Question 1

What is an RV warranty?

Accepted Answer

An RV warranty is a written agreement that says the maker of the RV or a specific part will fix or replace certain items if they break during a set amount of time. It is a promise to handle the cost of repairs for defects in how the RV was built or how its parts work. This agreement is only for mechanical or structural failures and does not cover every type of damage.

Question 2

Are RV warranties the same as extended service contracts?

Accepted Answer

While people often use the same name for both, they are technically different. A warranty is a guarantee included by the manufacturer when you buy a new RV, while an extended service contract is a separate agreement you can buy to cover repairs after the factory warranty ends. Both help pay for repairs, but they have different rules and are provided by different companies.

Question 3

Does an RV warranty cover the roof?

Accepted Answer

Many RV warranties provide coverage for the roof, but this usually only applies to defects in the materials or how it was installed at the factory. It generally does not cover leaks caused by a lack of maintenance or damage from outside sources like tree branches or weather. Because roof coverage is very specific, it depends on the terms found in the individual warranty contract.

Question 4

What is an RV 'exclusionary' warranty?

Accepted Answer

An exclusionary warranty is a type of service contract that covers everything on the RV except for a specific list of items. Instead of listing every part that is covered, the contract only lists what is NOT covered (the exclusions). If a broken part is not on that 'not covered' list, then the repair is generally included in the plan.

Question 5

Will an RV warranty cover my slide-outs?

Accepted Answer

Slide-out mechanisms are commonly included in many RV warranties and service contracts. Coverage usually applies to the mechanical parts like the motors, gears, and tracks that move the room in and out. Whether a specific slide-out repair is covered depends on the cause of the failure and the definitions found in the service agreement.

Question 6

Does an RV warranty cover used RVs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, coverage is often available for used RVs through extended service contracts. While the original factory warranty might have ended or may not transfer to a new owner, separate plans can be purchased to cover mechanical parts on older units. The availability of this coverage depends on the age, mileage, and condition of the RV at the time the contract is started.

Question 7

Is RV roadside assistance part of a warranty?

Accepted Answer

Roadside assistance and RV warranties are separate types of protection. A warranty is meant to pay for the actual repair of a broken part, while roadside assistance helps with the logistics of being stranded, such as towing, flat tires, or lockout services. While some warranty plans might include a roadside assistance benefit, they are governed by different sets of rules.

Question 8

Is my RV refrigerator covered by the builder or the manufacturer?

Accepted Answer

Most RV appliances, like refrigerators, are covered by the specific company that built the appliance rather than the RV manufacturer. While the RV builder might help with repairs during the first year, the long-term warranty typically stays with the appliance brand itself. This means that in most cases, warranty responsibility for the refrigerator follows the appliance manufacturer’s own warranty terms rather than the RV builder’s coverage.

Question 9

How long does it take for an RV warranty claim to be approved?

Accepted Answer

The approval time for an RV warranty claim varies widely based on the type of repair and the specific review process of the provider. Some claims can be evaluated quickly, while others require more time for the provider to verify the failure or review the repair costs. This timeline is generally determined by the coordination and verification steps required between the service center and the warranty company.

Question 10

What is a 'pre-authorization number' for RV repairs?

Accepted Answer

A pre-authorization number is a unique code from a warranty provider that confirms a repair has been reviewed and approved before any work begins. This number serves as a formal agreement that the provider will cover the costs for specific repairs under the terms of the contract. The number is used to document that specific repairs were reviewed under the contract before work was performed.

Question 11

Why is my RV warranty deductible per item instead of per visit?

Accepted Answer

A per-item deductible means the owner pays a set amount for each individual part or failure being repaired rather than a single fee for the entire service visit. This structure is common in many service contracts to separate different mechanical failures that may not be related to the same core problem. Whether a deductible applies to each item or the total visit depends on the specific definitions found in the individual contract.

Question 12

What is the difference between RV insurance and RV warranty for repairs?

Accepted Answer

The main difference is that RV insurance typically covers damage caused by external events like accidents or weather, while a warranty covers internal mechanical breakdowns. Insurance is designed to protect against sudden physical damage from the outside, whereas a warranty handles the repair of specific parts that fail due to a defect. While both help manage repair costs, they are triggered by different types of events—one is an accident, and the other is a mechanical failure.

Question 13

Who do I call if my RV component manufacturer is out of business?

Accepted Answer

When a part maker is no longer in business, coverage for that component is typically reviewed based on the source of the active warranty or service contract. In many cases, the original builder's warranty or an extended service plan may provide protection for the failed part, regardless of the component maker's status. Coverage depends on which warranty or service plan is still in effect and how it is written.

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