CarShield Coverage

Affiliate Disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase coverage from the extended warranty providers outlined here. These commissions come to us at no additional cost to you. Our research team has carefully vetted dozens of extended warranty providers. See our Privacy Policy to learn more.  

• You have many levels of coverage to choose from with CarShield.
• CarShield offers six extended warranty plans.
• CarShield pays 100% of covered car repairs after your deductible.
• CarShield offers some of the industry’s most affordable extended warranty plans
• Many plans come with additional benefits. Added perks like roadside assistance and trip interruption coverage preserve your peace of mind in the event of a breakdown.

CarShield is one of the biggest names in the auto warranty industry. Since 2005, the Missouri-based company has covered more than 2 million vehicles across every state but California with one of its six CarShield plans.

After examining the most reputable extended car warranty companies and researching payment plans, our research team designated CarShield as Most Affordable. From its exceptional pricing structure to a strong reputation, there are plenty of reasons why drivers purchase CarShield plans

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the specifics of what CarShield vehicle service contracts cover and what vehicle components or services may be excluded.

What Does CarShield Cover?

CarShield is a vehicle service contract broker, which means it offers coverage backed by American Auto Shield. There are six coverage options, with one reserved for motorcycles, ATVs, and other specialty vehicles.

The Diamond plan offers comprehensive coverage for auto repairs similar to a manufacturer’s warranty. The Platinum plan is similarly expansive with a few more exclusions. The Silver and Gold plans are best thought of as expanded powertrain warranty coverage. The CarShield Aluminum plan is designed for high-tech components.

CarShield coverage can last up to 300,000 miles. That makes it a great option for used cars and high-mileage vehicles. Here’s a breakdown of the five CarShield coverage plans most drivers choose from:

	Diamond	Platinum	Gold	Silver	Aluminum
Engine	X	X	X	X
Transmission	X	X	X	X
Drive Axle	X	X	X	X
Air Conditioning	X	X	X		X
Fuel Pump	X	X	X
Fuel Injector	X	X
Water Pump	X	X	X	X
Steering	X	X			X
Suspension	X	X			X
Brake System	X	X			X
Electrical System	X	X			X
Wiring Harness	X				X
GPS	X	X			X
Factory Audio	X	X			X
Starter	X	X	X		X
Alternator	X	X	X		X
Power Windows	X	X	X		X

Added Benefits

Depending on the CarShield plan you choose, it could come with attractive perks, including the following:

• 24-hour roadside assistance
• Trip interruption benefits (for covered breakdowns 100 or more miles from home)
• Towing assistance
• Rental car reimbursement
• Your choice of repair facility (dealership or any ASE®-licensed mechanic)
• Fuel delivery service

To learn more about the fine print of what warranties from CarShield cover, read our full CarShield review.

CarShield Warranty Plans

CarShield is a vehicle service contract broker, meaning it offers protection plans administered by other companies such as American Auto Shield. There are six CarShield plans to choose from, though one is reserved for motorcycles, ATVs, and other specialty vehicles:

CarShield Warranty Plan	Coverage Details
Diamond	This is CarShield’s most comprehensive coverage option and is similar to the new car factory bumper-to-bumper warranty from a dealership. With few exclusions, this plan covers nearly every part of your vehicle except for wear and tear parts and regular maintenance items, so expect higher prices – but with top-of-the-line coverage.
Platinum	CarShield’s Platinum plan is an excellent choice for high-mileage vehicles, used cars, and those nearing the end of a manufacturer’s warranty. Covered components in the Platinum plan include most parts of the engine, transmission, drive axle, air conditioning, cooling system, fuel pump, electrical system, starter, and water pump.
Gold	CarShield’s Gold plan is an enhanced powertrain warranty. Along with covering the covering the engine, transmission, and drivetrain, the Gold plan protects your car’s electrical components including the alternator, starter, air conditioning system, and power windows.
Silver	Silver coverage is CarShield’s most affordable policy, but it’s a relatively basic powertrain plan. It covers crucial parts of your vehicle, including lubricated components such as the engine and drive axle, along with the transmission and water pump.
Aluminum	The Aluminum plan focuses on computer-related and electrical components. Covered components include the engine control module, cruise control, electronic gauges, starter, alternator, navigation system, power windows, electrical system and various types of sensors. Note that Aluminum protection does not cover powertrain parts such as the engine and transmission.
Motorcycle & ATV	It’s worth considering this CarShield plan if you own a specialty vehicle, as there are very few similar vehicle protection plans. You’ll be able to choose coverage that’s close to the offerings of the Platinum or Silver plan.

To learn more about CarShield plans and covered repairs, read our full CarShield review.

CarShield Exclusions

Like most other extended auto warranty providers, CarShield’s plans feature exclusions. The list of auto repair items that are not covered include, but are not limited to:

• Damage related to pre-existing conditions incurred prior to obtaining the warranty
• Damage to normal wear and tear items like windshield wipers, lamp bulbs, brake pads, wiper blades, and air filters
• Mechanical breakdowns caused by lack of maintenance
• Damage caused by unauthorized repairs
• Parts that have been modified
• Damage from work done at repair facilities that aren’t ASE-certified
• Issues caused by acts of nature, collisions, theft and vandalism, or animals 

As mentioned above, CarShield does not cover any repairs performed by unauthorized repair shops, which are generally any repair facilities that aren’t certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE^®).

The extended warranty exclusions listed above are pretty standard among reputable extended car warranty companies, so it’s unlikely that you’ll find more generous limits elsewhere.

CarShield Vehicle Service Contract

The more you research before you make a decision, the more likely it is that you’ll find the best coverage for you. CarShield offers sample contracts to help you get a clear understanding of what each plan does and doesn’t cover.

Below, you can see one example of a CarShield sample contract.

Additional Benefits

Each CarShield plan comes with certain coverage perks that could help in the event of a mechanical breakdown. On the other hand, there are also exceptions from CarShield coverage that are worth noting before you sign up. 

All offerings from CarShield include 24/7 roadside assistance, which comes with towing and lockout services, battery jump-starts, and fluid and fuel delivery. Rental car reimbursement is also standard, so you’ll gain access to a replacement vehicle if yours ends up breaking down.

CarShield plans also have complimentary trip interruption coverage, which provides limited reimbursement for food or lodging expenses if your car starts having issues more than 100 miles from home.

While you’ll need to read the fine print of your vehicle service contract to know what specific perks you receive, below is a complete list of the added-benefits offered by CarShield:

• Towing assistance
• Fuel delivery service
• Rental car reimbursement
• 24-hour roadside assistance
• Trip interruption benefits for covered breakdowns more than 100 miles from home

What Exactly Does a CarShield Warranty Cover?

Like most warranty providers, CarShield offers various tiers of coverage. There are five CarShield extended warranty options to choose from. A sixth option is available for motorcycles and ATVs, but for this article, we’ll cover the five car warranty options. Remember that your monthly payment will depend on a variety of factors, so it’s a good idea to get a free quote.

Diamond

The Diamond plan is CarShield’s highest level of coverage. It’s most similar to the factory warranty a dealership would issue with the purchase of a new car. Because the plan is close to comprehensive coverage, the contract will show a list of exclusions rather than a list of what’s covered.

All the major components of your vehicle will be protected in the case of a mechanical breakdown, including of the engine, transmission, fuel pump, and more.

Here’s a list of some of the exclusions, taken from a sample Diamond plan contract:

• Hoses
• Air filter
• Brake pads 
• Oil changes
• Wiper blades
• Shocks and struts
• Shoes, rotors, and drums

Platinum

CarShield’s Platinum plan is an ideal warranty for covering older used cars and high-mileage vehicles. Here’s just a sampling of what auto repairs this plan covers:

• Transmission: Parts like gears, bearings, and pistons
• Cooling system: Radiator, water pump, and engine cooling fan
• Electrical systems: Alternator, engine ignition coils, and oxygen sensors
• Fuel system: Vacuum pumps, fuel delivery pump, and fuel injection pump
• Steering: Steering gear, power steering pump, and power steering column
• Air Conditioning: Condenser, compressor, and refrigerant pressure switch
• Transfer unit: All internally lubricated parts including gears, pumps, and seals
• Brakes: Antilock brake system (ABS), parking brake actuator, and hydraulic lines
• Electrical system: All displays, regulators, and motors for power windows and power locks
• Engine: All internally lubricated and moving components of the engine, timing belt, and thermostat
• Audio: Manufacturer installed radio and stereo components, USB port, and remote audio input connections
• Suspension: Suspension shafts and bushings, upper and lower ball joints, and suspension control module
• Drive axle: All internally lubricated parts including differential carrier, axle shafts, and mechanical locking mechanisms
• Turbocharger/Supercharger: All internally lubricated parts and housing of manufacturer installed turbocharger or supercharger

Gold

CarShield refers to its Gold plan as “powertrain plus,” meaning it’s an enhanced powertrain warranty. This plan covers the three key vehicle systems: the engine, transmission, and drive system. It adds coverage for:

• Fuel system: The Gold plan protects the fuel injection and delivery pumps. 
• Air conditioning: Similar to the Platinum plan, the Gold plan covers the condenser, compressor, refrigerant, and more.
• Electrical systems: Unlike most powertrain warranties, the Gold plan covers the alternator, ignition switch, and other electrical components.

Silver

The Silver plan is CarShield’s most affordable coverage option. It’s a basic powertrain warranty that covers all the lubricated parts of your engine, transmission, and water pump.

Aluminum

CarShield’s Aluminum plan is a specialized vehicle protection plan that covers electrical and computer-related problems. It combines the coverage of a powertrain plan with some of the protection from CarShield’s mid-tier warranty plans, offering protection for breakdowns related to the navigation system, alternator, and more.

Added CarShield Warranty Benefits

All CarShield protection plans come with the following added perks:

• Jump-starts
• Fuel delivery service
• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Towing and lockout services
• Up to $500 in trip interruption protection ($125/day for four days)

Most CarShield warranties also come with rental car reimbursement but check your contract to make sure. You can take your car to the repair shop of your choice, as long as it’s certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE^®).

Carshield Coverage: FAQ

Our Methodology

Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best extended auto warranty providers.

• Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, availability, and years in business when giving this score.
• Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car warranty company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account the number of plans offered by each provider, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
• Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations to give this rating.
• Customer Service: Reputable extended car warranty companies operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.

*Data accurate at time of publication.