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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Century Warranty Services extended warranties are offered through dealerships across the U.S. These contracts are designed to protect drivers against the costly repairs that most vehicles will require, especially as they age.
Our research team has examined some of the best extended car warranty companies on the market, rating coverage options, customer service reviews, costs and industry reputations. Read on to find out whether we recommend Century Warranty Services and see how the company compares with leading competitors.
While good coverage and claims servicing are crucial for any extended warranty, cost is many customers’ primary concern. The best way to find the lowest-priced coverage is to compare quotes for yourself. You can get started by using the buttons above.
Is Century Warranty Services Worth It?
Century Warranty Services has been in business for over 20 years and is currently based in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2019, the company reported paying more than $500 million in claims. Service contracts are backed by the Courtesy Insurance Company, which has an A rating from AM Best, meaning it has an “excellent” ability to meet financial obligations and pay out customers’ claims.
Category | Our Rating |
---|---|
Industry Standing | 4.1 out of 5.0 |
Coverage | 4.1 out of 5.0 |
Affordability | 4.2 out of 5.0 |
Customer Experience | 3.4 out of 5.0 |
Overall Rating | 3.9 out of 5.0 |
Is Century Warranty Services worth it? Based on the company’s high prices and average coverage options, we think there are better providers on the market.
Century Warranty Services Coverage
Century Warranty Services offers contracts up to 10 years/120,000 miles for new and used vehicles. Cars up to nine model years old and with less than 105,000 miles are eligible, but Century Warranty Services contracts will only cover vehicles up to 175,000 total miles.
Century Warranty Services sells three levels of coverage:
- Power Care: Basic powertrain coverage that includes the engine, transmission and drive axle
- Sentry Care: Stated-component coverage that includes the powertrain, plus the steering, brakes, air conditioning, suspension, cooling and electrical systems
- Sentry Guard Max: Exclusionary coverage for nearly all vehicle components, including the fuel system and a wider array of electrical components
These plan options are somewhat limited compared to competitors’ plans. For example, fuel system components are only covered under the highest level of coverage. Other providers offer more extensive coverage in lower-tier plans.
Parts that aren’t covered by any Century Warranty Services contract are standard for the industry. Examples of coverage exclusions are as follows:
- Breakdowns caused by vehicle misuse, abuse or negligence
- Damage caused by improper towing
- Damage caused by a lack of maintenance or improper maintenance
- Brake linings, drums, rotors and pads
- Airbags
- Glass
- Body parts and/or panels
- Trim
- Tires and wheels
- Batteries (except hybrid, electric and hydrogen high-voltage batteries)
- Light bulbs
- Upholstery
- Paint
- Exhaust system
- Shock absorbers
- Wheel alignments
- Safety restraint systems
- Any system that is not factory-installed
Century Warranty Services Extras
All Century extended warranty plans include the following additional benefits:
- Towing: Reimbursement of up to $100 per occurrence
- Rental car reimbursement: Reimbursement of up to $40 per day for as many as 10 days
- Trip interruption protection: Reimbursement of up to $100 per day for as many as five days for food and lodging if you experience a covered breakdown more than 100 miles from your home
- Fluids coverage: Replacement of necessary fluids, lubricants, and approved air-conditioner gases in conjunction with a covered repair
Cost of Century Warranty Services Plans
Century Warranty Services contracts can only be purchased at participating dealerships, but we combed through Century Warranty Services reviews to find customer-reported pricing. The customers we found paid anywhere from $2,000 to $4,750 for coverage.
One customer with a 2009 Acura purchased a 4-year/48,000-mile contract for $3,907, which is slightly higher than average. Another customer reported paying $3,700 for a “top-tier coverage” one-year service agreement. This is an especially high price for only one year of coverage.
However, the price of your Century Warranty Services contract will vary depending on your particular dealer and may be negotiable. Factors that impact the final cost of any contract include your vehicle model, age and mileage, as well as your location. Also, plans with higher deductibles will generally have lower premiums. Century Warranty Services offers $0, $100, $250 and $500 deductible options.
While the available information suggests that this provider’s extended contracts are on the expensive side, the best way to determine the cost of a Century Warranty Services contract is to request a quote yourself from a participating dealer.
How To Get a Quote and File a Claim
Century Warranty Services contracts are purchased directly from dealerships, and coverage begins immediately with no waiting period. Call 866-732-8503
to speak with a Century customer service representative and find a participating dealership.
You can cancel your coverage for a full refund within 60 days of purchase, or at any time thereafter for a prorated refund. Coverage is also transferable if you sell your vehicle while it’s still under warranty.
Century Warranty Service Claims Process
Repairs can be completed at any repair shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®) in the U.S. or Canada. When your vehicle is in need of a covered repair, take it to a certified facility and contact Century claims service at 866-732-8503.
If your claim is approved, a payment (minus your deductible) is made directly to the repair facility. There is no paperwork to complete.
Century Warranty Services Reviews
Century Warranty Services holds a A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). In the past three years, the company has received only 7 complaints. This is relatively low for a national extended warranty provider.
Customer complaints regard difficulty canceling contracts and issues with coverage details. All complaints posted to the BBB website were addressed by Century, usually to the complainer’s satisfaction. Happy customers who took the time to write positive reviews praise Century Warranty Services’ staff and easy claims process.
Overall, there are too few customer reviews posted to the BBB website to give a strong idea of how satisfied Century Warranty Services customers are. However, the relatively low number of complaints is a good indicator.
Our Verdict on Century Warranty Services: 3.9 / 5.0
Century Warranty Services does not have a bad customer service reputation, but there are plenty of other more reputable extended car warranty companies out there. Coverage offered by Century is lacking, and the cost appears to be high.
Our Picks for Best Extended Car Warranties
Our review team has taken a look at many major extended auto warranty providers, analyzing plan options, costs, customer reviews and more. Based on our research, we’ve determined that CARCHEX and Endurance provide the best extended warranty contracts on the market.
CARCHEX: Best Reputation
In a field riddled with fly-by-night companies, CARCHEX has reliably served customers for over 20 years and is among the best-known providers in the industry. It partners with industry leaders like Edmunds.com, Kelley Blue Book, RepairPal and CARFAX.
Plan options offered by CARCHEX range from basic powertrain coverage to a full bumper-to-bumper exclusionary warranty. CARCHEX prices are among some of the lowest in the business, especially for exclusionary coverage. When we reached out to CARCHEX for a quote on a Titanium plan (the highest level of coverage) for a 2018 Toyota RAV4, we were offered the following terms:
- Term length: 7 years/125,000 miles
- Financing: $190 for 18 months
- Deductible: $100.00
- Total cost: $3,420.00
Endurance: Best Overall
Endurance is another well-known provider nationwide. Though it has not been around quite a long as CARCHEX, it is an established company with a strong reputation. Endurance offers multiple vehicle protection plans and handles its own claims, so you won’t have to go through a middleman when your vehicle breaks down.
There are six levels of Endurance warranty coverage, which include powertrain coverage, a mid-tier plan, comprehensive stated-component coverage, an exclusionary contract, a specialty plan designed for high-mileage vehicles and a maintenance-warranty coverage combination plan.
One of the reasons we rate Endurance so highly is because it includes some of the most extensive benefits on the market. These include:
- Rental car reimbursement
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- Trip interruption coverage
- Identity theft services
- Key fob replacements
- Tire repair and replacement
- $250 entertainment voucher
- Access to a personal concierge service
Century Warranty Services Review: FAQ
Below are a few frequently asked questions about Century Warranty Services.
Is a Century car warranty good?
In our review of Century Warranty Services we found that the company offers good coverage options but at a steep price. We recommend comparing other options when you shop.
What is the most reputable car warranty company?
Endurance is our pick for the most reputable warranty company. The company has an A- rating on the BBB and is a direct provider, so you don’t have to work with a middleman when filing a claim.
Is Endurance worth the money?
Considering Endurance’s many options for coverage and unique benefits like road hazard tire repair, we think an Endurance warranty is worth the money.
Which is better, CarShield or Endurance?
Both companies are strong picks. CarShield is better if you have an electric vehicle or want to have a flexible month-to-month contract. Endurance is better for slightly lower payments and the option to cover maintenance services.
Our Methodology
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.