Endurance and Empire Auto Protect are both well-known vehicle service contract providers, but they operate at different scales and with different approaches. Here's an honest comparison to help you decide which one fits your needs — or whether you should consider other options entirely.
Company Profiles
Endurance is one of the largest and most heavily advertised VSC providers in the U.S. They've operated since 2006, self-administer many of their contracts, and spend significantly on national TV and digital advertising. Their brand recognition is among the highest in the industry.
Empire Auto Protect is a smaller, more focused provider based in Dover, Delaware. They've been building their presence since 2007 and position themselves as a customer-focused alternative to the larger, more corporate providers. Their contracts are administered through Mechanicals Choice (Florida License #W956594).
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Factor | Endurance | Empire Auto Protect |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Northbrook, IL | Dover, DE |
| Contract administration | Self-administered (many plans) | Mechanicals Choice |
| Coverage tiers | 5+ tiers | Multiple tiers (powertrain to exclusionary) |
| Starting price | ~$80/month | ~$69/month |
| Deductible options | $100–$200 | Deductible and deductible-free options |
| Claims process | Direct pay to shop | Direct pay to shop |
| Roadside assistance | Included | Included |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| Repair shop choice | Any ASE-certified / dealership | Any ASE-certified / dealership |
| Marketing approach | Heavy national advertising | Digital-focused, lower overhead |
| Waiting period | 30 days / 1,000 miles | 30 days / 1,000 miles |
Coverage
Both providers offer the standard range of coverage from powertrain to exclusionary. Endurance has more named plan tiers and includes their EnduranceAdvantage maintenance plan as a budget-friendly entry point. Empire focuses on core protection tiers without bundled maintenance. For most drivers looking for mechanical breakdown coverage, the actual protection is comparable at similar tier levels.
Pricing
Empire's advertised starting price of $69/month positions them as a value option compared to Endurance's typical starting range of $80+. However, actual pricing depends on your specific vehicle. Endurance's higher brand awareness comes with higher marketing overhead, which is reflected in their pricing. Smaller providers like Empire can often undercut larger competitors because they spend less on national advertising.
The only way to know the real price difference for your vehicle is to get quotes from both.
Claims Experience
Both companies use direct-pay claims where the provider pays the repair shop directly. Endurance's self-administration gives them direct control over claims decisions. Empire routes claims through Mechanicals Choice, a third-party administrator. Customer reviews for both are mixed — as is true for virtually every VSC provider. The key factors that determine your claims experience are reading your contract, maintaining your vehicle, and following the authorization process.
Which One Should You Choose?
Endurance is the safer choice if brand recognition and company size matter to you, and you're willing to pay a premium for a well-known name.
Empire Auto Protect may offer better value if you're price-sensitive and comfortable with a smaller provider that focuses on competitive pricing over mass-market advertising.
Best approach: Get quotes from both, read the actual contracts, and compare coverage component lists and deductibles side by side. Also get at least one more quote from another provider to establish a true market baseline.
Endurance, Empire, and Other Provider Options
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