American Family has a good extended car warranty plan based on the amount of coverage offered, company reviews by consumer watchdog groups, and additional benefits. There are three American Family extended warranty plans to choose from, all of which provide coverage for basic systems like the engine, transmission, and drive axle. Their highest tier also covers hose belts and brake pads.
American Family refers to their extended warranty as a ForeverCar Vehicle Service Plan, and it is available for vehicles up to 10 years old with up to 175,000 miles. The average cost is about $45 to $75, but pricing is dependent on your vehicle and which plan you choose.
American Family ForeverCar Vehicle Service Plan Options
Powertrain
Offers coverage for common vehicle systems such as the engine, transmission, and drive axles.
Platinum
Offers all of the coverage of the Powertrain Plan with the added benefit of also covering any mechanical breakdowns except the listed exclusions.
Vehicle Care
Offers all of the coverage of the Powertrain and Core Systems plans, as well as covering some parts that wear out.
ForeverCar Vehicle Service Plan Coverage Options Compared
| Coverage Details | Powertrain | Platinum | Vehicle Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Transmission | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Drive Axles | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| All mechanical breakdowns except exclusions | No | Yes | Yes |
| Brake pads | No | No | Yes |
| Batteries | No | No | Yes |
| Headlamps | No | No | Yes |
| Belts and hoses | No | No | Yes |
| Wiper blades | No | No | Yes |
| Wheel alignments | No | No | Yes |
| Electrical components such as fuses, headlamps and light bulbs | No | No | Yes |
Additional Benefits Offered:
- Roadside assistance
- Rental reimbursement
- Emergency travel expense reimbursement
American Family vs. Popular Competitors
| Coverage Details | American Family | CARCHEX | autopom! | Endurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| User Ratings on WalletHub | 3.5 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.1 |
| BBB | A | A+, accredited | A+, accredited | C+ |
| TrustPilot | 2.8 out of 5 | 3.2 out of 5 | 4.8 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 |
| Number of Plan Options | 3 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
American Family is a worse-reviewed company than the top-rated extended warranty companies. Also, while the Better Business Bureau has accredited both Carchex and autopom!, it has not accredited American Family despite American Family’s 67 years in business.
American Family has fewer plan options than its competitors, and consumers often note American Family’s complicated claims system.
Is an American Family Extended Warranty Worth It?
An extended warranty from American Family is worth it for American Family customers who can justify the price. American Family has good reviews from BBB and a solid variety of plan options.
So, if you are worried about your car’s reliability and your ability to cover unexpected repairs, an extended warranty from American Family would be a great choice. Additionally, if you already have a car insurance policy with American Family, having your insurance and warranty from the same company may help to keep things simple.
We also have some alternative ideas to consider if getting an extended warranty from American Family doesn’t seem like the best plan for you.
American Family Extended Warranty Alternatives:
- Mechanical breakdown insurance. MBI covers many of the same things as an extended warranty for a fraction of the cost. It is worth noting that not all insurers offer it, though.
- Savings account. You could try putting the money you would have spent on an extended warranty into a savings account. That way, if your vehicle suddenly needs new brakes or a new transmission, you can use those savings to cover the costs.
American Family Extended Warranty Review Methodology
In order to provide fair and useful reviews of companies such as American Family to help consumers make educated choices, WalletHub considers the company’s cost, variety of coverage options, customer service and reviews, as well as how they compare to their competitors.
Information used in this review is sourced directly from the company, and the reviews are from trusted consumer watchdog groups. The standards for a “great” extended warranty are affordability, extensive coverage, and highly-rated customer service.
