CNA National Warranty Services Review

Stephen Kenney
by Stephen Kenney
Tow truck towing a broken down car on the service center repair Loading broken car on a tow truck on a roadside

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If you’re looking for extended vehicle protection, you may be considering CNA National Warranty services. The company has an established 40-year reputation and works with over 250 dealerships. Despite its long tenure in the auto warranty business, it is nowhere near as popular as younger competitors. Is this because the company has little to offer, or is it simply an issue with brand marketing?


This review will help you better understand the value of CNA National Warranty services. We’ll take a look at how the company stacks up against the best extended auto warranty providers in terms of cost, coverage, reputation, and more. To make sure you’re getting the best price and coverage for your needs, it’s best to shop around and compare offerings from multiple companies.

CNA National Warranty Review: 3.1 Stars

CNA National Warranty does not make much information about its contracts available online. And because the company sells exclusively through dealerships, it is difficult to perform extensive cost research.

Based on what we were able to find, CNA National Warranty services seem like a worthwhile investment. The company offers a hefty range of coverage options and appears to have rates on the lower side of the industry average.

Be aware that, while we found no red flags regarding CNA National Warranty services, the company does not have a prominent customer service reputation. But that may be because it simply hasn’t spent effort on customer outreach.

CNA National Warranty Overview

Overall Rating

3.4

Reputation

3.4

Coverage

3.5

Price

3.9

Transparency

3.0

Customer Service

3.0

CNA National Warranty Corporation is backed by CNA Financial, which is one of the oldest and largest commercial insurance groups in the U.S. The company has been around for more than 35 years and paid out more than $4 billion in claims.


CNA National Warranty services include three vehicle service contracts for new vehicles and two protection plans for used vehicles. The warranty provider also offers Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) alongside a Tire & Wheel warranty.

With CNA National Warranty plans, you can take your vehicle to thousands of repair facilities throughout the U.S. and Canada. You also have the option to choose your deductible.

CNA National Warranty Services Cost

CNA National Warranty services are available exclusively through partnered dealerships. The final cost of a CNA extended warranty is likely to vary depending on your vehicle and coverage length. Other factors that impact cost include your location and the deductible you choose.


We found reports of customers paying between $2,000 and $5,000 for CNA National Warranty services. One customer with a 2012 Acura MDX paid $2,300 for a 4-year/48,000-mile contract.


The prices reported by CNA National Warranty customers seemed to be relatively average for the industry. In our 2021 extended car warranty survey which polled 1,000 consumers, we found that 45 percent paid between $1,500 and $2,500 for a protection plan.

CNA National Warranty Services Coverage

CNA National Warranty sells a number of vehicle service contracts for new and used vehicles. Here's an overview of the companies offerings:
  • Vehicles with up to 125,000 miles can be covered by Automotive Preferred CareSM or Mechanical Advantage CareSM.
  • Vehicles with up to 150,000 miles can be covered under the Vehicle Value CareSM plan.
  • Vehicles with as many as 150,000 miles are eligible for the Powertrain Advantage CareSM coverage plan.

Component coverage details for each plan are as follows:

Powertrain Advantage Care

Vehicle Value Care

Mechanical Advantage Care

Automotive Preferred Care

Engine

Transmission

Drivetrain

Suspension

Steering

Brake System

Electrical

Air Conditioning

Fuel System

Cooling System

Interior Electronics

Powertrain Electronics

Anti-Lock Braking System

Vehicle Hardware

Exclusionary

Used vehicles may also be covered by Certified+Plus CareSM, which is specially provided to certified pre-owned vehicles. Certified+Plus Care covers your car’s engine, transmission, and drivetrain past the expiration of your factory warranty.

All contracts come with towing, roadside assistance, travel reimbursement, and rental car reimbursement benefits.

Add-On Plan Options

Additional CNA National Warranty services include:

  • Tire and wheel protection: Pays to repair or replace tires or wheels damaged by road hazards
  • Lifetime limited powertrain warranty: Provides a lifetime warranty for the engine, transmission, and drivetrain
  • Lifetime wrap: Provides a lifetime warranty for the suspension, steering, brakes, select electrical components, air conditioning, fuel system, cooling system, and more

Quotes and Claims Processes

To get a quote for CNA National Warranty services, contact your local participating dealership. If you want to find a participating dealer near you, try contacting CNA National Warranty at 800-345-0191.

Claims can be filed online through the CNA National Warranty website or by calling the number listed above. A claims representative will walk you through the process, which entails taking your vehicle to a licensed repair center and authorizing a teardown inspection. Approved claims are paid directly to the repair shop.

CNA National Warranty Ratings and Reviews

CNA National Warranty Corporation holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Despite the company’s high BBB score, there are few positive reviews from customers who have purchased CNA National Warranty services. However, the company also has few legitimate complaints filed against it.


CNA National Warranty has received about 50 complaints in the past three years. Most customers who complain are upset by unsolicited robocalls that claim to be made on behalf of CNA National Warranty Corporation. But the BBB has posted a notice saying that BBB personnel have investigated the matter and concluded that CNA “does not make telemarketing calls and does not use a third party to make such telemarketing calls on its behalf.”


This is an important indication of CNA National Warranty being a legitimate company. Usually, it is inadvisable to contact companies that practice unsolicited sales call tactics.


There are a few other customer reviews that mention poor claims servicing, but based on the low volume of these complaints, it’s unlikely that the majority of customers have negative service experiences.

Positive CNS Warranty Services Reviews

"My extended warranty has covered everything without any negative feedback, and every customer service representative I have talked to has been very helpful and polite. I have never had such a big mechanical issue before, and having a company be so helpful has been amazing."

— Caityln C. via BBB


"By far the best aftermarket warranty company out there. [I] have four cars in my household with this company and recommend them to everyone."

— Todd L. via BBB

Negative CNS Warranty Services Reviews

"We purchased a Volkswagen Passat with the Preferred Care Plus package. [We] maintained the car according to the manufacturer. The warranty company is refusing to cover repairs. The only real recourse is to file a lawsuit, which will likely cost more than the repairs are worth."

— Brian B. via BBB


"This is the biggest scam of all time. Two out of three claims have been denied. Even with it in writing that it’s covered, the company does not cover the policy for payment so the dealer does not do the work. Never again would I purchase something like this."

— Bill J. via BBB

Top Recommendations for Extended Car Warranties

CNA National Warranty services can only be purchased from select agents and dealerships. Depending on where you live, a CNA extended car warranty may not be available.

Even if you are offered a contract from this company, it might not be the best option for your vehicle. Third-party extended warranty providers typically offer more flexible coverage and lower pricing than plans offered at dealerships. Read on to find out more about two of our top recommended providers: CarShield and Endurance.

CarShield: Best Value

CarShield sells six different extended warranty plans, the longest of which can cover vehicles up to 300,000 miles. The cost of a CarShield warranty will vary depending on your vehicle and mileage, but quotes we received from CarShield suggest it is among the lowest-cost providers.

The table below describes the terms we were offered when we reached out to CarShield while performing research for our in-depth CarShield review:

Vehicle

CarShield Extended Warranty Plan

Term Length

Monthly Payment

Down Payment

Deductible

Ford

Explorer

Diamond

Unlimited

$130

First payment

$100

Dodge

Caravan

Gold

4 years /

48,000 miles

$78

for 18 months

$250

$100

Dodge Caravan

Gold

4 years /

48,000 miles

$63

for 24 months

$150

$100

We think CarShield is a good choice for high-mileage vehicles and powertrain coverage plans. Since opening in 2005, CarShield has paid over one billion in claims, and we found reviews from many satisfied customers on Trustpilot and Google.

Endurance: Best Coverage

Endurance provides vehicle service contracts directly to consumers. Unlike contracts for CNA National Warranty services, Endurance contracts can be purchased directly from the provider. Endurance is accredited by the Vehicle Protection Association and is known for its reliable customer service.


Based on our extensive research into every major auto warranty provider, we find Endurance to have the most comprehensive coverage options. Endurance’s Supreme plan provides full bumper-to-bumper coverage with few exclusions.


All Endurance auto warranties include a free year of Endurance Elite Benefits, which gives drivers perks including total loss protection, key fob replacement, collision discount, tire repair or replacement, roadside assistance, and access to the Endurance mobile app.


Methodology

Our review team prides itself on sharing accurate and unbiased information with consumers. We have accumulated data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate our rankings of the industry’s best providers. Companies receive a score out of 5.0 overall, as well as a rating in each of the following categories:
  • Price: Comparing providers can be difficult due to the many factors that influence cost. To determine this score, we employ a secret shopper analysis using different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations.
  • Coverage: A wide variety of coverage is essential to support the differing needs of customers. We take into account the number of extended car warranty plans available, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
  • Customer Service: The level of customer service and care provided by an extended warranty company is an important consideration. Our review team sifts through customer reviews and complaints from reputable sources such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. We also consider the responsiveness of each company’s customer service team based on our secret shopper analysis.
  • Reputation: Good extended warranty providers consistently provide quality experiences. Our team takes into account BBB ratings and the company’s history of reliable service when giving this score.
  • Transparency: Customers value a commitment to open and honest communication when it comes to vehicle service contracts. Our team of experts takes into account the availability of money-back guarantees and sample contracts.

Q & A

Is CNA National Warranty Company any good?

Yes, CNA National Warranty has a solid customer service and claims handling reputation. The company has four coverage levels and offers additional benefits such as trip interruption and rental reimbursement.


What does National Warranty cover?

National Warranty protects your vehicle’s most important systems when you experience an unexpected mechanical failure. The company has protection plans of coverage to choose from, ranging from basic powertrain to bumper-to-bumper coverage.


What's the best auto warranty company?

In our review of the best extended auto warranty companies, we named Endurance, CARCHEX, CarShield, and autopom! as the top providers.

Stephen Kenney
Stephen Kenney

Stephen Kenney is a writer and editor who focuses on car insurance, auto financing, and vehicle shipping services. He's a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and has experience covering categories ranging from travel to sports to environmental sustainability. In his free time, Stephen enjoys going on long-distance runs, trying out new recipes, and exploring his adopted hometown of Cincinnati.

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