An extended auto warranty is a protection plan you can buy from an automaker or dealership to cover mechanical breakdowns. Third-party providers offer similar coverage in the form of vehicle service contracts. We use these terms interchangeably in this article for simplicity.
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Crash Course:
- There are three GMC extended warranty options to choose from.
- Plans come with benefits including roadside assistance and towing coverage.
- A third-party extended warranty may give you more flexibility in terms of coverage and pricing.
The GMC extended warranty offers three plan options that can cover up to eight years or 100,000 miles: Platinum, Silver, and Powertrain.
If you’re thinking about buying a GMC vehicle or are already a proud owner, you may be wondering whether to purchase a GMC extended warranty. There are three manufacturer-backed service plans available for new and used cars, but is the coverage worth the price tag?
In this article, we’ll help you decide whether you really need extended vehicle protection. We’ll discuss your GMC extended warranty options, including coverage details and sample costs. Then, we’ll show you how a plan from one of the best extended car warranty providers may offer better coverage at a lower price.
It’s always smart to compare the price of manufacturer-backed warranties and third-party plans to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Click above to get free, personalized quotes from our top recommended providers.
GMC Extended Warranty Coverage
After you drive your new GMC off the lot, you have three main warranty coverage options to choose from: the Platinum Protection Plan, Silver Protection Plan, and Powertrain Protection Plan. All of these vehicle service contracts can cover up to eight years or 100,000 miles.
Below is a basic comparison between what each of the three GMC extended warranty plans covers.
| Platinum | Silver | Powertrain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | x | x | x |
| Transmission | x | x | x |
| Drive axle | x | x | x |
| Hybrid electric | x | x | x |
| Front suspension | x | x | |
| Rear suspension | x | x | |
| Climate control | x | x | |
| Electrical | x | x | |
| Steering | x | x | |
| Brakes | x | x | |
| High tech | x | ||
| Audio | x | ||
| Navigation | x |
Each plan comes with the same added benefits like roadside assistance. You can purchase a plan up until your car reaches eight years or 100,000 miles on the odometer.
It’s important to note that these plans aren’t administered by General Motors. While the extended warranty is backed by the manufacturer, it’s serviced through Safe-Guard Products International, a third-party provider. Still, GMC extended warranty owners must have covered repairs performed at a Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac dealership.
GMC Platinum Protection Plan
The GMC Platinum Protection Plan is the highest level of extended warranty coverage from the manufacturer. The comprehensive coverage includes nearly any mechanical breakdown except for a small list of exclusions. Because of this, it’s called an exclusionary contract or a bumper-to-bumper plan.
The Platinum Plan protects most of your vehicle’s mechanical and electrical components, including:
- Brakes
- Engine
- Steering
- Drive axle
- Transmission
- Transfer case
- Air conditioning
- Seals and gaskets
- Safety restraint system
- Climate control system
- Turbocharger and supercharger
- Factory-installed entertainment system
- Electrical systems (enhanced and basic)
GMC Silver Protection Plan
Next in the GMC extended warranty lineup is the Silver plan. This is a good option if you’re not sure about getting the more expensive Platinum plan but you still want to cover a good portion of the vehicle. The Silver Protection Plan covers many major systems like the air conditioning, brakes, steering, and suspension.
GMC Powertrain Protection Plan
Perhaps you want to find the cheapest plan or you just want the basics covered. If so, then take a look at the Powertrain Protection Plan. This level of coverage includes the engine, transmission, drive axles, and hybrid powertrain components. These systems provide the energy that moves your car and can be expensive to repair if you encounter a mechanical breakdown.
GMC Extended Warranty Benefits
All GMC extended warranty options offer additional service perks along with the outlined coverage, including:
- Courtesy towing ($100 per occurrence) to the nearest licensed repair shop (GMC dealer preferred)
- Roadside assistance including lockout, flat tire, gas delivery, and battery jump-start service
- Trip interruption reimbursement for a breakdown over 100 miles from home (up to $200 per day for five days)
- Rental car service or alternative transportation coverage up to $40 per day for 10 days during a covered repair
All GMC extended warranties are also fully transferable to subsequent owners for a $50 fee. They’re also cancelable for a full refund within 30 days if no claims have been filed. If you’ve filed a claim or if 30 days have passed, you’ll get a prorated refund.
GMC Extended Warranty Exclusions
All plans have coverage-specific exclusions, but no GMC extended warranty plan will cover:
- Modified or non-GMC parts
- Damage from misuse or abuse
- Cosmetic items, trim, and sheet metal
- Damage from collisions or accidents
- Damage from improper maintenance
- Routine maintenance services and parts
- Wear-and-tear items like brake pads and wiper blades
Other GMC Protection Products
GMC also offers other protection products like prepaid maintenance plans that can cover tire rotations and oil changes. It even offers maintenance plans specifically for electric vehicles, where oil changes don’t apply. Other offerings include:
- Gap Coverage: Pays the difference between what you owe on your financed vehicle and what insurance covers in the event of a total loss
- Tire and Wheel Protection: Replaces or repairs tires and wheels after covered road hazard damage
- Advanced Protection: Pays for wear and tear damage
- XS Wear Lease Protection: Covers wear and tear at the end of your lease
GMC Extended Warranty Cost
A GMC Platinum Protection Plan may cost anywhere between $2,000 and $6,000 depending on the term length you choose, where you live, the GMC model you drive, and how many miles are on your vehicle. This GMC extended warranty option provides single payment and monthly payment options.
GMC Extended Warranty Quotes
To give you an idea of typical pricing, below are quotes we gathered for a 2021 GMC Terrain with 35,000 miles.
| GMC Extended Warranty Plan | Term Length | Total Price |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum | 2 years/30,000 miles | $1,218 |
| Platinum | 7 years/56,000 miles | $1,919 |
| Silver | 3 years/45,000 miles | $1,383 |
| Silver | 6 years/60,000 miles | $1,755 |
| Powertrain | 4 years/48,000 miles | $1,379 |
| Powertrain | 6 years/90,000 miles | $1,897 |
To find out how much the GMC Extended Limited Warranty would cost for your vehicle, visit a local dealership.
Is a GMC Extended Warranty Worth It?
To determine whether a GMC extended warranty is worth it, consider your vehicle’s reliability, your ability to pay for repairs out of pocket, and your existing coverage. If you own a less reliable GMC that you plan on driving for the foreseeable future, an extended warranty can help you avoid paying emergency repairs out of pocket after your factory warranty expires.
To better inform your decision about purchasing a GMC extended warranty, we sourced GMC reliability data from RepairPal. RepairPal uses consumer reports to rate manufacturer reliability and estimate the cost of common repairs.
GMC Reliability
GMC is rated 3.0 out of 5.0, which places the manufacturer 22nd out of all 32 car brands in terms of reliability. Here’s the data that factors into GMC’s reliability rating and how it compares against the average across all vehicle brands:
| Reliability Category | GMC Average | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Repair Cost | $744 | $652 |
| Average Number of Unexpected Repair Shop Visits | 0.3 visits per year | 0.4 visits per year |
| Likelihood of Needing a Severe Repair | 17% | 12% |
As you can see, GMC vehicles have higher-than-average annual repair costs and a higher likelihood of needing a severe repair. GMC also performed below average on the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM.
Because of the likelihood that a breakdown will occur, especially as your vehicle ages, a GMC extended warranty may offer peace of mind. However, you should also take your GMC model into consideration. Some GMC models have higher or lower annual repair costs based on their individual reliability scores. You can check your model on RepairPal for more information.
GMC Factory Warranty
All new vehicles come with bumper-to-bumper coverage that lasts three years/36,000 miles and a powertrain warranty that lasts five years/60,000 miles. The GMC Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) manufacturer’s warranty includes a lengthened six-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a one-year/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
To make sure your extended warranty coverage doesn’t overlap, check your existing GMC protections by calling a dealership or consulting your owner’s manual.
Aftermarket Warranty vs. GMC Extended Warranty
Purchasing a vehicle protection plan through a third-party provider like Endurance or CARCHEX can offer more flexibility in terms of plans and repair shop options. Plus, third-party plans are generally less expensive than the manufacturer’s extended coverage.
Here are a few additional benefits to consider:
- There are typically multiple deductible options to choose from.
- Third-party contracts often last longer, with some companies covering vehicles up to 200,000+ miles.
- Third-party providers offer more options for old, high-mileage cars, including specialty used car warranty plans and extended warranties for cars over 100,000 miles.
If these benefits appeal to you, we recommend getting free, personalized quotes from a few reputable extended car warranty companies.
GMC Extended Warranty: Conclusion
You have three manufacturer-backed options for the GMC extended warranty: the Platinum, Silver, and Powertrain Protection Plans. These can cover up to eight years or 100,000 miles. If you’re looking for longer coverage or more options, we recommend checking out third-party companies.
GMC Protection Plan: FAQ
Below are a few frequently asked questions about the GMC extended warranty:
Is GMC a reliable truck brand?
GMC is a decently reliable truck brand. RepairPal rates GMC 3.0 out of 5.0 for reliability and notes the average repair and maintenance cost is about $744 per year. This is a bit higher than the industry average of $652 per year.
Why are GMC vehicles so expensive to repair?
GMC vehicles are designed for a higher market price and their components reflect this. You’ll find GMCs are usually more expensive to repair at the dealer than an independent shop.
Does GMC or Chevy last longer?
RepairPal gives a slightly higher score of 3.5 out of 5.0 to Chevy while it rates GMC 3.0 overall. According to the car reliability site, GMC’s are slightly more expensive to fix and have a higher likelihood of a repair being severe.
Our Methodology: How We Rated The GMC Extended Warranty
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best extended auto warranty providers.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, availability, and years in business when giving this score.
- Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car warranty company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account the number of plans offered by each provider, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations to give this rating.
- Customer Service: Reputable extended car warranty companies operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
