Endurance Auto Insurance: Is It Worth The Hype?

Endurance is a direct provider of extended auto warranties, meaning it handles its service contracts from the initial sale to the claims process. The company offers six plans that can cover cars for an unlimited number of miles, including basic powertrain protection and comprehensive bumper-to-bumper coverage. It also provides mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) to California residents, which is rare in the industry.

Endurance has received mostly positive reviews from customers, who cite fast claims processing and friendly representatives. However, some customers have complained about denied claims and confusion over what is covered under the contract.

Overall, Endurance is a reputable extended warranty company that offers a wide range of coverage options and has a strong customer service team. It is a good choice for drivers with older or high-mileage vehicles, as well as those who want the peace of mind that comes with an extended warranty.

Endurance's warranty plans and costs

Endurance offers six different warranty plans, which ascend in order of price. The plans are:

• Secure: The cheapest option, covering the transfer case, transmission, water pump, and other vital components.
• Secure Plus: Covers everything in the Secure plan, plus electrical components.
• Select Premiere: Designed for high-mileage vehicles, covering air conditioning, heating, and luxury electrical components.
• Superior: Covers most vehicle components, including brakes, electrical components, front and rear suspension, and more.
• Supreme: Bumper-to-bumper, exclusionary coverage, covering all vehicle parts except those listed under exclusions.
• Advantage: Includes maintenance coverage and helps with the cost of vehicle repairs. Covers oil and filter changes, brake pad replacements, wiper blade replacements, and more.

The cost of an Endurance warranty depends on the plan chosen and the vehicle's age, mileage, make, and model. You can expect to spend $350 to $700 per year, or $70 to $120 per month. Endurance offers payment plans for up to 36 months and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Endurance's customer service

Positive reviews of Endurance's customer service mention fast claims processing, friendly representatives, and positive interactions with repair shops. However, negative reviews cite confusion about what is covered under the contract and salespeople being pushy.

Endurance has responded to the vast majority of complaints online and tries to rectify the situation. The company also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if customers are not satisfied with the service.

Endurance's industry standing

Endurance Warranty Services, LLC is a legitimate warranty company that has been in business since 2006. It is one of the largest third-party extended warranty companies in the industry, and has been recognised as one of Chicago's 50 fastest-growing companies in 2022 and 2023. It is also one of the only direct providers of extended warranties, meaning that it handles all claims itself.

Endurance has an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and very high ratings on Trustpilot and Google Reviews. However, it has a long list of customer complaints on the BBB website, including claims being denied for "pre-existing conditions", long delays in authorising repairs, and difficulty cancelling contracts.

Endurance offers six warranty plans, ranging from basic coverage to comprehensive vehicle protection. Its plans are accepted at any repair shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and it pays repair shops directly for approved claims.

Endurance's prices are tailored to each customer depending on their vehicle make, model, mileage, and other factors. On average, an Endurance warranty costs about $1,200 annually, but this can vary depending on your vehicle. You can expect to pay roughly $70 to $120 monthly on a good plan.

Endurance offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and allows customers to pay upfront or in monthly instalments for up to 30 months.

Endurance's pros and cons

Endurance Pros:

• The company offers six warranty plans, ranging from basic coverage to comprehensive vehicle protection.
• Endurance is a direct provider, meaning it directly handles its service contracts and claims, so you don't have to work with a third party.
• EnduranceAdvantageTM plans cover maintenance services like oil changes and brake pads, which is rare for the industry.
• Endurance offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
• The company has positive customer reviews on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Endurance offers a wide range of coverage options, including for older vehicles.
• Endurance is backed by an AM Best 'A' rated insurance company.
• Endurance offers a free year of Endurance Elite Benefits, which include total loss protection, tire replacement/repair, and key fob replacement.

Endurance Cons:

• Endurance Elite Benefits are only free for the first year, costing $29 per month thereafter.
• Endurance has an average customer service rating.
• Some customers have complained about denied claims and issues with the company's marketing tactics.
• The company's mobile app has received relatively low ratings.
• Endurance does not offer coverage for vehicles in California.
• Some of Endurance's plans are not listed on its website, making it difficult to compare all options.
• Endurance's prices are slightly higher than the industry average.

Endurance's claims process

Endurance Warranty Services has been in the business for over 15 years and has paid over $300 million in claims since 2012. The company has also received high ratings from customers on major review sites like Google, Trustpilot, and more.

Prevent further damage

Take immediate action to repair the issue and prevent further damage to your vehicle. You can use Endurance's 24/7 roadside assistance to take your car to a repair shop.

Take your vehicle to a licensed repair facility

You can take your vehicle to any ASE-certified repair facility of your choice. Endurance defines a licensed repair facility as a for-profit entity recognised by the state in the business of repairing motor vehicles. Provide the repair facility with a copy of your Endurance contract or contract number before any repairs are done.

Service manager obtains authorization from the administrator

Instruct the service manager at the repair facility to contact Endurance at (224) 326-0619 to obtain authorization for the claim. Repairs made without prior authorization will not be covered, except in emergency situations.

Authorize tear-down and/or inspection

In some cases, you may need to authorize the repair facility to inspect and/or tear down your vehicle to determine the cause and cost of the repair.

Review your warranty coverage

After Endurance has been contacted, review with the service manager what will be considered a covered repair using your contract. Endurance offers a wide range of coverage plans, so this step will vary depending on your chosen plan.

Pay any applicable deductible

You must pay the repair facility any required deductible. A deductible is a specified amount of money that you must pay before Endurance can pay a claim, and it is included in your contract. Endurance will then reimburse the repair facility or you for the cost of the covered work.

Once all these steps are completed, you can sit back and relax while your vehicle is being repaired.

Frequently asked questions