[kdm123]

Do you guys have any experience with aftermarket warranties? I have a 2018 ZLE with 30K miles and want to ensure against something major going wrong, like an engine or tranny.

[STYLO LT1]

Been curious about that myself. Anyone?

[2018 Blue 1LE]

I am dealing with that now, too.


I was told that the ZL1 was difficult/expensive for aftermarket companies to insure, but since I don't have one I don't have actual knowledge of that.


I was trying to get the GM warranty, but was told by a couple repair facilities that it is not the best.
One place directed me to a dealer finance dept, not GM dealer either. I did go in there and they indeed gave me a quote.
Same guy also recommended to try a credit union. That is my next calls today.


Recommended companies were AUL and CNA. The repair facility guy AND the dealer said these were a better warranty and that these places, the place you buy it from, would stand behind the customer, and fight for you if need be, in case of a denial.
These are not available for the consumer to purchase, but through a dealer or financial institution only.


I was told to stay FAR away from those that are advertised on TV/radio or that you can buy on your own. I kind of knew this already.



Again, just what I heard from a couple places so far.

[Texas1ss]

Originally Posted by kdm123

Do you guys have any experience with aftermarket warranties? I have a 2018 ZLE with 30K miles and want to ensure against something major going wrong, like an engine or tranny.

My 2016 1SS I bought new in 2016 had 115,000 miles on it, and I had it warrantied out to 144,000 I think it was, or till July 2026. I used Route 66 Extended Warranty. It's only sold through credit unions, but it saved me some money in the long run. I think I paid 2,000 for it when my car had 84,000 miles, and they just split up the payments and added it to my car note. The Chevy dealer's warranty was 5,000, which is crazy.

I had a fuel pump and thermostat issue that ended up being over 2,000. Later on they even changed both control arm assemblies with the ball joints, which surprised me, later on down the line, which was I think 1,200. I figured that was wear and tear. I got my money's worth and then some out of it.

They had no deductible, and they never tried to not pay on a claim, like I've heard with some other third-party warranties. Also had roadside assistance and towing coverage. The only thing it doesn't cover, because I got the bumper to bumper, was wiring issues and normal wear and tear. Great company if anybody's credit union offers it and needs a warranty.

I already put on my 2025 Black Trax Activ a warranty to 120,000 miles bumper to bumper for 2,300. Worth every penny, especially with a 3 cylinder turbo with a wet timing belt.

[2018 Blue 1LE]

Just for reference:


My quote today for the Rt. 66(Easy Street Domestic Factory Type Coverage) was $2300 for 8/120,000.


Another credit union quoted me 7/100,000 @ $2800 for $100 deductible or $3600 zero deductible.


Comes down to who do you feel will be there later and comparing the exclusions/coverage.


The dealer I got the aftermarket quote from, CNA, was $5966 for 7/78,000 and $100 deductible.
I am sure there is QUITE a bit of profit built into that price!!



GM via online source is 5/60,000 max for $3800 with a $100 deductible.

[Texas1ss]

Originally Posted by 2018 Blue 1LE

Just for reference:


My quote today for the Rt. 66(Easy Street Domestic Factory Type Coverage) was $2300 for 8/120,000.

That's the same one I have on my 2025 Trax Activ and had on my 2016 1SS. I had heard horror stories about third-party warranty companies, but I took the risk because the Camaro was my daily.

It paid for itself after my car topped 100,000 miles, and I had zero issues at all with Route 66 covering any repairs and giving me any pushback. Still surprised they changed both control arms and ball joints. Figured that would be wear and tear.

[Matt1LE]

I have a 4 year extended warranty. Went into effect when the factory ran out. You need to check what your deductible is. Some have deductibles some don't. Mine doesn't.

My passenger side mirror warning went out after a bad rain storm while on the road. Couldn't find any codes. I took it into the dealer. They troubleshot it, and had to replace the mirror unit cpu. (mirror glass and cpu only not the housing) It would have cost me $450, but the extended warranty paid everything.

With today's cars and all the electronics, the extended warranties are worth it.

[cellsafemode]

I've never purchased an aftermarket warranty for anything ever.

there's a reason they're almost 100% profit for the companies offering them.

I'd say, buy things you are confident in the quality of up front. an actual coverable defect would likely show up within the normal warranty period. and if you are worried about long term stuff your regular insurance won't cover, put the warranty money in a decent interest bearing account or stable stock.

but obviously i base some of my consideration of extended warranties as scams on anecdotal evidence... so

[Alan47717]

An extended warranty is simply a layaway plan for expenses/failures that might happen. I've never bought one and if I could remember how much they all would have cost my Camaro might have been free.

Sure, it would be a pain to have to pony up for a big expense suddenly but there's a good reason that the money is there when I need it.

[m6-lt1]

Originally Posted by Alan47717

An extended warranty is simply a layaway plan for expenses/failures that might happen. I've never bought one and if I could remember how much they all would have cost my Camaro might have been free.

Sure, it would be a pain to have to pony up for a big expense suddenly but there's a good reason that the money is there when I need it.

With how bad quality control is on modern cars I think they are worth it. In fact I’m surprised they haven’t gone up in price actually due to how much they pay out versus what they cost.

On my 2016 Camaro the extended warranty paid out more than I paid for it.

Ask anyone who has had lifter failure on their GM trucks how valuable the extended warranty is. They cost way less (if you shop for them the right way) then what they pay out. 15 years ago I would have agreed to stay away but with how complex modern cars are you might as well buy them.

Heck if your LED DRL goes out in your Camaro headlight there goes $1000 bucks!

[Texas1ss]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

With how bad quality control is on modern cars I think they are worth it. In fact I’m surprised they haven’t gone up in price actually due to how much they pay out versus what they cost.

On my 2016 Camaro the extended warranty paid out more than I paid for it.

Ask anyone who has had lifter failure on their GM trucks how valuable the extended warranty is. They cost way less (if you shop for them the right way) then what they pay out. 15 years ago I would have agreed to stay away but with how complex modern cars are you might as well buy them.

Heck if your LED DRL goes out in your Camaro headlight there goes $1000 bucks!

Exactly. That's why I got one, and it saved me money as well. The only time I wouldn't consider getting an extended warranty is on a car I didn't plan on keeping an extended period of time and I car hopped. Cars are just too complex nowadays, and they can cost a boatload to fix.

[Alan47717]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

With how bad quality control is on modern cars I think they are worth it. In fact I’m surprised they haven’t gone up in price actually due to how much they pay out versus what they cost.

On my 2016 Camaro the extended warranty paid out more than I paid for it.

Ask anyone who has had lifter failure on their GM trucks how valuable the extended warranty is. They cost way less (if you shop for them the right way) then what they pay out. 15 years ago I would have agreed to stay away but with how complex modern cars are you might as well buy them.

Heck if your LED DRL goes out in your Camaro headlight there goes $1000 bucks!

Based on the performance of the last five vehicles I have bought since I retired (before then I had two flip them every two years) I'm gonna have to disagree with you on the modem car quality control issue. Other than a few repairs out of warranty (totalling less than $800) on a truck that got beat to death hauling heavy RV's across country every dollar I spent on extended warranties would be down the drain.

Your example of LED DRL's is interesting. Are you saying extended warranty companies consider those to be "life of vehicle" components and not routine replacement items like any other light bulb? That would be truly surprising.

[m6-lt1]

Originally Posted by Alan47717

Based on the performance of the last five vehicles I have bought since I retired (before then I had two flip them every two years) I'm gonna have to disagree with you on the modem car quality control issue. Other than a few repairs out of warranty (totalling less than $800) on a truck that got beat to death hauling heavy RV's across country every dollar I spent on extended warranties would be down the drain.

Your example of LED DRL's is interesting. Are you saying extended warranty companies consider those to be "life of vehicle" components and not routine replacement items like any other light bulb? That would be truly surprising.

The LED strip in your head light is not “supposed” to go out anytime soon but everything has a lifespan. It is not a maintenance item because you have to replace the entire headlight housing. Some folks have been getting them replaced under warranty. It is a rare occurrence though. It of course has happened to folks out of warranty as well and that’s when the $1000 bill comes (including labor).

I actually think for this specific example we’ll start seeing shops that repair LED devices pop up.

[Scott12]

Check out Knapp they sell the GM warranty. https://www.knappvehicleservicecontracts.com/

I don't do a lot of miles so was looking at like 7 years for 1500 bucks and 100 deductible. Lots of folks use them. Decent prices that you can compare right on their website, no surprises from what a friend told me. That price is for my Colorado lot more complicated and techy than my Camaro but Camaro is still couple hundred more in price.