While RV warranties are a great way for RV owners to protect a new or used RV, many people wonder if they actually need one. An RV warranty can cost anywhere from $1,000 annually up to $20,000, and not everyone can afford this steep price.
As with home warranties, RV warranties are special protection plans that pay for minor and major repairs to your RV. They are typically offered by wholesale dealers when you purchase an RV from them.
In addition to being available through the RV dealer itself, RV warranties are also available through independent companies, such as Wholesale Warranties.
Along with flexibility in where you purchase your RV, there’s also flexibility in when you purchase your warranty. As an RV owner, you can purchase a warranty immediately when you buy the RV or at a later date.
Because of these multiple warranty options and your flexible timetable, knowing when and where you should purchase your warranty can be difficult.
Key Takeaways
- Consider online reviews, community opinions, insurance backing, and costs when selecting a warranty provider.
- Understand the different types of warranties and how long they last.
Understanding RV Warranties: The Basics
Because RV warranties cover damages, malfunctions, and issues with your RV, they’re often confused with RV insurance. However, insurance is designed to cover repairs from storm damage and car accidents.
On the other hand, RV warranties pay for damages, mechanical failures, and other issues resulting from normal wear and tear, misuse, and old age.
If, for example, your RV’s refrigerator, stove, or electrical system needs repairs, said repairs will be covered by an RV warranty–not by RV insurance. If, however, you’re involved in an auto accident or suffer roof damage from a hail storm, insurance will pay for the damage.
RV warranties are flexible and can cover every appliance, component, and system in your towable RV or motorhome–or even just a single part, such as your HVAC system or refrigerator.
However, they can be confusing because there are many different types of warranties, warranty providers, and factors to consider when purchasing an RV extended warranty.
Types of RV Extended Warranties and Their Coverage
In general, there are three different types of warranties available to cover your RV.
Manufacturer Warranties
Anytime an RV is produced, it comes with a manufacturer warranty. This type of warranty covers most components of your RV and the problems, malfunctions, and breakdowns that stem from design flaws (design flaws that aren’t your fault, as the RV owner). In most cases, a manufacturer warranty will include an exclusionary contract stipulating what they don’t cover.
Note that manufacturer warranties typically only provide coverage for 1-3 years from when the RV was built, not one to three years from when you purchased it.
Since this type of warranty is short-term and limited, it’s a good idea to consider purchasing additional warranty protection.
Extended Warranties
An RV extended warranty, also known as an “extended service contract,” is extended coverage you can purchase in addition to the manufacturer’s warranty.
Unlike manufacturer warranties, which are free, you’ll have to pay for an extended warranty and the protections it offers.
Despite their additional cost, extended RV warranties offer reliable coverage that lasts longer than manufacturer warranties. Additionally, you can tailor an extended warranty to cover anything not covered by your manufacturer’s warranty.
Extended warranty coverage is available at your wholesale dealership when you purchase your RV or at any time during ownership.
Third-Party Warranties
In addition to being available at your local RV dealership, extended warranties are also available through private parties and third-party companies. For example, Wholesale Warranties and Good Sam offer an extended warranty program with comprehensive and quality coverage when you need an RV repair or roadside assistance.
The most significant advantage of buying an extended warranty through a third party is that they tend to be cheaper than dealership warranties while offering the same amount of coverage.
Evaluating RV Warranty Providers
While different extended warranty companies will cover similar RV malfunctions and repairs, the terms, costs, and conditions of their RV warranty policies may differ significantly. Therefore, it’s essential to evaluate your options before making your decision.
Online Reviews and Community Opinions
One of the best ways to determine how good and reliable a warranty company is to check their online reviews. People on Google and Yelp will share their positive and negative experiences with the company in question, lending far more insight than the company’s website ever could. It’s also a good sign if the Better Business Bureau approves them!
Insurance Backing
Most warranty plans offered through dealerships, Wholesale Warranties, and other third-party companies are underwritten or backed by insurance providers. This is done to ensure that if the warranty company goes out of business or can’t pay for your repairs, the insurance company in question covers the repairs.
Therefore, it’s important that your warranty plan and provider are backed by A-rated insurance.
Costs and Considerations for Extended and Third-Party RV Warranties
In addition to online reviews and insurance, it’s also important to compare the costs and stipulations of different warranty companies and plans.
Factors Affecting Warranty Cost
Cost is typically affected by the age of the RV, what you want to cover, your provider, and how long you want the coverage to last.
Where You Purchase the Warranty
Generally, an extended RV warranty purchased directly through the dealer is more expensive than one purchased through a third-party company.
Additionally, some dealership extended warranties are so limited in coverage that they’re referred to as an exclusionary RV warranty. They get this nickname because they exclude more things than they actually include.
However, many RV owners still prefer to purchase warranties through their dealers because it’s fast, easy, and convenient. This can negate the stress and time it takes to research third-party warranty companies.
The Age of Your RV
The age of an RV often correlates with RV warranty cost. The older an RV, the more expensive the warranty will be. This happens because there is a higher chance of mechanical failure or something breaking down in an older RV than in a new one.
Your Level of Coverage
Finally, the more components you want to cover with your warranty, the more expensive the plan will be. Therefore, although protecting every part of your RV offers the most protection, it also comes at the highest price tag.
What You Should Protect With Your Warranty
The beautiful thing about warranties for motorhomes, fifth-wheels, and travel trailers is that you have a wide range of coverage options, including custom plans. Here are some things you can choose to cover with a warranty that won’t always be covered by insurance.
- Paint protection for damages not related to storms or an accident
- Air conditioners
- Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems
- The motor of a motorhome
- Axles, bearings, and wheels
- Repair costs at any licensed repair facility
In some cases, depending on your coverage and plan, an extended warranty will even pay for roadside assistance if your vehicle needs to be towed to a local repair shop. If you need your RV towed because of a car accident, your insurance should cover the physical damage to your rig.
Filing an RV Extended Warranty Claim
The process for filing warranty claims for motorhomes, fifth wheels, and travel trailers is the same, and here’s how it works.
- Check the fine print and details of your warranty to make sure the issue in question is covered by it.
- Take your RV to a licensed repair shop and have them diagnose the problem.
- Have the technician contact your warranty company for pre-authorization to fix the problem.
- Proceed with the repairs once you receive pre-authorization.
- Once the work is complete, your warranty company will pay for the repairs.
Summary
As with insurance, the ultimate reason to purchase an extended RV warranty is to provide peace of mind if you ever have a costly repair. It’s necessary because parts of your RV will eventually start to give out or malfunction, no matter how careful you are. While some problems are inevitable, you can avoid many issues by properly caring for and maintaining your RV.
It’s also important to store your rig safely while you’re not using it, as proper storage can prevent many potential problems that stem from vandalism, pests, or the elements. Consider using Neighbor, a peer-to-peer storage marketplace that allows you to find the perfect storage location for your RV.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Is a Typical RV Warranty?
Most manufacturer RV warranties fall between 2-3 years, though some manufacturers offer 1-year warranties. An extended RV warranty, on the other hand, can last for the entire RV life of your rig.
How Much Does an RV Warranty Cost?
An RV warranty can cost anywhere from $1,000 annually up to $20,000. It all depends on how comprehensive your coverage is, the age of the RV, and the company from whom you purchase the plan.
Is It a Good Idea to Buy an Extended Warranty on an RV?
Buying an extended warranty is an excellent idea if you want the most protection possible for your RV. It will pay the repair bill for many issues not covered by insurance.
