Auto Warranty
Top Companies in 2026
CARCHEX vs Protection Direct
Press [Add to Compare] to Edit, Add or Remove Vendors
- Relationship with multiple VSC
- Trip interruption reimbursement
- Flexibility of warranty options
- Refund upon contract cancellation
- Choose your own repair shop
- Month-to-month payment structure instead of traditional long-term contracts
- Nationwide access to licensed and ASE-certified repair facilities
- Roadside assistance, towing, rental car, and trip interruption benefits included with many plans
- Publicly advertised starting monthly pricing
- Does not cover all cars
- May be more expensive than others
- They are brokers, not administrators
- Mixed customer reviews across BBB, Yelp, and other review platforms
- Coverage details, deductibles, and waiting periods vary by contract
- Marketing practices generate a significant portion of customer complaints
CARCHEX boasts a great reputation and excellent customer service, among their many advantages. CARCHEX has been helping people protect their vehicles since 2004. They have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and have been consistently ranked as one of the best extended warranty companies in the industry. If you own a vehicle with high mileage, CARCHEX is an especially good option for you.
Protection Direct is a vehicle service contract provider founded in 2006 and headquartered in the Illinois–Missouri region, with operations centered in Sauget and Belleville, Illinois. They offer mechanical breakdown protection for vehicles across a wide range of mileage levels, including options for drivers with vehicles exceeding 150,000 miles. Their coverage lineup is organized by mileage tiers, allowing customers to choose plans that align with their vehicle's age and condition rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
One of the provider's distinguishing features is their month-to-month payment model, which differs from the traditional long-term contracts commonly found in the vehicle service contract industry. Depending on the plan selected, customers may also receive benefits such as roadside assistance, towing, rental car reimbursement, trip interruption coverage, and access to licensed repair facilities nationwide.
The company maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, though they are not BBB-accredited. Customer feedback varies considerably across review platforms, with some reviewers reporting positive repair experiences and others raising concerns about marketing communications and customer service interactions. This combination of flexible coverage options, high-mileage eligibility, and mixed public feedback makes Protection Direct a provider worth examining more closely before making a purchasing decision.
- BBB Rating : A+
- Maximum Mileage : 250,000 miles
- Money-Back Guarantee : Yes
- Number of Plans Available : 5
- Waiting Period : 30 days
- Operating Status : Active
- BBB Rating : N/R (unaccredited)
- Maximum Mileage : 150,000+ miles
- Number of Plans Available : 3
- Waiting Period : Contract-specific; listed on the declaration page (time and mileage requirements vary)
- Operating Status : Active
- Deductible Range : Quote-based (varies by contract)
- Services backed by industry standard-bearers like Kelley Blue Book, CARFAX, RepairPal, and Edmunds.com
- Covers cars with up to 250,000 miles on them
- Choose your own repair shop
- Trip interruption reimbursement
- Available in California and all states
- Long contract terms of up to 10 years
- Mileage-based coverage plans designed specifically for low-, mid-, and high-mileage vehicles
- Protection options for vehicles that exceed 150,000 miles
- Coverage remains active through a recurring monthly payment model rather than a fixed-term contract
- Broad repair facility flexibility without reliance on a restricted service network
- High-mileage
- Exclusionary
- Powertrain
- $0 deductible option—Undisclosed
- Commercial/rideshare
- EV/hybrid components
- No waiting period—Undisclosed
- Option with free maintenance benefits—Undisclosed
- Transferable—Undisclosed
- High-mileage
- Exclusionary
- Powertrain
- $0 deductible option
- Commercial/rideshare
- EV/hybrid components
- No waiting period
- Option with free maintenance benefits—Undisclosed
- Transferable
- 24/7 roadside assistance—Undisclosed
- Any licensed repair shop—Undisclosed
- Direct shop payment
- In-network repair network
- Mobile app for claims—Undisclosed
- Online claims portal—Undisclosed
- Trip interruption coverage—Undisclosed
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- Any licensed repair shop
- Direct shop payment
- In-network repair network
- Mobile app for claims
- Online claims portal
- Trip interruption coverage
- Phone
- 24/7 customer support
- FAQs / Educational resources
- Live Chat
- Mobile Application
- Online quote without phone—Undisclosed
- Sample contracts online
- Phone
- 24/7 customer support
- FAQs / Educational resources
- Live Chat
- Mobile Application
- Online quote without phone
- Sample contracts online
- Contract (lump-sum) payments
- Pay-in-full discount—Undisclosed
- Month-to-month payments
- Cancellation fee
- Multi-vehicle discount
- Price lock guarantee
- *Not all payment methods are available in all states
- *Some payment methods may incur additional fees
- Contract (lump-sum) payments
- Pay-in-full discount
- Month-to-month payments
- Cancellation fee—Undisclosed
- Multi-vehicle discount
- Price lock guarantee
- *Not all payment methods are available in all states
- *Some payment methods may incur additional fees
Save Big on Auto Warranty
Fill out a quick form to claim special offers on Auto Warranty
