RV Extended Warranties and Service Contracts
A warranty and a service contract are not the same thing. All new recreational vehicles will include some type of warranty, usually administered through the dealer and/or a network of service facilities. A service contract, on the other hand, is purchased separately and is between the buyer and the contract administrator, not the dealer.
A good written warranty should detail specific coverages and your responsibilities. By reading it, you should clearly understand these coverages, the term, the service available, and the payment policies. You should also have no doubts about coverage on the road. The best warranty would be "bumper to bumper" coverage, and should include:
- Service and support for the structure, appliances, chassis, and frame.
- Reimbursement for expenses incurred for a covered item when on the road.
- Reimbursement for trip interruption expenses like meals and lodging.
- Coverage for towing and emergency road service.
- Reimbursement for substitute transportation expenses.
- Coverage for service call expenses if the technician must come to your vehicle.
- Service locator assistance.
Service contracts, also known as extended warranties, are usually viewed as insurance against problems that could occur above and beyond the coverages offered by a warranty. If you have a good warranty, a service contract may not be necessary until the warranty expires. Service contracts can cost $3,000 or more and vary greatly in coverage and reliability.
When considering the purchase of a service contract, ask yourself these questions:
- What does the contract offer?
- What is covered by the contract? If it's not listed, then consider it not covered.
- What notification is required before repairs can be authorized?
- What is offered that the manufacturer's warranty doesn't offer? Are you just buying a duplication of services?
- What other costs will you have? Are there deductibles, limited expenses, excluded expenses, or additional charges each time the contract is used?
- Where can you get service?
- Who is responsible for the contract, the dealer or an independent company? The dealer may be easier to deal with in the long run. Contracts underwritten by an insurance company are the best.
- Can you defer the purchase of the contract? You may not need it until your manufacturer's warranty expires.
If you encounter a problem with your warranty service, follow these steps:
- Read the product warranty carefully.
- Keep the sales contract with the factory warranty.
- Discuss the problem with the retailer first.
- If you can't reach agreement, write to the manufacturer by certified mail.
- If you still can't resolve the conflict, contact your local consumer protection agencies.
- Ask about dispute-resolution organizations the company may use. Pursue small claims court action.
- Finally, if necessary, file a lawsuit through an attorney.
When it comes to service after the sale, always practice the "buyer beware" approach. Believe nothing until you see it in writing. Buy from reputable dealers and manufacturers. Be sure you can get service on the road and at home. Keep up with your maintenance responsibilities. By doing so, you will be assured of many years of uninterrupted pleasure.
For Recreational Vehicle Extended Warranties We Heartily Recommend:
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Other Extended Warranty Companies:
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See Also: Recreational Vehicles Extended Warranty
