GMC Extended Warranty: Cost, Plans, And Coverage
The GMC extended warranty is available with the Platinum, Silver, or Powertrain Protection Plans, which can cover up to 8 years/100,000 miles.
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- GMC’s Protection Plan is similar to its factory warranty, offering both powertrain and bumper-to-coverage – but can cover your GMC car for up to 8 years/100,000 miles.
- Owners get benefits like roadside assistance and rental car coverage with a GMC Protection Plan.
- Third-party companies offer other benefits that a GMC Protection Plan can’t, like a wider variety of repair facilities and coverage beyond 100,000 miles.
Whether you’re looking for a new GMC, thinking of buying one used, or are a current owner, protecting your vehicle should be top of mind. A GMC extended warranty is one way to do so.
While the GMC factory warranty is comprehensive, it’s essential to understand its limitations in order to protect yourself from unforeseen costs after it expires.
Read on for a full breakdown of the GMC warranty and our recommendations for extended warranties. We’ll also explain the differences between GMC extended warranties offered at dealerships and those from the best car warranty companies.
GMC Extended Warranty Coverage
The GMC extended warranty can cover up to eight years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, which is quite a bit more than the factory warranty of 3 years/36,000 miles. You have three options for coverage: Platinum, Silver, or Powertrain. All of these come with the same added benefits like roadside assistance and rental car coverage.
Below is a comparison of what the three plans cover:
| Component/System | Platinum Plan | Silver Plan | Powertrain Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drive axle | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hybrid and electric parts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front and rear suspension | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Electrical parts | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Steering parts | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Climate control system | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Brakes | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Audio system | ✓ | ||
| Navigation system | ✓ | ||
| High-tech parts | ✓ |
GMC’s protection plans are administered by Safe-Guard Products International and you can go to your GMC dealer or another authorized facility for repairs.
Platinum Protection Plan
If you want the closest thing you can get to factory coverage, this is the plan for you. The Platinum Protection Plan is a bumper-to-bumper vehicle service contract (VSC)*, which means it covers almost any mechanical breakdown except for a small list of exclusions as outlined in the contract. Essentially, if you don’t see a GMC component listed in your contact, you can consider it covered.
Silver Protection Plan
The Silver Protection Plan is a good mid-level option that covers many major systems of the vehicle. This includes everything under the Powertrain Plan, plus the front and rear suspension, the electrical, steering, and more. Silver Protection is better for those who need a little more than the bare essentials covered, but who don’t want to spend the larger costs associated with Platinum coverage.
Powertrain Protection Plan
The Powertrain Protection Plan covers the basic components that move your car forward. These include the engine, transmission, drive axle, and hybrid drive components. GMC’s factory powertrain warranty lasts for 5 years/60,000 miles.
This means the Powertrain Protection Plan would give you an extra 3 years/40,000 miles of coverage (since 8 years/100,000 miles is the limit). Powertrain is one of the most sought after warranties on the market, as it covers the most vital parts of the car, and the parts that are the most expensive to fix. It’s also usually the cheapest plan in any roster of warranty options, no matter the company that’s offering it.
For further context, the graphic below shows the major differences between the two most popular coverage choices in the extended warranty industry: the bumper-to-bumper contract, and the powertrain plan:
To learn more about the warranty industry and coverage, check out our Car Warranty Guide.
GMC Extended Warranty Benefits
You can cancel a GMC Protection Plan within 30 days and get your money back. The plan is also transferable to secondary owners for a $50 fee. Beyond that, all plans come with the following perks:
- Roadside assistance: This 24-hour service covers lockout assistance, battery jump-starts, fuel deliveries, towings, and spare tire installations up to different limits.
- Trip interruption: This covers food and lodging costs up to $200 per day for five days if you have a breakdown over 100 miles from home.
- Rental car coverage: This helps pay for a rental car or alternate transportation for $40 per day up to 10 days when your car is in the shop.
GMC Extended Warranty Exclusions
Here are the general things the GMC Protection Plan won’t cover, no matter the level of coverage:
- Damage from accidents, the environment, or misuse
- Aftermarket modifications
- Damage from lack of maintenance
- Regular maintenance services
- Parts prone to wear out like brake pads and wiper blades
This list is actually very standard across the warranty industry as a whole. GMC’s Protection Plans also won’t cover any pre-existing mechanical issues.
GMC Extended Warranty: Cost
Warranty costs are dependent upon the make, model, mileage, and year of your vehicle. Due to this, you should contact your local dealership to get a GMC extended warranty quote. Doing so will give you the most accurate estimate and will help you to answer any questions about the cost of a GMC extended warranty before you make a purchase.
GMC Extended Warranty Prices
In 2023, our team surveyed 1,000 people across the U.S. who had purchased an extended warranty from the manufacturer. In our survey, 21 respondents were GMC owners. A third of these respondents paid under $1,000 for their warranties, 29 percent paid between $1,000 and $2,000, and 38 percent paid over $2,000. With over half paying under $2,000, GMC coverage is affordable compared to the market average for a warranty, which is about $3,026.
Is A GMC Extended Warranty Worth It?
Whether or not a GMC extended warranty is worth it depends on a variety of factors, including existing coverage, vehicle reliability, maintenance costs, and the quality of the extended warranty itself.
When looking at the long-term investment you make when purchasing a vehicle, it’s important to consider all possible scenarios. To help you determine whether or not a GMC extended warranty is the right choice, we’ll look at each of these factors in detail.
GMC Factory Warranty
First, consider your existing coverage when shopping for a vehicle service contract. A GMC extended warranty will only take effect after the original factory warranty expires, so make sure you’re only purchasing essential coverage.
GMC has a relatively comprehensive warranty, but it only lasts for the first few years of vehicle ownership. Below are some details about your GMC manufacturer’s warranty:
| GMC Warranty | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| New Vehicle Limited Warranty | GMC provides “bumper-to-bumper” comprehensive coverage for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. This means almost all of the vehicle is protected, with just a short list of exclusions. |
| Powertrain Limited Warranty | This warranty covers powertrain components like the engine, transmission, and driveline for 5 years or 60,000 miles. |
| Corrosion Protection | GMC offers protection from elemental rust formation on sheet metal for a period of 3 years or 36,000 miles. This protection is designed to protect against rust from the outside moving inside. |
| Rust-Through Protection | GMC offers protection from rust and corrosion on sheet metal that spread inside to outside for 6 years or 100,000 miles. This coverage does not include rust from road salts, etc. |
| Roadside Assistance | 24/7 roadside assistance is available throughout the 5-year/60,000-mile warranty period. |
| Courtesy Transportation | Whenever warranty repairs are needed, several transportation options and/or reimbursement of certain transportation expenses are available for your convenience. |
GMC Factory Warranty Exclusions
Although the GMC factory warranty is comprehensive for a short time, keep in mind that not everything is covered. Typically, a warranty is in place to cover defects in quality, assembly, or workmanship and not things beyond GMC’s control. These factors include:
- Regular maintenance (oil, tire rotation, and more)
- Tire defects (tire manufacturers have their own warranties)
- Damage caused by neglect
- Accidents
- Wear-and-tear items (brake pads, tires, and more)
GMC Reliability
According to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM, GMC ranks 14th out of 32 automakers in initial quality. GMC has traditionally been known for its durability, but certain models have begun to slip in reliability ratings over the years.
The systems that make up GMC models are complex and often quite expensive – leading to potentially hefty repair bills down the line if drivers don’t have proper coverage.
GMC Maintenance Costs
In addition to any existing coverage, you should consider the cost of GMC repairs when deciding if a GMC extended warranty is worth it. Costly repairs can break the bank when paid entirely out of pocket. Because one or two repairs covered by extended coverage can pay for the entire contract cost, a GMC extended warranty often saves drivers money.
Are GMC Parts Expensive?
Let’s take a look at the price of some of the most common replacement parts for GMC cars. According to RepairPal, here are some common repairs and replacement costs for GMC:
| GMC Model | Part Replacement | Cost Range |
| GMC Acadia | Radiator fan assembly replacement | $1,151 to $1,265 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | Water pump replacement | $912 to $1,163 |
| GMC Yukon | Head gasket replacement | $1,675 and $1,892 |
As your GMC ages, the likelihood of repairs increases. At 100,000 miles, cars start needing more work. According to Endurance’s Director of Marketing, Jessica Campbell, transmissions are the most common repair claim the company receives followed by water pumps.
What GMC Owners Say About Coverage
GMC owners on our survey also shared their thoughts on how satisfied they were with coverage. Here are a few quotes from satisfied respondents:
- “I was very satisfied – especially when the transmission failed.”
- “I’m extremely satisfied with the quality of my warranty.”
- “I am very satisfied. It is great coverage and a great price.”
That said, one respondent said they were satisfied with the coverage but not with the price. Pricing can vary significantly depending on the vehicle and condition, so we recommend comparing multiple quotes when you shop.
GMC Aftermarket Warranty Options
Third-party extended warranty companies are more flexible and offer drivers greater coverage options than automaker warranties. Unlike coverage straight from GMC, many providers will cover vehicles for up to 200,000 miles and offer five or six specific levels of coverage.
Some independent warranty companies also have perks such as roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and towing, so you’ll want to read the fine print when comparing policies. According to our quote data, the average cost of a third-party plan is $3,026 for three to five years of coverage.
GMC Extended Warranty Choices
After we analyzed these factory plans, we believe that third-party companies like Endurance, CarShield, and Carchex offer better extended warranties for GMC owners. These companies provide more customizable plans to fit your budget while offering similar protection to ensure your peace of mind. Plus, coverage can be much less expensive.
You should compare coverage and prices to find the best overall policy. Below is a comparison of the GMC extended warranty with some of the industry’s best extended warranty plans. We recommend getting at least three quotes from third-party extended warranty companies before making a final decision.
| GMC Extended Warranty | Carchex | Endurance | CarShield | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start Date | Anytime | Anytime | Anytime | Anytime |
| Max Length of Coverage | 8 years/100,000 miles | 10 years/250,000 miles | 8 years/200,000+ miles | 10 years/300,000 miles |
| Number of Plan Options | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Transferable | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deductible | Varies | $0, $50, $100 | $0, $50, $100, $200 | $0, $50, $100, $200 |
| Trip Interruption | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Roadside Assistance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Repair Network | GMC dealers only | > 30,000 facilities nationwide | ASE-Certified® repair facilities | ASE-Certified repair facilities |
| Cancellation Policy | Refund if within 30 days | Refund if within 30 days | Refund if within 30 days | Refund if within 30 days |
| Availability | From local dealer | Free, instant quote | Free, instant quote | Free, instant quote |
GMC Extended Warranties: Bottom Line
This article analyzed the GMC extended warranty and compared its cost and coverage with leading third-party vehicle service contracts. Our research shows that buying a third-party extended warranty for your GMC can save you money and reduce hassle.
GMC Extended Warranty: Recommended Providers
After purchasing your GMC, make sure to get at least three quotes if you’re shopping for an extended warranty. We recommend Endurance, CarShield, and Carchex for GMC due to their coverage options, affordable extended warranty plans, and customer service.
Endurance: Best Coverage
In our review of the best extended car warranty providers, Endurance came out on top. The company offers direct-to-consumer extended warranties. This means that, unlike many third-party brokers across the industry, warranty services come directly from Endurance. There’s no go-between or underwritten provider.
Many positive Endurance warranty reviews focus on customer service during the quote and claims processes. A few benefits include:
- High-mileage options: Endurance plans can cover up to 200,000+ miles, meaning that your car is covered well into the years when expensive repairs are often needed.
- Flexibility on repair facilities: Endurance allows customers to have their cars serviced by any technician certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®), meaning that you can choose from thousands of repair shops across the country.
- Money-back guarantee: If you’re not happy with your Endurance plan, you can cancel within the first 30 days of purchase.
Read more: Endurance warranty review
CarShield: Best For Electric Vehicles
CarShield offers the type of flexibility that modern consumers demand and has proven to be a popular choice since opening its doors in 2005. Over 1 million consumers have trusted their vehicle protection to CarShield. The company’s extended warranty plans span seven levels of coverage, from comprehensive bumper-to-bumper offerings to coverage for basic powertrain components. CarShield even has a new VSC specially made for electric and hybrid vehicles, which is very rare in the warranty industry, and why we named it “Best for Electric Vehicles.”
CarShield has a huge number of online reviews from customers all over the country. Based on our comprehensive research, here are a few perks:
- Month-to-month contracts: Many of the company’s plans are month-to-month, making it much easier to work the warranty into your budget.
- Claims paid directly to repair facilities: Like Endurance, CarShield pays claims directly to auto repair facilities, so there’s no need to front your own cash.
- Coverage for high-tech components: CarShield offers additional security with its high-tech coverage option. This plan protects your GMC’s state-of-the-art systems, including the engine control module and navigation system, along with electrical components like the factory audio, alternator, and power window controls.
Read more: CarShield review
Carchex: Best For Used Vehicles
When we took a look at Carchex, we were impressed by the number of options for customization throughout its five levels of coverage. Plans range from comprehensive coverage to the most basic components required to keep your car running smoothly. We named Carchex “Best for Used Vehicles” because it routinely takes in cars with over 200,000 miles on them.
Carchex also has a reputable customer service department and has Better Business Bureau (BBB)* accreditation along with an A+ rating. Purchasing a CARCHEX extended warranty comes with the following perks:
- Your choice of repair facilities: All Carchex plans allow you to select from more than 30,000 certified repair shops across the U.S. The company pays your claim upfront, never forcing you to front the money for repairs.
- Emergency roadside assistance: Every Carchex plan comes with 24/7 roadside assistance. This includes allowances for towing and rental cars, trip interruption services, and gas deliveries.
- Outstanding customer care: Carchex prides itself on its customer-centric approach and won’t hassle or use high-pressure tactics to force a decision. Carchex representatives are trained to consult potential customers, identifying and outlining the details of the best plan options based on their needs and budgets.
Read more: Carchex review
*The BBB is a trusted organization that studies and rates the business practices, customer experiences, and licensing information of many different companies.
GMC Extended Warranty: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions from consumers about the GMC extended warranty.
Can you extend the GMC warranty?
With GMC, you have three extended warranty options: the Platinum Protection Plan, the Silver Protection Plan, and the Powertrain Protection Plan. All plans can cover up to 8 years/100,000 miles and come with roadside assistance, rental car coverage, and trip interruption.
Do I need an extended warranty?
As your car ages, mechanical breakdowns are more likely to occur. Buying an extended auto warranty will protect your car when inevitable mechanical failures happen. While additional protection is an excellent way to reduce car repair costs, it’s even wiser if you have an older model or a high-mileage vehicle.
How much is a GMC extended warranty?
Warranty costs depend upon the make, model, mileage, and year of your vehicle. You should contact your local dealership to get a GMC extended warranty quote that is specific to your car. Doing so will give you the most accurate customized quote and could help to answer any questions about GMC extended warranty costs before you make a purchase.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Warranty providers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of extended warranty plans available, coverage terms, and added benefits like roadside assistance.
- Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of plans and vehicles. Companies with lower prices per year of coverage receive the best scores.
- Transparency: This score takes into account contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each warranty company.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
*VSCs are technically not extended warranties, but serve the same function. VSCs are often created by separated companies (though offered and sold through dealerships) – and have their own regulations. However, VSCs can be considered as extended warranties when offered by auto manufacturers.
