Wholesale Warranties – Protect Your Adventures, Your Way
RV Protection 101: What, Why, Where and Now
RV travel season is upon us, and hard-earned adventures are on the horizon. Is your summer on the road set up for success? Before getting in the driver’s seat, now is a good time to take stock of your RV protection options, and ensure that an unexpected mechanical failure doesn’t sideline your next road trip.
What is an RV extended warranty?
Simply put, an RV extended service contract—commonly referred to as an extended warranty is a contract that agrees to pay for the cost of mechanical repairs in exchange for a premium and per-visit deductible. These policies come in a wide array of shapes and sizes with varying levels of coverage, term lengths, and deductible options. RV warranties cover the mechanical working components on your vehicle, stepping into pay for the costs of repair or replacement, including both parts and labor.
So, what is covered by an RV warranty? While this varies from contract to contract, examples of commonly covered components include appliances, heating and cooling components, leveling jacks, slide-outs, and powertrain components if you have them.
An important part of looking into extended warranty coverage is finding what makes sense for you, and who you are as an RVer. There is no one-size-fits-all RV traveler, and your warranty shouldn’t be built this way either! Work with a provider who will learn about you, how often you travel, your desired level of risk when it comes to repairs, your budget, and more.
Why do I need warranty coverage for my rig?
The cost of RV repair is only going up. With the popularity of RVing putting a strain on the repair industry, labor rates are expected to rise. Additionally, modern RVs are technological marvels—this makes for an amazing home-on-wheels, but it also means breakdowns come with a higher cost. Modern parts are simply more expensive, and they require highly skilled technicians, again driving up those labor rates. We pooled our data on claims paid, and found the most commonly failed components are not only items you rely on every day, but very pricey ones to fix. Check out the graphic to the right for details!
Why do I need warranty coverage for my rig?
The cost of RV repair is only going up. With the popularity of RVing putting a strain on the repair industry, labor rates are expected to rise. Additionally, modern RVs are technological marvels—this makes for an amazing home-on-wheels, but it also means breakdowns come with a higher cost. Modern parts are simply more expensive, and they require highly skilled technicians, again driving up those labor rates. We pooled our data on claims paid, and found the most commonly failed components are not only items you rely on every day, but very pricey ones to fix. Check out the graphic below for details!
But, will your RV breakdown? Chances are, YES! Just like anything else in life, your rig will likely breakdown and need mechanical and electrical work. The mechanical and electrical components in your RV simply won’t last forever—like your appliances, slide-out mechanisms, air conditioning, or even something major such as an engine. RVs are a unique beast, when we’re traveling in them the mechanical and electrical components are rumbling down the road, which is said to be comparable to experiencing an earthquake and a hurricane at the same time. This physical stress takes a toll on your appliances and mechanical components. And when you aren’t traveling in your RV? Well, a winter in storage often means a spring in the repair shop. You may not be able to win the fight against breakdowns, but you can protect yourself from the bills.
Where can I buy RV protection?
The most important thing to take away here is that you have options. Yes, you’ll likely be offered a policy by the dealer when your purchase your rig, but this isn’t the only place or time that you can secure coverage! Online providers, like us at Wholesale Warranties, are dedicated to serving a wide array of RVers. Whether you are purchasing a brand-new rig, coming out of a manufacturer or other extended warranty, buying a used RV from a private party, or simply have a well-loved rig you’d like to protect, we’re here to help you make that happen.
So, what should you look for in an RV warranty provider? We can boil this down to a few key points: transparency, education, and service. Look for a company who will give you a full education on how RV warranties work, what they cover, and more importantly what they don’t cover. You want to have a realistic expectation for the policy before signing on the dotted line. Additionally, you should always receive a full copy of the contract before anyone asks you for a commitment—read the pages, ask questions, and make a confident choice. Lastly, look for a provider who is well-known in the community. Your fellow RVers are here to help, lean on them for advice and recommendations. Ask about the company forums, search for online reviews from customers who have actually made claims, and check out consumer advocacy groups like BBB, Escapees RV Club, FMCA and more.
There’s no time like the present.
When should you start looking into an RV warranty? There’s really no time to waste! Whether or not you purchase protection is a personal choice, but you should know your options before hitting the road without it.
Click here to learn more about Wholesale Warranties and the coverage we offer, and happy researching!
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