Continental Warranty sells automotive protection plans through dealerships, not directly to consumers. So if you’re offered Continental Warranty services at a dealership, should you purchase a contract?
In this review, we’ll take a look at Continental Warranty’s coverage, costs, customer reviews, and more to help you decide whether this provider is right for you. We’ll also give you a few recommendations for the industry’s best extended warranty companies.
Anytime you shop for coverage, it’s a good idea to compare quotes from multiple providers so you can get a great price. You can get free, instant quotes from our top choices below to compare with the cost of Continental Warranty coverage.
| Best Coverage | Best Service | Best Budget Warranty |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
| Endurance | CARCHEX | CarShield |
| ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
| (877) 374-1840 | (866) 254-0205 | (800) 563-2761 |
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Table of contents
Continental Warranty Highlights
| Overall Rating | 3.8 |
|---|---|
| Reputation | 4.5 |
| Coverage | 4.0 |
| Price | See dealership |
| Transparency | 3.6 |
| Customer Service | 3.2 |
Continental Warranty has been in the business of servicing extended warranty protection to new and used cars for over 35 years. Unlike many other third-party warranty companies, Continental does not sell contracts directly to consumers. Instead, this company partners with select dealerships nationwide to sell coverage to customers buying new or certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles.
What Does Continental Warranty Cover?
Continental Warranty offers customers five extended service contract options: UltraCare Exclusionary Vehicle Service Contract (VSC), UltraCare VSC, Continental Gold, Continental Plus, and Continental Powertrain.
The company does not share sample contracts on its website, which is not uncommon for warranty companies that sell only through dealerships. The chart below provides a general summary of Continental Warranty coverage:
| Continental Warranty Plan | Type of Coverage |
|---|---|
| UltraCare Exclusionary VSC | Exclusionary bumper-to-bumper coverage |
| UltraCare VSC | Comprehensive stated-component coverage |
| Continental Gold | Mid-tier stated-component coverage |
| Continental Plus | Enhanced powertrain coverage |
| Continental Powertrain | Powertrain coverage for your vehicle’s engine, transmission, and drivetrain |
Depending on your plan, you may receive added benefits or be eligible to purchase add-on coverage such as:
- Rental car reimbursement
- Roadside assistance and lockout coverage
- Extended seals and gaskets coverage
- Electrical systems, sensor, and module coverage
- GPS coverage
- Turbo/supercharger coverage
- Front-wheel and all-wheel drive coverage
All Continental Warranty plans come with nationwide protection. If you’re driving anywhere in the US or Canada, your repair will be covered if it’s listed on your contract. All plans are transferable for a small fee, though Continental Warranty does not specify the exact amount on its website. If you sell your car before your Continental Warranty coverage expires, you can transfer your coverage to the new owner, which can increase the resale value of your vehicle.
How Much Does Continental Warranty Coverage Cost?
Continental Warranty does not share information about the cost of its plans on the website because it sells directly to dealerships. This is common in the extended car warranty industry.
The average cost of an extended car warranty is between $600 and $1,000 per year of coverage. Typically, you won’t have to pay this price upfront. Instead, you can choose to pay in monthly installments at a fraction of the overall cost. Continental Warranty boasts that the price of coverage could be rolled into your car loan, making it easier for drivers on a budget. However, this also means that you’ll be paying interest on your warranty.
Some factors that could influence the cost of your extended car warranty include:
- The year, make, and model of your vehicle: A good rule of thumb is that the more expensive your vehicle is, the higher the cost of your extended car warranty will be. For example, a BMW extended warranty will typically cost more than a Nissan extended warranty. Luckily, luxury vehicle owners report positive experiences with Continental Warranty. Some third-party providers won’t cover luxury vehicles, so a Continental warranty could be your best bet if you drive a high-value vehicle.
- Your vehicle’s mileage: Cars with higher miles on the odometer tend to cost more to protect than new cars. If you buy a pre-owned car with high mileage, you might still qualify for a Continental Warranty, but you may be better off finding coverage from a third-party provider that offers plans specifically designed for high-mileage vehicles.
- Where you buy your extended warranty: Extended warranties from car manufacturers tend to be more expensive. Warranties sold through dealerships may be subject to dealer markups and are sometimes non-negotiable. Third-party warranties sold directly to consumers tend to be more budget-friendly.
- Your deductible: Continental Warranty offers a range of deductible options but doesn’t disclose them online. Choosing to pay a higher deductible could result in a lower overall cost for coverage and vice-versa. Typical car warranty deductible options range from $0 to $200.
Quotes and Claims Processes
Drivers can only get quotes from Continental Warranty through their local dealership. You can call Continental Warranty at 800-265-9136 for more information on policies or to find a participating dealer near you. However, agents will not be able to give you a quote over the phone.
To file an extended warranty claim, Continental recommends customers take the following measures:
- Pull your vehicle over to a safe area to protect it from further damage.
- If you cannot drive your vehicle and you purchased roadside assistance, dial the number on your contract to request a tow.
- Tow or drive your car to a licensed repair facility or dealership.
- Call Continental Warranty at 800-265-9136 to notify the company of your mechanical breakdown.
- Have your repair facility call Continental Warranty to verify that the repairs are covered.
- Have your mechanic begin repairs after you receive Continental Warranty’s pre-authorization.
- Once the repair is complete, you’ll pay your deductible, and Continental Warranty will handle the rest of the repair costs.
Continental Warranty Ratings and Reviews
Continental Warranty has an overall positive industry reputation. It holds an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which bodes well for the company’s dependability and business ethics.
There are only about 10 customer reviews on Continental Warranty’s BBB profile, which give the company just over a 2.0 out of 5.0-star rating. Continental Warranty has also received more than 20 complaints in the past three years.
Positive reviews focus on Continental Warranty’s professional customer service staff, “stellar” coverage for luxury vehicles like BMWs, and quick and easy claims services. Negative customer reviews say Continental Warranty actually has slow claims processing, a lack of “after hours” claims service, and a lack of coverage for certain common repairs.
A mix of positive and negative reviews is to be expected with any warranty company, and no extended warranty will cover every repair. It’s important to read your Continental Warranty vehicle service contract carefully to be sure your claim is covered.
Continental Warranty: 3.8 Stars
Overall, Continental Warranty coverage may be a good option for people who are buying a car from a participating dealership—if the price is right. Because there are not many coverage details available online, be sure to read your contract thoroughly before signing on the dotted line.
If you want more flexibility or if you’re looking for an extended warranty for a car that you already own, we recommend looking into one of the reputable extended car warranty companies listed below.
Top Recommendations for Extended Car Warranties
Anytime you shop for an extended car warranty, we recommend considering all of your options and getting quotes from multiple providers to ensure you’re getting the best deal. With so many extended warranty companies to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start your research. So, our review team did the homework for you, evaluating each major provider and ranking them according to coverage, cost, reputations, and more.
CARCHEX and CarShield are two companies that have high customer service scores and offer high-quality coverage at fair prices. Learn more about these providers and get a free quote from each company below.
CARCHEX: Best Service
CARCHEX has a strong reputation among both customers and experts. It partners with industry-leading companies like CARFAX, Edmunds.com, and Kelley Blue Book, and it has over 1,000 positive reviews on Trustpilot.
CARCHEX offers drivers five levels of vehicle protection:
- Titanium: Bumper-to-bumper exclusionary coverage
- Platinum: Comprehensive stated-component coverage
- Gold: Mid-tier stated-component coverage
- Silver: Enhanced powertrain coverage
- Bronze: Basic powertrain coverage
When you purchase a CARCHEX plan, it will come with benefits including:
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- Towing reimbursement
- Rental car reimbursement
- Trip interruption coverage
Learn more about the provider in our complete CARCHEX review. To see what a CARCHEX warranty would cost for your vehicle, get a free quote below.
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★★★★★
Our research found this provider to be the best for used cars.
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CarShield: Best Budget Warranty
By analyzing cost data from each major warranty provider, we determined that CarShield offers the most budget-friendly warranty. CarShield offers customers five automotive plans:
- New Car Diamond: Bumper-to-bumper exclusionary coverage
- Platinum: Comprehensive stated-component coverage
- Gold: Enhanced powertrain coverage
- Silver: Basic powertrain coverage
- Aluminum: Specialty coverage for cars with high-tech components
CarShield is also one of the only providers that offers protection plans for motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. Benefits that come with all CarShield extended warranties include:
- Rental car reimbursement
- Courtesy towing
- 24/7 roadside assistance
You can read more about this provider in our full CarShield review, and get a personalized quote by clicking below.
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★★★★½
Our research found this provider to be the most affordable. Plus, it offers monthly plans.
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