CARCHEX

CARCHEX: Extended Vehicle Protection and Pre-Purchase Inspections

CARCHEX is a U.S. company headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, that positions itself as a consumer advocate throughout the vehicle ownership process. Its business combines two lines: extended vehicle protection plans, which the company describes as an alternative to service contracts or extended warranties, and a nationwide mobile pre-purchase inspection service.

Protection Plans and Coverage

The company offers vehicle protection plans with coverage, deductibles, and rental car benefits that users can review on its website. The plans are customizable to each household's driving habits and offer payment options suited to different budgets. The company states that vehicle service contracts are provided by Liberty STF, Inc., located at 1597 Cole Blvd #200, Lakewood, CO 80401, with Florida company code W469753. According to published information, CARCHEX does not operate in California, though it may refer a licensed mechanical breakdown insurer.

Pre-Purchase Inspections

The vehicle inspection service, active for more than 24 years according to the company, aims to protect buyers against seller fraud. The inspector network exceeds 900 professionals and covers all fifty states. The firm maintains that these inspections have helped tens of thousands of consumers avoid costly mistakes when buying used vehicles.

History and Evolution

CARCHEX began as a national provider of mobile pre-purchase inspections. In 2003, its founder and then-CEO acquired the company's assets after using the inspection service to evaluate a 1996 Jaguar XJS convertible listed on eBay by a Portland, Oregon dealership. The inspection report dissuaded him from a costly purchase and led him to commit to this consumer advisory service. In 2004, the company added extended vehicle protection to its offering.

Quoting System and Customer Service

The company has the CARCHEX Direct system, which allows customers to speak with an extended vehicle protection specialist while viewing the same information online that the specialist sees. The tool includes product comparison, access to contracts, and review of plan features and benefits. The company states that its specialists seek the highest level of coverage at the lowest possible price and back their offering with a no-haggle low-price guarantee and a 30-day return period.

Recognition and Ratings

CARCHEX holds Better Business Bureau accreditation and an A+ rating, and has been accredited by the BBB since 2009. It was a finalist for the BBB Torch Awards and the only Maryland company to receive the 2012 BBB Torch Award. Inc. magazine included it in its Inc. 500 | 5000 list starting in 2009, and the company is listed as an eight-time honoree in the Inc. 5000 Hall of Fame. The Baltimore Sun awarded it the Top Workplaces Award for seven consecutive years. National media outlets such as ABC, Fox News, CBS, NBC, and PBS have cited it as an expert in consumer automotive protection.

Partnerships and Endorsements

The company presents itself as a preferred extended vehicle protection partner of leading industry names, with collaborations that have included CARFAX, Edmunds.com, LendingTree.com, Answer Financial, AutoBlog|Aol, RepairPal.com, BuyingAdvice.com, and DMV.org, among others. It is endorsed by Pat Goss, a mechanic known for the Goss' Garage segment on PBS's MotorWeek.

Resources for Vehicle Owners

The CARCHEX website includes a blog and an FAQ section addressing common owner questions, such as whether to buy extended protection for leased vehicles with a purchase option, how to find a safe and reliable used car, what repairs the car will need and how much they will cost, buying high-mileage vehicles, or the value of a pre-purchase inspection. The company also offers a glossary and a guest payment service.

Location and Contact

118 Shawn Road Suite 210 Baltimore, MD 21030