Protect My Car Reviews (April 2022)
Protect My Car reviews conducted by our researchers rated the provider with a score of 8.7 out of 10 with the distinction of Best Maintenance Benefits in 2022.
| Protect My Car Pros | Protect My Car Cons |
|---|---|
| Specialized coverage for older cars | Not available in all states |
| Low down payments | Low mileage limits on regular plans |
| Flexible payment plans and low rates | Rental reimbursements are capped off |
| Some plans cover oil changes and tire rotations | You must receive prior approval before repairs can begin on your vehicle |
| Access to shopping and dining rewards | Ambassador plan only provides partial coverage |
| Coverage for vehicles up to 13 years old | Only 3 coverage levels |
| Easy claims process | No exclusionary offering |
| Overall Rating | 8.7 / 10.0 |
|---|---|
| Industry Reputation | 9.0 |
| Coverage | 9.0 |
| Warranty Cost | 8.0 |
| Transparency | 8.5 |
| Customer Experience | 9.0 |
This article takes a close look at Protect My Car customer reviews, coverage and cost – the same standards we used to rank the best aftermarket auto warranty companies. While we will discuss the relative cost of a Protect My Car warranty, the only way to learn exactly what a contract with PMC will cost you is to reach out for an individualized quote.
About Protect My Car
Founded in Saint Petersburg, Florida in 2005, Protect My Car is a leading vehicle service contract provider that offers coverage plans ranging from basic powertrain protection to comprehensive bumper to bumper coverage for vehicles with up to 125,000 miles.
Protect My Car is one of the few vehicle service contract providers offering coverage for maintenance, which is available for all vehicles and is especially beneficial coverage for older vehicles with high mileage. Along with selling extended warranties, Protect My Car also sells auto insurance products.
Protect My Car was purchased by private equity firm Crestview Partners in September, 2018. The company’s mission is to eliminate the stress and anxiety associated with being financially responsible for an expensive mechanical breakdown.
What Does Protect My Car Cover?
Protect My Car auto warranties provide inclusionary coverage, meaning they cover repairs for components specified in the contract, a feature that makes the contracts easy to understand. Every plan offered by Protect My Car has some aspects found in a manufacturer’s powertrain warranty, which includes coverage for the engine, transmission, and drive axles.
Protect My Car Cost
Like most providers, Protect My Car doesn’t give exact price amounts for its plans unless you get a quote from the company. The only financial aspects disclosed in Protect My Car contracts include deductibles and payment plan options. Your specific extended car warranty cost depends on factors like the region you live in, your driving and maintenance history, and your vehicle’s make, model, age, and mileage.
Based on our research, Protect My Car costs range from around $55 to $100 a month. For deductibles, you will pay $100 for the Driveline plan and a $200 for the Select and Supreme plans. All in all, you can expect to pay $700 per year on average.
When we reached out for quotes from the provider, we were quoted $96.95 monthly for a 4-year/100,000-mile Supreme plan and $67.22 monthly for a 4-year/75,000-mile Driveline plan.
| Protect My Car Plan | Vehicle Profile | Coverage Term | Monthly Payment | Down Payment | Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme | 2018 Toyota RAV4 with 30,000 miles | 4 years/100,000 miles | $96.95 | $99.00 | $100.00 |
| Driveline | 2012 Chevy Equinox with 90,000 miles | 4 years/75,000 miles | $67.22 | $50.00 | $200.00 |
While both of these plans had unlimited payment terms, Protect My Car does offer set payment plans of 36 to 48 months. If you purchase a plan with unlimited payment terms, you may end up paying more in the long run.
The representative that we spoke with offered to work with us to reduce the price further if we purchased plans for both the Toyota and Chevy.
Protect My Car Payment
Protect My Car is known for having financing options that feature long terms and flexible payments, as their monthly rates are more affordable than dealerships and other aftermarket providers. While Protect My Car may not be the cheapest provider, its longer monthly payment periods allow for more affordable installments so customers can spread out the cost of vehicle expenses over time. You can expect a lower price tag overall if you opt for a payment schedule with higher monthly installments over a shorter period.
Discounts
Discounts are available for military members and students. if you fall into either of these categories make sure you mention this to your customer service rep for details.
Protect My Car Plans
Other than these basic similarities, each Protect My Car protection plan has slightly different eligibility requirements and coverage features. Protect My Car has three extended warranty plans (Supreme, Select, and Driveline) that cover vehicles with up to 10 years and 125,000 miles.
Because Protect My Car doesn’t offer the lowest or highest level of coverage on the market, all three of its plans are essentially midrange plans with some notable differences. The Supreme package has more expansive coverage and best suits newer vehicles with lower mileage. On the other hand, the Driveline and Select plans cover slightly fewer parts and are more suitable for older vehicles with higher mileage. In addition, the higher-tier plans come with add-on coverage options.
| Covered Component | Driveline | Select | Supreme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air Conditioning and Heating | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fuel System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cooling System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drive Axle | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transfer Case | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Differential Assembly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Timing Chain | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical | Partial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Front and Rear Suspension | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Brakes | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Turbocharger | ✓ | ||
| High-Tech Electrical Components | Optional |
Below are descriptions of the three coverage levels offered by Protect My Car:
Supreme
As the closest thing Protect My Car offers to a manufacturer’s warranty on a new car, the Supreme plan is a good fit for drivers who intend to keep their vehicles for a long time and seek coverage after their factory warranty expires. While this is the most comprehensive warranty offered by Protect My Car, it doesn’t cover as much as the bumper-to-bumper plans offered by top competitors. The is plan more closely resembles the comprehensive stated component contracts offered by most other providers.
Items Covered: Engine, Transmission, Drive Axle(s), Transfer Case, Timing Chain, Fuel System, Cooling System, A/C and Heating, electrical, steering, suspension, brakes, turbocharger, and high tech (optional).
Select
A good choice for used cars with over 50,000 miles and vehicles that are just outside the eligibility requirements for PMC Supreme, Select is the middle-ground between the highest and lowest plans. The Select package covers everything Supreme does except the turbocharger and navigation systems.
Items Covered: Engine, Transmission, Drive Axle(s), Transfer Case, Timing Chain, Fuel System, Cooling System, A/C and Heating, electrical, steering, front, suspension and, brakes.
Driveline
Protect My Car Driveline coverage is designed to protect the most essential components in an older car. This extended warranty for high-mileage cars is available for vehicles between four and 10 years old with more than 80,000 miles. This powertrain plus plan has the same basic level of coverage as the Select and Supreme plans with the exception of parts like the suspension, turbocharger, and navigation system. Coverage for the Driveline plan lasts for up to 5 years or 125,000 miles.
Items Covered: Engine, Transmission, Drive Axle(s), Transfer Case, Timing Chain, Fuel System, Cooling System, A/C and Heating, and some electrical components.
Protect My Car Roadside Assistance
Benefits that come with Protect My Car extended warranties include:
- Roadside assistance: The 24/7 roadside assistance provided in PMC plans include coverage for costs for up to $100 for jump-starts, lockout services, spare tire installation, fluid delivery, towing and phone concierge services in case of a mechanical breakdown or other roadside emergency. Drivers are limited to 2 roadside assistance calls per year with additional calls costing $50 per service. Towing services are limited to one tow per 72 hour period and covered vehicles can only be towed to a licensed repair facility.
- Rental car reimbursement: Pays for rental vehicles while your car is in the shop for covered repairs at a rate of $30 a day for up to 7 days at a max of 210 per occurrence.
- Trip interruption coverage: In cases where your vehicle must remain at a repair facility overnight or you are more than 150 miles from home, PMC will reimburse you for daily hotel and restaurant expenses at $50 dollars a day for up to three days.
Protect My Car Rewards
Protect My Car also offers a rewards program that provides savings and discounts at participating stores and restaurants. After PMC customers join, they get rewards dollars to spend every month. You start with $50 in rewards points after you sign up and Protect My Car continues to add rewards dollars as long as you are a member. Participating restaurants where PMC rewards dollars can be used include Marriott, Panera, Walmart, and Amazon.
Protect My Car Coverage Exclusions
While a Protect My Car vehicle service contract doesn’t cover everything, most of its exclusions are common in the industry. In order to keep your coverage valid, you’ll have to service your vehicle regularly in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. This will require you to cover maintenance at your own expense and be sure to maintain proof that such maintenance was completed for your vehicle. It is extremely important to keep a record of all repairs in order to prevent claims from being denied.
In addition to the exclusions and restrictions below, Protect My Car does not offer coverage in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Washington.
Excluded components and repairs: unauthorized repairs, worn parts that haven’t completely failed, parts that upgrade the vehicles value, aftermarket parts and modifications, wear and tear damage, cosmetic items, exhaust pipes, wires, plugs, and bulbs, accidental damage, weather, overheating and environmental damage, vehicle misuse, preexisting conditions, and failure to follow the factory maintenance schedule.
Ambassador Policies
Protect My Car also offers Ambassador Maintenance Plans, which is one of the few vehicle protection plans available for vehicles that are 13 years are older. While Ambassador plans are less expensive than regular service contracts, they do not pay for the entire cost of vehicle repairs.
A hybrid between an extended warranty and a prepaid maintenance contract, PMC Ambassador will cover between 50 and 75 percent of the costs for covered repairs, depending on the plan. While referred to as a maintenance program by the provider, Ambassador policies also cover breakdowns because they pay a percentage of repair expenses.
Though an excellent option for owners of older vehicles, Ambassador contracts can provide coverage for most vehicles regardless of odometer reading or age. This includes certified pre-owned vehicles. These plans are popular with those seeking used vehicle coverage great for vehicles with more than 150,000 miles.
Since Ambassador plans provide exclusionary coverage, they cover everything that isn’t explicitly covered in your contract. Plans differ based on the types of repairs they cover and whether or not they cover roadside assistance. The coverage comes with three free oil changes and two tire rotations annually. All plans have a 30-day, 1,000-mile waiting period.
The coverage levels for Ambassador packages are similar to the Supreme plan. Protected components include the engine, transmission, transfer case, drive axle, front and rear suspension, cooling system, A/C and heating, electrical, select braking components, timing chain, and turbocharger.
Ambassador Plans
Protect My Car offers three Ambassador coverage levels: Platinum, Elite, and Pro, all of which are usually paid for in monthly payments. You’ll notice that the coverage doesn’t vary much from the lowest level to the highest. The main differences are the deductible amount and whether or not extra benefits are included.
Below are descriptions of the costs and benefits of each specific plan:
Ambassador Platinum: The Ambassador Platinum Plan has a deductible of 25% of the cost of repairs and includes roadside assistance.
Ambassador Pro: The Ambassador Pro has a deductible of 50% of the cost of repairs but doesn’t include roadside assistance. Additional benefits include free oil changes and tire rotations.
Ambassador Elite: Ambassador Elite is the most comprehensive and expensive Ambassador plan. The Elite plan has a deductible of 50% of repair costs. Additional benefits include rental car reimbursement, free oil changes, free tire rotations, roadside assistance, and towing.
Here’s a closer look at the components covered by each plan:
| Car Component | Ambassador Elite | Ambassador Pro | Ambassador Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deductible | 50% | 50% | 25% |
| Engine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transfer Case | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drive Axle | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Differential Assembly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front and Rear Suspension | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cooling System | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air Conditioning and Heating | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Select Brake System Components | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Timing Chain | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turbocharger | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Ambassador Benefits: Complementary benefits that come with plans include lockout service, flat tire assistance, rental reimbursement, three oil changes per year, two tire rotations per year, roadside assistance (Elite and Platinum only), and a guaranteed savings of 25-75% on repairs.
Ambassador Exclusions: Components not included are brake pads, bulbs, spark plugs, rotors, airbags, mufflers, and wear and tear items.
Protect My Car Insurance
In addition to selling vehicle service contracts, Protect My Car is also a licensed insurance provider in 21 states. Protect My Car offers auto and insurance.
When you request a quote for an insurance policy with Protect My Car, you’ll receive dozens of quotes from over 30 AM Best rated car insurance carriers that include industry leaders like Progressive and Liberty Mutual. On average, by shopping around for car insurance annually you can expect to save between 15-25% on coverage, with some drivers saving as much as 50%. With Protect My Car, you can even maximize savings by bundling vehicle protection plans and insurance policies.
How Does Protect My Car Work?
Protect My Car offers a variety of quality extended vehicle warranty plans that cover both younger vehicles and older, high-mileage vehicles. As a direct provider, Protect My Car administers its own policies, meaning you won’t have to work with a middleman when filing claims.
Quotes Process
According to customer reviews, Protect My Car can work with nearly any customer’s budget to identify affordable options. Potential Protect My Car customers should speak with a PMC customer service representative for details about coverage, availability and pricing. In order to request a quote from Protect My Car, you can either fill out a form on the company website or call the company directly. Before signing up, make sure to read your contract and thoroughly understand the coverage provided by your potential plan.
Cancel Protect My Car
Like most providers, Protect My Car offers warranties with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’ve changed your mind or are unhappy with your coverage, you can receive a full refund within 30 days. After the 30 day period, you can get a prorated refund at any time.
If you cancel after the first 30 days, the prorated refund will be based on mileage or time and include a $50 cancellation free. In either case, any claims paid will also be deducted. To cancel a Protect My Car Warranty, all you have to do is call the company. In some cases, you may be required to fill out a cancellation form and send it to the provider.
Waiting Period
While there is a 30-day guarantee, you can’t actually use your coverage until after the 30-day period is over. For those with an Ambassador policy, this wait period is only 15 days. Having a specified wait period before coverage begins is a common practice in the industry that is put in place to protect the provider from having to pay for issues the owner knew about prior to purchasing the policy.
Transfer Your PMC Plan
Protect My Car warranties are also fully transferrable. Therefore, you decide to sell a vehicle covered by Protect My Car, you can either cancel for a prorated refund or transfer the coverage to the new owner.
Protect My Car Claims
Filing a claim with Protect My Car is a simple and straightforward process. As soon as you suffer a mechanical breakdown, call the PMC claims department. If you need towing, the provider will have your car towed to the nearest repair facility. When you a customer service rep, you’ll also want to obtain prior authorization before any repairs are performed (with the exception of emergencies outlined in the PMC contract).
Protect My Car Repairs
When your vehicle reaches an ASE-certified facility for a covered repair, you’ll need to give the shop your identification and warranty info. In some instances, you’ll need to have the repair facility perform an inspection on your vehicle in order to diagnose the issue and give a price estimate.
Protect My Car reserves the right to require these types of inspections. After this, the repair shop will get in touch with Protect My Car, who will authorize the auto repairs. Note that repair costs aren’t covered by your contact prior to any repair being authorized or performed.
Once covered repairs are completed, Protect My Car will either reimburse you for the cost of repairs (minus the deductible, which you pay upfront) or pay the shop directly.
Protect My Car Reviews and Ratings
However, as with most warranty companies, there are negative reviews about the claims experience too. It’s also important to note that Protect My Car online ratings are mostly from recent years and don’t reflect the company’s long history.
Protect My Car BBB Rating
The company has a 4.2-star rating from more than 570 customer reviews logged with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The organization rates Protect My Car with an A+. These are exceptionally high satisfaction ratings for this industry.
Customers have lodged 184 complaints against Protect My Car through the BBB in the last three years, but for an extended auto warranty company of Protect My Car’s size, this number represents only a small percentage of customers.
Positive Protect My Car Reviews
Satisfied Protect My Car customers mention quality claims service and great coverage. Several Protect My Car Reviews mentioned knowledgeable, courteous customer service agents and a simple repair process. The company has received a rating of “Excellent” from Trustpilot, with 81% of its 2,912 total customer reviews being positive, resulting in an impressive 4.6-star out of 5.0 aggregate rating on the platform.
Based on feedback from customers, Protect My Car representatives are thorough and take plenty of time to make sure customers understand what’s in their coverage.
“I have been with Protect My Car for the past five years, and they have paid out over $2,500 for my 2013 Nissan Quest. Their customer service support and how they look out for their customers is unlike anything I have encountered before…”
Francis D via. BBB
“Very satisfied with the recent service I received when I got a oil change. Had the shop call the number on the card and everything went smoothly from there.”
– Michael via Trustpilot
Protect My Car Review
We rate Protect My Car 8.7 out of 10 and recognize it for having the best Maintenance Benefits in 2021. Being able to choose between a maintenance plan and an extended auto warranty offers much flexibility, which is reflected in positive reviews about the company’s long, flexible payment terms.
When we reviewed the best extended car warranties across the country, and several offerings from Protect My Car were among our top picks. Protect My Car has a strong industry standing and offers reliable vehicle service contracts. Protect My Car reviews are mostly positive and reflect the company’s positive customer service reputation and use of good business practices.
Is Protect My Car Legit?
Overall, we think Protect My Car is one of the better extended auto warranty providers. Ambassador plans can protect older vehicles that most providers won’t cover. Also, because of Protect My Car’s flexible payment terms, the provider has some of the best long-term financing in the industry.
Is Protect My Car Worth It?
If you decide that you want an extended vehicle warranty, it is worth at least requesting a free quote from Protect My Car. While the overall price of Protect My Car warranties can be higher than the pricing of competitors, the provider offers long term financing options, excellent coverage and peace of mind, all of which are reflected in customer reviews of the company. The slightly higher prices may be worth it considering Protect My Car plans include benefits rarely offered by other providers.
Our Picks for Best Extended Car Warranties
Protect My Car is a good choice when it comes to an extended warranty, offering you peace of mind on the road for a reasonable rate. But anytime you shop for vehicle protection plans, it’s always a good idea to compare rates from multiple extended warranty companies. We recommend getting at least three quotes so you can make sure you’re getting the best coverage and price. Since prices will vary from customer to customer, you’ll want to have a quote for your exact vehicle.
In our market research of extended car warranty plans, we found a few providers that are head and shoulders above the rest. CARCHEX and CarShield are two of the most reputable providers in the business. Get a free quote from each so you can compare plans side by side.
CARCHEX: Best for High-Mileage Cars
For 21 years, CARCHEX has had an excellent reputation in the auto warranty industry. It has partnered with experts like Kelley Blue Book, CARFAX and Edmunds.com, and it has an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB. CARCHEX also has a 3.1 out of 5.0 star rating based on customer reviews from Trustpilot. CARCHEX offers 5 customizable plans with with terms extend up to 10 years or 250,000 miles, so high-mileage vehicles are covered. Our CARCHEX review found that warranty prices are affordable compared with other top providers, and CARCHEX customer service is top-of-the-line.
CarShield: Most Affordable
If saving money is your primary aim, CarShield has some of the cheapest prices around, flexible month to month payments, and low monthly costs. Along with six levels of coverage, there are plenty of add-on options including roadside assistance for when your car is in the shop. Among extended warranty providers, CarShield is the most popular. It’s endorsed by celebrities like sportscaster Chris Berman, actor Ernie Hudson of Ghostbusters and actress Adrienne Janic of TLC’s Overhaulin’. If you’re budget-conscious and looking for a low monthly payment, learn more about the company in our in-depth CarShield review.
Endurance: Best Coverage
Endurance is our pick for best coverage, earning a nearly a perfect score overall in the review we conducted on the company. Endurance is highly regarded for their short waiting periods and wide range of coverage options. Perhaps the main characteristic that separates Endurance from the competition is the fact that the company is a direct provider and administers its own contracts with no middlemen. Endurance offers 6 levels of coverage ranging from bumper-to-bumper to powertrain warranties with coverage available for vehicles with over 100,000 miles. Every Endurance plan comes with trip interruption coverage, rental car reimbursement, and 24/7 roadside assistance.
FAQ: Protect My Car
Is Protect My Car legitimate?
Yes, Protect My Car is a highly reputable extended warranty company with high ratings from both the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot.
Is Protect My Car expensive?
Based on our research, Protect My Car plans range from $55 to $100 per month. Depending on your plan, you may spend around $700 a year on Protect My Car coverage.
How do I cancel a Protect My Car warranty?
Protect My Car has a 30-day window from the start of the contract for customers to obtain a full refund. Cancelling a plan outside of that window means getting a prorated refund based on how much of the plan has been paid, and how many miles the car has been driven since coverage began.
Do I need to get my car serviced at the dealership with Protect My Car?
No. You can take your car to any ASE-certified repair shop for covered repairs with Protect My Car.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car warranty provider to formulate rankings of the best warranty companies. Our in-depth rating system takes into account coverage, pricing, transparency, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each provider is given a weighted score in five categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend auto warranty companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best coverage.
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