Whether your home-on-wheels is brand new or has been in use for several years, we know that you care about your RV. One way to show your RV some love is to consider a protection plan—one you might be surprised you qualify for. One of the most common questions owners of used RVs often have is whether you can purchase an RV warranty plan for a used vehicle. The good news is: yes! Every provider will different eligibility requirements, but online brokers in particular will often programs for a wide range of units.
Extended RV warranties, or extended service contracts, are protection plans intended to cover your vehicle in the event that it suffers an unexpected mechanical failure. RV warranties generally cover the powertrain (when applicable), most mechanical components, the electrical system, appliances, heating and cooling components, and more. Why would you need an RV warranty? The unfortunate reality is, RVs breakdown. Their likelihood increases with each passing year on the road. According to claims data collected by Wholesale Warranties, nearly every RV suffers a major failure by its eighth year on the road. That being said, it may be even more important to have an extended warranty plan if your vehicle is a little older. That way, when your vehicle suffers an inevitable breakdown, your warranty administrator will step in to cover the bill, and you can save your travel budget for the adventures.
RV Warranty Eligibility
Every reputable warranty provider will have eligibility requirements. Policy eligibility depends on a few main factors: RV type, age, value, and for motorized RVs, the mileage will come into play. RV warranty brokers have caps on age and mileage, but the range of those caps might surprise you! For example, Wholesale Warranties offers coverage plans for motorhomes up to 20 model years old, and towable RVs up to 15 model years old. Additionally, you are able to purchase that coverage at any point in your RV journey. Whether you’ve owned your rig for a while and are looking to cover costs as it gets older, or you’re buying a used rig from a dealership or private party and want it to be covered, you’re able to purchase from Wholesale Warranties.
RV Inspection Process
Although not every warranty broker requires an inspection, they are a great feature and one most RVers will seek out when securing coverage on a used unit. Before signing your contract, companies such as Wholesale Warranties require you to undergo a review of the mechanical parts of your RV, to verify covered parts are in working condition at the time the policy is started. This process ensures that any preexisting conditions are dealt with prior to signing your contract. Other warranty companies may take advantage of customers by writing off a sudden mechanical failure or claim made in the first 30-90 days as a preexisting condition, which wouldn’t be covered by the contract. The inspection process eliminates this possibility—and saves you money as a result.
Once you have provided the broker with a down payment, a national network of certified inspectors will send a qualified representative to inspect your vehicle. That’s right, you don’t need to bring it into a shop. The inspector will come to you! Then, your RV warranty broker will activate your extended service contract pending results.
RV Warranty Level of Coverage
RVs that come in many shapes and sizes, from 5th wheels, to Class A motorhomes, to toy haulers and Class B campervans. Because of this, reputable warranty providers will give options when it comes to coverage. There are two primary types of policies: exclusionary and comprehensive. Exclusionary coverage policies offer the highest level of coverage. Additionally, you will have the option to include add-ons if there are specific components you want to ensure protection for.
As vehicles get into the older end of eligibility, your coverage options are going to be more limited than with a brand-new vehicle. That isn’t a reason not to see what is available, though! It may not be too late, and it’s best to take advantage of coverage while you can. Whether you’ve owned your RV for a while, bought a rig from a dealer, or purchased it from a third party, there is a protection plan available to you as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.
Powertrain Only RV Warranty
As previously mentioned, there are fewer options available for used RVs, which is why you want to secure coverage while you still can. For motorhome models between 16 – 20 model years old, Wholesale Warranties offers a few different Powertrain Only options. This includes the chassis engine components, transmission components, and drive axle components, up to components such as steering, air conditioning, brakes, suspension, and more.
Comprehensive RV Warranty
For all vehicles within the eligibility range, you will have access to a comprehensive, or listed component plan. These plans state exactly what is covered, and will include powertrain (when applicable), along with waste water system components, heating system components, slide-outs, refrigeration, leveling systems, and much more. Although these plans are more limited than the exclusionary policy, they still cover significant components, including some that suffer the most frequent breakdowns.
Exclusionary RV Warranty
As mentioned before, an exclusionary plan will offer the most extensive coverage available, and is still an options for most units 15 model years and newer! The exclusionary RV warranty encompasses powertrain through comprehensive, and even covers luxury items like washer/dryers and solar panels. This level of coverage tells you exactly what is NOT covered—if your breakdown isn’t specifically excluded, it will be covered.
Common RV Breakdowns
According to claims data, some of the most common RV breakdowns include the refrigerator cooling unit, roof leaks, electrical systems, slide-outs, water pumps, and the hot water heating system. Among these are some of the most expensive repairs, with the potential cost of hot water heaters reaching up to $10,000. An extended warranty can save you thousands of dollars in repairs.
An extended warranty is a great option for protecting your travel budget from unnecessary—and expensive!—repair costs. Even with a used vehicle and slightly limited coverage options, a warranty is certainly still worth considering given that RVs are much more likely to breakdown after each passing year. For a free RV warranty quote, click this link. It may not be too late to protect your home-on-wheels, but it is better to act now than wait!
