Article written by Wholesale Warranties, the leading provider of RV Extended Warranties direct to consumer. With a focus on education, customer service and reliable coverage, Wholesale Warranties has established themselves as the premier option for RVers looking to protect the road ahead. To work with a highly trained RV warranty specialist on an RV protection quote for your home-on-wheels, please call 800-939-2806 or visit wholesalewarranties.com.
There are a lot of great things about owning an RV: the open road, the sense of adventure, always having your home with you. The less exciting side of life on the road? RVs are simply known for needing frequent, costly repairs. So frequent, in fact, that a shocking 30% of units will break down by their second year on the road. By the fifth year, that number jumps to 80%, and by the eighth, nearly every RV!
These stats make sense when you think about the construction of motorhomes and towable RVs. They’re built by human hands, which leaves room for human error. Manufacturers take this into account, and put a one-year manufacturer’s warranty on new units for any initial shake out issues.
But what happens when that factory warranty runs out and you’re stuck with expensive repair bills? An RV extended warranty is a great option to secure peace of mind beyond the original warranty. Let’s talk a little bit about what exactly these policies can do for you.
What is an RV Extended Warranty?
An RV extended warranty’s purpose is to foot the bill for mechanical and electrical failures your rig might face. These policies will always exclude common maintenance items, aesthetic damages, and any issues caused by collisions or natural disasters.
RV warranty policies will come with a deductible, a clearly defined list of what will and will not be covered, and a term based on the eligibility of your specific vehicle.
What Does an RV Warranty Cover?
Depending on the level of coverage purchased, extended warranties can cover everything from your diesel engine and transmission to your slide-outs, leveling systems, appliances, heating and cooling, and more.
The two most common levels of coverage you will find are known as comprehensive and exclusionary policies.
A comprehensive policy will list everything that is covered. This type of coverage is defined so that if something fails in your rig and isn’t listed in the contract, it isn’t covered under the warranty. On the other hand, an exclusionary policy will do the opposite. It will list every component that’s excluded from coverage. If something fails and it’s not directly listed as an exclusion, it’s covered. Basic or powertrain only coverage is also an option for RVers. This will cover only the most catastrophic failures such as the transmission, engine, and drive axle.
An exclusionary policy is the most extensive type of warranty you can purchase, as it truly weeds out any gray areas in coverage.
What’s the difference between RV Insurance and an RV Warranty?
When it comes to RV protection, a lot of travelers struggle with choosing between RV insurance and warranty coverage.
So what’s the difference?
The law requires you to have comp and collision insurance on your motorhome in the United States. For towables, coverage can be optional depending on your state of residence.
On the other hand, a warranty isn’t required by law. These policies are optional protection for components that insurance won’t cover, such as engine failure.
Insurance is designed to cover repairs needed due to collision, physical damage, natural disaster, and theft. Conversely, an RV warranty will cover the repair expenses for electrical and mechanical components that fail to operate properly for reasons not covered by traditional insurance.
Warranties are often viewed as additional peace of mind, while insurance is a government requirement. Having both policies in place is the best one-two punch for protection against damages that occur on the road.
RV Extended Service Contract Benefits
With an RV warranty, you can protect your budget from the costs of unexpected RV repairs.
This benefit becomes increasingly important as motorhomes become more complex. With new features, updated technology, and high-tech appliances, your home-on-wheels is more vulnerable than ever to costly breakdowns.
Your extended RV warranty will continue to benefit your wallet if you decide to sell your rig. When you have an RV warranty on your rig, it suggests the vehicle was well maintained and repaired in a timely fashion, not to mention the overall value-add of any remaining coverage to be transferred to the buyer.
Another recent development in the industry? A select few providers, including online broker, Wholesale Warranties, have expanded offerings to RVers who wish to rent their RVs. Meaning, you can now put an extended RV warranty on a motorhome or towable you only use part-time! Make money when you aren’t using your rig…without losing your peace of mind.
Who sells RV Warranties?
You can either purchase an extended warranty from the dealership, or via an online broker.
So, how do you choose?
When you purchase your physical RV directly through a dealer, you have two options to protect your investment. You can either buy extended warranty coverage through their existing program, or you can go through an online broker. In contrast, if you purchase your RV through a Private Party, your only option for extended coverage is through an online broker. Brokers are often able to offer a wider array of options and eligibility than dealerships.
No matter where you purchase your policy, there are some things you should look for to ensure reliable coverage. First, is there an option for personalized quotes? Make sure you’re paying for the coverage you want, and not overpaying for coverage you don’t. A good example of this would be ensuring you do have coverage if you’d like to rent out your RV.
Next, confirm the person selling the policy is a subject matter expert in the warranty itself, not just the physical RV. Beyond that, post-purchase support can be invaluable when it comes to smooth claims processing.
Another important question to ask: can you go to any repair shop in America and Canada, or are you limited to a few – or just the dealership? The policy won’t be of much help if you’re in a sticky situation on the road and you can’t get the repairs covered at the local shop, or by a mobile mechanic.
What isn’t covered by an RV Warranty?
While every policy is different, it’s important to note that an RV warranty will never cover pre-existing issues or components that are damaged due to an accident or physical damage. Warranty policies are also designed to cover electrical and mechanical components, and will, therefore, exclude aesthetic items such as upholstery, mirrors, sheet metal, glass, bedding and cabinetry.
Additionally, extended RV warranties will require the contract holder to properly maintain their RV based on manufacturer specifications. You’ll need to keep records of these tasks for any future claims.
How much will my Extended RV Warranty cost?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all RVer, and your warranty policy shouldn’t be built that way either. Depending on where you purchase your policy, the cost will change significantly. Ultimately, there are a few factors that determine how much your warranty will cost you. These include your vehicle year, make, and model, as well as your mileage, value, and class.
Not every RVer is in the same stage of their purchase. When you speak to your warranty specialist, they should ask you questions to determine things like the amount of manufacturer warranty remaining, when and where you purchased your unit, how you use your rig, and what your desired level of risk is. These additional factors will help pair you with the right level of coverage, at the right price.
Warranties haven’t always had the best rap in the RVing community. However, reliable companies will always offer coverage you can count on, fair pricing, and an educational approach that will help you make an informed decision.
The Bottom Line
RV extended warranty coverage can help to protect your travel budget. Look for reliable coverage that suits your needs and travel lifestyle. Motorhome or towable, full-timer or weekend warrior, renter or driver: there’s a policy to protect you and your road ahead.
