Behind the Scenes: A Century Warranty Services Review

At a Glance

Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Century Warranty was founded in 2002 with a vision to explore alternative non-dealer distribution channels for product sales through third-party partners, remarketing to customers who had previously bought a contract, and reaching out to "dealer miss," which refers to customers who didn’t purchase a contract at a dealership but may be interested in one later. With CIC acting as the underwriter for Century’s contracts, the warranty company has managed to payout over $525 million in claims in 2019. Notably, CWS is closely affiliated with JM&A Group, a company that acts as a subsidiary for other warranty providers like Fidelity.

Features & Perks

Century Warranty stands out with a variety of unique benefits not typically found in other auto warranty offerings.

Coverage for advanced vehicles

In the ever-evolving age of technology, where the main goal is achieving true energy conservation and eco-friendliness, CWS goes the extra mile in its support. Their plans offer comprehensive coverage for a wide array of unique components, including hybrid, EV, and hydrogen batteries, alongside parts such as hydraulic or electric regenerative braking systems, electro-hydraulic power steering pump and reservoir, hydrogen fuel cell stack and more.

Trip interruption reimbursement

No matter which plan you choose, CWS will ensure you’re covered even if your car breaks down 100 miles away from home. This distinguishes them from many extended warranties, which only offer such coverage on their premium plans that come at a high price.

Nationwide coverage

Whether you’re going on a trip to Canada or an interstate adventure, CWS has you covered. With authorized service centers spanning across all 50 states, you can bring your car to any licensed repair facility near you.

Instant coverage 

Unlike other companies that may require you to pay upfront and then wait for reimbursement, Century Warranty ensures worry-free service by instantly covering the costs of authorized repairs with no waiting period.

Flexible deductible options

CWS gives you the flexibility to select your deductible, allowing you to assess your financial situation and make the choice that best suits your needs. The company offers your choice of deductibles ranging from $0 to $500. This empowers you to take control of your coverage and make decisions that align with your budget and preferences.

Rental car reimbursement coverage

Century stands out with their extended rental car coverage, which reimburses $40 per day for 10 days, totaling up to $400. This goes above and beyond what other companies offer, which only cover four to five days.

Transferable coverage

Each plan can be transferred to a subsequent owner when the time comes and you decide to sell your car. This not only eliminates concerns about canceling coverage but also enhances your vehicle's resale value.

24-hour roadside assistance

Experiencing a breakdown on the road can be a stressful situation, from the daunting task of diagnosing the mechanical issue to making calls and waiting for a tow truck. With Century's comprehensive roadside assistance coverage, you won't have to handle these challenges on your own, as they cover gasoline delivery, flat tire assistance, battery jump starts, emergency lockout service and up to $100 reimbursement for towing.

Drawbacks

While Century Warranty offers numerous benefits, there are some limitations to consider:

Limited coverage

The company covers up to 10 years and 120,000 miles. After purchase, your coverage can only extend up to 175,000 miles on the odometer. While the 10-year timeframe may seem reasonable, the mileage limit will probably be reached well before the full duration of the term.

Limited coverage terms

CWS only covers services for vehicles with nine model years and less than 105,000 miles on the odometer, making their plans unsuitable for high-mileage vehicles.

Limited transparency

Obtaining additional information about Century Warranty can be challenging. When looking for more information about the company, you will quickly realize that you’re limited to the information provided on the website, with no way to easily contact them through email without having to call them and risk being pressured into purchasing a plan.

What Do They Offer?

Century Warranty offers three primary plans, each with varying levels of coverage, ranging from the basic powertrain plan to the most comprehensive exclusionary coverage available.

Power Care: Offering vehicle protection for vital powertrain components such as the engine, fuel injectors, transmission, and drive axle, this plan also has the option to include additional coverage for hybrid, plug-in, electric, compressed natural gas, and hydrogen components.

Sentry Care: Building on the Power Care plan, this policy extends coverage to more components, such as steering, front and rear suspension, electrical, steering, etc.

Sentry Guard Max: Comprehensively providing coverage for nearly all vehicle components, with some exceptions such as brake linings, brake drums and rotors, disc brake pads, tires, etc. according to some customer reviews, this plan might cost around $5000. This is the highest level of coverage Century provides, dedicated to providing you with peace of mind.

Their website does not specify prices or mileage requirements for each specific plan; however, it's important to keep in mind that you’ll have to pay extra if you want the hybrid, plug-in, electric, compressed natural gas, and hydrogen components included in your plan. Additionally, payment for customers’ claims is directly processed with the repair shop, eliminating the need for paperwork and waiting on your end.

Who Is It For?

Although CWS offers many valuable benefits with minimal setbacks, it's not a one-size-fits-all company, as there are some customers who might find their plans more satisfactory than others.

Advanced vehicle owners

In an era where environmental awareness is crucial and electric or hybrid cars are a step toward a truly sustainable, environmentally friendly future, CWS steps up to maintain such a vision by designing their plans to cover hybrid, EV and hydrogen components, making it a good choice for advanced vehicle owners.

New car owners

Their coverage range makes their plans ideal for new car owners. Century Warranty offers services that are aimed at ensuring you’re prepared for unforeseen repairs without taking another financial hit after purchasing a car. Additionally, if you decide to sell your car, you'll be able to do so knowing that it will be sold for a good price.

Luxury car owners

Luxury car owners greatly benefit from Century Warranty Services contracts due to their inclusive coverage of “extended electrical” components. Luxury vehicles are known for their advanced electrical systems, which require costly repairs and replacements. CWS recognizes the need to soften the blow of these costs by including coverage for them in their Sentry Guard Max plan.

Customer Reviews

Over the years, Century Warranty has received a range of feedback from customers on platforms like BBB (Better Business Bureau) and Yelp. They currently hold an A+ rating with 3 stars on BBB, and on Yelp, they have an average rating of 1.5 stars. The negative reviews on both platforms share common concerns such as rude staff, excessively long wait times, and extended approval periods for vehicle repairs. Many also complain about situations where they submit essential documents only to be told that they have not been received.

For instance, One customer on the BBB highlighted a frustrating experience where their car was held for transmission replacement for four weeks due to a critical issue. After the long wait, Century rejected the replacement, claiming that a complete transmission failure was required for approval of the replacement.

The positive reviews, on the other hand, express satisfaction with the customer service representatives, describing them as “courteous, helpful, and attentive.” In one case, a customer encountered a problem with her bank regarding gap insurance processing, which got resolved when Century promptly stepped in to assist. They also helped another Yelp user smoothly transfer their Century Warranty plan when they purchased a used car from its previous owner.

It's essential to consider the relatively small sample size of reviews, with only 9 on BBB and 22 on Yelp. Additionally, you might notice that the negative reviews outnumber the positive ones. Initially, this might suggest a negative general opinion of Century. However, it’s important to keep in mind that while negative reviews often provide valuable insight, people tend to write them more frequently than positive ones in an effort to resolve their problems quickly.

Contacting Century Warranty

To file a claim, you can contact (866) 732-8503, available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 9 PM and on Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM. For roadside assistance, reach them at (800) 517-8500. You can also fax documents to (954) 418-5373. While email addresses don't seem available, you can contact their affiliate company, JM&A Group, through their contact form.

Takeaway

Century Warranty Services, Inc. offers a range of vehicle protection plans with distinctive features and benefits, such as advanced component coverage and instant coverage. While there are limitations to consider, like mileage restrictions and limited coverage terms, the company caters to various types of people, from luxury car owners to new car owners. Ultimately, for individuals considering a vehicle service contract, CWS provides interesting perks worth considering.

We suggest using our comparison tool to check out and compare different providers to make sure you pick the best one suited for you. You can also look at our list of the top auto warranty companies for more information.

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