Should You Buy a Volvo Extended Warranty?
Auto manufacturers offer protection against mechanical breakdowns through extended car warranties. While similar coverage from third parties is available, this coverage is technically considered a vehicle service contract–not an extended warranty. However, we've used both terms interchangeably in this article for simplicity.
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Volvo owners take pride in their vehicles, and they often keep them for years. It’s a good idea for long-term owners to consider whether a Volvo extended warranty would be a worthwhile investment to keep their car protected after its factory warranty expires.
In this review, we’ll examine the Volvo extended warranty based on its coverage, cost, and added benefits. We’ll also explain why purchasing coverage from one of the best extended car warranty companies may be a better decision.
Either way, it pays to shop around and find a good deal. You can start getting free quotes from three of our top-rated providers by clicking above.
Table of contents
What Does a Volvo Extended Warranty Cover?
Here is a high-level description of each Volvo extended warranty plan:
- Platinum: This plan is Volvo’s exclusionary plan, covering almost every component of a vehicle except for a few common exclusions, such as the brake drums, brake rotors, and the heater and radiator hoses.
- Gold: Volvo’s Gold plan covers the powertrain as well as many other vehicle systems, including the air conditioning, steering, brakes, suspension, and more.
- Powertrain: Volvo’s Powertrain plan covers your vehicle’s engine, transmission, and drivetrain, including its drive axle.
What’s Not Included
As with many vehicle service contracts, some components are not covered by the Volvo extended warranty. These include your brake drums and rotors, disc brake pads, safety restraint systems, and more. You can find an extensive list of these items in Volvo’s service contract brochures.
A Volvo extended warranty plan will also not reimburse you for mechanical breakdowns caused by misuse, aftermarket modifications, or negligence.
Additional Perks
Every Volvo extended warranty comes with the following perks:
- Alternate transportation coverage: You can receive reimbursement up to $40 per day for up to 10 days while your car is in the shop for covered repairs.
- Towing coverage: You can receive reimbursement of up to $100 per covered mechanical breakdown for towing to the nearest dealership.
- Travel coverage: If you’re more than 100 miles from home when you experience a covered mechanical breakdown, you can be reimbursed up to $100 per day, up to $500 per occurrence, for food and lodging to stay while your car is fixed.
- Fluids coverage: Fluids that are needed in conjunction with a repair will be replaced for you.
These perks are fairly standard for the industry, but the $500 limit Volvo offers per occurrence for travel coverage is higher than average.
Do You Need Volvo Extended Warranty Coverage?
When deciding whether to purchase Volvo extended warranty coverage, it helps to think about your finances and your car’s reliability. Unfortunately, expensive car repairs are not uncommon. Car repairs can easily cost over $1,000, and sometimes they are completely unexpected. Most people don’t have thousands of dollars of disposable income to cover these expenses.
Extended warranties help give financial stability by allowing you to pay a relatively small monthly payment and deductible instead of a large repair bill. Because of the peace of mind and stability they bring, purchasing an extended warranty is a smart decision for many drivers.
However, if you have an exceptionally reliable vehicle and you’re confident it won’t break down often—or if you could easily cover a large repair bill out of pocket—you may not need the extra protection.
Volvo cars are nice luxury vehicles, but their reliability is considered mediocre. RepairPal ranks Volvo 17th out of 32 brands for reliability. In addition, Volvo ranks 29th among all brands by J.D. Power, and Consumer Reports ranks Volvo 24th for reliability. These rankings do not mean your Volvo will necessarily need a lot of expensive repairs. However, it is a risk factor that is worth considering as you research extended warranties.
The table below shows some Volvo expenses you may face with your vehicle, according to RepairPal. These expenses would be covered by extended warranty companies, depending on which plan you purchase. Or, you could pay for them out of pocket if you choose to forgo Volvo extended warranty coverage.
Volvo Model |
Common Repair |
Volvo Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|
Volvo V60 |
Blower motor replacement |
$1,124 to $1,305 |
Volvo XC70 |
Engine mount replacement |
$483 to $526 |
Volvo 760 |
Exhaust manifold gasket replacement |
$291 to $320 |
Volvo S90 |
Active suspension air spring replacement |
$1,628 to $1,686 |
Volvo Factory and Certified Pre-Owned Warranties
Before you decide whether to purchase a Volvo extended warranty, it is good to know how much bumper-to-bumper factory coverage is left on your vehicle. A bumper-to-bumper warranty covers almost all components in your vehicle, so an extended warranty is not needed while you still have this type of coverage. It is best to buy an extended warranty when your bumper-to-bumper warranty is almost expired so that you are not paying for double coverage.
The table below shows the Volvo warranty the manufacturer includes with its new and certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles. Check your current mileage and original sale date and compare them with the figures below to see if you have any coverage remaining.
Volvo Warranty |
Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage Term |
|---|---|
Volvo New Vehicle Limited Warranty |
4 year/50,000 miles |
Volvo Certified Pre-Owned Warranty |
5 years/unlimited miles after Nov. 1, 2018 7 years/100,000 miles before Nov. 1, 2018 |
Benefits of a Third-Party Volvo Warranty
If you’re not sold on getting Volvo extended warranty coverage from the manufacturer, consider an aftermarket car warranty. Independent warranty companies hold a number of advantages over manufacturer-backed extended warranties, including more affordable coverage, more plans to choose from, and a broader repair network, which is helpful if you live far away from your manufacturer’s dealership.
For most of our readers, we think an extended service plan from a third-party provider is a better choice than one from a manufacturer. Examples of reputable extended car warranty companies include Endurance, CARCHEX, CarShield.
The table below compares Volvo extended warranty details to those of top provider Endurance. As you can see, Endurance offers more coverage plans and a broader repair network. It is also likely more affordable than Volvo.
Volvo Extended Warranty |
Endurance Extended Warranty |
|
|---|---|---|
Coverage Levels |
3 |
6 |
Deductible |
Varies |
$0, $50, $100, or $200 |
Where to Get Repairs |
Volvo dealerships |
Any repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®) |
Transferability |
✓ |
✓ |
Cancellation |
Refund available within 30 days |
Refund available within 30 days |
Roadside Assistance |
✓ |
✓ |
Rental Car Reimbursement |
✓ |
✓ |
How to Get a Quote |
Call dealership |
Get Quote |
Final Thoughts: Is a Volvo Extended Warranty Worth It?
Buying an extended warranty is a smart decision for many drivers because most people don’t have thousands of dollars lying around for expensive repairs. An extended warranty may cost you a bit more in the long run than not having one, but it also offers peace of mind and some nice perks along with coverage.
We recommend Volvo drivers consider extended warranty companies in addition to the Volvo extended warranty from the manufacturer. These companies often have superior extended protection in terms of cost, repair network, and number of coverage options.
In order to find the right warranty for you, we recommend reaching out to some of the best extended car warranty providers for quotes. Once you have received multiple quotes, you can compare your offers and select the best plan. Some drivers prefer to call to receive a quote to get a feel for each company’s customer service, while others prefer to have their quotes emailed to them before talking to anyone.
You can get free quotes from our top recommended providers using the buttons below.
Methodology
- 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.
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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