When you’re itching to get on the road in your new RV, an extended warranty might not be the most exciting consideration. These coverage policies can seem like an extra expense that’s hard to imagine using. However, an RV extended warranty can save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your camper. Learn more about extended warranties and see why no RVer should hit the road without an extended warranty.
An extended warranty is a coverage policy that goes beyond the standard manufacturer’s guarantees. A typical warranty is a written document that states a product’s usual performance standards and the manufacturer’s responsibility in case the product needs early replacement or repairs.
A reputable RV manufacturer or RV dealership offers a warranty with every camper. The RV manufacturer provides this coverage. Original warranties should also be covered in the price of your RV.
An extended warranty is slightly different. It might be helpful to think of these policies as service contacts instead of as warranties. An extended warranty provides coverage after the original manufacturer’s warranty expires. This type of RV warranty might be offered by the manufacturer, but you can also find extended coverage from other companies. You’ll also pay an additional premium cost for extended warranty coverage.
Before we cover the many benefits of an RV extended warranty, let’s be clear on how these policies work. The RV owner is the buyer who purchases the extended coverage policy from a contract provider. The contract provider or seller is the company that draws up your contract quote, completes your warranty application, and collects your warranty fee. Depending on how you purchase your RV and your warranty, your contract provider could be the RV manufacturer, RV dealer, or an independent RV warranty provider.
When you make a warranty claim, you’ll work with a warranty administrator company. This business determines what your contract does or does not cover during every claim. The company pays out for any approved claims, typically by working with your repair shop. This administrator company makes many decisions when you have a claim, but they aren’t actually your RV warranty company.
Instead, a separate insurance company holds your RV policy. This company is financially responsible for your coverage, even if the administrator company goes out of business. Many major insurance companies offer extended RV warranties as a specialty product. You can compare quotes at RVingsolutions to explore policies for your RV.
Finally, you’ll work with a repair shop or service facility whenever you have a claim. This is the company that makes the repairs on your RV. Depending on your claim, you might work with an RV dealership, an RV service center, a mobile tech service, or another type of shop. Your service center will complete a repair plan and have your estimated costs approved by your administrative company before work begins.
RV extended warranties might sound complicated, but they’re not very different from the insurance you carry on your home or car. In all of these cases, you make a claim, then the insurance company investigates and provides payment if the claim is approved.
There are many reasons to sign up for an RV extended warranty package. No one likes signing up for an additional service because they expect their new purchase is going to break. Remember that your RV is a complicated, expensive machine!
These homes-on-wheels are full of complex systems. Just like a traditional house, an RV has plumbing, electricity, and major appliances to maintain. There are also the major demands of a large vehicle. Put these huge systems on the road, exposing them to the elements, drive them up and down mountainsides—eventually, your RV is going to need a repair.
An extended warranty gives you and your bank account protection against unexpected repair costs. Explore more reasons to maintain an extended policy for your RV.
Life on the road can be unpredictable, but an extended warranty is a great way to control some risk factors. Consider how you feel about surprise costs, expensive hourly labor costs, and looming major repairs.
The average RV repair can cost around $300 an hour for parts and labor. You can plan for some significant replacements, but other repairs happen on an emergency basis. Maintaining an RV gets expensive quickly, especially when you’re racking up the miles.
An extended warranty policy gives you peace of mind in the face of these repair costs. You might still face a surprise breakdown, but you don’t need to worry about managing the repair process when you have warranty coverage.
Insurance is a smart way to avoid major financial risks. Health insurance, car insurance, home insurance, and other insurance policies offer a safety net in case of emergency. Your RV’s extended warranty isn’t technically an insurance policy, but it does provide the same cushion for your budget.
Repairing or replacing RV components can be expensive. Many repairs are also necessary as soon as possible. If your RV needs a new air conditioner, plumbing pipe, or transmission, it’s essentially unusable until repairs are made. You can’t live or travel in a broken RV. An extended warranty lets you make immediate repairs without worrying about the impact on your budget.
Extended warranties offer some financial protection against rising parts and labor prices. Once you sign a contract with a warranty company, you’ve entered a legal agreement that states your financial responsibilities. Your insurance costs won’t go up because retail or labor prices increase during your contract. An extended warranty places price risk onto the warranty company and protects the RV owner.
It’s always smart to consider your next steps. If you decide to sell your RV down the road, you’ll be in a better bargaining position when you can offer extended warranty coverage to your buyer. Buyers will feel confident that the RV was well-maintained while you owned it. They’ll also appreciate the warranty coverage for their own travels. Just confirm that your policy is transferable before signing your contract.
Believe it or not, your warranty administrator can be a powerful advocate. Many people don’t picture insurance or warranty adjusters as operating with the customer’s best interests at heart. However, these companies are focused on getting the most value for their money. Therefore, your administrator is motivated to make sure service facilities are doing their best work at a reasonable cost.
An extended warranty is a powerful tool that offers peace of mind, budgetary freedom, and years of value to your RV experience. You can get the most out of your coverage with a few simple tips and tricks.
Your extended warranty covers many repairs and replacements. However, some items are not covered. Read your contract carefully, so you understand what to expect. Generally, most RV extended warranties don’t cover the following items:
-Regular or preventative maintenance
-Pre-existing problems that needed repair before coverage began
-Collision or comprehensive coverage
-Roadside assistance
-Rust, corrosion, or other signs of poor maintenance
It can be challenging to find coverage on older or highly used RVs. Some companies have mileage or age limits for coverage. If your RV is getting up in either years or miles, talk to your company about your options.
RV dealerships often offer extended warranty coverage. These policies can meet your needs, but you may be able to find a better fit by shopping around. Make sure to check out RVingsolutions to learn about all your options before signing a contract with your dealer or any other company.
At first glance, it might not make sense to buy an extended warranty for a brand new RV. By definition, your extended warranty coverage doesn’t kick in while your original manufacturer’s warranty is still in place. If you purchase an extended warranty for a new RV, you’ll have a year or two of coverage that you can’t use.
It sounds contradictory, but there are some good reasons to buy an extended warranty for a brand new RV. Extended warranty prices are at their very lowest for new vehicles. Companies know that they won’t have to pay claims on these vehicles for a few years. You’ll enjoy the lowest possible prices by buying a warranty for your new RV.
You can also wait to buy your extended warranty until your manufacturer’s warranty has expired. However, costs will go up by this point, so you can expect to pay more.
An RV extended warranty isn’t a pointless extra cost. Instead, these policies offer powerful protection that can keep your RV in good shape for years to come. You can learn more about RV extended warranties and explore options for your RV at RVingsolutions.
Published November 29, 2021