CNA Warranty is a reputable nationwide seller of vehicle service contracts. A vehicle service contract, or extended warranty, is one way to help pay for the cost of unexpected car repairs after yourfactory warranty expires. In this review, we’ll compare the CNA Warranty with other providers like Endurance, which was ranked as a top pick in our recent review of the best car warranty companies on the market.
You can only purchase a CNA Warranty vehicle service contract through a dealership. If you want to start comparing warranty costs from home, use the buttons in the box below to compare quotes from several of ourtop recommended providers.
In this article:
- Our Take On CNA Warranty: 3.5 Stars
- CNA Warranty Overview
- CNA Warranty Extended Warranty Coverage
- CNA Warranty Cost
- How To Get A Quote And File A Claim
- CNA Warranty Reviews
- Our Recommended Providers
Our Take On CNA Warranty: 3.5 Stars
CNA National Warranty has a reputation for good customer service and claims handling. It has four different levels of coverage and also offers additional benefits such as trip interruption and rental reimbursem*nt. However, all contracts are not transferable nor eligible for cancelation, and rolling the cost into your auto financing can drive up your total cost.
| CNA Warranty Pros | CNA Warranty Cons |
|---|---|
| Multiple deductible options | Sold only through dealers |
| Backed by CNA Financial | All contracts may not be eligible for transfer or cancellation |
| Accreditation and A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau | Could end up being more expensive than warranties offered by independent warranty companies |
| More than 35 years of industry experience | Sample contracts unavailable online |
| No exclusions for pre-existing conditions |
CNA Warranty Overview
CNA National Warranty is a subsidiary of CNA Financial, which is one of the oldest and biggest commercial insurance companies in the U.S. In addition to vehicle service contracts, CNA National Warranty also offers or administers the following products:
- Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) waivers
- Tire and Wheel Protection
- Lifetime Limited Powertrain Warranty and Wrap (through franchised dealers)
- Certified Warranty (through franchised dealers)
The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. It is a 26-time winner of the Dealers’ Choice Awards and was the first extended warranty company to be recognized by J.D. Power for the highest dealer satisfaction. It is also endorsed by the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA). It has so far paid over $3.6 billion in claims across all products and approves more than 1,200 service contract and warranty claims every day.
CNA Warranty Extended Coverage
CNA National Warranty offers four levels of coverage: Powertrain Advantage CareSM, Vehicle Value CareSM, Mechanical Advantage CareSM, and Automotive Preferred CareSM. Depending on your specific needs and driving habits, you can choose the type of coverage you want. Here is a quick overview of each option.
- Powertrain Advantage Care: Powertrain Advantage Care offers protection for specified parts in the engine, transmission, and drivetrain assembly component groups and is available for cars with up to 150,000 miles.
- Vehicle Value Care: This plan offers stated-component coverage for important car parts and is a value-driven plan for cars with up to 150,000 miles. In addition to the parts covered in the basic Powertrain plan, the Vehicle Value Care plan also covers the suspension, front-wheel steering, electrical system, brakes, fuel system, cooling system, and air conditioning and heating.
- Mechanical Advantage Care: This is the highest level of stated-component coverage offered by CNA National Warranty and is available for most vehicles with up to 125,000 miles. In addition to the parts covered in the Value Care plan, the Mechanical Advantage Care plan also covers interior and powertrain electronics, convenience accessories, vehicle hardware, and anti-lock brakingsystems (ABS).
- Automotive Preferred Care: Automotive Preferred Care is CNA National Warranty’s most premium coverage plan. It is an exclusionary coverage plan that covers all parts of the vehicle unless specified in the contract. It’s the most similar to a factory warranty.
- Certified+Plus CareSM: CNA National Warranty also offers a vehicle service contract specifically for used vehicles that have been inspected and certified by the dealer and come with an extended limited powertrain warranty. It has two levels of coverage – Preferred and Advantage – and extends coverage for basic powertrain parts beyond the expiration of the factory warranty.
Automotive Preferred Care, Mechanical Advantage Care, and Vehicle Value Care plans are available for most new, near-new, and used vehicles with up to 125,000 or 150,000 miles.
Certified+Plus Care and Powertrain Advantage Care are available for used vehicles. You may be able to choose from multiple deductible options.
CNA National Warranty offers the following additional perks with its vehicle service contracts:
- Roadside assistance
- Towing
- Rental reimbursem*nt
- Travel and lodging reimbursem*nt
Please note that rental reimbursem*nt and trip interruption benefits are offered only with covered repairs.
CNA Warranty Cost
The cost of an extended auto warranty is determined by the make, model, year, and mileage of your car and the type of CNA National Warranty car coverage you want. The company does not list its sample costs online because of this variability. However, you may be able to get more information from your dealer or by calling the number for CNA National Warranty customer service and claims at 800-345-0191.
If you buy the service contract from the dealer and roll the cost into your auto loan, you will get the benefit of having just one monthly payment. However, this could increase your total cost of the extended warranty because you will end up paying interest on it. Most independent warranty companies offer zero-interest financing.
How To Get A Quote And File A Claim
CNA National warranty services are sold through dealerships, so you can’t buy a vehicle service contract directly from this company. Therefore, it does not offer online quotes or quotes over the phone. However, if you have any questions about its products, you can reach out to the customer care team at 800-345-0191 or use an online contact form.
If you are a contract holder and would like to file a claim with CNA National Warranty, you can take your vehicle to the selling dealer or any repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®). Since the company doesn’t display sample contracts online, we were unable to determine if and how the repair location would affect your final costs. Previous customers have claimed that you may have the option of choosing a “disappearing deductible” and lower your costs if you take the car to the dealer for repairs.
No matter where you decide to go for repairs, you should provide the repair facility with your contract number and ask them to contact CNA National Warranty to authorize the repair before beginning any work.
CNA National Warranty claims lines are open Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 6 PM MST and Saturday, 6 AM to 5 PM MST.
If a teardown is needed for diagnosing the cause of the breakdown, you are responsible for the costs. CNA National Warranty will refund the teardown cost if the failed part is found to be a covered item.
If your contract includes a deductible, you should pay this directly to the repair shop.
CNA Warranty Reviews
CNA National Warranty has been accredited by the BBB since 2010 and has an A+ rating. It was also a finalist in the 2015 BBB Business Ethics Awards for Arizona.
However, its customer reviews are a mix of both positive and negative experiences, with the majority reporting satisfaction with the claims process and service.
“Everything was great. All I did was take my truck to the dealership. They inspected it and contacted CNA, and everything was done in a very timely and professional manner. Would definitely recommend.”
– James H. on BBB
Some customer complaints on BBB against CNA National Warranty concern parts coverage. With any service contract provider, it is important to read the contract carefully to know which parts are covered in your plan and which are not, so you aren’t caught unprepared in the event of a repair.
Our Recommended Providers
Overall, we think it’s worth getting a quote from CNA National Warranty if you are in the market for an extended warranty for your new or used car. However, since CNA National Warranty services are sold only through dealers, this may or may not be an option for everyone. If you would like to buy your extended warranty independently of your dealer, we recommend choosing a highly rated provider likeEndurance, CARCHEX, or Protect My Car.
A car is one of the biggest purchases you can make, and it deserves the best protection you can get. Always shop around for the best price and the best coverage, and get multiple quotes before you sign the contract.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Warranty providers with a history of strong business practices and endorsem*nts from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of extended warranty plans available, coverage terms, and added benefits like roadside assistance.
- Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of plans and vehicles. Companies with lower prices per year of coverage receive the best scores.
- Transparency: This score takes into account contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each warranty company.
