Tomorrow we may be closing on a '99 Bounder 39' diesel pusher w/ one slide and 26,000. Would like to get one newer, higher end, w/ more slides; but after many months of consideration and reading LOTS of RV-Dreams.com Forum threads, we decided this is the most prudent move for us.
Have also read all the prior threads about extended warranties, and have not made a final decision to buy one; am about 50/50 at this point.
Have narrowed the quotes down to three companies, and would like to know if you have had either any positive or negative experiences w/ any of them.
United States Warranty Corp. is offering the longest time period and most miles w/ the lowest deductible and lowest cost.
Good Sam is next, followed by Easy Care.
Thanks much for sharing your knowledge and experience. I've learned a lot from reading this forum and appreciate it very much.
Bob
-- Edited by Howard on Thursday 24th of June 2010 11:16:01 AM
The Bear II said
10:19 AM Jun 24, 2010
Bob,
We've never had an extended warranty on any of our RVs or Vehicles.
In reading through forums for RVers and Car/Trucks I see quite a few unhappy extended warranty stories. Most complain about the time it takes to get work approved and then paid for. Many complain about items not covered. Others about the poor customer service from the warranty carrier.
I have seen some who indicate they've had great service. But I see more negative statements then I do positive ones.
I do know based upon what I've read, it's important to understand what is and isn't covered and to always get approval from the warranty company in writing before any work is done. Especially if the service tech wants to add cost to the original estimate due to additional needed parts or trouble found. It's very important to get these add ons approved in writing.
Another tip is to make sure the service department has received approval from the warranty company, I've seen several examples where the vehicle/RV owner was under the assumption the dealer had gotten approval to do the work and then discovers that's not the case and the owner ended up stuck with a large repair bill.
The main reason we choose not to get an extended warranty is that I am able to do most of the work myself if needed.
Happytrails said
10:50 AM Jun 24, 2010
We thought about getting an extended warranty but after reading several forums and talking to many full-timers/RVers we decided against it. Instead we have placed $ in our budget designated for repairs/replacement. There are so many loopholes in those policies we just backed away. We felt this was a safer way to use our money in regards to repairs/replacements.
Roz said
10:58 AM Jun 24, 2010
Bob,
We have purchased two motor homes - one that came with no warranty and the second one did.
Having never owned a large diesel engine, transmission, etc. I opted for the warranty insurance. In four years, we never had a problem that would have warranted filing a claim.
Knowing there are some heavy duty repair costs possible, once the two year warranty on the second motor home "died", I did get a policy for five years. Again, we have two years remaining and nothing has occurred that would warrant filing a claim.
The size of possible repair bills seems, at the time of purchase, worth the expense. However, had I put the money in a savings account to be used only for repairs, I would have come out better. The repairs we have had to make that did not top the $500 deductible could have been paid for from that fund.
Bottom line is that the higher end motor homes (read those made by the most stable companies, and with engines, transmissions and other of the more expensive components from quality lines, simply stand up to the test of time when cared for and serviced responsibly.
Do I regret the purchase? Yes, but I do have until April 2012 . . . :) Would I do it a third time, no!
-- Edited by Roz on Thursday 24th of June 2010 11:00:37 AM
jagco said
10:50 AM Jul 2, 2010
We are in a Dave Ramsey class at our church called Financial Peace University, and on a recent lesson, he was talking about extended warranties in general. He says, statistically, they are a huge waste of money. If somebody is really high-pressuring somebody to buy more warranty, they must be saying their product, that the warranty covers, must be junk.
Note: We took that particular lesson just a week or so after buying an extended warranty on a home fridge :)
Lightfin said
06:57 AM Jul 4, 2010
Thanks for the great feedback.
The coach is in better shape than expected. We are not buying a warranty. Hope we made the right choice.
Roz said
08:15 AM Jul 4, 2010
Set the money you would have paid in a savings account and at the end of five years, you will likely have funds left. Any "repairs" that would have gone toward a deductible can be paid out of this account, plus you will have this emergency fund waiting and available.
Tomorrow we may be closing on a '99 Bounder 39' diesel pusher w/ one slide and 26,000. Would like to get one newer, higher end, w/ more slides; but after many months of consideration and reading LOTS of RV-Dreams.com Forum threads, we decided this is the most prudent move for us.
Have also read all the prior threads about extended warranties, and have not made a final decision to buy one; am about 50/50 at this point.
Have narrowed the quotes down to three companies, and would like to know if you have had either any positive or negative experiences w/ any of them.
United States Warranty Corp. is offering the longest time period and most miles w/ the lowest deductible and lowest cost.
Good Sam is next, followed by Easy Care.
Thanks much for sharing your knowledge and experience. I've learned a lot from reading this forum and appreciate it very much.
Bob
-- Edited by Howard on Thursday 24th of June 2010 11:16:01 AM
Bob,
We have purchased two motor homes - one that came with no warranty and the second one did.
Having never owned a large diesel engine, transmission, etc. I opted for the warranty insurance. In four years, we never had a problem that would have warranted filing a claim.
Knowing there are some heavy duty repair costs possible, once the two year warranty on the second motor home "died", I did get a policy for five years. Again, we have two years remaining and nothing has occurred that would warrant filing a claim.
The size of possible repair bills seems, at the time of purchase, worth the expense. However, had I put the money in a savings account to be used only for repairs, I would have come out better. The repairs we have had to make that did not top the $500 deductible could have been paid for from that fund.
Bottom line is that the higher end motor homes (read those made by the most stable companies, and with engines, transmissions and other of the more expensive components from quality lines, simply stand up to the test of time when cared for and serviced responsibly.
Do I regret the purchase? Yes, but I do have until April 2012 . . . :) Would I do it a third time, no!
-- Edited by Roz on Thursday 24th of June 2010 11:00:37 AM
Congratulations on the purchase!
Charles