Endurance Warranty Reviews, Cost and Pricing 2024 - Car Talk (2024)

• Chris Teague, John Goreham
• 12/14/2023

Best Direct Service Provider

Endurance is a reputable aftermarket extended warranty company that offers service contracts designed to protect your vehicle after the original manufacture warranty has ended.

Endurance Warranty Rating

Our take about Endurance is they are a very solid choice for the consumer who wants that extra peace of mind. Endurance scored a reputable 4.3 out of 5 stars and holds our Silver Wrench for reliablity, coverage options and customer service. The company offers a 30-day money back guarantee and allows their policy holders to use any ASE-certified repair shop or dealership for their needs.

Car Talk always suggests that the consumer make sure to do excellent research on plans and coverage levels and choose the plan that is right for them.

About Endurance

Almost like a healthcare insurance company, Endurance says that it pays the repair shop directly for work performed under its warranties. The company is a direct provider, which means that they only sell the warranties that they administer.

Endurance offers warranties that cover everything from the air conditioning system to turbochargers and superchargers. Depending on the age, value, and condition of your vehicle, the company has four different warranties that come with varying levels of coverage. When a repair claim is submitted, the company will pay directly for parts and labor to the shop. The company says that its warranty coverage is accepted at any dealership and at any ASE-certified mechanic. If you are unsure about your warranty purchase, the company has a 30-day money back guarantee.

What is an Endurance Car Warranty?

Endurance is one of the largest independent service contract providers in the business, which is surprising since the company has only been around since 2006. Originally founded by Paul Chernawsky and Jordan Batt, the company quickly earned a reputation for aggressively marketing its products online and through traditional media.

Based in Chicago, Endurance claims to be “backed by an AM Best ‘A’ rated insurance company,” but there’s little information about what that insurance company actually is.

Throughout its homepage, Endurance calls its products “protection plans” and “extended warranties,” but the fine print is interesting, and something you should understand. “Disclosure: A Vehicle Service Contract (VSC) is often referred to as an “auto warranty” or an “extended car warranty,” but it is not a warranty. A VSC does, however, provide repair coverage for your vehicle after the manufacturer’s car warranty expires. A VSC is a contract between you and a VSC provider or administrator that states what is a covered repair and what is not.”

Endurance offers six different plans, which ascend in order according to price:

• Secure
• Select Premiere
• Superior
• Supreme
• Secure Plus
• Advantage

Our Methodology For Best Warranty Providers

Car Talk has spent the last year doing a deep dive into the warranties industry for the benefit of our readership and long-time listeners. Our process for deciding on the best warranty companies for the year was exceptionally thorough, involving in-depth research and our unique secret shopper initiative. We compiled over 50 data points across all reviewed companies to refine and inform our selection process. Car Talk reviewed the following important criteria for each company:

• Consumer Satisfaction: Cross referencing multiple trusted resources to pull our fair and balanced customer reviews.

• Cost: Utilizing our secret shopper initiative, we got comparable quotes across all companies so we can validly compare pricing.

• Coverage and Offerings: Our research team delved into the coverage and offerings for each company, comparing what is available, including extras and discounts.

• Official Ratings: We consulted a wide range of verified review sites to extrapolate a ratings score for each.

  See Also

  Endurance Auto Warranty Reviews

Endurance Warranty Coverage Plans

The short answer to this question is “read the contract.” We’re going to write this about 300 times in this story, because it’s really the only way to understand what the various plans actually cover. Each of the individual plans has a separate contract, so if you’re trying to decide between two or all six of the plans, you have to read all six contracts.

For example, the contract for the Secure plan (the cheapest product offering), has a list of six major systems the plan covers:

In all of these plans, the contract goes on for a FULL PAGE describing everything it doesn’t cover, in a bold-faced, densely packed section called “EXCLUSIONS.”

The contract for the the most expensive Advantage level of coverage (has a much longer list of things it covers, but that fully packed page of “EXCLUSIONS” is still there.

We could list everything all six of these plans cover, but you'd have been here scrolling for a month. We’ve simplified it into a list of 10 relatively common things that are covered by warranties like this, and checked to see if the items are actually covered. We’ve also provided a link to the sample contract so you can read them for yourself:

It’s nearly impossible to put into a chart what the difference in these plans are. You need to CAREFULLY read each individual sample contract to know what’s covered. But here are a few things to think about:

• All of these plans are going to cover catastrophic internal engine failures.
• The difference between Secure, Select Premier and Superior is what the plans cover. The more expensive the plans are, the more they cover, but they ONLY cover what’s described in the sample contract, and nothing else.
• The difference between these contracts and the Supreme, Secure Plus and Advantage plans, is that the latter are all exclusionary plans. As opposed to a Stated Component plan that tells you everything the plan covers, an Exclusionary Coverage plan spells out the things that the plans DO NOT COVER.
• The more expensive an exclusionary plan is, the shorter the list of things the plan DOES NOT COVER will be.
• It’s nearly impossible to accurately compare a Stated Component plan and an Exclusionary Coverage plan. That’s the shell game that these companies count on when you’re shopping the plans against each other, and against the plans of competitive extended warranty providers.

Which Endurance Car Warranty is Right for Me?

Do you drive a hybrid or an EV? Look somewhere else. No endurance plan is right for you if you drive a hybrid or an EV. There’s a lot of language that applies to these vehicles in the contracts, and it’s all bad. Only three of the plans even offer coverage for hybrids, and when they do, a surcharge applies, and the only thing that really ever fails on a hybrid -- the batteries, after hundreds of thousands of miles -- isn’t covered. However, most manufacturers warranty their hybrid systems for a very long time. For example, Toyota covers its hybrid batteries for 10-year, or 150,000 miles whichever comes first.

Do you live in California? Look somewhere else. Endurance does not provide service contracts in California. You can check out our Best Extended Warranties in California guide here.

Endurance Warranty Coverage At A Glance

Endurance Secure

This is really the bottom of the barrel. It provides coverage on the bare minimum of components and systems, and as a result, its value is dubious at best. Here’s what’s covered:

• Engine
• Turbo/Supercharger
• Transmission
• Drive/Axle Assembly
• Transfer Unit (no idea what this means. It’s called a Transfer Case in a truck or full-size SUV, but it’s not clear if the plan covers the center differential in an all-wheel drive vehicle)
• Seals and Gaskets

Endurance Secure Plus

Secure Plus covers everything the Secure plan does, plus:

• Steering
• Electrical Components
• Air Conditioning

Endurance Select Premiere Warranty (for high-mileage vehicles)

Endurance’s Premiere warranty is designed for high-mileage vehicles that are presumably less valuable and have a higher risk of mechanical failure. The warranty covers:

• Engine
• Transmission
• Transfer case
• Drive Axle Assembly
• Air Conditioning and Heating
• Electrical
• Luxury Electrical (sounds like it covers the water pump for your heated bidet, but it’s really things like power window motors that come on every single vehicle produced now)
• Cooling System
• Fuel System
• Seals and Gaskets

Endurance Superior Car Warranty (mid-priced option)

The Endurance Superior warranty covers most vehicle components, which means that it could almost be considered comprehensive. Nearly every part of the vehicle is covered, including:

• Engine
• Turbo/Supercharger
• Transmission
• Drive Axle Assembly
• Transfer Unit
• Brakes -- everything but pads, shoes, brakes and rotors (you know, the stuff that wears out)
• Steering
• Electrical Components
• Air Conditioning
• Front and Rear Suspension
• Fuel System
• Cooling System
• Seals and Gaskets

Endurance Supreme Car Warranty (more expensive + extensive)

As the name suggests, the Supreme warranty offers bumper-to-bumper coverage and is Endurance’s most comprehensive vehicle protection plan. It covers “ALL of Your Vehicle’s part(s) or component(s), including seals and gaskets, except those listed under the Exclusions Section - What Is Not Covered.”

Again, that “EXCLUSIONS” section is a page long, so really understand what’s NOT covered on this one.

Endurance Advantage

Endurance Advantage is actually three plans, with increasing levels of coverage that go up with the cost of the plan. The three plans are:

• Endurance Advantage Prime - Coverage essentially mirrors what’s in the Select Premier plan.
• Endurance Advantage Plus - Coverage essentially mirrors what’s in the Superior plan
• Endurance Advantage Preferred - Coverage essentially mirrors what’s in the Supreme plan.

So what’s the difference between these plans and the others? All of the Advantage plans have some kind of maintenance component included. The plans all include:

• Annual Oil and Filter Changes: Provides up to fifty ($50) dollars per Oil and Filter Change (maximum of three (3) Oil and Filter Changes per year).

• Brake Pads/Shoes: Provides up to one hundred forty ($140) dollars towards the replacement of Brake Pads/Shoes when deterioration is beyond the OEM’s specified tolerances. The catch is that you can only use this benefit ONCE the entire life of the contract.

• Battery: Provides up to one hundred ($100) dollars towards the replacement of a failed Battery when deterioration is beyond the OEM’s specified tolerance. Two catches here: One, batteries are REALLY expensive now. A replacement for a 2020 Toyota Camry is $241 at most auto parts stores, so this plan doesn’t even cover HALF of the cost, PLUS, you can only use it once the entire length of the contract.

• Cooling System Maintenance and Lube: Provides up to fifty-five ($55) dollars towards Cooling System Maintenance and Lube services including drain/refill, pressure check, inspect hoses/belts/clamps, and lube chassis. Again, you only get one for the entire length of the contract.

• Annual Services: Up to forty-five ($45) dollars towards Hand-Held Computer Engine Diagnostic exam; Up to twenty-five ($25) dollars towards Alignment Check, and; Up to fifty-five ($55) dollars towards State Safety Inspection where required by state. This is limited to once per year for each service.

• Annual Tire Rotation: Provides up to thirty-five ($35) dollars towards Tire Rotation with air pressure check (limited to one-time per year).

• Wiper Blades: Provides up to twenty ($20) dollars towards the replacement of one (1) set of front windshield Wiper Blades when deterioration is beyond the OEM’s specified tolerance. This is only good once the entire length of the contract.

• Three (3) Manufacturer’s Recommended Service Intervals: Up to twenty-five ($25) dollars towards first recommended service visit; Up to forty-five ($45) dollars towards second recommended service visit, and; Up to sixty-five ($65) dollars towards third recommended service visit.

Additional Benefits of Endurance Car Warranties

Beyond warranty coverage, members of Endurance’s services receive benefits that can help keep things rolling when a breakdown occurs. The program is called Endurance Elite and is provided to all members for the first year of their warranty coverage at no charge. Services include:

• Roadside assistance: Endurance members can get assistance 24/7
• Concierge services: Provides help with everything from dinner reservations to navigation directions.
• Key fob replacement: Endurance will replace lost or broken vehicle keys
• ID theft: If your identity is stolen or misused, Endurance will help restore, repair, and reimburse you for damages related to the theft.
• Repair financing: Repairs that fall outside of warranty coverage may be eligible for up to $5,000 in financing with monthly payments.
• Tire repair and replacement: Endurance will provide coverage for up to two tire replacements per year.

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How Much Does an Endurance Warranty Cost?

The short answer is, it depends on your coverage. But in general, you can expect to spend roughly $70 to $120 monthly on a good plan from Endurance.

Note that the cost, term and deductibles for these plans are all over the map, depending on how many miles are on the vehicle, which plan you choose and which level of deductible you choose. There’s also no hard and fast rules about pricing because the plan cost varies based on your car. Make sure to get your own personal quote.

Here’s what we learned searching every internet forum we could find:

A: We couldn’t find a single example of any warranty other than the Supreme coverage talked about in any of these forums, so either Endurance doesn’t make any effort to sell these products, or consumers don’t think they’re worth it.

B: As you can see above, if you’re buying an Endurance warranty on a BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz, it’s going to cost you thousands more than a similar service plan on a RAM.

C: We see a lot of stuff written suggesting that coverage is going to cost “between $700 and $1,500.” That’s hogwash. The prices that consumers have actually been quoted are MUCH higher. Yes, the low-coverage options with high deductibles might be cheaper, but that’s not what most people are being quoted, or buying.

How Endurance Compares to Other Warranty Companies

While Endurance’s Elite Membership package sounds like a great deal, the benefits included with Endurance is a direct provider. Many warranty companies are just middle-people, or pass-throughs for the actual provider, which can slow down claim services and make getting a hold of someone to ask questions or raise a concern very difficult. The company has been in business for over ten years and is backed by an AM Best A-rated insurance company.

The program only lasts for the first year of warranty coverage. The company requires that members renew after the first year, which brings costs along with it. Some of Endurance’s competitors offer similar programs that run for the duration of the warranty coverage.

Similarly, the maintenance items included in the Advantage plans is absolutely not worth the extra money. A battery alone is going to cost more than twice as much as the $100 credit you’re allowed, and you’re only able to access that credit once the entire term of the warranty. It does credit you $50 for oil changes three times a year, but if you’re driving something that requires synthetic oil (read: pretty much everything now), you’re going to blow through that easily. If you’re driving a truck that requires seven quarts of oil, $50 is barely going to make a dent.

• Endurance doesn’t explicitly advertise no deductibles, which is prominently featured for every other company that offers it.
• Other companies offer rental vehicle coverage or reimbursem*nt in their plans, which is not listed as part of Endurance’s services.
• The short duration of Endurance’s benefits package is disappointing when compared against its competitors, many of which offer the coverage for the full length of the warranty.

Endurance could be the best company for you if your priority is on straightforward customer service and a relatively transparent claims process. This alone adds significant value to the company’s coverage plans, because nothing is worse than wading through formalities when you’re trying to get your vehicle fixed in a hurry. That said, Endurance’s service offerings fall just short of those offered by its competitors and other warranty services like CARCHEX have earned high marks for customer service as well. Shopping around, we can see that many competitors offer up to ten years of coverage and some come with unlimited mileage limits for certain vehicles. Endurance stacks up well for its service, but you may find better value with another provider.

To see reviews of other warranty providers, check out our Best Extended Warranties of 2024 recommendations.

How to Get the Best Price on Endurance Car Warranties

The first thing you should know when shopping for an extended warranty is that buying one from the dealership where you bought your vehicle is probably a bad idea. Dealers mark up everything that isn’t tied down, and warranties are no exception. If you really want to buy and finance a warranty along with the price of your used vehicle, try to find out the dealer’s cost for the coverage and then offer $100-$200 on top of that.

Dealing with a separate warranty company may not allow as much flexibility, since the markups are (hopefully) smaller, but there are still steps to take to make sure you’re getting a good deal:

• Get multiple quotes to compare and leverage for better pricing. You can get a quote from Endurance by calling (855) 534-1173.
• Make sure you understand the “gotchas”. Are there deductibles? Extra charges for taking your vehicle to unapproved shops?
• Check with your credit card provider and other service providers like AAA to find out about any discounts that you might be able to receive along with coverage.

Endurance Customer Reviews

Finding reviews for Endurance is easy. We started with the Better Business Bureau. Endurance earns a C rating from BBB and is not accredited. There are over 1,000 reviews on BBB from Endurance customers and the average is 3.2-stars out of 5. That’s not bad for a company of this type. Endurance also has over 400 complaints over the past year on BBB.

Endurance also has a lot of Google reviews and it earns a stellar 4.4-star average over a whopping 8,000 reviews. This is an exemplary record. We dug into the Google reviews and found many from Google Local Guides. These are frequent reviewers. Their reviews are more likely to be the real thing.

Positive Reviews

The overwhelmingly positive reviews seem to be about the sales process, or someone the reviewer contacted because of a billing issue. That has very little to do with how the actual service is, though.

“I've had the service for nine months so far and had to use it. They worked directly with the dealer and it was taken care of. I even had to bring it back to the dealership because they couldn't replicate the problem at the time and had no additional deductible issues because I reported the issue previously. Billing accommodations also helps too. So far so good.” - Jesse S, BBB

“Very pleasant experience. Great explanation of coverages..Let us know we are important to Endurance. We definitely will be recommending friends & family.” -- Charles McMullen, Trustpilot

“I had the opportunity to speak with one of the customer service reps , his name is Tanner Sachs. He was so pleasant and informative. Wishing that there were more people that were like that when it comes to helping people with their understanding of their contract.” -- B Bunn, Trustpilot

“I really like endurance car warranty, great customer service and everything else.” -- Robert Holmes, Trustpilot

Negative Reviews

The negative reviews are almost all related to a very specific problem where the customer was denied coverage on a specific issue. Again, it’s absolutely critical to READ THE CONTRACT to understand what is covered.

“My mechanic tried multiple times to get someone to come to review and approve the needed repairs. Once someone came out, twice, they told him the repair was approved, he did the repair, sent them the invoice, and they denied payment. That was a $3k job. The last repair needed was denied over the phone only after months of trying to get approval. He had several times been placed on hold and then the call would disconnect. After spending more than $2500 on the warranty, they have done absolutely nothing to help with any repairs. I will never recommend them to anyone.” - Susan P. BBB

“Had slight vibrating when near 40-50mph. Brought car in for oil change and mentioned the vibrating. Long story short, I need a whole new transmission. I had zero codes, zero physical evidence and zero idea that it could be the transmission. Endurance denied my claim because there was a joint(?) leak that was SO minor that there wasn't any evidence of on my driveway or work parking space. The transmission shop said that there was no way this would cause my transmission issue since the fluid levels were still within the safe zone. My mechanic and myself tried to appeal their decision but I am now stuck with a $3600 useless warranty and a $2300 transmission... To say I am upset is an understatement. I am flabbergasted with their decision since there is no way I could have known that there was an issue. Do NOT use this company. What a scam.” - Debra D. BBB

"I was very disappointed in making my first claim that was denied. When I purchased the warranty I was told it was a bumper to bumper warranty and I know of course they always hit you with a read your contract however I feel once you have already paid for your warranty they are very honest at that point in telling you what’s not covered however on the sales side It’s very misleading." -- Erroll Audrict, Trust pilot

Do You Need a Vehicle Warranty?

Understanding the warranty options that are available to you is a great way to make sure you’re getting the best deal, but first you’ll need to determine if you actually need to buy extended coverage. Several used car experts caution against buying the extended warranty, because many times the cost of the coverage outweighs any repairs that might be needed. There are cases in which buying an extended warranty can be a great idea, especially if the vehicle being covered is notoriously unreliable. If you’re dead set on buying an extended warranty, Autotrader recommends that you choose an exclusion warranty, like Endurance Supreme, that covers everything on the vehicle except the things it specifically excludes. These exclusions are listed prominently on the service contract and take away any doubt about what will and won’t be covered.

Extended warranties are a bad idea for people that like to switch vehicles every couple of years or if the vehicle is still covered under the factory warranty. In these cases, you may not even own the vehicle when the factory warranty expires, so you’ll have paid extra for nothing. You may also want to pass on the extra warranty if the vehicle you’re driving has very good reliability ratings. Certain vehicles, like the Toyota Corolla, have a smaller chance of significant mechanical breakdowns compared to others, and paying extra for coverage may be a waste.

There are many other factors to weigh when deciding if you should get an extended warranty. Check out the chart we created to help you decide if an extended warranty is right for you.

Read our full recommendations for the Best Extended Warranties in the industry here.

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