RV Protection for DIY Travelers

By: Wholesale Warranties

RVers are not a one-size-fits-all bunch. From the different types of rigs: towables to motorhomes and everything in between; to how they travel: full-timers, weekend warriors, boondockers, and more, you really won’t find a more varied group. As a result, it can be a bit overwhelming to protect those unique journeys with products like RV extended warranties, tire and wheel protection, and more. This is especially true for the DIY or handy RVers—the mechanically inclined who can tend to a lot of their RV woes on their own. Do they even need an RV warranty? And would their tinkering disqualify them from coverage? 

So, let’s break it down to what you need to know. We’ll start with the most obvious question:

What is an RV warranty, and what types of coverage are available?

An RV extended warranty is an extended service contract. These policies step in to pay for the cost of repairs to mechanical and electrical failures your RV faces in exchange for a premium and per-visit deductible. In addition, these policies serve to protect your travel budget from the ever-increasing cost of parts and labor. 

Much like RVers, there are a wide array of RV warranty policies and levels of coverage. For the most part, they’ll fall into the following categories:

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• Exclusionary RV Warranty: This is the most comprehensive type of plan available and will cover almost any mechanical or electrical component on your RV. In fact, the contract itself will only provide you with a list of what is NOT covered. If your failure isn’t on that list, it’ll be covered!  From the engine and transmission to appliances, leveling systems, slide-out motors, heating, and cooling components, generators, and more, this policy is great for the RVer who doesn’t want to take any risks when it comes to RV repair costs. 
• Comprehensive RV Coverage: To scale back coverage slightly, some RVers look into a comprehensive or listed component policy. These work as the inverse of an exclusionary contract, in that you will be provided with a list of what IS covered. If your breakdown is not on the list of covered items, it will be denied. Again, covered items will range from engine and powertrain to coach components, heating and cooling, and more.
• Powertrain Only Coverage: This is pretty self-explanatory: this policy is designed to cover the most expensive and catastrophic failures a motorhome might face. Engine and powertrain component coverage is a more affordable and scaled-back option.
• Coach Only RV Warranty: A coach only policy will specifically exclude the engine and powertrain components of your rig, focusing instead on the “house” items, like appliances, heating, and cooling components, and televisions.

I’m pretty good at fixing stuff myself. Does an RV warranty make sense for me?

We know that at its most basic, an RV warranty simply steps in to pay for the cost of repairs to your unit. However, there is a huge subset of RVers who are skilled at fixing items within their coach, begging the question: do I really need coverage? 

The answer to that question is, of course, up to the individual, but there are a few things to think about before writing off coverage altogether.

RV repair costs, labor rates, and part availability are in a state of flux. There has historically been a consistent rise in the cost of parts and labor to repair RVs. Of course, this is partially due to the fact that there are more RVers on the road today than ever before, putting a strain on the repair industry. Even further, modern RVs are pretty technologically advanced, meaning they require a higher level of skill to repair. Parts can be tough to come by, especially for an individual who does not have the buying power and influence of a repair facility. All of these changes in the industry have led to an increase in the number of travelers seeking out a layer of protection through RV extended warranty coverage. Not only do these contracts provide an amazing layer of financial support, but they also put an RV repair expert in your court each and every time you need to visit a repair facility.

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RV adventures and repair work? Just because you can fix your RV doesn’t mean that’s how you want to spend your time on the road. When considering whether or not to get an RV warranty or just fix things yourself, consider what RVing means to you. Do you want to spend your vacation making repairs? Do you even travel with the tools to do so? Many RVers who choose to invest in coverage are doing so to protect their hard-earned vacations as much as their wallets.

So which RV warranty is right for me?

We know there are many different levels of coverage, terms, and deductibles to choose from. Choosing the right policy can be overwhelming, but you don’t need to do it alone. Working with a company that specializes in RV warranty protection should mean that company will get to know who you are as an RVer in order to make recommendations on coverage.

If you’re looking for a low level of risk in RV repair costs, an exclusionary RV warranty is likely a good fit. These are the most comprehensive policies on the market, covering all major mechanical and electrical components that might fail. So invest in this coverage, and get peace of mind.

On the other hand, if you are a handy RVer who wants to DIY some of the more minor repairs on your rig, a scaled-back policy might work best. Even the most mechanically-inclined RVer on the road is unlikely to repair major issues, like an engine or powertrain failure. In this case, you can invest in a lower-cost Powertrain Only policy to best suit how you’ll tackle issues with your rig. 

I’ve invested in RV protection; do I have to stop working on my rig?

So you’re a DIY RVer who decided an RV warranty was the right move. What now? 

If you have a mechanical or electrical failure that you’d like to file a claim for, it’s essential to know that you cannot do your repairs. With a company like Wholesale Warranties, you will have a ton of flexibility with where to take your rig for repairs—namely any licensed repair facility in the United States or Canada—but the owner cannot do their repairs and file a claim. This is why it’s crucial to select the right level of coverage for your plans.

But DIY doesn’t just mean repairs! One of the best parts of owning an RV is making it your own, a true home-on-wheels. What does RV renovation look like when covered by an RV warranty? As long as the changes you’re making do not affect the mechanical or electrical function of the RV, you’re free to personalize to your heart’s desire! New paint, wallpaper, furniture, organization, and upholstery are all aesthetic changes and won’t impact your coverage. 

So what does RV protection look like for DIY travelers? As unique as you and your RV journey are. Work with a company that has options to suit your needs, ask yourself and provide the right questions, and move forward with peace of mind!