Extended Warranty

[wichct]

I'm new to rving and not sure if the Extended Warranty is needed. Sure could use some advice. I have a Thor Freedom Elite 22e, 2014.

Would appreciate any comments.

[Hikes in Rain]

There are a number of them; which one were you considering? We allowed ourselves to be convinced to purchase a Good Sam Extended Service Plan (not an "extended warranty, as we've been later informed, although having reviewed the definitions, I think that's a distinction without a difference). We've made three claims on it.



A trip interruption; $100, woo hoo! That really helped with four days of hotel bills while our coach was repaired.


One slide motor with labor, speaking of repairs. $700 or so, not sure of the exact amount.


One furnace control board, just recently. $241. They've refused to pay for the furnace, which rusted out due to water intrusion caused by badly designed furnace door louvers acting as rain funnels.


They also charged it $95 to send an inspector for the furnace to deny the claim. I didn't know about nor authorize that charge. They just did it.


We'd have been money WAY ahead to take the cost of the plan and stick it into an interest bearing account or investment, and use that for repairs. With interest, we'd have paid for the covered repairs and then some, and still have most of the money left for more. With a whole lot less hassle, as well.


Just my personal thoughts and experience, mind you. Your mileage may vary; some folks I know tell us theirs has been a life saver.

[The Gritz Carlton]

They are nothing but profit generators to the companies and expensive to the buyer...and as indicated above...many loopholes for them to not pay. Basically an expensive insurance policy. Some people just feel more secure having one. I feel more secure just being able to pay for anything and not have to fight it out...knowing there's a 10:1 chance I'll loose the battle for reimbursement. All three of our vehicles are warranty expired but I get weekly mailings for extended warranty from three different companies. It's gotta be profitable for them to spend so much on marketing.

[Pete'sMH]

I bought one from CW when the price got down to barely $1000. Still, I wouldn’t do it again. Once in a while people are glad they have them if an air conditioner or the fridge fails or something. But mostly not so much. Also know that the price is VERY negotiable (at CW anyway). And you can choose coverages. I have a friend who is very fearful of tire problems and he only has the tire and wheel coverage. I thought that one was way over priced and didn’t get it. Oh, and you can cancel if you change your mind. Full refund for 60 days (I think) and prorated after. Good luck.

[brucev]

I bought on for mine, but like above, waited until the price came down about 80%. I had one claim that maybe saved me a couple hundred dollars. I think it depends if you will feel more comfortable with one. I do not regret the warranty plan but I do regret the pain/gelcoat protection I bought, it was a complete waste of money.

[Yippie]

Thanks for
all the advice from everyone. Just bought a 2018 Axis with no warranty had been reviewing option to purchase. Still on fence was told if I was going to make the plunge do so before year end. Any thoughts on that theory? Anyway thanks for the insight on this issue.

[Long & Winding road]

I was the same way. This was my first RV and after reading the horror stories on this site I purchased an extended warrantee from CW but only after I told them I had my one figured out from Good Sams for like 1/8 the cost (which I did). The they beat that price so I purchased it.

Well a little over a year later I never used it. Most of my problems have been small and easy (and cheap) to fix so I just do them myself. I brought my RV back once before my first year was up and they kept it for a week, killed my house batteries beyond repair, then would not replace them, took 3 mo to get parts so I called them up and told them I will pickup the parts and just replaced them myself in a half day.

So looking back I would NOT get one if your handy. You can learn everything you need to know from hits side and Youtube.

But if your not Handy - shop around on line and used the price to get your dealer down BELOW it.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Since Camping World owns Good Sam, it stands to reason why they would match it...probably the same policy with different clothes.

[99dart]

We bought our Quantum used with a couple transferable service plans. So, far we have been reimbursed $600 for the vinyl on our cab seats wearing off. And, another $1100 for a slide motor failure (full wall slide on our unit) where the shop had to break the motor to get it out of the closed slide. So, for 75 bucks transfer fee we saved $1625! Not bad.

[bigben]

Totally agree with the extended warranty approach of setting aside the $s as cushion to cover repair costs EXCEPT for tire and wheel road hazard. We purchased our policy from Wholesale Warranty - it covers all 6 wheels/tires for 7 years for about $450. What a smart deal. We had a tire with a sidewall puncture making the tire not repairable. Then we had a blow out. The policy has covered approximately $1200 in tires and roadside service. What a great buy and I still have 3.5 years left!!!