An RV is a big investment and an even bigger adventure, so it’s important to make sure that you’ve explored all your options when it comes to protecting your vehicle. Purchasing a new or used RV can be expensive, but so too can the maintenance costs.
If you’re planning on hitting the road in your newly purchased camper van, travel trailer, fifth wheel or motorhome, then you’ll want to ensure you’re covered against any unexpected repair costs that might pop up in the future.
That’s where an RV warranty comes into play. These policies can help protect your investment from costly repairs down the line—but what does it include? And is it worth purchasing one for your rig? Keep reading for answers to some of the most common questions about RV warranties and how they work.
Table of Contents
1. What Is an RV Extended Warranty?
An RV extended warranty is a contract between the manufacturer and the warranty provider. It provides coverage beyond the manufacturer’s warranty, which is typically limited to three years or less on many motorhomes.
The benefits of an extended warranty include:
- Extended coverage beyond your original warranty
- Peace of mind knowing your RV will be repaired by certified professionals
- Protection from unexpected costs that may arise if you have to repair or replace major components such as air conditioning systems and engines
2. How Does RV Warranty Work?
There are some important things to keep in mind when selecting an RV warranty.
First, we must define what we mean by “warranty”. A warranty is a guarantee of quality for a product or service that comes with certain conditions and limitations. In other words, the manufacturer promises that their product will perform as advertised and last a specific amount of time without breaking down or failing prematurely.
When you buy something with a warranty, you can rest assured knowing that your purchase will meet these standards if it breaks down during the term of coverage you’ve purchased (typically 1 year).
The only difference between warranties on vehicles and warranties on other types of purchases is how they are regulated by law because they fall within certain categories such as automobiles versus electronics.
3. What Does an RV Warranty Provide?
Typically, RV warranties cover the following:
- Engine and transmission parts
- Electrical systems (lights, appliances, etc.)
- The exterior of your RV (covers paint, rust and corrosion)
4. How Do You Make a Claim on Your RV Warranty?
As you might imagine, there are a few things to keep in mind when filing a warranty claim. First of all, do not assume your warranty will cover everything. Many people have found themselves surprised when their claims were denied simply because they did not have adequate documentation on hand.
Others have been told by insurance companies that “the policy stated” something different than what was listed in the fine print of their contract with the RV manufacturer.
It is critical to read through your contract thoroughly and make sure that you understand exactly what is covered under your warranty and where possible claims should be made (for example, if it’s an issue with the plumbing system installed by a company like Airstream Inc., then Airstream may be responsible for handling all repairs).
You should also know how much time you have left before you need to file your claim—there are many different types of warranties out there with varying lengths of coverage depending on factors like how often you drive or whether or not any parts were replaced while under warranty (and sometimes these dates vary based on location).
It helps if someone has experience working with these kinds of contracts before because usually nothing is straightforward enough for even seasoned attorneys unless they’ve dealt extensively with similar documents before!
5. Are RV Warranties Worth the Cost?
An RV warranty is not all that different from other kinds of warranties. The best warranty is one that you never have to use. It’s a waste of money if you pay for coverage and then never use it, but when you do need it, there’s no substitute for having a top-quality warranty in place.
One way to find out if your RV warranty is worth the cost is to ask yourself if it covers everything that could go wrong with your vehicle during its lifespan (and beyond).
For example, how will your RV be protected against rust and corrosion? Does the warranty cover replacement parts? What about labor costs? If something breaks down while on the road, how much would it cost to fix at an approved repair shop or dealership? Do they reimburse drivers for rental cars while their vehicles are being serviced under the terms of their contracts?
A good rv warranty plan is worth considering
A good RV warranty is worth considering. It’s important to read the fine print, though. Some plans are better than others, and some can cost you more than a few extra dollars in the long run.
It’s important to ask yourself if a warranty plan really fits into your budget before signing on the dotted line. If not, it may be best for you to go without one altogether—or at least until your finances improve.
Conclusion
Now that you know more about extended warranties and how they work, you can start looking for the best RV warranty plan for your budget. If you need some help, or if you have questions about a particular plan that we didn’t cover in this article, feel free to contact us at any time. We’ll be happy to give you all the information and advice