The RV life teaches you to be prepared for anything. And if the lifestyle doesn’t throw a challenge in your way, your RV will. Sometime in the life of your travels, your RV will require repairs. While we advocate learning your RV well to prevent and take care of many systems yourself, it is important to have a back up plan. This is where a RV warranty can be very handy! Navigating the world of RV extended warranties can be confusing. The good news is – you have options when it comes to RV warranty plans! The bad news is – you have options. Making a confident choice means dedicating time to research now to save you big on RV repair costs down the road.
The best RV warranty for you will depend on your lifestyle, budgetary preferences, type of RV, and more. In this article, I’ll share what I have learned about RV warranties to kickstart your research. This will give you a basic overview about what a RV extended warranty plan entails and how they save you money. I am not an expert on this topic so I admit up front that most of my learning came from our go-to company for warranty coverage, Wholesale Warranties! (and in full disclosure, we are affliates of Wholesale Warranties, thus get a small commission at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a plan through one of our links).
What is an RV Extended Warranty?
An RV extended warranty, also called an extended service contract, is a protection plan for your RV and its many parts. The purpose of purchasing a policy is to save you money on expensive (and rising) repair costs. In other words if (or really when) your RV suffers a mechanical or electrical breakdown, any component covered under the warranty will be paid for by your policy provider, both the parts and labor costs required for repair.
Who can get an RV Warranty?
Extended RV warranties are available for both new and used rigs. While any reputable warranty broker will have eligibility requirements, you can typically purchase an extended warranty even years after you purchase your rig. For instance, Wholesale Warranties has options for motorhome up to 20 model years old or towable vehicles up to 15 model years old. In other words, you don’t have to buy a warranty at the dealership when you purchase the rig. Even if you’ve had your home-on-wheels for some time, it likely isn’t too late to secure protection.
Check out Wholesale Warranties for more information and to learn if your rig qualifies.
Types of RV Warranties
Within the extended warranty world, there are two main types: comprehensive and exclusionary. Under this umbrella, there are also powertrain only and coach only policies available, allowing RVers to choose coverage for the areas of their coach they are most concerned about. This variety of options allows for a wider number of RVs to be covered, including older units and those with high mileage.
Comprehensive RV Warranty Policies
A comprehensive policy is best for the traveler on a budget. These plans offer coverage to most major electrical and mechanical components on your RV. You may also see these plans referred to as Listed Component policies, as they list exactly what is covered. If your failure is not on that list, it will not be covered. For instance, Wholesale Warranties’ comprehensive policies cover a wide array of components, from your engine and powertrain, to heating and cooling features, water systems, leveling jacks, slide-outs and more.
So before purchasing one of these, consider what areas worry you the most and ensure it is covered. If you are comfortable with some DIY repairs or replacing certain parts yourself, this might be the right type of policy to give you peace of mind and pocket.
Exclusionary RV Warranty Policies
Exclusionary policies offer the highest available level of coverage, and work in the exact opposite way to a Comprehensive plan. An exclusionary RV warranty will tell you exactly what is not covered by the policy. If your failure is not specifically excluded, it’s covered!
These plans cost more so are ideal for those willing to invest in the highest level of coverage on the market. Again, you’ll see coverage for the big stuff, like engine and powertrain, air conditioning, electrical wiring, and appliances. But you’ll also see coverage for luxury components like washer/dryers and solar panels. Knowing the investment that solar can be for installation, this can be a great option for RVers who depend on its working to power their travels.
What is Not Covered by an RV Warranty?
Regardless of the level of coverage you choose, RV extended warranties do not cover everything. You’ll typically see exclusions fall under three categories: aesthetic and maintenance components, physical damage, and pre-existing conditions. This means the policy is not responsible for normal maintenance like oil changes, or damages to non-mechanical components like paint, flooring, or windows. You’ll also use your comp and collision insurance for physical damage, not your warranty.
RV Coverage Add-Ons and Options
You can also customize your RV extended warranty by choosing add-ons for additional coverage!
RV Roadside Assistance
The peace of mind knowing you have roadside assistance can be good for stress levels. Consider the idea of getting your motorhome towed (as sadly we did one summer). It was good to know that helps was a phone call away. Roadside assistance might just prevent you from being stranded in a remote location and spending excessive money on full towing costs. For instance, Wholesale Warranties roadside covers you for emergency fuel delivery, towing, and lockout assistance every day of the year at any hour.
Speaking of Wholesale Warranties’ Roadside Assistance, they have a unique component called “Tech Assistance.” It gives you 24/7 access to a qualified RV tech to walk you through issues big and small with your coach.
No matter what you need, it is great to know that help is just a phone call away. Not only for the peace of mind but for the practical assistance in how to fix the problem. Not only will they get you a tow, but the roadside assistance agent will connect you with the closest reputable repair facility in the area. This type of add-on is renewable each year, so you have the option to keep it or drop it from your policy altogether. And companies like Wholesale Warranties offers special savings if you lock in several years at one time to save on the premium!
RV Tire and Wheel Protection
One of the scariest ideas for RVers are tire blowouts on the road. Not only are they frightening when they happen, but they leave you on the side of the road. And if a blowout is caused by a road hazard, sometimes you lose multiple tires. Knowing motorhomes and travel trailers can have up to eight tires, you want to be sure that your warranty company does not place limitations on the number of tires you can claim. You’ll want to be covered to prepare for any situation.
Tire and wheel protection policies allow you to take your vehicle to any tire repair provider, or even have them come out to you if they offer the option. Once a repair representative gets approval from your policy administrator, they’ll fix your rig and you’ll be right back on the road.
Why You Should Have an RV Warranty
Having an RV extended warranty is a smart financial investment. Some of the most common RC repairs are among the most expensive—and RVs are prone to failures. Really, can we expect less when we are driving our homes 65 mph down the highway over and over again? According to claims data, they show that three in 10 RVs will suffer a major breakdown in just their second year on the road (naturally after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired.) By the fifth year on the road, eight in 10 RVs will have experienced a significant failure. After eight years, you can expect virtually every RV to suffer a breakdown. We found this out the hard way during our second summer full-timing. At five years old, she needed a Def pump replacement, as well as new batteries and fan belt among other things.
This is one of the reasons we like Wholesale Warranties – all their RV warranty policies include tire and wheel protection, with no limit or deductible. Not only does their policy offer complete coverage for tire and rim repair and replacement, but it features some roadside assistance benefits, mounting aid, and even emergency travel expense reimbursement. for all customers with an RV, travel trailer, or 5th wheel.
Had we had a protection plan in place, our administrator would have covered the cost of repairs for all our covered components. We would have saved thousands of dollars in parts and labor.
You can find the best coverage for your needs with optional add-ons and guaranteed tire protection. To help you know what you don’t know, find a provider like Wholesale Warranties, which will pair you with an RV Warranty Specialist. He or she will get to know you and your rig to make a recommendation on the level of coverage that best suits your RV lifestyle.
Added Benefits of Wholesale Warranties
Clearly, I am an advocate for Wholesale Warranties (we have gotten to know their people and really like them) so one more thing that we like about them. if you do need to file a claim down the road, Wholesale Warranties is the only provider with an in-house Customer Advocacy team dedicated to making the claims process as easy and seamless as possible. If you have questions or concerns with how your claim is being handled, Wholesale Warranties is there for you. And if you don’t have to take our word, read reviews from other real RVers who have made real claims to learn more about their dedication to customer support.
Click here to get a free, no-strings-attached quote from Wholesale Warranties.
No matter who you use, you should consider purchasing an RV extended warranty for your own peace of mind. Hopefully you never have to make a claim but if the likely happens, it is good to know you have a plan.
For more information, check out this interview with Stacie Richie-Roman of Wholesale Warranties. (go to time stamp 34:23 to get directly to interview)
*Disclosure: Please note this post may contain affiliate links. This means we earn a commission if you make a purchase using the links in this article, at no added cost to you.
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