electrical and computer-related problems. Some covered components include the engine control module, starter, alternator, GPS, and electrical systems. This plan is also useful for hybrid vehicles.
CarShield, unlike many competitors, provides coverage for motorcycles and ATVs. Some of what’s covered includes coverage for steering, suspension, and engine systems.
This coverage option is tailored to EVs. Protected components include the electric drive unit, electrical system, and battery pack.
You can find sample contracts for the plans on CarShield’s website.
CarShield is available in 49 states, but not in California.
As far as financial stability is concerned, CarShield’s claims administrator is American Auto Shield. That company is backed by insurance providers with a minimum A-level AM Best rating, meaning they are considered to have an excellent ability to meet their insurance obligations.
If you purchase a CarShield plan, there will be a waiting period. This is standard among providers and prevents consumers from purchasing protection for a known repair. During this period—30 days or 1,000 miles in CarShield’s case—you’re signed up for protection, but not covered.
CarShield got into serious trouble with the FTC a few years back for deceptive advertising. Part of the problem was the implication that all vehicle components would be covered, which is definitely not the case—as the long list of exclusions in the contract will confirm.
The following is a list of exclusions that apply regardless of the plan. Specific parts and systems not covered will depend on what the contract states and the level of coverage.
CarShield won’t pay for any repairs of parts that aren’t covered by the contract. Here are other exclusions to be aware of:
There are some common claims denials that cause confusion for consumers. It’s worth knowing that CarShield won’t authorize a repair in the following cases:
There are more exclusions, so you should read through the sample contract very carefully before finalizing the purchase.
Pay careful attention to the parts about maintenance records. CarShield’s contract is clear that coverage may be denied if you can’t provide your maintenance logs, records, or receipts.
CarShield allows repairs at any ASE-certified repair facility, but check eligibility with CarShield before going any further. Also check with the shop whether they accept the VSC. Some don’t work with CarShield at all. (We’ll get into why in a bit.)
On paper, CarShield’s claims process is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown.
First off, notify CarShield about the breakdown and find an in-network repair shop in your area before proceeding:
CarShield may require a teardown of the car. This measure is intended to determine whether the breakdown is covered. CarShield’s sample contract states that the owner will have to give authorization before the teardown can happen.
Additionally, CarShield reserves the right to have the car moved to a different facility if there is a dispute with the current one.
In most circumstances, CarShield will pay the repair facility directly. If, for any reason, the facility is unable to accept the payment, CarShield will reimburse the driver for the authorized repairs and services.
Emergency breakdowns are another exception. In this case, CarShield will provide reimbursement up to $500 per occurrence for covered components without prior authorization.
There is a five-day window to submit the reimbursement request. Also make sure you understand the terms for what constitutes an emergency breakdown according to the contract.
On paper, canceling a CarShield contract is simple. You would need to contact the administrator in writing or submit a request to cancel over the phone.
If you cancel one month from the date the contract went into effect, and if you haven’t made a claim yet, you’re entitled to a full refund. The amount is prorated if a claim has been made.
Don’t be surprised if a representative tries to talk you out of canceling. Be clear that you want to cancel, and know that you don’t have to explain your reasons. Also ask for a cancellation confirmation number and a written confirmation. It’s not unheard of for payments to continue after canceling, so it helps to have a paper trail.
With any VSC, the price will depend on factors unique to your vehicle. The age and mileage, make and model, level of coverage, your state, and your chosen deductible all influence the cost.
With that said, CarShield plans tend to fall between $110 and $170 per month, but plans may start at $99. The price is one of the reasons some consumers end up choosing CarShield over other providers. However, that is a case-by-case consideration.
CarShield’s deductible range is from $0 to $250. Whatever option you choose is the amount you’ll pay when you file a claim, and a higher deductible will lower the overall monthly cost.
A word of caution: One consumer reported calling to cancel because they wanted more affordable coverage; a CarShield agent then lowered their monthly payment, but their deductible increased without their knowledge.
CarShield reviews are divided, and where you look will paint a different picture. Turn to Trustpilot or ConsumerAffairs, and you’ll see that the positive reviews outnumber the complaints. But the picture becomes clearer when you really compare those 5-star ratings to consumer frustrations.
CarShield lost a lot of consumer trust following the $10 million settlement with the FTC in 2024. The FTC’s complaint stemmed from CarShield’s alleged deceptive advertising and violation of the Telemarketing Sales Rule.
Given the controversy, it’s not surprising that there have been 2,441 BBB complaints against the company in the last three years. However, CarShield maintains its A+ rating and BBB accreditation.
While the accreditation status means that CarShield meets the BBB’s standards for trust, customer feedback is more telling if you’re weighing up whether to purchase a VSC from the company.
Across review platforms, similar complaints show up again and again. These examples have been taken from the BBB. In the interests of reflecting current customer experience, the most recent complaints have been assessed. However, similar patterns stretch back at least two years.
It’s not uncommon to see consumers reporting delayed authorizations. In a complaint posted on September 10, 2026, a CarShield customer describes being subjected to requests for multiple rounds of videos of the vehicle. In this case, the issue had already been diagnosed as a faulty fuse box—a covered electrical component under their plan.
At the time of posting, the consumer's car had been sitting at the dealership for over a month when they were told they had to return their loaner vehicle.
There are many similar reports: Vehicles sit in repair shops for a month or more, leaving drivers frustrated and without safe transport. One consumer describes their vehicle being in the shop for five months because the repair had still not been authorized.
In a complaint logged on September 25, 2026, a consumer accused CarShield of deceptive practices, material misrepresentations, and withholding critical contract terms. In their words, “CarShield intentionally withheld the true nature of the contract structure until after they secured my money.”
That complaint, which specifically relates to a lack of upfront disclosure, hidden cancellation fees, and hidden contract terms and exclusions, is recurring.
It’s worth noting that even after the FTC settlement, consumers in 2026 are leaving reviews stating that CarShield’s salespeople sold them contracts “with the indication that they would cover anything.”
If someone does sell you a VSC saying that it will cover everything, don’t believe them. There will be exclusions, no matter who the provider is.
Another trend in consumer complaints is CarShield’s insistence on using subpar vehicle parts to cut costs. Aside from the quality of the parts being an issue, this route often means that drivers have to wait even longer for their vehicles to be repaired.
In one case, a consumer’s 2019 Jeep Cherokee was repaired using a compressor supplied by CarShield. They were only later informed that the part was a “lower-quality/aftermarket part.” The part failed again.
Although the repair was completed, the reviewer’s vehicle was still sitting in the repair shop at the time of the review (September 24, 2026) because of a payment dispute between CarShield and the dealership.
The story is as familiar as it comes: A driver looks into extended protection, and now they can’t shake the phone calls and emails. CarShield isn’t innocent in this regard. One reviewer describes how they’re being called three or four times a day even after requesting to be removed from CarShield’s call list.
A related complaint is how pushy some salespeople can be. One consumer uses the term “bullying tactics” to describe the experience.
One way around the spam-heavy quote process is to use Chaiz’s comparison tool. We don’t sell CarShield; we compare it alongside other providers. We also don’t ask you to input any personal contact information to receive a clear picture of the coverage options for your car.
Finding a repair shop that works with CarShield can be a battle. In a posting from September 15, 2026, one ConsumerAffairs reviewer mentions that the shop working on their car decided that they would not be able to continue with repairs “due to the difficulty” of working with CarShield.
On Trustpilot, a reviewer notes that a mechanic described experiencing issues with CarShield only approving subpar parts. Another Trustpilot reviewer says they “couldn’t find anyone” after calling a list of shops that would take CarShield. They mention finding out that the shops ended the working relationship due to nonpayment and delayed payments.
These are just two examples of a recurring trend.
It’s not all negative. After all, CarShield has a 4.1 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot based on 56,000+ reviews—65% of which are 5-star ratings. On ConsumerAffairs, you’ll see a 4.0 rating out of 5, averaged from over 10,000 reviews.
On September 18, 2024, one ConsumerAffairs reviewer shared that CarShield has put $25,000 into their vehicles over the years. Across nine vehicles, they’ve had “zero problems with CarShield.” Others who have had CarShield coverage for a number of years and with multiple cars repeat similar experiences.
Some common praise:
What is worth noting is that, even in positive reviews, consumers comment on how long it takes for repairs. For example, one reviewer on ConsumerAffairs writes, “They’ve come through for me every time. Sometimes, it takes a month and a half, but they are very good.”
A pattern emerges after reviewing hundreds of CarShield reviews. Many of the five-star ratings come from consumers who have yet to claim on CarShield.
While there are long-term customers who discuss their positive experiences, a significant chunk of ratings aren’t really comparable to the negative reviews at all. An easy sign-up doesn’t hold the same weight as a drawn-out claim submission.
The point being, be discerning when looking at reviews. It’s not about the numbers so much as patterns in the feedback.
As seen from the positive feedback, for many consumers, CarShield is worth it. However, there is a chance of being put through a lot of hassle just to get a claim paid.
Here’s a quick roundup of CarShield’s pros and cons:
Celebrity endorsements and a big marketing budget put CarShield front of mind for many consumers. Before you purchase coverage from them based on nothing more than an ad your grandma saw while watching CNN, do a bit of research.
If you do purchase a VSC through CarShield, go through the contract carefully. Look at exclusions and what can lead to a denied claim. Be sure that the coverage is what you need, not just the cheapest option. And be wary of salespeople who promise total protection.
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