One of the most popular vehicle service contract providers reviewed honestly — plans, pricing, claims process, real customer feedback, and our final verdict.
Compare Endurance to Other Providers →Strong overall. Best for drivers who want direct accountability and maintenance coverage.
Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, Endurance Warranty Services is one of the largest vehicle service contract providers in the United States. Unlike most VSC companies, Endurance is a direct administrator — meaning it sells plans directly to consumers and handles claims in-house without a third-party middleman. This is a fundamental structural difference from brokers like CarShield and CARCHEX.
Endurance has paid over $300 million in claims since 2006. Crain's Chicago Business has named it one of the largest privately owned companies in Chicago for multiple consecutive years. It holds an A rating with the BBB and is available in all 50 states, including California.
Endurance does not cover vehicles in Massachusetts.
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This contrasts directly with CarShield, where the company that sells you the plan (CarShield) and the company that handles your claim (American Auto Shield) are two separate entities. With Endurance, it's one company throughout the entire process.
Endurance offers six coverage tiers — more customization than most providers:
| Plan | Coverage Level | Best For | Est. Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme | Exclusionary — covers everything except listed exclusions | Newer vehicles, maximum protection | $130–$185/mo |
| Supreme for Highline | Exclusionary for luxury vehicles | Luxury vehicles under 80K miles, under 8 years | $170–$240/mo |
| Superior | Extended — adds suspension, cooling, fuel systems | Most common choice — best value | $105–$155/mo |
| Secure Plus | Mid-level — adds AC, brakes, steering, electronics | Older vehicles wanting solid coverage | $95–$140/mo |
| Secure | Powertrain + AC, brakes, steering | High-mileage vehicles (up to 150K miles) | $80–$120/mo |
| Advantage | Breakdown coverage + routine maintenance | Drivers wanting oil changes & maintenance covered | $110–$160/mo |
The Advantage plan is Endurance's most distinctive offering. In addition to mechanical breakdown coverage, it includes:
No other major VSC provider offers maintenance coverage at this level. For drivers who want a single plan covering both breakdowns and routine service, Advantage is a genuine differentiator.
The Secure Plus plan has a $10,000 lifetime coverage cap — meaning once Endurance has paid $10,000 in claims, your coverage ends. This is disclosed in the contract but easy to miss. If you expect multiple major claims, the Supreme or Superior plans are safer choices since they have no such cap.
Endurance doesn't publish prices online. Based on market research and actual quote data:
| Vehicle | Plan | Estimated Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mainstream vehicle, 60K miles | Supreme (exclusionary) | $130–$185/mo |
| Mainstream vehicle, 60K miles | Superior (extended) | $105–$155/mo |
| High-mileage, 120K miles | Superior | $130–$175/mo |
| Luxury vehicle, 50K miles | Supreme for Highline | $170–$240/mo |
| Any vehicle | Advantage (with maintenance) | $110–$160/mo |
Average cost: Cars.com reports an average of $156/month based on actual Endurance quotes. This is slightly higher than CarShield but reflects the direct administrator structure and broader coverage options.
Deductible: Standard $100 per visit. Options of $0 and $200 are sometimes available depending on the plan and vehicle.
Contract structure: Endurance sets a fixed contract term (typically 36–48 months). Unlike CarShield's ongoing monthly model, Endurance has a clear end date. This means you know your total contract cost upfront.
The most common complaint pattern on BBB and Trustpilot involves claims denied due to contract exclusions that weren't clearly explained at point of sale. This is an industry-wide problem, but Endurance's sales process — which typically involves a phone call — sometimes leaves buyers with a different expectation than what the contract delivers. Always request a sample contract before purchasing and read the exclusions section.
Multiple consumers report significant follow-up calls and emails after requesting a quote. Endurance requires an email to start the quote process, and many customers report being contacted multiple times after initial contact. If you're researching, use a secondary email address.
After the 30-day money-back period, cancellation requires a written request and results in a prorated refund minus an admin fee and any paid claims. Some customers report difficulty getting cancellation processed quickly. Send cancellation requests via certified mail with return receipt to create a documented record.
Endurance's direct administrator structure is a genuine advantage that sets it apart from most competitors. When something goes wrong, you're dealing with one company — not a broker pointing at an administrator pointing at fine print. The Advantage plan's maintenance coverage is unique and valuable. Prices are slightly higher than some alternatives, but the claims experience and accountability justify the difference for most drivers. Our top overall pick for most drivers remains Complete Auto Protect for value, but Endurance is a strong second choice with a longer track record.
| Provider | Key Advantage vs Endurance | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Auto Protect | Lower pricing on exclusionary coverage, 250K mile limit | Best value overall |
| CarShield | Month-to-month flexibility, 300K mile limit, vehicles up to 25 years old | Older/high-mileage vehicles |
| CARCHEX | Up to 10-year contracts, transparent about all administrators | Long-term contract buyers |
See how Endurance stacks up against direct competitors for your specific vehicle. Free, no obligation, 30 seconds.
See If My Vehicle Qualifies →Yes. Endurance has been in business since 2006, holds an A BBB rating, and has paid over $300 million in claims. It is one of the largest VSC providers in the US with no FTC actions on record.
Plans range from $80–$185/month. The average based on actual quotes is approximately $156/month. Pricing depends on your vehicle's year, make, model, mileage, and the plan tier selected.
Yes. Endurance is a direct administrator — it handles claims in-house without a third-party middleman. This is a key advantage over brokers like CarShield and CARCHEX where a separate company processes your claims.
Yes. Endurance offers mechanical breakdown insurance in California, making it available in all 50 states. It is not available in Massachusetts.
Endurance Advantage is a unique plan that includes routine maintenance — oil changes, brake pad replacements, battery replacement, and more — in addition to breakdown coverage. No other major VSC provider offers this level of maintenance inclusion.
Yes. Full refund within 30 days. After 30 days, written cancellation results in a prorated refund minus an administrative fee and any claims already paid. Send cancellation via certified mail to create documentation.
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