CarShield Review

CarShield Review Summary

CarShield is a below-average company, based on its history of customer complaints. Some people have a great experience with CarShield, but I can’t justify a higher rating considering the Better Business Bureau previously had to issue a consumer warning about the company.

CarShield is a privately owned company that sells third-party vehicle service contracts, also known as extended warranties. These plans are meant to cover expensive car repairs arising from mechanical problems. CarShield plans start at $99 per month.

CarShield Reviews & Ratings

• BBB Consumer Review Rating: 1.33/5
• BBB Rating: A+
• Consumer Affairs: 4.5/5
• Reviews on WalletHub: 3.6/5
• TrustPilot: 4.0/5
• Yelp: 1/5

CarShield has an array of celebrity endorsements and great reviews from consumers on TrustPilot. WalletHub users also tend to give CarShield good reviews.

Despite those good reviews, the Better Business Bureau has issued a consumer warning for CarShield after a large number of complaints were filed by disgruntled customers. The complaints leading to the warning involve allegations of misleading sales and advertising campaigns, failure to cover repairs, and difficult cancellation and refund processes. Additionally, customers stated frequent issues with delayed claims processing and poor customer service.

CarShield Cost

CarShield plans begin at $99 per month, though actual pricing depends on the vehicle and location. Longer-term plans are available and may feature a lessened monthly cost if paid in full up front. Additionally, CarShield plans have a deductible of up to $100.

While CarShield offers reasonable rates compared to other extended warranty companies, CarShield plans are very pricey compared to the cost of mechanical breakdown insurance, which offers even more coverage than an extended warranty. Mechanical breakdown insurance costs around $100 per year, on average.

CarShield Coverage Options

Select CarShield vehicle service plans may also include:

• Rental Car Reimbursement: $40 per day, up to a total of $280.
• Trip Interruption Reimbursement: Motel and restaurant expenses up to $50 per day, up to a total of $150.
• 24/7 Roadside Assistance: $500 maximum limit on services for the lifetime of your contract.

Common CarShield Exclusions

Every CarShield plan includes a list of things that the plan will not cover. This is arguably the most important section for consumers to read carefully. Common things CarShield vehicle service plans will not pay for include:

• Repairs performed without prior authorization
• Issues caused by lack of maintenance
• Regular maintenance items, like brake pads, filters, and fluid changes
• Damage caused by acts of nature or external circumstances, like vandalism or storms
• Damage resulting from misuse
• Issues caused by engine overheating or lack of proper amounts of coolant, fuel, or fluids
• Diagnostic costs, including engine teardown
• Airbag, seat belt, or other restraint system failures

Customers also mention that sometimes CarShield will only cover a portion of repair costs based on the vehicle’s depreciation.

Keep in mind that individual plans may vary depending on the vehicle and state. Additionally, CarShield does not disclose exact eligibility requirements since eligibility is vehicle-dependent. Potential customers can get a quote by filling out an online quote form or calling 1-800-947-7720.

CarShield Customer Service

CarShield customer service receives mixed reviews from consumers. Some have openly praised CarShield customer service representatives for being helpful and friendly, while many of the BBB complaints against CarShield include notes about CarShield customer service being misleading and curt.

Key Things to Know

• CarShield does not offer 24/7 customer support by phone, making it more difficult for customers to seek assistance, though claims can be filed and managed online at any time.
• Their customer support department can be reached Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST, at 1-800-587-4162.
• CarShield offers 24/7 roadside assistance services. Customers can call 1-866-222-7869 at any time in order to get roadside assistance help.
• CarShield offers refunds for unused portions of plans.
• You are able to cancel at any time by calling their customer support department.
• CarShield does not disclose whether or not they charge cancellation fees.
• CarShield’s mobile app makes it easy to make payments and find your contract details.

CarShield Claims

CarShield does not have 24/7 claims support or filing by phone, but you can file claims and check the status of existing claims online at any time. CarShield’s claims department can be reached by phone Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST, at 1-800-531-1925. The online portal for making and managing claims can be found on American Auto Shield’s website.

Denied claims and complications concerning covered repairs are handled by American Auto Shield, not CarShield. As the administrators, American Auto Shield has the final say in what they will and will not pay for. While CarShield is open and honest about this fact, it seems that they may not explain it to consumers that well, considering the number of claims-related complaints charged against CarShield instead of American Auto Shield.

CarShield Transparency

CarShield is not very transparent, as the company does not provide real-time online quotes. CardShield has a form on its website that looks like it might lead to a quote but has fine print noting that a CarShield representative will follow up by phone, text or email. 

Bottom Line

The Better Business Bureau’s warning about doing business with CarShield should be a serious factor for consumers to consider when they are trying to decide whether to purchase a plan through CarShield. But for customers who want a short-term plan and are willing to take the time to read through every detail of their contract, CarShield may be an okay choice, especially since it is a fairly affordable option.

CarShield vs. Competitors

Video: CarShield Review

Methodology

In order to provide fair, helpful reviews of companies such as CarShield that can lead consumers to the best companies for their needs, WalletHub reviews each company in several major categories including cost, coverage, customer service & reviews, claims, financial stability, and transparency.

We specifically looked at reviews from WalletHub users, TrustPilot, and Yelp, as well as consumer reports from the Better Business Bureau and Consumer Affairs to determine CarShield’s rating. Additionally, the cost of CarShield’s plans and the extent of each plan’s coverage were taken into account to determine an overall score for CarShield.