The GM extended warranty offers 5 years/60,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage when purchased directly from Chevrolet, Buick or GMC. Each Cadillac receives longer extended warranty protection, with the automaker providing coverage for 6 years/70,000 miles.
We at the Home Media reviews team researched all four GM extended warranties and the best extended car warranty options from third-party providers. In this article, we’ll explain the typical costs, coverage details and exclusions found in a GM extended warranty.
GM extended warranty overview
Owners who’d like to keep their vehicles safe after their manufacturer’s warranties expire ought to consider GM extended warranty plans. General Motors offers standard extended car coverage along with Platinum Protection Plans, which are somewhat similar to third-party warranties.
GM Extended Limited Warranty (Chevrolet, Buick or GMC) | 5 years/60,000 miles | Bumper-to-bumper warranty that extends to all vehicle parts not explicitly excluded in the contract |
Cadillac Extended Limited Warranty | 6 years/70,000 miles | Bumper-to-bumper warranty that extends to all vehicle parts not explicitly excluded in the contract |
GM Platinum Protection Plan | Up to 5 years/60,000 miles | A vehicle service contract endorsed by GM but offered by AMT Warranty that offers less coverage than other GM extended warranty plans |
While the GM Extended Limited Warranty must be purchased when the new car is purchased, AMT Warranty lets drivers buy the GM Platinum Protection Plan later in the vehicle’s life span. The Platinum Protection Plan allows covered repairs to be performed at a licensed repair facility if a GM dealership isn’t available.
There are two GM Platinum Protection Plans available:
Platinum coverage protects most mechanical and electrical components in your vehicle from faulty workmanship or parts, and the Silver warranty mainly covers basic powertrain parts.
The GM extended warranty offered by the automaker doesn’t have a deductible, but a GM Platinum Protection Plan administered by AMT Warranty may have a $100 deductible.
The GM Extended Limited Warranty isn’t available for vehicles sold in California, Florida, Maine, Minnesota or Washington state.
What’s not covered?
Even bumper-to-bumper coverage like what’s found in the standard GM extended warranty comes with exclusions. Below, we’ll go over some situations and car parts your vehicle service contract won’t cover.
- Damages caused by an accident, theft or vandalism: Unlike some car insurance policies, a GM extended warranty won’t cover these situations.
- Wear-and-tear parts: You’ll have to pay for wear-and-tear components such as brake pads and windshield wiper blades.
- Environmental damages: A GM extended warranty doesn’t provide protection after issues from flooding, hail or similar environmental events.
- Regular maintenance: Car owners are responsible for oil changes, tire rotations and similar routine maintenance tasks under a GM extended warranty.
- Issues caused by improper maintenance or modifications: Expect your auto warranty to be voided if you neglect proper maintenance on your car. Modifying components and tampering with the odometer can also void your contract.
The easiest way to keep your GM extended warranty intact is to carefully maintain your vehicle.
Added benefits
Certain perks come standard with every GM extended warranty. One of the most significant benefits is roadside assistance. General Motors’ roadside assistance services are relatively comprehensive, and you’ll receive them for the full length of your GM extended warranty or Platinum Protection Plan.
Some standout perks found in the roadside assistance that comes with the GM extended warranty include:
- Towing and lockout services
- Flat-tire changes
- Emergency fuel deliveries
- Trip-interruption services
- Battery jump-starts
How much does a GM extended warranty cost?
A GM extended warranty comes at a competitive price compared to many automakers, but it’s still significantly more expensive than some third-party warranties. Each GM dealer sets its own prices for extended warranty plans, so pinpointing the exact cost of a plan is tricky.
We found some average prices offered to drivers in 2019 on the GM-Trucks forum, and those estimates are listed below. These numbers are for a Chevy Silverado or a GMC Sierra, so the rate you’re offered may vary.
Chevrolet Extended Limited Warranty (5 years/60,000 miles) | Chevrolet Silverado | $2,789 | $0 |
GMC Extended Limited Warranty (5 years/60,000 miles) | GMC Sierra | $2,900 | $0 |
GM Platinum Protection Plan (5 years/100,000 miles) | GMC Sierra | $1,440 | $100 |
The GM extended warranty offered by the automaker costs slightly less than $3,000 while only adding two years of bumper-to-bumper coverage to your new-vehicle warranty.
While the Platinum Protection Plan is far cheaper, remember that it’s administered by AMT Warranty rather than GM. That means you’ll be working with a third-party provider, you may be required to pay a deductible for each covered repair and you could end up with less extensive coverage.
If you’re considering a GM Platinum Protection Plan, compare AMT Warranty’s options with those from other reputable extended car warranty companies. You might find similar coverage at far cheaper rates through providers like Carchex and Endurance.
Do you need a GM extended warranty?
It’s tough to say whether your vehicle needs a GM extended warranty because the automaker’s brands vary widely in reliability. The GM brands received the following results for reliability in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study℠:
Buick | 2nd | 147 |
Cadillac | 9th | 168 |
Chevrolet | 10th | 171 |
GMC | 17th | 192 |
While Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet earned strong scores for their dependability, GMC models tied the industry average of 192 problems per 100 vehicles. Each model’s reliability varies, so look your vehicle up on a website like RepairPal to learn how likely a mechanical breakdown might be.
RepairPal reliability ratings indicate that nearly all owners ought to consider a GM extended warranty. Data from the website reveals that GM vehicles have an average yearly repair and maintenance cost anywhere from slightly below the industry average of $652 to well above it.
Our review team reached out to General Motors for a comment on its dependability scores and received the following response:
“With the Buick, Chevrolet, and Cadillac brands all ranking in the top 10, General Motors is encouraged by the results of the J.D. Power 2022 Vehicle Dependability Study. The data makes clear that GM’s vehicles continue to perform well and excite customers years after purchase.”
Buick | 13th | $608 |
Cadillac | 26th | $783 |
Chevrolet | 20th | $649 |
GMC | 22nd | $744 |
Regardless of the model you own, there’s a strong chance it will start experiencing mechanical breakdowns as it ages. It might be worth considering a GM extended warranty from either the manufacturer or a third-party provider.
What coverage do you already have?
The coverage that comes with each new GM vehicle depends on which automaker built your car. Below, we’ll look into how warranty plans from GM’s brands differ.
| Buick | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/100,000 miles |
| Cadillac | 4 years/50,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles |
| Chevrolet | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/100,000 miles |
| GMC | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/100,000 miles |
If you’re looking at a certified pre-owned (CPO) Buick, Chevy or GMC, you’ll receive powertrain coverage for 6 years/100,000 miles from your car’s original in-service date. You’ll also get a bumper-to-bumper limited warranty that lasts for 1 year/12,000 miles from your purchase. Those who buy CPO Cadillac vehicles instead gain 1 year/unlimited miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage.
Pros and cons of independent warranty companies
You may want to buy extended warranty coverage through GM, but third-party options usually come with more expansive protection and cheaper prices. Compare extended coverage using free quotes from GM, AMT Warranty and independent providers to discover the plan that best suits your needs.
Below, we’ll explain a few perks of getting an extended warranty through a third-party provider:
- Cheaper average prices: While GM’s extended warranties aren’t as expensive as coverage from other automakers, you may find lower rates through most independent warranty companies.
- Flexible purchasing periods: Most brands only let drivers buy extended warranties at the same time they buy their vehicles. That’s not the case with third-party providers, which allow owners to purchase coverage after many years and miles.
- Your choice of repair shops: Those with a GM extended warranty typically have to take their cars to dealers for covered repairs, but independent warranty companies let vehicle owners choose from most licensed repair shops.
- Additional coverage options: You’ll likely find more flexibility in coverage plans, term length and costs when you pick a third-party option.
If you’re looking for genuine GM parts and service, though, a manufacturer’s extended warranty may be right for you. For other motorists, it’s smart to look into plans from reputable extended car warranty companies like CarShield, Protect My Car, Endurance and Carchex.
With any credible independent auto warranty provider, you’ll likely find competitive rates for superb GM protection plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
*Data accurate at time of publication.