{"id":16882,"date":"2025-02-25T07:51:47","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T12:51:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/?post_type=is-it-scam&#038;p=16882"},"modified":"2025-02-25T07:51:48","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T12:51:48","slug":"is-carshield-a-scam","status":"publish","type":"is-it-scam","link":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/is-it-scam\/is-carshield-a-scam\/","title":{"rendered":"Is CarShield a Scam?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#what-is-car-shield\">What Is CarShield?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#is-car-shield-a-scam\">Is CarShield a Scam?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#so-should-you-use-car-shield\">So, Should You Use CarShield?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#how-to-use-car-shield-safely\">How to Use CarShield Safely<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re thinking of using CarShield, you need to know: Is CarShield a scam?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below, we explain whether CarShield is a scam and discuss some steps you can take to improve your safety with this company.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-car-shield\">What Is CarShield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>CarShield is a provider of vehicle service contracts and extended warranties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"528\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshield-2-1024x528.png\" alt=\"CarShield\" class=\"wp-image-16883\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshield-2-1024x528.png 1024w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshield-2-300x155.png 300w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshield-2-768x396.png 768w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshield-2.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The company has various plans for different vehicle types and coverage needs. These plans can include protection for major components such as the engine, transmission, electrical systems, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Customers can choose coverage levels that best fit their individual needs and budgets, ensuring that drivers only pay for the services they require.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CarShield says it partners with a vast network of trusted repair shops and trained technicians. In case of a breakdown or repair need, CarShield administrators facilitate the repair process by getting the vehicle into a shop and handling the covered repair costs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"is-car-shield-a-scam\">Is CarShield a Scam?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s hard to say.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cartalk.com\/extended-warranties\/carshield-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Car Talk<\/a>, CarShield is a popular choice in the industry.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Car Talk experts say they <em>\u201cfound a few things about CarShield that makes us take a step back and recommend proceeding with caution. Many of their reviews and ratings are troubling.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1005\" height=\"264\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldreview.png\" alt=\"CarShield review by Car Talk\" class=\"wp-image-16884\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldreview.png 1005w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldreview-300x79.png 300w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldreview-768x202.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1005px) 100vw, 1005px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While Car Talk lists some CarShield pros (pricing set at one monthly fee, towing and roadside assistance, multiple plans available, etc.), the cons, even though fewer, seem to outweigh these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cons are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Very poor ratings on some review websites.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Better Business Bureau warning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An alert warning on CarShield\u2019s own contact page about long wait times.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Car Talk says that the long-term costs of CarShield are high, so monthly payments can accumulate to substantial amounts over time (e.g., $4,680 over three years), which may outweigh potential repair savings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, Car Talk recommends <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cartalk.com\/extended-warranties\/is-carshield-legit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">looking at CarShield alternatives<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumeraffairs.com\/auto_warranty\/carshield.html?page=1#sort=recent&amp;filter=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Consumer Affairs<\/a>, CarShield gets a 4.0 out of a 5.0-star rating (from 9,407 reviews). Most recent reviews (i.e., all the reviews on the first page) are 1.0-star.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"798\" height=\"356\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldconsumeraffairs.png\" alt=\"CarShield review on Consumer Affairs\" class=\"wp-image-16885\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldconsumeraffairs.png 798w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldconsumeraffairs-300x134.png 300w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldconsumeraffairs-768x343.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/CommercialsIHate\/comments\/130ud5v\/has_anyone_you_know_ever_actually_signed_up_for\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Feedback on Reddit<\/a> about CarShield is not great, either.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"717\" height=\"125\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldreddit.png\" alt=\"CarShield review Reddit\" class=\"wp-image-16886\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldreddit.png 717w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldreddit-300x52.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 717px) 100vw, 717px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Among common <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/serviceadvisors\/comments\/1e9f871\/deleted_by_user\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">complaints about CarShield<\/a> is that they decline coverage and are slow to provide reimbursements.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freep.com\/story\/money\/personal-finance\/susan-tompor\/2024\/08\/06\/carshield-complaints-soar-leading-to-10-million-settlement-with-ftc\/74634699007\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">one example<\/a>, a customer purchased a CarShield plan for her 2009 GMC Acadia, paying approximately $99 monthly (totaling nearly $3,000). When her transmission failed, CarShield denied coverage, citing that the vehicle&#8217;s odometer had been tampered with to appear below 100,000 miles, a condition not disclosed at the time of purchase.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The customer was left to pay $2,500 out-of-pocket and was denied a refund for her payments, highlighting deceptive sales practices that misrepresented the extent of coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"551\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshielddetroitfreepress-2.png\" alt=\"Article about CarShield in the Detroit Free Press\" class=\"wp-image-16887\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshielddetroitfreepress-2.png 551w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshielddetroitfreepress-2-300x245.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 551px) 100vw, 551px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbb.org\/us\/mo\/saint-peters\/profile\/auto-service-contract-companies\/carshield-0734-310030296\/complaints\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Complaining to the Better Business Bureau<\/a> seems to help.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"737\" height=\"587\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldbbb.png\" alt=\"CarShield BBB complaint\" class=\"wp-image-16888\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldbbb.png 737w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldbbb-300x239.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 737px) 100vw, 737px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2024, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/business-guidance\/blog\/2024\/07\/ftc-says-carshield-shielded-consumers-truth-about-limitations-its-vehicle-service-contracts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint<\/a> against CarShield for deceptive advertising practices related to its vehicle service contracts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The FTC said that CarShield misled consumers by overstating coverage benefits, falsely claiming that customers could use their preferred repair shops, and using misleading celebrity endorsements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of a proposed $10 million settlement, CarShield must cease these misleading practices and comply with stricter advertising and telemarketing regulations for up to ten years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other online reviews (like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cars.com\/car-warranty\/money\/carshield-warranty-reviews\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">this one from cars.com<\/a>) point out that the complaints against CarShield are \u201crelatively few\u201d compared to the number of contracts (1,118,000+) sold.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Safety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In its <a href=\"https:\/\/carshield.com\/why-carshield\/our-company\/privacy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">privacy policy<\/a>, CarShield says it uses \u201celectronic and physical security\u201d to keep your data secure but does not go into detail.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldsafety-1024x150.png\" alt=\"How CarShield safeguards your personal information, according to its privacy policy \" class=\"wp-image-16889\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldsafety-1024x150.png 1024w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldsafety-300x44.png 300w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldsafety-768x112.png 768w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldsafety.png 1143w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Privacy&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In its<a href=\"https:\/\/carshield.com\/why-carshield\/our-company\/privacy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> privacy policy<\/a>, CarShield outlines the information it collects, for what purposes, and with whom it shares it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"388\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldinfowecollect-1024x388.png\" alt=\"Information CarShield collects, according to its privacy policy \" class=\"wp-image-16890\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldinfowecollect-1024x388.png 1024w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldinfowecollect-300x114.png 300w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldinfowecollect-768x291.png 768w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldinfowecollect.png 1169w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It may collect personal information (e.g., name, phone number, address, etc.), internet and electronic activity (e.g., browsing history and interactions with websites, apps, and advertisements), commercial information (e.g., products or services purchased), biometric information (data related to physical or behavioral characteristics), protected classification characteristics, geolocation data, multimedia information, professional or employment-related information, education information, and payment information. It may also collect non-personal information.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CarShield collects this kind of data to provide and improve its services, process transactions and manage accounts, personalize user experience, and communicate with customers about their services and offers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It says it may share your information with third parties to allow them to provide you with information about their products and services.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/CommercialsIHate\/comments\/130ud5v\/has_anyone_you_know_ever_actually_signed_up_for\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Some people noted<\/a> that even though they canceled CarShield years ago, they continue to get emails, phone calls, and letters from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"744\" height=\"194\" src=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldspam.png\" alt=\"Reddit post - Redditor saying they still get CarShield spam even though they no longer use it\" class=\"wp-image-16891\" srcset=\"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldspam.png 744w, https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/carshieldspam-300x78.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 744px) 100vw, 744px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"so-should-you-use-car-shield\">So, Should You Use CarShield?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Maybe not, given the significant number of negative reviews, regulatory actions, and reported customer service issues.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You are probably better off looking at alternative extended warranty providers with stronger reputations and more positive customer feedback to ensure you receive reliable and trustworthy coverage for your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you decide to go with CarShield, take precautions (see the next section).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-use-car-shield-safely\">How to Use CarShield Safely<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some tips for a safer experience with CarShield.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Compare it with alternatives:<\/strong> Before choosing CarShield, compare its plans with those of other extended warranty providers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Choose the right plan. <\/strong>Select a plan that best fits your vehicle\u2019s needs and your budget. Ensure it covers the most critical components of your car.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Understand coverage.<\/strong> Carefully review the details of your chosen CarShield plan to know exactly what is covered and what is excluded. Pay attention to sections listing limitations and exclusions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Provide accurate information about your vehicle.<\/strong> Doing so can help you avoid issues with claims later on.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maintain records.<\/strong> Keep thorough maintenance records to prove that your vehicle has been properly maintained to avoid claim denials due to neglect.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Track payments.<\/strong> Regularly check your accounts to ensure your monthly premiums are accurate and there are no unauthorized charges.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stay updated.<\/strong> Keep up-to-date with any changes in CarShield\u2019s policies or plans that may affect your coverage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Document customer service interactions.<\/strong> Keep records of all communications with customer service.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our guide to whether CarShield is a scam.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":16883,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"class_list":["post-16882","is-it-scam","type-is-it-scam","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/is-it-scam\/16882","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/is-it-scam"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/is-it-scam"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16883"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joindeleteme.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16882"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}