Get an Instant Vehicle Service Contract Quote

Disclosure: This content was produced by an independent editorial party for the purposes of educating our customers, and is not influenced by the other business operations of CARCHEX.

A vehicle service contract is an optional protection plan that covers part replacements and repair costs in the event of a mechanical breakdown.

New cars purchased from a dealership usually come with a factory warranty—also known as a manufacturer’s warranty. The factory warranty protects nearly all the components of your vehicle, but it usually has low mileage limits and expires within the first few years of ownership.

A vehicle service contract lengthens your car’s coverage and can be purchased from either a manufacturer or an aftermarket provider like CARCHEX. Car manufacturers usually require you to buy an extended coverage plan before your factory warranty expires, but you can get an aftermarket plan at any point of your car’s life.

Types of Vehicle Service Contracts

Though vehicle protection companies give their vehicle protection plans various names, they fall into two main categories: exclusionary and inclusionary.

Exclusionary Plans

These service contracts come with a list of exclusions (components that aren’t covered)—but the list is usually pretty small. Exclusionary plans tend to cover almost every component in your vehicle, except for items that naturally wear out with use (such as tires and brake pads). Exclusionary coverages are usually the highest level of coverage offered by a provider.

Inclusionary Plans

Inclusionary coverages are also called “stated-component” plans. These contracts come with a list of every covered component and can range from very comprehensive coverage to basic powertrain plans that only cover the engine, transmission, and drivetrain in cars.

Vehicle protection plans don’t usually cover the costs associated with routine maintenance, like tire rotations or oil changes. Some providers offer supplemental maintenance packages and certain car insurance companies offer mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) that can sometimes cover things vehicle service contracts can’t.

A vehicle service contract quote is an estimate of what it will cost to protect your vehicle. When you contact a third-party provider, you’ll provide the representative with certain information about your car and yourself. They’ll use this information to calculate a personalized estimate. You can then compare quotes from a few different companies to find the best coverage options at the price that meets your budget.

How Do I Get a Vehicle Protection Quote?

Most vehicle protection companies offer instant quote tools on their websites. They also typically have phone numbers to call in case you’d prefer to speak to a representative. Either way, you’ll give the following information:

• Your name, email address, and phone number
• The make, model, and year of your vehicle
• Your vehicle’s current condition
• Your vehicle’s current mileage
• The vehicle’s VIN (not always required)

You’ll be contacted shortly after with the details of your vehicle protection quote—either at the email address or phone number you provided.

How Do I Get a Vehicle Service Contract Quote from CARCHEX?

You have two options when it comes to getting a free quote from us. You can call us at 866-261-3457 and get paired with a specialist instantly, or you can fill out the online form that asks basic questions about you and your car. Within minutes, a specialist will call you back with an estimate for the information you provided.

When you get a quote from us, you’ll receive our CARCHEX No-Haggle, Low-Price, Everyday Guarantee™.

What Affects Vehicle Service Contract Costs?

There’s no set price for a vehicle service contract. Specialists consider a variety of factors before giving you an estimate for your specific plan. Some of these factors include:

• Level of coverage—An exclusionary plan will cost more than one with powertrain coverage because it protects more of your vehicle’s components.
• Deductible—Plans that cost more typically have lower deductibles with repair service.
• Driving habits—Specialists will consider whether you mostly use your car for work or pleasure, and how many miles you drive every year on average.
• Vehicle mileage—A car with more miles will be more expensive to cover because a breakdown is more likely to happen.
• Make, model, and year of the car—Luxury cars will cost more to protect because of the more expensive components. Coverage for used cars is typically cheaper than for new vehicles.
• Provider—Dealership plans are often more expensive than plans from third-party providers.

We offer five plan options with several plans under each tier. Here’s a basic overview of each level of CARCHEX vehicle protection.

*Some CARCHEX plans may not be available in all states and for all vehicles.

CARCHEX maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as well as a 99.9% customer satisfaction rate with us. Check out the testimonials of some of the customers we’ve helped and get your instant quote for a vehicle service contract today. Call us toll-free at 866-261-3457.

We have 20 years of experience providing coverage for car owners. Throughout the years, we’ve learned what does and doesn’t work when protecting vehicles. Here are some perks that give our customers peace of mind: 

• Affordable and flexible plans—We work with you to create a plan to fit your exact needs at a monthly cost you can afford.
• Low deductibles—You can enjoy deductibles as low as $0.
• Thousands of repair facilities to choose from—Instead of being forced to send your car to someone you don’t know, you can choose the repair shop you trust if a breakdown happens. We work with thousands of mechanics and repair shops across the country.
• Claims paid directly to the repair shop—You won’t have to pay the auto repair bill yourself and wait for a reimbursement from us. We’ll handle the payment directly with the shop.
• Transferable plans—If you decide to sell your car, your vehicle protection plan can be transferred to the new owner.
• Coverage for all vehicles—Any car can be protected with one of our plans, including new, used, and certified pre-owned ones.
• Endorsements—CARFAX, RepairPal, Kelley Blue Book, SiriusXM, and other industry leaders have endorsed our services.
• Extra benefits—A plan with CARCHEX includes trip interruption services, rental car reimbursement, towing, and roadside assistance.
• 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee—If you’re unsatisfied with your service, you can contact us within 30 days for a refund.*

While there are several reputable third-party vehicle protection companies, we lead the field in terms of our experience, quote process, and BBB accreditation and rating.

Here’s a table that outlines the differences between CARCHEX and the other leading companies.

*Accurate as of September 2024

Our Protection Specialists have shopped and researched the market for the vehicle protection programs with the best coverage, best ratings, and best prices. We’ve compiled this information into one centralized marketplace, so consumers like you can quickly learn what to look for when shopping for the best vehicle service contract quotes.

With other third-party companies, you’ll be given a quote for only the protection plans they provide themselves. That’s where CARCHEX differs.

With us, there’s no pressure to buy. We take a consultative approach to vehicle service contracts, providing you with the best quotes from our network of providers so you can make your own purchasing decisions.

Our specialists remain on hand to answer any questions, analyze any current plan you may have, and do anything else necessary to help you find the right protection for your needs.

Furthermore, we offer flexible and affordable payment plans for vehicle service contracts with financing available for up to 24 months.