Did you know that over 11% of households in the United States own an RV? Forty-six million Americans plan to take an RV trip this year!
However, many things can go wrong with an RV, which can put a massive dent in your road trip plans. Thankfully, an RV extended warranty can cover many of these issues.
An RV extended warranty claim goes several steps ahead of the basic warranty and shields you from unexpected RV expenses. These include repairs, specialty parts, or any related charges like hotel stays or towing service costs.
However, to avail of these benefits, you will need to file an extended warranty claim first.
This can seem intimidating, especially when you’re already stressed over the breakdown of your RV. No need to fret though, we’re here to help.
Mentioned ahead are the main steps involved in filing an RV extended warranty claim on your own. Of course, not all warranty policies are the same, but the core process of filing an extended warranty claim is essentially similar.
Here’s how you can do it.
As soon as you realize that all’s not well with your RV, bring out your extended warranty coverage documents and closely examine them. Check and make sure that the faulty part is not mentioned in the list of excluded items within your coverage plan.
In case you’ve misplaced your policy, you can get in touch with your extended warranty service provider and ask for a copy.
Once you know what or where the problem is, check for any visible signs of damage or malfunction. Take as many photos of the damaged component as possible. Remember, the more documented evidence you support your claim with, the easier it will be to complete the warranty claim process and claim the coverage on time.
Next, you will need to bring your RV to an approved repair facility. They will be responsible for providing the warranty service with information related to your claim (repairs, invoices, and so on). So let them know you will need this information beforehand.
It is a good idea to ask your extended warranty coverage provider about reliable repair facilities and certified RV technicians. This can be especially helpful if you’re stuck in an unfamiliar area or are looking for an RV repair shop.
Pick a suitable repair station and give them a call before reaching there to ensure that they have the necessary space, spare parts, staff, time, and equipment to accommodate your recreational vehicle.
When you get your RV to the repair shop, ask the technician to look into the problem and get all the details about the exact troubles with your RV.
Ask the technician to create a detailed invoice with an estimate of the costs for parts and labor. Have them update your RV extended warranty provider with their findings and analysis to start the claims process.
Make sure that no repair work starts until the warranty company is contacted and the work is approved by them. If your work begins before or without the approval of the warranty company, the claim will be denied.
Your claim will also be assessed by the technician repairing your RV as well as the warranty claims adjustor, so you won’t have to worry about the nitty-gritty of the warranty claim process. If you have any specific instructions for the technician, do let them know about it in advance to avoid hiccups later on.
The repair shop will then contact your extended warranty service provider about filing your claim. They will have to send a copy of the overall estimated cost of repairs to the adjuster.
To get a clear picture of the costs involved, ask a certified RV technician to include part numbers and prices, labor hours, and the reason for the malfunction. They should also mention your RV’s information, like the mileage and the vehicle identification number (VIN).
Having all this important information on paper in front of you makes things convenient for the repair facility and the claims adjustor, speeding up the tasks of getting a pre-authorization number.
As mentioned, your RV technician cannot begin repairing your RV until your extended warranty provider approves the claim.
Getting a pre-authorization number is akin to receiving an official approval to begin the repair work covered by the recreational vehicle warranty. Your certified RV technician can begin work on your RV as soon as they have it. This number will help you, the technician, and the warranty company track all of the work and costs associated with the claim.
The majority of extended warranty claims are adjusted and approved after the first phone call that the facility makes. But this does not mean that your technician depends on a verbal confirmation provided over a call and skips the step of obtaining a pre-authorization number. Getting a pre-authorization number is non-negotiable!
If you’re unable to use your RV during the repairs and are stranded more than a hundred miles away from home due to RV breakdown, your extended warranty will allow you to avail trip interruption benefits of lodging and meals.
Other add-ons may include things like car rentals and towing expenses. When buying your coverage, make sure that these benefits are clearly mentioned in your coverage policy.
Once the repairs are completed, the final invoice can be submitted to the warranty company, and you’re all set! Your warranty provider will pay the RV repair shop for all the covered components through a corporate credit card. You will only be required to pay for the deductible you choose.
Any kind of RV breakdown can bring tremendous stress to the RV owners. In such a scenario, your recreational vehicle extended warranty should be a source of relief rather than anything else. The above five pointers will help you understand the main steps of the warranty claim process and availing of additional support. They should help you when filing your claim with your warranty adjustor. Whether it is resolving your queries or negotiating your claims, your extended warranty service provider will help you in every way possible.
If you’re looking to buy an RV extended warranty that covers your repair costs and other incidental expenses, reach out to RVing Solutions today and get a free quote now! Our experts provide an array of coverage options with loads of added benefits, including roadside assistance.
Published August 10, 2021