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RV Warranties in Action: Defining Coverage & Sharing our Experience

11/25/2020

2 Comments

 
1/25/2020 Update: We renewed our warranty this month!!! We can have peace of mind for another 3 years!  We have been so happy with Wholesale Warranties, the service and the coverage that we also purchased a 3-year warranty with them on our tow car at the end of 2019.  What I didn't realize or think about is when pricing a warranty, it is based on the model year of your RV so on January 1st your RV is another year older. So, you'll save on your warranty price by purchasing it before year-end.  Get your quote today at Wholesale Warranties!  All you have to do for a quote is fill out a form. They are a no pressure company with great customer service! 

Or learn more  on Wholesale Warranties guest blog explaining year-end changes.  ​RV WARRANTIES: ELIGIBILITY, UPCOMING CHANGES, AND MOREHere is an Update on Our Coverage:
In early 2020 our washing machine quit!  I am happy to say it was covered by our warranty including taking out the window to get the washing machine in!  The only issue is the washing machine has many more "bells & whistles" to learn and my dryer is "old". 

Our TV Satellite dish was repaired.  Like many with COVID we did not travel for the last year. However, we are ready to go in the spring and have the comfort of know our Extended Warranty is great! 

“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.”
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As full-timers since 2009, we’ve experienced a lot of what it takes to live the RV life. Unfortunately, one of the less fun experiences every RVer will inevitably face is suffering a mechanical breakdown while traveling. Whether the repair needed is large or small, a few things are always true: RV breakdowns are disruptive, frustrating, and costly.
​One way to alleviate at least a small part of this stress is to secure an extended RV warranty for your coach. This is a decision we made when we purchased our 2007 Alfa back in December 2009. Before we dive too deeply into that story, let’s go over some quick info on what exactly RV warranties are and what they cover.

            RV warranties 101

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RV extended warranties are aftermarket service contracts, and are not affiliated with your original manufacturer warranty in any way. These policies can be purchased on new or used vehicles. You will usually be able to secure coverage from a dealership as part of your purchase, as a transferred policy during a private party sale, or, more conveniently, at any time from an online warranty provider, like Wholesale Warranties.

COVERAGE OPTIONS
So, what do RV warranties cover? That will depend on the policy, but in general, you can expect most warranties to cover the cost of repairs for mechanical or electrical failures your rig may face. This can range from your engine and transmission, to coach items like heating and cooling units, leveling jacks, slide-outs, appliances, and more. Warranties will cover the parts and labor associated with these repairs, while you are responsible for a deductible.

​It’s important to work closely with an RV warranty specialist when you are looking into coverage, as there are varying levels of coverage available. Some policies are designed to only cover the most expensive potential breakdowns, such as your engine and powertrain components. While others, like an exclusionary policy, will cover just about any mechanical or electrical breakdown your rig might face. Knowing what is available to you, what the cost differences are, and what your desired level of risk is will help you choose the right policy. 
​

What Isn’t Covered

​No warranty covers absolutely everything, and we think knowing and understanding what isn’t covered is one of the most important parts of the buying process. Exclusions are grouped into a few categories. First and foremost, any damages that would otherwise be covered by your comp and collision RV insurance will be excluded. This includes failures due to physical damage, and anything caused by weather or accident. Next, warranties will never cover aesthetic items, like paint, upholstery, windows, flooring, etc. Lastly, anything considered a maintenance task or requirement will be excluded by your policy. This includes things like oil changes. When you are working with a company on a potential warranty purchase, be sure to request a full copy of the contract, so you can read these exclusions for yourself before making a final decision.
​

Back to Our Alfa

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​When we purchased our rig, it had very little manufacturer warranty remaining, and had been sitting for a few years. We’re not mechanically inclined (sorry Jim!), so an extended warranty seemed like the right play at the time. We were pleased with how this warranty has performed over the first several years of ownership, but when it came up for expiration, we realized that we could not renew that particular policy.
​
First, we considered dropping a warranty altogether. I like to have  he comfort of knowing that coverage is there ​ for us,

but Jim doesn’t love the upfront expense. While we were debating our next move, we visited with a friend whose son works on diesel engines. He highly recommended that we get one, and that sealed the deal for us. It was time to research a new provider.

Jim had seen a lot of info and heard a lot about Wholesale Warranties.  In addition to checking with other companies, he talked with Wholesale Warranties and got a bid. They were very helpful in explaining how they worked as brokers for other companies to help us get the best deal with the best product for us. After getting a few different quotes with various deductibles, we decided to move forward with their exclusionary policy and lowest deductible ($100). Since Jim always looks at the dollars, we decided to pay for our 4 year/40,000-mile warranty upfront for a discount. They also offer payment plans, which might be the right option for you.
​

The Most Important Question: Have We Used the Warranty? 

Yes!  In fact, I recently decided to do a spreadsheet of repairs we’ve had and how much the warranty paid for and saved us. I would have to say it’s probably one of the best “Returns on Investment” we have ever had! Our covered repairs include:
  • Repaired our Dash Air
  • Replaced our Microwave
  • Replaced our Rear-View Camera
  • Replaced our Slide Out motors
  • Replaced our Fan Clutch
  • Replaced our Radiator & hoses
  • Replaced our Toilet/stool
  • Replaced our Satellite Antenna
  • Repaired our Basement Air
  • Replaced our Water Pump
  • Replaced our Transfer Switch
  • Replaced a bad water heater element
  • Replaced a bad greywater blade valve
  • Replaced our Basement Fridge


​The Repair Process

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​Because we are full-timers, some of our repairs have been done while we were parked, and others happened while actively traveling. It’s never fun to have a breakdown, but we have learned to just “deal with it”, which isn’t always easy. Having the warranty does make things simpler!

​Our toughest repair to deal with might have been when our toilet went out. The valve wouldn’t open 

for it to flush. We were on our way to a national rally of Alfa RV owners and we knew a company  that specializes in Alfas was going to be there. We immediately contacted them and they made the repair at the rally. With our extended RV warranty, we’re able to use any licensed repair facility in the US or Canada, and we loved being able to work with this particular company for this particular claim.

While we’re on the road we don’t often have deadlines, however, this spring we were traveling to Missouri for my class reunion. We stopped overnight in Springfield, MO at a Sam’s Club. When we put our slide in the next morning it sounded horrible! We went to a nearby RV dealership before we continued our trip. They came out and said they couldn’t do anything for probably 3 weeks: certainly not what a full-timer with somewhere to be wants to hear! Jim started checking with mobile RV repair companies in the area, found one, they came out, diagnosed the problem that day, talked to the warranty company, ordered the part, and replaced it the next day. A little more than 24 hours later and we were back on the road. We were so glad to have the option of a mobile mechanic with the warranty, and to make it to our destination on time.

I will add Jim is probably one of those “it’s him again” customers of Wholesale Warranties.  I’ll blame it on his age! Usually, when we have an issue, he calls Wholesale Warranties and verifies the issue is covered and how it should be handled. This isn’t necessary, as the mechanic simply needs to call directly to the warranty company for pre-authorization before a claim, but they are always friendly and helpful!  Hats off to them.
​

We have learned RVing is just like owning a house or a car. You are going to have issues. The key is how you deal with it! ​
​

Would we do it all again?

​Yes, Yes and Yes! It gives us peace of mind that we can deal with any needed mechanical repairs, and we would renew in a heartbeat.
​
Not everyone faces as many repairs as we have had, or believes in extended warranties. We get that. But RV repair costs are only going to go up, and it’s always good to know the options that are available to you. Many online providers, including Wholesale Warranties, offer free quotes. We recommend that you check it out to see if it might be the right fit for you, and allow you to enjoy life on the road with a little more peace of mind!

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2 Comments
Rick Brown
11/30/2020 05:34:38 pm

how much

Reply
Becky Heath link
11/30/2020 06:56:47 pm

Hi Rick,
I would love to give you a price however I am not the one to do that. I do know it varies based on if you have a motorhome, fifth wheel, pop-up (yes, they do them all). It also varies on the year of your RV. I know my husband is always hesitant however he is always glad we have the warranty when we need it!!! I would suggest you fill out the form: https://wholesalewarranties.com/rv-warranty-deadline-approaching/?sr=enjoyinglifeontheroad with the basic information they need. They will get back with you and ask a few more questions and then usually based on the year of your RV they will do an initial inspection. (They send someone to you.) I have had high-pressure salespeople and this company is not one of those. Everyone I have worked with is there to help the customer. Claims are easy and quick. If you are interested, they are happy to answer your questions. They also will not spam you with emails although I do recommend the monthly newsletter. If you have any other specific questions, I would be happy to answer them.

Becky

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    Do you dream of traveling full-time(FT)? You can join us on our RV journey sharing places to stay, visit and eat and other how-to and tips. Jim and I (Becky) have been living in our Alfa RV F/T since 2009.  Join us and experience the lifestyle, ask questions and share your experience and desires.

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