AUL Corp vs CarShield

Founded in 1990, AUL built their reputation as a dealership-based vehicle service contract provider before being acquired by Protective Life Insurance Company in 2022. Today, AUL-branded contracts are administered through Protective Asset Protection and remain available exclusively through franchised and independent dealerships. This means consumers cannot buy plans directly online, and pricing depends on the selling dealer, vehicle, coverage tier, deductible, and any dealership markup. AUL’s biggest strength is the breadth of their coverage lineup. Their catalog includes powertrain, stated-component, wrap, exclusionary, lifetime, hybrid, and EV, and technology-focused plans. Some products also offer Any Year Any Mileage eligibility, while most plans begin on the day of purchase with no standard waiting period. Benefits may include roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, trip interruption coverage, transferable contracts, online claims submission, and same-day claims payment on approved repairs. However, customer feedback is mixed, with concerns around claim denials, inspection delays, rental reimbursement limits, cancellation complexity, and pricing transparency. AUL may appeal to dealership buyers who want broad coverage options, but reviewing the contract carefully before signing is essential.

CarShield is a vehicle protection provider founded in 2005 and headquartered in St. Peters, Missouri. They offer several coverage levels for mechanical and electrical repairs, ranging from powertrain-focused protection to broader plans, with options for older and high-mileage vehicles as well as electric vehicles, motorcycles, and ATVs. Eligible vehicles can qualify for coverage with up to 300,000 miles, while contract-dependent perks may include roadside assistance, towing, rental reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage. Customer feedback is mixed, with CarShield holding a 4.1 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot based on tens of thousands of reviews. They are also accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating, although their BBB profile shows a substantial complaint history. Their broad plan selection, high-mileage eligibility, contract terms, pricing, and claims experience provide several areas worth examining more closely before choosing coverage.