Published
August 12, 2026
The CarShield refund is an automatic FTC payment for identified vehicle service contract customers whose repair claims were denied. No new public claim form is available.
What Is the Current Status?
The Federal Trade Commission sent 168,179 checks totaling more than $9.6 million to eligible CarShield customers. The payment program is automatic: the agency identified recipients from records connected to its enforcement case, and it has not opened a public claim form.The FTC says the checks cover eligible people who paid CarShield for a vehicle service contract between September 2019 and September 2024 and later had a claim denied. A recipient should follow the date and instructions printed on the check and cash it within 90 days.
StatusAutomatic Checks SentCash within 90 days of the date shown on the check
Distribution$9.6M+ · 168,179 ChecksFor identified customers with denied vehicle service contract claims
Can I Claim?No new public claim formThe FTC selected recipients from case records
Why Did the FTC Send CarShield Refunds?
CarShield sold vehicle service contracts, while American Auto Shield administered the contracts. The FTC alleged that advertisements and telemarketing gave consumers a misleading picture of what repairs would be covered, whether they could use a repair shop of their choice, and whether a rental car would be provided.CarShield and American Auto Shield agreed to resolve the federal allegations in 2024. The order required nearly $10 million for consumer refunds and placed restrictions on future advertising and endorsements.
Who Was Selected for a Payment?
The FTC describes the eligible group as people who paid CarShield for a vehicle service contract during the September 2019–September 2024 period and had a covered claim denied. Receiving a contract or paying monthly fees alone does not establish that a person was included in this distribution.Because there is no public application, an outside service cannot add someone to the refund list. Anyone who did not receive a check should use the official FTC program page for future updates instead of paying a third party that promises access.
How to Verify a CarShield Refund Check
Compare the company and program names on the mailing with the official FTC refund page below. A real FTC refund does not require an activation payment, gift card, wire transfer, or online-banking password. The FTC also does not charge a fee to release a refund.Keep a copy of the check and accompanying letter until the deposit clears. If a message arrives separately and asks for money or account credentials, do not use the link or contact information in that message.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who received a CarShield FTC refund check?
The FTC identified eligible people who paid CarShield for a vehicle service contract between September 2019 and September 2024 and had a claim denied.
How much is the CarShield refund distribution?
The FTC says it sent 168,179 checks totaling more than $9.6 million. Individual amounts may differ.
Can I file a new CarShield refund claim?
No public claim form is open. Recipients were identified from the FTC case records.
How long do recipients have to cash the check?
The FTC instructs recipients to cash their checks within 90 days, as shown on the check.
Sources
• FTC — CarShield refund program• FTC — CarShield refund announcement
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Status
Automatic FTC refund checks sent
Program
CarShield and American Auto Shield redress
Distribution
More than $9.6 million · 168,179 checks
Claim Form
None — recipients selected from FTC records
Official Website
FTC Refunds — CarShield
