Endurance offers what are commonly referred to as extended warranties for both new and used cars. Technically termed vehicle service contracts, these are disclosed at the bottom of Endurance’s website. For a predetermined upfront fee, the company commits to covering repair costs for specific components after the factory warranty expires. Endurance also describes itself as a provider of breakdown protection.

In contrast to numerous competitors, Endurance opts to directly administer the plans offered under its brand, instead of relying on third-party administrators, which are often obscure entities that can be challenging to engage with. Endurance attributes much of its success to this approach, ensuring customers that the company they purchase an extended warranty from will also be the one they interact with when claims arise.

All of Endurance’s plans lean more towards powertrain warranties rather than bumper-to-bumper coverage, but this is particularly evident with the Secure Plus plan. Positioned as affordable coverage tailored for older vehicles, Secure Plus covers essential components such as the engine, transmission, water pump, fuel pump, air conditioning, driving axle, electrical components, hybrid components, steering components, transfer case, and turbocharger or supercharger.

The mid-range plan, known as Superior, expands coverage to include components not covered by Secure Plus, such as the cooling system, suspension, and fuel system. Particularly important for modern vehicles with intricate electrical systems, Superior also includes coverage for the vehicle’s electrical components. However, it’s worth noting that both Superior and Supreme plans have shorter terms compared to Secure Plus and cannot be applied to vehicles beyond a certain age or mileage.

The Select Premier plan is specifically tailored to offer coverage for essential components in vehicles with up to 150,000 miles and up to 20 years old. While it doesn’t cover brakes and suspension, its exclusion list is relatively short. This plan is ideal for owners of high-mileage vehicles seeking reliable powertrain protection.

The Supreme plan from Endurance is an exclusionary warranty offering bumper-to-bumper coverage comparable to a factory warranty from a dealership. As Endurance’s most extensive plan, it provides coverage for virtually every part of your vehicle, excluding only those items explicitly listed as exclusions. Excluded components consist of the safety restraint system, glass, LED lights, light bulbs, battery, and cosmetic parts. High-tech items can be obtained as add-ons.

For those seeking an industry-standard bumper-to-bumper warranty, we highly recommend the Endurance Supreme plan. With its exclusionary coverage resembling that of a factory car warranty, Endurance Supreme stands out as one of the top plans available on the market.

California residents have the option to select from three Endurance plans: Standard, Premium, and Elite Plus. While these plans are similar to those mentioned above, they are classified as “Mechanical Breakdown Insurance” rather than extended warranties. The variations in coverage for California residents are outlined as follows:

The Standard plan provides coverage for the engine, turbocharger or supercharger, transmission, transfer case, drive axle, steering, brakes, electrical components, air conditioning, front and rear suspension, as well as seals and gaskets.

The Premium plan expands coverage to include fuel delivery, the cooling system, enhanced electrical systems, and luxury components.

Endurance does not provide a detailed breakdown of covered components specific to the Premium plan. However, it asserts that the Elite Plus plan is the most comprehensive mechanical breakdown plan available, offering coverage that closely resembles manufacturer-level warranties. Elite Plus is described as encompassing nearly every part, component, and system of your vehicle.

Endurance provides 24/7 customer support and roadside assistance, along with towing reimbursement, rental reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage, which are standard offerings in the industry. In addition to these, Endurance goes further by offering extra features:

Furthermore, all Endurance plans include a complimentary year of what the company terms “Endurance Elite benefits.” These encompass 24/7 roadside assistance, key fob replacement, repair for up to two tires, up to $500 in collision discounts, and up to $1,000 in total loss replacement reimbursement. It’s important to note that these benefits are valid only during the initial year of the plan.

Each Endurance plan, including the top-tier option, has its own set of limitations regarding what is not covered. This includes routine maintenance items such as brake pads, windshield wiper blades, or shock absorbers. Additionally, fluids, filters, lubricants, or refrigerants are not covered unless they need replacement as part of a covered repair for a component.

Endurance does not cover damage resulting from collisions, rust, salt, environmental damage, negligence, improper maintenance, or acts of nature. Repairs conducted by unapproved facilities are also not covered, nor are any conditions that were present prior to the commencement of the contract.

To illustrate an estimate of coverage costs, we chose a selection of popular vehicles with diverse model years and mileages and then requested quotes from Endurance. However, for the oldest and highest-mileage vehicles in our sample—a 2012 Hyundai Sonata GLS with 130,000 miles and a 2011 Honda Fit Sport with 110,000 miles—we were only able to secure basic Secure Plus coverage. The quoted total price for the Hyundai was $3,960 ($110 monthly) and for the Honda, $3,888 ($108 monthly).

Endurance has earned a strong reputation among consumers, providing an uncomplicated, direct experience without intermediaries. While their prices may not be the lowest, the company distinguishes itself through its high level of service and transparency, along with a wide range of plan customization options. As a result, Endurance emerges as a dependable and straightforward choice among extended warranty providers. However, it’s worth noting that their plans are most suitable for younger, lower-mileage vehicles.