Olive Car Warranty

Olive Process to Get Started

Prospective Olive customers can get a quote in less than a minute online, as the company only requires the make and model of the vehicle, the mileage, and contact information. Yes, you’ll have to give up your email address, but sharing your phone number is optional. Once Olive generates a quote, all it takes is payment and a bit more information about the vehicle, and coverage begins. Since there’s no waiting period, the car is protected from the moment payment clears. 

Even though the company makes signing up for a warranty exceedingly convenient, there are some limitations on the types of vehicles that qualify for coverage. Olive covers most vehicle brands, both new and used. The vehicle can be up to ten years old and have up to 140,000 miles, and coverage runs until the vehicle is 12 years old or has a total of 185,000 miles, whichever comes first. Olive plans can be canceled at any time, and if you cancel within the first 30 days, you’re entitled to a full refund if you haven’t used the warranty, and the company issues prorated refunds to warranty customers who have used their coverage. Warranty plans are also fully transferrable to subsequent vehicle owners.

Olive Extended Car Warranty Claims and Process

Olive makes signing up easy, but its claims process is somewhat unconventional. Rather than asking customers to call them directly, the car must be taken to a shop, where it will be evaluated. The shop will communicate with Olive directly and does not require your input during the process. Olive must approve repairs through communication with the shop, or the claim will not be paid. 

You’ll need to pay a deductible and be patient while your repairs are completed. Though Olive makes most things painless and quick, you’re at the mercy of the shop’s timeline for repairs. Olive does not guarantee a turnaround time, though it requires that you take your vehicle to an ASE-certified shop, which is more likely to complete repairs in a timely fashion. 

Reasons Olive Denies Claims

Olive doesn’t require a waiting period or a pre-coverage inspection, but that doesn’t mean it covers anything and everything. In fact, the company’s list of exclusions is as long as, if not longer than, the leading providers in the industry. Olive will not cover the following:

• Repairs performed without prior approval

• Damage caused by the continued operation after a problem is recognized

• Diagnostics if the failed component is not covered

• Preexisting conditions – Olive won’t cover issues that your car had before signing up for a warranty

• Parts that fail due to abuse or neglect

• Damage caused by wrecks, natural disasters, vandalism, etc.

• Aftermarket parts or parts improperly installed

• Recalled components

• Modified vehicles

Olive Costs and Prices

Olive’s plans are generally more affordable than most in the industry, but again, there’s no zero-deductible option. Even so, it’s hard to beat the pricing.

Coverage for a 2019 VW Golf GTI with 35,000 miles ranges from around $29 to about $53 per month for the most comprehensive coverage.

While it’s true that the VW is still covered under its factory warranty, that coverage is about to expire, so it’s time to consider extra coverage. Olive’s excellent website design lets customers adjust their deductibles and view the updated monthly payment amount.

For example, Olive Complete Care for our 2019 GTI costs $52.56 per month with a $500 deductible, $91.98 per month with a $250 deductible, and $131.40 monthly with a $100 deductible.

That flexibility and transparency are rare among extended warranty providers, making Olive a standout option. 

Olive Warranty Customer Reviews

Since it’s so new, Olive hasn’t accumulated a mass of online reviews on sites like Consumer Affairs and the Better Business Bureau.

That said, the reviews it does have are mostly positive, with five stars making up 63 percent of reviews on Consumer Affairs.

Bad Reviews of Olive Car Warranty

Unfortunately for Olive, it’s not immune to negative reviews. Some customers expressed confusion with the no-waiting policy, as some purchased vehicles with unknown preexisting conditions only to discover that the problems were not covered.

That highlights the importance of understanding your warranty contract, and it’s also a good reminder that a pre-purchase inspection is of great importance with used vehicles.

Other negative reviews involve communication issues between the customer, Olive, and the repair shop. Some people felt that Olive should be more involved and proactive during the repair process, while others expressed frustration with the claims process and difficulties working with the adjuster.

Should You Buy an Olive Warranty?

Though I’ve never personally purchased an Olive warranty, the company will be at the top of my shopping list the next time I need one. Its transparency and ease of interaction make it a refreshing alternative to the old-school, pushy tactics employed by others in the industry. It’s nice to be able to complete an entire warranty transaction online, and Olive’s policy of no waiting period is unique. Most people report a fast and painless claims process, and the “adjustable deductible” gives customers a range of payment options.

Having said that, some people might prefer a more human touch with their warranty coverage. Olive is also somewhat limiting with its mileage and vehicle age requirements, as the car can’t be older than ten model years when the policy starts. Finally, several of Olive’s negative reviews relate to exclusions and definitions in its warranty plans. It’s a problem that unfortunately plagues almost every company in the extended warranty business, and there’s a lack of education or communication from most companies that contributes greatly to the problem. In any case, it’s not unique to Olive and should not be a reason to avoid booking coverage with the company.

Olive Alternatives

Few companies offer the convenience and ease of service that Olive’s customers enjoy. Even so, there are some solid alternatives with comparable service and ease of claims. Olive is a great alternative with plenty of not-negative customer reviews and a range of products. Endurance is another solid choice, and it’s easily one of the best-known and most well-respected warranty companies around.