Owning a recreational vehicle allows for convenient and affordable adventures whenever you want. Perhaps that’s why over 40 million people went RV camping in the last year alone. With the pandemic and economic factors making certain kinds of travel hard, many of us have turned to road trips for our vacations.
As fun as RVs are to own, they are prone to breaking down over the years, and it can be expensive to repair them. This is where an RV extended warranty can help.
An extended warranty is essentially a service contract provided through third-party RV extended warranty companies. With an RV extended warranty, the provider will pay the repair shop on your behalf. These warranties last much longer than standard manufacturer warranties and allow you to protect your RV investment for years to come.
Here are the five most important questions to ask before purchasing an extended warranty for your recreational vehicle.
There are various levels of RV extended warranty coverage to choose from. Most cover a wide range of mechanical failures, electrical problems, and component repairs.
Here are a few specific mechanical and damage repairs that an extended warranty might cover.
• Battery and electrical issues
• Malfunctioning slide outs
• Faulty or damaged brakes
• Tire blowouts
• Plumbing problems
• RV appliance failures
They might also offer benefits such as roadside assistance, technical support, and travel or rental car reimbursements. However, the average RV extended warranty does not cover the cost of car accident repairs, lost/stolen items, or weather-related damages.
It’s important to know exactly what your extended warranty will cover before you pull the trigger. Ensure that you understand all of the different types of coverages and what won’t be addressed by your policy.
If you plan on selling your RV within the near future, you might want a transferable warranty that can move to the next buyer.
Transferable recreational vehicle warranties add value to your used RV and can help increase the resale cost. A recreational vehicle with extended warranty coverage suggests to buyers that your RV was well-maintained and repaired if needed.
Plus, many used RV buyers seek out vehicles with transferable warranties for added peace of mind. They want to know that if they purchase that RV, they’ll still have protection if something goes wrong in the near future.
You will have to pay a small fee for transferable warranties, but having this feature will make it easier to sell your recreational vehicle. Be sure to ask about them if this is important to you.
The manufacturer warranty that typically comes with a new RV only covers damage repairs and RV maintenance for a certain amount of time, as well as for a specific number of miles. A standard warranty might not be enough to keep your protected long-term, especially considering that 8 out of 10 RVs will need a major repair by the fifth year.
Unlike the manufacturer warranty, an extended RV warranty will keep your recreational vehicle investment protected for years, so you can enjoy it longer. Ask upfront how long the coverage will last and if it expires after a certain number of miles traveled.
You can decide the length of your RV extended warranty coverage in the agreed-upon service repair contract. If you want to extend your warranty even longer, you can do so by contacting your RV extended warranty company.
Many people don’t realize that warranty prices, like automobile purchases, can be negotiated. This is a big thing to talk about in early warranty discussions.
To get the best RV extended warranty for your needs and budget, you’ll need to do your research and be prepared to negotiate. To flatten the playing field and come in with the best argument, you should request several free quotes from competing RV extended warranty companies. The more you know about your options, the better.
From there, you can either take the lowest offer from a provider or negotiate with your preferred RV extended warranty company for a better price. Don’t be afraid to play hardball. Come prepared with competitive pricing and put your foot down when you are not offered a fair price.
A great RV extended warranty will come with additional benefits to keep you and your RV safe and protected. Here are some of the benefits you should look for when buying an extended warranty for an RV.
If your RV breaks down on a road trip, you don’t want to have to worry about the cost of towing and seeking emergency assistance. Most RV extended warranty plans cover the cost of towing and roadside assistance services. With this additional benefit, you won’t have to worry about unplanned costs if you get stranded on the side of the road.
There are plenty of technical components in a recreational vehicle, from appliances to generators. When your RV suffers a technical issue, you will need professional help to minimize
the risk of damage to your vehicle. Extended warranty coverages that include the cost of technical support will make this process quick and easy.
When you are on an RV trip, you are often far from home. So, when your RV breaks down you will probably need to rent a car to get to where you need to go. Rental car reimbursements cover the cost of rental cars, so you don’t have any added stress.
When you bring your RV into a repair shop that takes your warranty coverage, they should take care of the rest. But vehicle mechanics are people, and they can sometimes make a mistake. If a repair shop is giving you a hard time or makes a mistake, the extended warranty company will handle it if you have claim assistance.
These are just a few of the added benefits you can receive with an RV extended warranty. It’s a good idea to compare benefits between different warranty providers when exploring your options.
By asking these five questions, you’ll have a better understanding of how RV extended warranties work and what a great policy looks like.
If you are considering buying an extended warranty for your recreational vehicle, RVing Solutions can help.
Our comprehensive warranty solutions help you enjoy your RV to its fullest – without worrying about the costs of damage repairs.
Want to learn more? Get a free quote today!
Published July 6, 2021