Autopom! Vs. CarShield
When comparing autopom! and CarShield, we found that CarShield has better pricing and coverage options while autopom! shines in customer service.
For our #1 rated provider, 
The Gist:
- CarShield stands out for its month-to-month payment structure that makes it a flexible and affordable option for customers.
- Autopom! has one of the best customer service ratings in the industry, with positive reviews about claims agents, so we give it the award for Best Customer Experience.
- While both companies are closely rated, CarShield takes a slight edge for its superior pricing and coverage options.
If you’re shopping around for an extended warranty, you’ve probably heard about autopom! and CarShield, two of the auto protection industry’s top providers. But you’ll likely want to compare autopom! vs. CarShield side by side to decide which provider is right for you.
Our team has spent 1,475 hours total researching warranty companies to find the best coverage. We looked at the pros and cons of more than 40 different companies and analyzed the reasons some drivers choose one over the other. In this comparison, we’ll cover the plans, costs, and customer service reviews of both autopom! and CarShield, so you can choose the best extended auto warranty for your needs and budget.
Our Autopom! And CarShield Warranty Review And Methodology
Each year we review several auto warranty providers to find the best the industry has to offer. Providers are rated based on their scores in five main categories: reputation, coverage, price, and customer experience.
| autopom! | CarShield | |
|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Coverage | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Price | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Customer Experience | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Our Overall Rating | 4.6 | 4.3 |
*All ratings are out of 5.0 stars each.
How We Rated Autopom! And CarShield Warranties
To give you the most current information, we update our review standards several times each year. Below are more details for what we look for in each rating category:
Reputation
Providers are given a high score in this category based on any awards, ratings, or recognitions by trusted warranty evaluators, like Kelley Blue Book, Carfax, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We also consider customer reviews on sites like the BBB and Trustpilot, and how much experience a warranty provider has.
Autopom! responds more to its customer complaints, so it has a higher BBB score. This is why it has a higher industry rating from us. However, CarShield has been featured on ABC, CNN, AMC, ESPN, and more.
Coverage
Providers that offer several different coverage options are rewarded with a higher score in this category. If a company offers plans with long term limits and several benefits, its coverage score increases. While both autopom! and CarShield provides comprehensive coverage plans for drivers, CarShield offers more options than autopom! does, so it has a higher score in this category.
Price
Providers that have affordable coverage plans as well as deductible options, can expect to see a higher score in the price category. If these same providers offer discounts, their score will increase.
Between the two providers, CarShield offers slightly cheaper prices than autopom! does, so it gets a higher rating. CarShield’s month-to-month payment structure also allows for more flexibility and affordability for its customers.
Customer Experience
Strong customer reviews online bring providers high scores in this category. If a company has a mobile app and offers an online chat option for customers, its score for customer experience will increase as well. We usually browse websites like Trustpilot and the BBB to see common complaint patterns and things that customers like for each provider.
Overview Of Autopom! And CarShield
After looking at autopom! vs. CarShield, we found that both are reputable extended car warranty companies with years of experience and loyal customer bases.
Autopom! has been in business since 2009. It offers extended warranty plans in every state except California, where it offers a similar program known as mechanical breakdown insurance. Autopom! has an A+ rating from the BBB with accreditation, and it has high customer ratings on both the BBB (4.7 stars) and Trustpilot (4.9 stars), which praise the company’s smooth claims process.
CarShield was founded in 2005. Drivers in every state except California can get warranty plans from the provider. CarShield has a 4.1-star rating on Trustpilot based on almost 45,000 customer reviews. The company does have a C- rating from the BBB, however, which is related to previous marketing tactics and some customer service issues.
Autopom! Vs. CarShield: Coverage
As mentioned, we’ve reviewed more than 40 companies in the warranty industry to find the providers that stick out the most. This has also given us clarity on the coverage options that autopom! and CarShield offer. In fact, in an October 2023 extended warranty survey conducted by our research team, 57 percent of respondents considered coverage to matter most when choosing a warranty provider.
So how do autopom! and CarShield stack up against each other in terms of coverage? Both providers offer a good range of plans that can satisfy many drivers. The companies allow drivers to go to any licensed repair facility for coverage and both pay the repair shop directly after work is completed. CarShield offers six plans in total, while autopom! offers three.
CarShield also stands out because it has an option for ATVs and motorcycles. Additionally, CarShield can cover vehicles for up to 300,000 odometer miles, while autopom! only covers up to 150,000 miles.
Autopom! Coverage
Autopom! offers three levels of coverage:
| Autopom!
Plan | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Exclusionary | Similar to a factory warranty, this is the highest level of coverage autopom! offers. It covers almost any mechanical or electrical component, except for a list of exclusions. |
| Mid-Level | This plan covers most major systems of the car. It includes the engine, transmission, drive axle, steering, braking, air conditioning, and electrical systems. |
| Powertrain Plus | This plan is the best option for high-mileage vehicles, and it’s the most affordable. It covers the engine, transmission, drive axle, and air conditioning. |
Autopom! works with a number of contract administrators, so each of the plans outlined above can have different variations and additional options. This allows drivers to customize their warranty coverage, but it also means you should take extra precautions to fully understand exactly what is and is not covered in your contract.
Depending on the plan, drivers can get a few added perks with autopom! such as:
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Trip interruption coverage
- Road hazard tire repair
- 30- to 60-day money-back guarantee
CarShield Coverage
CarShield offers seven main vehicle service contracts:
| CarShield
Plan | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Diamond | The highest level of coverage, this plan is similar to a factory bumper-to-bumper warranty and covers most parts, except for a list of exclusions. |
| Platinum | Platinum coverage is a good choice for vehicles that have already racked up a few miles. The plan covers most systems of the car, including the electrical system, engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, and more. |
| Gold | This plan covers most major systems, including the engine, transmission, drivetrain, electrical system, fuel system, and air conditioning. |
| Silver | This is CarShield’s powertrain warranty and its most affordable option. It covers major components like the engine, transmission, and drive axles. |
| Aluminum | This plan covers electrical and high-tech components, along with a few other systems like steering and fuel delivery. It works well when paired with an existing powertrain warranty. |
| Electric Vehicle | This plan is designed specifically with electric vehicles in mind and covers a variety of parts like the battery, electrical system, and electric drive unit. |
| Motorcycle & ATV | This specialty plan covers vehicles like motorcycles, ATVs, and other non-standard vehicles. |
To help drivers customize coverage, CarShield offers a couple of plan add-ons. For example, a luxury electronics package or an emissions parts package can be added to the Platinum plan.
The following benefits also come standard with CarShield:
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- Towing services
- Rental car coverage
- Trip interruption reimbursement
- Low commitment, month-to-month plans
- CarShield rewards and discounts
- 30-day money-back guarantee
What Autopom! And CarShield Won’t Cover
An extended warranty covers mechanical breakdowns after your manufacturer’s warranty expires. These occur when a part fails or wears out beyond manufacturer tolerance. In other words, normal wear and tear isn’t covered. Many complaints about extended vehicle protection plans come from a misunderstanding of what is and is not covered.
Here are a few exclusions that are common to both autopom! and CarShield:
- Routine maintenance services like oil changes
- Any damage that results from a lack of maintenance
- Any damage that results from misuse or environmental events
- Cosmetic items like paint and upholstery
- Wear-and-tear items like brake pads and wiper blades
- Pre-existing conditions
Autopom! Vs. CarShield: Cost
For many people, staying under budget is the most important thing when shopping for an extended warranty. When looking at autopom! vs. CarShield, the latter generally offers lower prices overall. However, both can be affordable options for different drivers, as extended warranty costs are determined based on a number of factors.
Our team’s October 2023 extended warranty survey showed that 35 percent of respondents had 0 to 50,000 miles on their car when they bought their warranty, while 36 percent had odometer readings between 50,000 and 100,000 miles.
Below, we’ll list a few sample quotes we received from both autopom! and CarShield, but you’ll need to reach out to both companies directly to see what kind of deals it offers for your vehicle and driver profile.
Autopom! Extended Warranty Cost
We received a number of quotes from autopom! for different vehicles. The prices shown below are for a 2018 Honda Civic with 30,000 miles and a 2012 Subaru Outback with 88,000 miles. These plans have a $0 deductible.
| Vehicle | autopom!
Warranty Plan | Term Length | Monthly
Payment | Down
Payment | Total
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Civic | Exclusionary | 7 years/
150,000 miles | $125
for 36 months | First month’s
payment | $4,500 |
| Subaru Outback | Powertrain Plus | 4 years/
48,000 miles | $180
for 36 months | First month’s
payment | $6,480 |
CarShield Extended Warranty Cost
When researching CarShield prices, we used the same vehicles mentioned above. Each plan came with a $100 deductible, though drivers can also pick a $0 deductible option.
| Vehicle | CarShield
Warranty Plan | Term Length | Monthly
Payment | Down
Payment | Total
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Civic | Diamond | 5 years/
70,000 miles | $110 | First month’s
payment | Varies |
| Subaru Outback | Gold | Unlimited | $140 | First month’s
payment | Varies |
Autopom! Vs. CarShield: Customer Service
While it’s nice to find cheap coverage, it’s also important to find a company with good customer service. Our team analyzed 3,850 customer reviews to find which providers offered the best customer experience. Comparing autopom! vs. CarShield, autopom! has better customer reviews overall.
Below is a summary of each company’s standing on the BBB and Trustpilot.
| autopom! | CarShield | |
|---|---|---|
| BBB Accreditation | Yes | No |
| BBB Rating | A+ | C- |
| BBB Customer Review Score* | 4.7 out of 5.0 | 1.3 out of 5.0 |
| BBB Complaints Closed in Past Three Years | 4 | 3,429 |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.9 out of 5.0 | 4.1 out of 5.0 |
*Rounded to the nearest tenth.
Autopom! Customer Service
According to autopom! reviews on the BBB, the positive ones talk about the company’s customer service agents being knowledgeable and professional. Reviewers also say the prices are affordable.
On the other hand, negative reviews point out issues with the provider’s administrators. For example, one reviewer said that purchasing a plan was pleasant and easy, but filing a claim was a hassle. Autopom! is always available to help resolve issues with administrators.
CarShield Customer Service
At first glance, it looks like CarShield has a huge number of complaints. It’s important to know, however, that CarShield is also the most popular extended warranty provider we’ve reviewed.
The company has covered over two million vehicles since its inception, so those complaints represent a tiny fraction of CarShield’s customers. On top of that, our October 2023 survey shows that 60 percent of our respondents that bought an extended warranty from an independent provider got it from CarShield.
On CarShield’s BBB page, positive reviews mention great sales representatives and prompt service. Many reviews talk about a smooth claims process and say CarShield pays out what is expected for repairs.
On the other hand, negative reviews say some customer service representatives are hard to get in touch with when claims don’t go according to plan. Some drivers have said they expected certain car repairs to be covered when they were in fact excluded. This issue isn’t unique to CarShield, and it shows how important it is to read your entire contract thoroughly before signing on the dotted line.
Autopom! Vs. CarShield: Our Take
After comparing autopom! vs. CarShield, we found that both providers offer reliable coverage and affordable prices. We named autopom! the provider with the Best Customer Experience and CarShield as the provider with the best Month-to-Month Contracts. CarShield can be a good choice for its higher mileage limit and lower prices, and autopom! can be a good option for customer service.
The only way to know for sure which provider is best for you is to compare prices from both companies.
Best Extended Car Warranty Companies Outside Of Autopom! And CarShield
No two extended warranty quotes are exactly the same – prices depend on your unique vehicle and its mileage. That’s why it’s a good idea to get multiple free quotes whenever you shop for coverage. If you don’t find the price you’re looking for with autopom! or CarShield, you might find more peace of mind from our other top providers: Endurance and Carchex.
Endurance: 4.6 Stars
Endurance has been in business for 18 years. What sets it apart is that it’s a direct provider of warranties, which means you work with Endurance when you file a claim, not a third-party administrator.
Endurance also offers a very wide selection of coverage options. Drivers can choose from six plans, including one option that covers both routine maintenance and auto repairs. Endurance holds our award for Best Plan Offerings.
Read more: Endurance Warranty reviews
Carchex: 4.4 Stars
Carchex is another great provider to consider. With Carchex, drivers can pick from five levels of coverage. The company can cover vehicles up to 250,000 miles, which makes it a smart choice for older vehicles, too. This is why we’ve given Carchex our award for High Mileage Limits and recommend it for a used car warranty.
Read more: Carchex reviews
Autopom! Vs. CarShield: FAQ
Below are some common frequently asked questions about autopom! and CarShield extended warranties:
Is autopom! a reputable company?
Autopom! holds a strong reputation in the warranty industry, with accreditation and an A+ rating on the BBB website. Customer reviews on the platform give the company 4.7 out of 5.0 stars.
Is there a better company than CarShield?
CarShield is a good option for an extended car warranty, but it isn’t our highest-rated provider. Endurance, autopom!, Carchex, Omega Auto Care, and Olive all rank above CarShield in our industry-wide review of warranty companies and are our top picks.
Who has the best car warranty program?
Endurance is our highest-rated car warranty provider. The company takes our award for Best Coverage due to its long term limits and six warranty levels that range from basic powertrain coverage to bumper-to-bumper coverage. To find the best car warranty program for you, compare quotes from several different providers in addition to Endurance.
How We Rate Warranty Providers
Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of extended auto warranty providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a warranty company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:
- Reputation: It’s important that an extended car warranty company is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a long history of reliable service score well in this category. We also evaluate the availability and transparency of each company’s contracts, as well as whether each provider offers a money-back guarantee.
- Coverage: Our team of experts looks at the number of extended warranty plans available, as well as term limits, exclusions, and added benefits like roadside assistance. Ratings also take into account the availability of maintenance coverage.
- Price: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact vehicle service contract pricing. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and plans and consider available deductibles.
- Customer Experience: We listen to real customer sales calls and comb through reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Warranty companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the availability of mobile apps and chat features.
