Shopping for a new RV is fun and exciting. However, there are often a dizzying array of choices to be made. Do you buy a full-fledged mansion on wheels or a light and agile toy hauler? Do you get the premium entertainment package or the chef’s kitchen… or both? With so many options to choose from, it can be easy to miss some of the less dazzling but equally important decisions that need to be made.
One of the most important decisions you will need to pay extra attention to is your RV extended warranty coverage. Your RV dealership will generally offer this extended warranty coverage, or you may purchase it directly from the RV extended warranty provider.
Regardless of where you purchase your RV extended warranty coverage, it is essential that you know what questions to ask to ensure that your new investment is fully covered. You and your family can enjoy your new RV lifestyle to the fullest.
RVs and the people who own them are not all cut from the same cookie-cutter mold. The type of RV you choose, the way you plan to use your RV, and even the locations you plan to travel to or through can have a big impact on the type of RV warranty you may need.
For example, if you know that you will be taking your RV off-road frequently or you plan on traveling through a variety of extreme climates, you may want to ensure that the benefits of an RV extended warranty include full tire and wheel protection as frequent temperature changes and rough terrain can decrease the lifespan of your tires dramatically and regular replacements and/or repairs are likely to be needed.
As a general rule of thumb, you can expect the benefits of an RV extended warranty to cover most mechanical issues, major appliance repair or replacement, and routine maintenance costs.
A mechanical issue is a broad term that describes problems or malfunctions of any of the systems required for the proper functioning of your RV. This generally includes the motor, transmission, wheels, and tires, as well as the various complex systems of moving parts that operate the slide-outs, electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling systems on your RV.
Much like traditional home appliances, the stove, refrigerator, and other major appliances inside your RV are likely to need repair or replacement at some point. Unlike a traditional home appliance, there is no telling where you may be when your RV appliance stops working.
The majority of major appliances, including the stove, refrigerator, microwave, water heater, heater, air conditioner, may be eligible for coverage under a standard RV extended warranty.
Though not technically a part of the RV itself, service costs associated with a needed RV repair may be covered under your RV extended warranty. The following are just a few of the extra services that you may require in the event that your RV requires a major repair.
Depending upon your RV’s location and the level of repair needed, your RV may need to be towed to the nearest repair facility, which has the experience and the equipment needed to perform the repair or replacement.
If you are in between towns or in an otherwise remote location when the breakdown occurs, you could find yourself facing a very costly towing bill if your RV extended warranty does not cover the cost of towing.
If your RV is your sole form of transportation, then you will need to consider how you will transport your family from point A to point B in the event that your RV breaks down and requires a major repair.
Consider selecting an RV extended warranty that includes a stipend to cover the cost of cab fare or a rental car to transport your family while your RV is in the repair shop.
In the event that a major repair is required, you may be without your RV for a number of days while parts are ordered and the repair is performed. Because your RV is your family’s home, you will need to consider where you and your family will stay while your RV is being repaired.
Depending on the particular location in which you find yourself when the breakdown occurs, you may find that affordable temporary accommodations are hard to come by.
RV extended warranty coverage that provides for the cost of a hotel stay while your RV is in the repair shop can save you from the stress of having to scramble to afford hotel accommodations for you and your family.
While the coverage provided by an RV extended warranty is generally fairly comprehensive, there may be some outlier scenarios or concerns that are simply not covered under a typical extended policy.
Review any RV extended warranty carefully before signing on the dotted line. If you have any concerns about a specific type of coverage that is not included, you can always inquire about supplementary coverage that may be able to be added on for a nominal cost.
RV extended warranties will cover the majority of repair and replacement costs that arise as a result of regular wear and tear, age, and normal use. That being said, damage that is caused by negligence or misuse may not be covered.
For that reason, it is vital to make sure that you are aware of what your responsibilities as an owner may be.
Even if your RV extended warranty contains no exclusions for damage caused by negligence or improper use, it is a good rule of thumb to practice proper RV maintenance. A small amount of care can help stave off major repairs that could take your RV out of service for several days.
Routine RV maintenance generally includes checking the seals around windows, doors, vents, and slide-outs for any signs of wear to prevent water from finding its way into your RV.
If you have a powered RV, you may be responsible for providing routine engine maintenance care like checking oil and transmission fluid levels.
Even the most comprehensive RV extended warranty coverage is of little real-world value if you have trouble filling a claim or gaining approval for needed repairs.
It may not seem so now, but when you find yourself in need of a repair or replacement for your RV, it will be critical that you be able to reach out and communicate with a representative of your RV extended warranty provider. Depending on the repair or replacement needed, you may need their assistance to confirm the repair or replacement will be covered under your warranty, locate and contact an appropriate approved repair facility, or dispatch roadside assistance or a tow service.
Because you never know what time of the day or night that you may need a repair or where you and your RV will be at the time, it is important that you know that you will be able to reach your RV extended warranty provider for assistance at any time.
Every RV warranty is a bit different. You will want to make sure that you fully understand the claims filing process before choosing an RV extended warranty contract.
Most RV extended warranty policies will require that you take your RV to a certified RV repair shop to have any needed work performed. In most cases, the repair shop will communicate directly with your RV extended warranty provider to make certain that all of the necessary paperwork is filed and that your repair costs will be covered.
Generally, you will need to make certain that your RV repair facility has submitted the proper repair estimates to the RV extended warranty provider and received a pre-authorization code. The pre-authorization code serves as the confirmation that the RV extended warranty provider has approved the needed repairs or replacements, and you will not need to worry about any unexpected bills for unauthorized work at the end of the repair process.
It may surprise you to know that most RV extended warranty policies are not actually administered by the RV manufacturer or RV dealership where you purchased the RV and signed up for the extended warranty coverage. A third-party RV extended warranty provider administers the majority of RV extended warranties.
You will want to make sure that you know exactly who you will be dealing with when it comes to your RV extended warranty. You will want to choose an RV extended warranty provider with industry experience and a rock-solid reputation, like RVingsolutions. After all, your family’s comfort and safety are riding on your decision.
Published January 6, 2022