We’re going to shake things up a bit today here at RVReviews.net. Instead of the usual screed from yours truly regarding the latest gossip from the RV world, I am going to step aside and hand the keyboard to our friends at WholesaleWarranties.com. We’ve worked with WW for years now and they’ve always impressed us with their professionalism, knowledge, and genuine desire to help RVers find an RV warranty that fits their budget and needs. I am also personally indebted to the folks at WW; when we began writing our Extended RV Warranty Guide several years ago, I pestered them with seemingly endless questions and they were never anything but patient and happy to help.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that almost everything I know (and by consequence, everyone who has read the resultant e-book) about the world of extended RV warranties, was learned from WholesaleWarranties.com.
I am also happy to announce that our readers receive an additional discount at WholesaleWarranties.com. Just mention “RVReviews.net” when requesting a quote. How’s that for a Win-Win?
Does It Matter Where I Purchase My RV Warranty?
Online RV Warranty Broker vs. RV Dealership
When researching an RV extended warranty, you have to take into consideration where you’re going to purchase the policy. If you’re buying a rig from a dealership, they will offer their warranty program; a seemingly one stop shop for your new home-on-wheels. But is it really the best option to protect your investment?
The short answer is: it depends. A big factor in the quality of a warranty policy is where it’s purchased. Not all policies, or even providers, are created equal. The real value of coverage is often overshadowed by the tricky history of warranties in the industry, leaving customers unsure of where to turn for protection.
Take Risk Retention Groups, for example. These companies are not fully insured. This means, if they go out of business, the money you spent protecting your RV is lost – and they would not be held responsible to pay claims. Fortunately, there’s a simple way to make sure this doesn’t happen to you. Always verify the company you’re purchasing the warranty from is backed by a large and established insurance company, ensuring your protection will be valid even if the provider goes out of business.
Beyond finding a program that’s fully-insured, how can you guarantee that a warranty company is reputable and will pay out your claims?
Primarily, you have two options when it comes to purchasing an RV warranty: purchasing through your dealership or purchasing through an online broker. There are some major factors that differentiate an online broker from a dealership, just like there are differences between where you purchase the RV itself.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a one size fits all solution when choosing a warranty program. Coverage varies, as do the needs of each RVer. Our goal is to provide enough education so you can make a confident decision when it comes to deciding on warranty coverage that works best for you.
Consider this. When using an online broker, you have more options available to you than what’s typically offered at a dealership. An online broker has the ability to offer multiple policies that can be modified based on your needs. In contrast, dealerships have a single relationship with an extended warranty provider, which offers coverage that can’t be personalized.
Although dealers are subject matter experts when it comes to physical RVs, that doesn’t mean they have the same expertise on the warranties they offer. Warranties are an entirely different skillset that takes training to understand. The intricate fine print needs to be communicated properly to you as the customer to make sure you understand the policy that you’re purchasing.
As extended warranty experts, online brokers are able to assign each customer to a specific warranty specialist trained in the contracts they offer. The main goal is to educate, and allow you to make a decision on whether or not to purchase the policy. By the end of your conversation with a warranty specialist, you should be able to understand what is and isn’t covered, how to file a claim, coverage options available, and any supplementary products like roadside assistanceand consequential damage coverage available to add on to your policy.
RV warranty knowledge goes beyond the sale itself, as post-purchase claims support is arguably the most valuable part of any program. You want a company that will offer support in the event of a breakdown, or even go up to bat for you in the event of a questioned claim decision. As a liaison between the claims adjustor and the repair facility, some online brokers will make sure your claims are adjusted quickly and without hassle. When working with a broker, be sure to ask if they have a team dedicated to supporting your contract for the life of your term.
The best way to check the quality of the post-purchase support is through online reviews. These easily accessible, unfiltered reviews are a good indicator of how much support a company offers after they’ve sold you the policy. Wrongfully denied claims, unrealistic coverage promises, and miscommunication should be a red flag for you as the consumer.
After you understand the post-purchase support, check what repair facilities you can take your RV to. If there is a limited network, it won’t be useful when you’re across the country on a road trip and your refrigerator fails. Make sure you’re covered in allrepair facilities across the United States and Canada for a seamless repair.
There are lots of moving parts in a warranty, including the number of people involved. Exploring all of your options is essential to choosing the best coverage. Whichever provider you choose, ask them to walk you through the different policies available and give you a contract to read beforeyou decide to buy.
If you think an online broker fits your travel needs, visit us onlineor give us a call at 800-939-2806 to get a free, personalized quote.
