Protect My Car Review: Is It a Reliable Car Warranty Provider?

Editorial Note: Content was created in partnership with Money Research Collective. Cars.com receives a commission from the partner links contained within the content.

By Kiah Treece

January 2, 2026

Protect My Car, also known as PMC, is no longer in business. However, there are other car warranty companies that can provide protection. Car warranties, insurance policies and other protection plans can provide crucial protection for when unexpected events occur. Given that vehicles are among the most significant expenses for many Americans and entail substantial monthly payments, coverage can protect you against unforeseen malfunctions.

If you lack coverage, such as an extended car warranty, you might find yourself responsible for paying out of pocket for damages and repairs. Here’s what you need to know about Protect My Car’s former coverage options to compare it to the best extended car warranty companies currently offering coverage.

Protect My Car Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Personal customer service agents	No longer selling new plans
In-house claims processing	Need to contact company for plan pricing
Plans available with and without deductibles	Must contact company for mileage restrictions
Oil changes, tire rotations and PMC rewards	Not available in California, Washington or Canada

Is Protect My Car Worth the Cost?

Protect My Car no longer sells new policies. Still, if you own a high-mileage car or a model known for mechanical issues, an extended warranty like the one offered by Protect My Car can be a lifesaver, potentially saving thousands in repair costs.

However, for individuals with new cars still under the manufacturer’s warranty or those who have a reliable vehicle with a low repair history, the cost of an extended warranty plan may outweigh its benefits. Always weigh your needs and budget before deciding on any extended warranty program.

What Does Protect My Car Cover?

Protect My Car offered robust warranty coverage even as part of its entry-level package. Here’s what all of Protect My Car’s plans included:

Air conditioning and heating
Electrical
Cooling systems
Fuel systems
Drive axle(s)
Engine
Transmission
Transfer case
Seals and gaskets

Protect My Car’s higher-tier options were more expensive and current plan holders get coverage for these additional components:

Suspension
Steering
Brake
Navigation

In addition to coverage, each plan allowed up to three oil changes and up to two tire rotations per year. If you’re a current policy holder, you can take advantage of this benefit by providing your Protect My Car Contract ID number to the licensed repair facility that’s doing the work.

What does Protect My Car not cover?

Before closing, Protect My Car provided an extensive range of coverage options in the vehicle warranty industry. Still, like any extended warranty plan, there were a few common exclusions. Here’s what Protect My Car plans did not cover:

Damage resulting from collisions
Damage due to neglect or misuse
Long-term environmental damage
Damage resulting from natural disasters
Normal maintenance items
Aftermarket modifications
Normal wear and tear
Improper installation

Protect My Car Warranty Plans

Protect My Car offered three levels of vehicle protection to address a wide range of coverage needs. The company’s vehicle service contracts were available in every state except California and Washington.

Protect My Car handles claims in-house, and existing plans from Protect My Car include tire rotations, oil changes, customer support and the PMC Rewards Program. Protect My Car offered three packages:

Essential: Protect My Car’s Essential plan was designed for higher mileage vehicles up to 20 years old. The company’s most popular plan covered A/C, heating, electrical systems, seals and gaskets and more.
Deluxe: The Deluxe plan was intended for cars with less than 150,000 miles. Beyond coverage in the Essential plan, Deluxe covered suspension, steering and brake components.
Ultimate: This was Protect My Car’s most comprehensive plan and was intended for lower-mileage vehicles. It covered 95% of factory coverage, making it the company’s closest offering to a manufacturer’s warranty. The plan also included 12 months of maintenance.

Compare the best extended car warranty plans to evaluate your other options.

Protect My Car mileage limits

Protect My Car does not publish general mileage limits online. That said, the Essential plan was available for higher-mileage vehicles up to 20 years old, and the Deluxe plan was for cars with less than 150,000 miles. The Ultimate plan was limited to lower-mileage vehicles. Contact customer service for additional details.
Some of the best used-car warranty companies also offer coverage for vehicles up to 20 years old.

Protect My Car waiting period

Like most extended warranty companies, Protect My Car imposed a 30-day waiting period on all new plans. You cannot file a repair claim during this time. The company marketed this waiting period as a free 30-day look period during which you can cancel coverage and have your down payment refunded.

Protect My Car claims process

Protect My Car still offers claims processing for existing customers through its team of personal customer service agents. Rather than the customer filing a claim, the licensed repair shop will file a claim as part of the repair process. Protect My Car customers can contact the company’s Customer Loyalty department to learn more about the claims process. Customer Service can also help you locate a local repair facility.

Protect My Car customer satisfaction

Protect My Car has a 4.1-star rating on Trustpilot based on 3,547 customer reviews. However, the company’s online ratings are less positive through the Better Business Bureau. PMC has a C rating from the BBB, and current alerts indicate the company has a pattern of complaints related to customer service issues. Customers have given PMC a 2.87-star rating based on 462 reviews on the BBB website.

Negative reviews and BBB complaints reference difficulty reaching customer service. Others report difficulty getting coverage for their free oil changes and tire rotations.

Protect My Car customer service

Current and prospective Protect My Car customers can contact the company by phone. There are separate phone numbers for the Customer Service Department and roadside assistance benefits. Customers can also access the PMC self-service portal to make payments or manage their coverage.

Protect My Car Cost

Protect My Car doesn’t publish its pricing information online. However, it reports that whether there is a deductible depends on the level of coverage you purchase. The company also provided discounts for military members and students — though it didn’t specify how much eligible consumers saved.

Protect My Car Alternatives

Protect My Car previously offered three plans. The best car warranty companies vary by driver, so consider these Protect My Car alternatives before committing to extended warranty coverage.

Endurance: Endurance offers three main coverage plans. Every warranty policy includes 24/7 roadside assistance, tire replacement, key fob replacement, a collision discount, up to $1,000 toward a replacement vehicle and several rental car benefits.
CarShield: CarShield provides a broader range of coverage plans compared to Protect My Car, offering seven policy options for customers to choose from. Although CarShield imposes a mileage limitation of 225,000 miles, it also extends its coverage to include motorcycles and ATVs.
Carchex: Carchex presents a more robust warranty choice for individuals seeking short-term coverage. It stands out as one of the few providers that offers month-to-month warranties. Carchex provides a selection of five plan tiers, encompassing benefits such as trip interruption and roadside assistance.

Protect My Car Extended Car Warranty FAQ

Is Protect My Car a legit company?

Protect My Car was a legitimate company but it no longer provides comprehensive vehicle warranty plans. The company has a C rating through the BBB due to a pattern of complaints about customer service.

Who owns Protect My Car?

Though no longer operational, Protect My Car was a privately held company, so ownership details are typically not disclosed to the public. In 2018, members of the PMC team, along with funds managed by Crestview Partners, acquired the Florida-based company.

Is Protect My Car a good warranty?

Protect My Car previously offered three levels of vehicle protection, in-house claims processing and positive customer reviews. While mileage limits are not specified, the company’s plans covered a wide range of components and offer additional benefits like maintenance and rewards programs.

Is Protect My Car the same as CarShield?

Protect My Car is not the same as CarShield. They are two distinct companies offering extended vehicle warranty services. Each company provides different coverage plans with unique features and benefits. It’s essential to review and compare their offerings to determine the better choice for your vehicle protection needs.

Disclosure: We earn a commission from partner links from this article.