Continental Warranty Review

Many drivers purchase extended warranty coverage for peace of mind after their manufacturer warranty expires. One such option is Continental Warranty, which offers several comprehensive plans that can help drivers save money on expensive repairs. But with so many extended car warranty companies around, is Continental Warranty the right one for you?

This article will review Continental Warranty, from company reputation to extended warranty offerings to customer experience. We’ll then spotlight two of the nation’s best extended car warranty companies to see how Continental Warranty stacks up.

All factors considered, we give Continental Warranty Inc. a 3.6-star rating out of 5.0. While the company receives high marks from the BBB and some drivers, reviews are mixed–and many are very critical. The BBB customer review rating is especially worrisome if you care about the opinions of other drivers who’ve used Continental Warranty.

If you decide to reach out to your local dealership for a quote from Continental Warranty, be sure to read over the fine print of the extended warranty contract terms before signing. Remember, you can only get a Continental Warranty quote from a dealership since the company doesn’t offer direct warranty services. A list of participating dealers is available by calling the Continental Warranty customer service phone number.

In business for more than 35 years, Delaware-based Continental Warranty Inc. is a third-party car warranty provider that sells extended warranty coverage to drivers through dealerships but not directly. 

Continental Warranty offers five levels of coverage for drivers, plus add-ons for individual needs. Here are some of the benefits and downsides of Continental warranties.

Continental Warranty Inc. does not provide any cost information online for its services because it sells directly to dealerships, which is common in the extended warranty industry. 

The cost of an extended warranty isn’t typically paid up front to the dealership. Instead, you can pay it in monthly installments for a specific time, typically up to five years. Some dealerships may also let you roll the cost of your warranty plan into your car loan. Note that in this case, you would end up paying more because of the interest on the loan.

Some factors that may affect the cost of your Continental extended warranty plan include: 

• Your vehicle’s year, make, and model
• Mileage
• Where you purchase your extended warranty
• Your deductible 

Continental Warranty Inc. offers five plans for drivers, ranging from the Exclusionary Vehicle Service Contract to Continental Plus. Most plans come with additional benefits and nationwide protection. Here’s a closer look at the five Continental warranty plans:

• Continental Plus: Enhanced powertrain coverage with selectable deductibles 
• Continental Powertrain: Coverage for your vehicle’s most expensive and essential parts, including the engine, transmission, and drivetrain
• Continental Gold: All the coverages from the Continental Powertrain and Continental Plus plans, with a comprehensive stated list of components
• Ultra Care Vehicle Service Contract: Selectable deductibles and extended coverage for seals and gaskets as well as electrical, sensor, and module components
• Exclusionary Vehicle Service Contract: Exclusionary bumper-to-bumper coverage plus 24/7 roadside assistance and selectable deductibles

Most plans also include: 

• Roadside assistance
• Rental car reimbursement
• Lockout coverage 
• GPS coverage
• Turbo/supercharger coverage
• Front-wheel and all-wheel drive coverage

Every plan comes with nationwide protection, meaning your repair will be covered anywhere in the U.S. or Canada if it’s in your contract. All plans are transferable for a small fee. Drivers can also transfer coverage to a new owner if they sell their used car before coverage expires.

Drivers can only get a Continental warranty quote from a dealership since the company doesn’t offer direct warranty services. You can call the Continental customer service phone number to find a list of participating dealers.

When drivers experience a mechanical breakdown or unexpected problem with their vehicle, Continental Warranty recommends:

• Pulling over to a safe area and turning your car off to protect it from further damage
• Dialing the number on your contract to request towing services if you have purchased roadside assistance protection
• Calling Continental Warranty Inc. at 800-265-9136 to notify the company of your mechanical breakdown
• Asking your repair facility to contact Continental Warranty to verify repairs are covered on your warranty claim
• Having your mechanic begin repairs or disassembly only after you receive Continental Warranty’s authorization

Continental Warranty has average reviews compared with other independent warranty providers. The company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with 1.92 stars out of 5 from a handful of reviews. The company had responded to about 30 complaints within the past year, which is low for a company of this size. 

Positive customer reviews highlight the company’s professional customer service staff, solid coverage, and quick and easy claims process. On the other hand, negative reviews point to a slow claims process and a lack of coverage for common repairs. 

Positive Continental Warranty Reviews

“What an awesome experience dealing with Continental Warranty. They came through for us when we really needed them to. Highly recommended.”

– John W. via BBB

“The team at Continental handles everything with one phone call. Great company with a great support team that’s empowered to take care of customers first. Keep up the good work. I will only buy Continental from now on.”

– Raul G. via BBB

Negative Continental Warranty Reviews 

“They don’t cover basic repairs you would buy the warranty for. I needed $1,000-plus worth of repair work, and they covered $240. They said the other work wasn’t covered even though the parts were needed to make the car operate again. Complete waste of money on this warranty. Never buy coverage from this company.”

– Brian H. via BBB

“They are a fraud. They have not and won’t pay for anything. I have had to pay for every repair on my truck, and what needed repairs were on my contract. I paid good money thinking I was covered, and I was so wrong. They find every excuse not to pay for the repairs that are clearly in my contract. It’s a rip-off, and it’s not fair. I had to go get another warranty company after I already paid for one.”

– Jefferey A. via BBB

While Continental Warranty offers vehicle service contracts each providing a different level of coverage, you should always reach out to a few providers for free quotes. 

Our review team examined every major extended auto warranty provider in the industry, taking a look at plan options, costs, driver reviews, and more. From this, we found Endurance to offer the best overall extended warranty among third-party providers. In addition, we found CARCHEX to offer the best coverage for used vehicles.

Endurance: Best Coverage (4.6 Stars)

In our review of the best extended auto warranty companies, we ranked Endurance No. 1 and recognized it for having the Best Coverage. Endurance is a direct auto warranty provider, which means the company deals directly with drivers rather than requiring them to go through a middle man.

Endurance offers six levels of coverage that can last beyond 200,000 miles. Endurance also provides extra perks to new customers by enrolling them in one year free of Elite Benefits, which includes roadside assistance, tire repair/replacement, key fob repairs, and more.

CARCHEX: Best For Used Cars (4.4 Stars)

CARCHEX offers five plan options for drivers, with coverage up to 250,000 miles. That’s partially why we named CARCHEX the Best for Used Cars in our extended car warranty industry review. The company offers several deductible options that many drivers find affordable.

CARCHEX has been in business for more than 20 years and is only one of two top providers that offers full extended warranty coverage in California.

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of extended auto warranty providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a warranty company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

• Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact vehicle service contract pricing. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and plans and consider available deductibles.

• Coverage: Our team of experts looks at the number of extended warranty plans available, as well as term limits, exclusions, and added benefits like roadside assistance. Ratings also take into account the availability of maintenance coverage.

• Reputation: It’s important that an extended car warranty company is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) score well in this category. Established providers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.

• Customer Experience: We listen to real customer sales calls and comb through reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Warranty companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the availability of mobile apps and chat features.

*Data accurate at time of publication.