Extended warranty
Skip the dealer markup.
Compare warranty plans direct.
Third-party Vehicle Service Contracts cost about 40% less than the same plan in the dealer F&I office. Pick your deductible, term, and coverage level — see a real quote in 60 seconds.
Free to compare · No obligation · 60 seconds
An extended warranty is a bet on your car's reliability. The math works when you keep the vehicle past the factory bumper-to-bumper window, you drove a make/model with documented expensive failures, and — critically — you didn't pay the dealer's F&I markup. We'll show you real plans from the same underwriters dealers use, without the 80–120% upsell.
~40% cheaper than dealer F&I
Dealers mark up third-party warranties 80–120% in the F&I office. Buying direct from the underwriter cuts the cost by roughly 40% — same coverage, same claims process.
Pick your deductible & term
Most third-party providers let you tune the deductible ($0 / $100 / $200) and term (3–7 years) so the premium matches what you actually need to cover.
Transferable & cancellable
If you sell the car, the warranty transfers to the next owner (adds resale value). If you change your mind in 30 days, it's a full refund — by law in most states.
Should you actually buy one?
Makes sense when
- You plan to keep the car 5+ years past the factory warranty.
- The make/model has documented expensive failures (transmission, EV battery, infotainment).
- You bought used and the bumper-to-bumper is nearly expired.
- You can't comfortably absorb a $3,500+ repair out of pocket.
Skip it when
- You plan to sell within the next 2–3 years.
- The vehicle is a Toyota / Lexus / Honda with documented long-term reliability.
- The dealer is bundling it into your loan at 80%+ markup. Cancel within 30 days for a refund, then shop direct.
- The premium exceeds 15% of the car's current resale value.
Warranty guides
All guidesWarranty
Are Extended Car Warranties Worth It?
The honest answer — when the math actually works, when it doesn't.
Read guideWarranty
Best Warranty Providers (2026)
Side-by-side: Endurance, CARCHEX, CarShield, Olive, Concord, Toco.
Read guideWarranty
How to Walk Away From the Dealer F&I Office
The script to decline GAP, warranty, paint protection — politely, fast.
Read guideFrequently asked
Are extended warranties actually worth it?+
Only if (1) you plan to keep the car past the factory bumper-to-bumper warranty, (2) the vehicle has a documented track record of expensive failures (transmission, infotainment, EV battery), and (3) you bought outside the dealer F&I office. Run the math: median warranty cost vs. median out-of-pocket repair cost for your make/model. We have a full breakdown in our Extended Warranty guide.
What's the difference between a manufacturer warranty and a service contract?+
The manufacturer's bumper-to-bumper / powertrain coverage is included with the vehicle and backed by the OEM. An 'extended warranty' is technically a Vehicle Service Contract (VSC) — sold by a third-party administrator, can be added any time before the OEM coverage expires.
Should I buy at the dealership or shop independently?+
Independently — almost always. Dealer F&I offices mark up the same VSC by 80–120%. The exact same plan from the same underwriter is typically 40% cheaper when bought direct online. The only reason to buy at the dealer is if you're rolling it into the loan to keep one payment.
What does a typical plan cover?+
Standard 'powertrain' plans cover engine, transmission, drive axles. 'Stated component' plans add electrical, A/C, fuel system, brakes. 'Exclusionary' (bumper-to-bumper) plans cover almost everything except wear items (tires, brakes, wipers). Read the exclusions list before signing — that's where the value lives or dies.
Can I cancel my warranty after I buy it?+
Yes. Federal and most state law gives you a 30-day full-refund window. After that, you can usually cancel pro-rated minus a $25–$75 cancellation fee. If you sell the car, transfer it (adds resale value) or cancel for a partial refund.
Get a warranty quote without the dealer markup.
Same underwriters, same coverage, ~40% lower premium. See your quote in 60 seconds — no commitment.
Free · No obligation · 60 seconds