American Auto Shield vs Olive

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado, American Auto Shield is a vehicle service contract administrator that works with dealerships, lenders, marketers, and other partners. They currently present eight coverage options, ranging from focused Powertrain protection to broad Diamond exclusionary coverage, along with two dedicated options for electric vehicles. Their Powertrain coverage is advertised for eligible vehicles with up to 250,000 miles, while the broader Electric Vehicle contract can include optional high-voltage battery coverage. Depending on the contract, additional benefits and options may include roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, trip interruption coverage, rideshare protection, and coverage for certain luxury electronics. Contract holders can also use eligible licensed repair facilities, and sample contracts are available online for greater visibility into coverage terms and exclusions. Customer feedback remains mixed, with positive reviews mentioning successful claims and helpful representatives, while critical feedback frequently focuses on claim denials, authorization delays, and coverage disputes. American Auto Shield also has more than two decades of experience in vehicle service contract administration, alongside a regulatory history that includes their 2024 FTC settlement.

Olive is a digital-first vehicle service contract brand launched in 2020 by Repair Ventures LLC, a company with a longer history in the vehicle protection space. Unlike many providers that require phone-based quotes and sales conversations, Olive lets customers get instant pricing, purchase coverage, manage their policy, and cancel online. Plans are sold month to month, rates are locked for three years, and coverage begins the day after purchase with no vehicle inspection required. Olive operates as a broker, with claims administered and paid by QBE Administration Services. They offer three stated-component plans: Powertrain, Powertrain Plus, and Complete Care. Coverage is available for eligible vehicles up to 10 years old and under 140,000 miles at purchase, with repairs accepted at any ASE-certified facility in the US or Canada. Benefits include towing reimbursement, rental car reimbursement, direct repair shop payment, free transfers, and a 60-day money-back guarantee. Olive is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and receives strong feedback for their transparent purchase experience, though some customers report claim denials tied to pre-existing conditions, prior authorization rules, and the limits of Olive’s broker role.