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Concord is a good extended warranty option, especially for those with used cars.
Extended warranty plans, or vehicle service contracts, provide customers coverage on their vehicle after the original vehicle warranty has expired. Concord says its extended warranty coverage offers “peace of mind…with the long term effect of protecting your budget.”
Interestingly, Concord highlights the difference between vehicle service contracts and extended car warranties, emphasizing that it offers only the former (I’ll explore this in more detail later on). It offers several protection plan options, and advertises high quality customer service.
As a staff writer for AutoInsurance.com, I was excited to learn more about Concord, and if an extended warranty policy could be a viable option should I ever purchase another car. My research confirmed that Concord’s plans are affordable, though third-party reviews gave me pause.
Nationwide coverage
Can be used at any dealership or car repair store
Limitless claims filing
Policies can be passed on to new vehicle owners
Roadside assistance operates 24/7, 365 a years
No app available
Customer service ratings have dropped in recent years
When it comes to vehicle purchase, I’m someone who values longevity and reliability above regular updates or the newest features. Unforeseen car repairs have been a major source of stress for me. For some, extended warranties can help offset this stress.
For those who intend to keep one car for as long as possible, car warranties can save you money. They can be purchased once your existing warranty has expired, or while your car is still under warranty.
Concord provides coverage for high end luxury cars, as well as second hand cars or cars with higher mileage. It stands out from other warranty companies, like Autopom! that don’t cover luxury cars or cars older than ten model years.
Antique or classic cars, along with vehicles run outside of the US are unfortunately not eligible for coverage under Concord.
Concord advertises selling extended car warranties, yet states in its FAQs the difference between extended car warranties and vehicle service contracts, emphasizing that it offers only the latter.
I initially found Concord’s categorization of their policies confusing. After additional research, I’m satisfied that extended warranties and vehicle service contracts function basically the same way. But, for a policy to be accurately named a warranty, it must be issued by the car manufacturer upon vehicle purchase.
Concord offers vehicle service contracts, rather than extended car warranties. The main reason for this is only the original auto-dealer can extend a warranty, and a vehicle service contract is an optional add on. In effect, they do the same thing—just under a different name.
Vehicle service contracts sold by Concord offer protection for issues with your vehicle once your original warranty has expired. These contracts can also be purchased in conjunction with an existing warranty, and may fill any gaps in coverage either in your warranty or auto insurance policy.
The first step to purchasing a policy is getting a quote. Concord has an online quote tool listed on their website which allows you to do this.
This quote tool gives you the option to add the following promotions:
Once a request for a quote has been submitted, Concord representatives review your request and contact you with a quote.
For those like me who value being able to interact directly with a customer service representative, Concord also gives the option to call for a quote, at (888) 399-2811.
I can’t speak directly to the claims filing process with Concord, but my research indicates a range of customer experiences and satisfaction, with some customers reporting a smooth claims filing process, and others reporting excessive need for documentation to file a claim.
An aspect of Concord’s vehicle service plans that appeals to me is the ability to call Concord directly over the phone at the dealership of your choice, and have it pay then and there. Concord’s website states no paperwork is required to file a claim, and the number of claims you can file is limitless.
Once you’ve presented your Concord Auto Protect policy information to the repair shop, Concord pays over the phone with its company credit card. If applicable, you will be required to pay any deductible. This is typically $100, and charged per repair shop visit instead of per claim, meaning that one deductible may cover multiple claims.
A policy from Concord does not cover airbags, carburetors, or windshields.
Concord gives the options of three different coverage plans: Powertrain (Concord’s most basic policy), Advanced, and Premium (its most comprehensive policy).
Your policy will be determined by Concord when you request a quote, and will take into account vehicle information and driving history.
The table below breaks down exactly what is covered by each Concord plan:
Plan Name | Powertrain | Advanced | Premium |
---|---|---|---|
What’s Included |
|
All elements of the Powertrain plan, plus:
|
All elements of the Powertrain and Advanced plan, plus:
|
For me, the Powertrain plan would be enough to provide the peace of mind that my older-model, second-hand car—the type of car I favor—would be protected. Those with higher end or luxury cars, however, may find more value in the premium plan which covers more modern features.
Before purchasing an extended warranty, review your existing warranty for gaps in coverage. Some extended warranty policies may just duplicate existing coverage, and become an unnecessary expense.
There are limitations to Concord’s coverage, and its policies exclude the following wear-and-tear and cosmetic features:
It’s worth bearing in mind these restrictions, and I’m glad I learned about these before moving forward with Concord, or any other extended warranty provider. Judging by the list of exclusions shown on their website, a Concord policy would not have helped me with battery failure or brake pad issues, which were my most expensive problems as a car owner.
During my research I found that some of the verbiage around Concord’s coverage inclusion to be a little contradictory. For example, “dead battery” is listed as an area of coverage, and “battery” is listed as an item excluded from coverage. I’d always recommend clarifying exactly what is not included in your plan before making a purchase on an extended warranty policy.
For ease of clarification on what is and is not included in your extended warranty policy, I’d suggest calling customer service directly, rather than using the site’s online quote tool.
Roadside assistance and rental reimbursement are included in the cost of all Concord plans.
Concord also offers a 30-day money back guarantee, if for any reason you are unsatisfied with your plan, within 30 days of purchase.
An extended service plan through Concord typically runs at around $40 a month—which is cheaper than the national average of $108. Though the exact cost of your plan will vary depending on driving history, and vehicle make, year, model, and mileage, generally you can expect to pay between $1,800 and $4,000 annually for a vehicle service contract from Concord.
Monthly price may also vary based on how many months you commit to in your plan.
The only way to accurately determine your rate is to get a quote from Concord, either by calling or using its online quote tool. I’d always advise comparing your quote from Concord with quotes from other vehicle service contract providers (along with your existing warranty or insurance coverages) to ensure you get the best coverage for your money.
I was impressed with the fairly wide-ranging scope of discounts offered by Concord, including:
Many extended warranty companies don’t offer discounts, making this list even more impressive. In addition, Concord offers holiday discounts, like Black Friday, Labor Day, and back-to school sales.
At the time of writing this review (the end of April, and not a holiday that I’m aware of), Concord’s website was advertising a flash sale of up to forty percent.
Concord has sales fairly regularly and advertises them on its website. If you know you’d like to purchase a policy, it may be worth hanging on until you see savings advertised.
A full refund will be issued by Concord for plans canceled within 30 days of purchase. After this 30 day period, should you wish to cancel your policy, Concord will refund the unused portion of your contract on a prorated basis. A $25 administrative fee will also be applied for any cancellations following the 30 day grace period.
Contracts through Concord are transferable, which means that once you sell your car, the new owner may take on the contract—and there may not be a need to cancel at all.
Concord provides its customers 24/7 live support, via phone, email, or a customer enquiry form listed on Concord’s website.
Concord is not accredited by the BBB, but as of 2024 the company has received an F grade, and 2.75 out of 5 stars, averaged from 118 customer reviews.1 This is a significant drop from 2022, when Concord was rated a B and 4.4 out of 5 stars from 62 customer reviews.
Unfortunately, as of April, 2024, the BBB issued an alert for Concord due to the number and type of complaints filed against it.
Concord is currently rated a total of 1.7 out of 5 stars, based on a total of 369 reviews. By Trustpilots metrics, this puts Concord at a “bad” rating.2 Seventy-six percent of these reviews, however, are 5 star reviews—which suggests significant variability in the quality of Concord’s customer service experience.
While Concord doesn’t seem to have significant financial issues, it isn’t rated by reputed agency AM Best, which gives me pause about its financial strength.
Unlike some competitors, for example Carshield and Endurance, Concord does not offer a mobile app. Concord customers will need to contact an agent using the 24 hour customer service phone number or 24-hour website chatline.
According to its website, filing claims with Concord does not require paperwork or uploading photographs. Because of this, I would argue a lack of app doesn’t put Concord customers at too much of a disadvantage. For me, reliable customer service is worth more than a comprehensive app.
Still, those who like to be able to monitor their policies using online tools may prefer a provider that allows for in-app policy and claims management.
Concord Auto Protect was founded by Michael Solomon in 2013. As of 2024, Alan Salmon is the CEO of the company, which is headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Concord offers vehicle service contract coverage nationwide, for a range of vehicles.
Concord is a vendor rather than a broker, why is why I chose to compare it with other vendors such as Toco and Endurance.
Both Toco and Endurance fare better than Concord when it comes to third-party customer service ratings. Toco is awarded an A+ by the BBB, and Endurance is awarded an A-. Trustpilot assigns Toco an average rating, and Endurance is rated as excellent.
When it comes to pricing, Concord is on the lower end of the spectrum at $40 monthly.
Category | Better Business Bureau | Trust Pilot | Average Monthly Cost | App |
---|---|---|---|---|
Concord | F (2.75 out of 5 stars) | Bad (1.7 out of 5 stars) | $40 | No |
Toco | A+ (4.6 out of 5 stars) | Average (3.7 out of 5 stars) | $44 | No |
Endurance | A- (3.61 out of 5 stars) | Excellent (4.6 out of 5 stars) | $99 | Yes – Endurance Mobile |
We review vehicle service contracts by taking the following into consideration:
Concord has the ability to pay claims over the phone without the hassle of being reimbursed. With 2.75 out of 5 stars awarded by BBB, however, customer satisfaction with claims handling from Concord is a bit of a mixed bag, with some customers reporting requests for excessive photographs and paperwork.
In some instances, taking out an extended warranty may end up costing you more than the cost of vehicle repairs would. In addition, some people may dislike the idea of having an additional policy to manage, or find the idea of navigating a claims process to be burdensome.
Depending on your vehicle and existing insurance coverage, you may find an extended warranty to be an unnecessary cost.
For some drivers, an extended warranty can be a highly worthwhile investment. Extended warranties often provide coverage for issues that their manufacturer’s warranty does not. Those who live in a state with higher repair costs, or who own an unreliable vehicle, may also find there are good benefits to purchasing an extended warranty.
Just as car prices are negotiable, you may be able to talk down the price of your extended warranty policy. Your success may depend on the specific company you are working with, and could even vary from customer service to customer service agent. Still, it never hurts to try! Especially as the cost of an extended warranty is variable depending on many factors, including the type and age of your vehicle and driving history. If you choose to negotiate, it helps to have a quote from another company in hand to use as leverage.
Business Profile: Concord Auto Protect. Better Business Bureau. (2024).
https://www.bbb.org/us/pa/king-of-prussia/profile/auto-warranty-services/concord-auto-protect-0241-236024557
Concord Auto Protect. Trustpilot. (2024).
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/concordautoprotect.com?stars=5