Anyone have experience with USA Travel Care...Warranty advice need some help
Camper Chronicles said
06:33 AM Mar 28, 2014
We have to decide whether or not to buy the extended warranty tomorrow and I am on the fence. It's a new custom order unit so there should be some level of factory warranty...I am just not sure whether to spend the $1675 on the extended warranty.
Pros
The deductible is only $100
They supposedly have a national network
The generator is covered
We can roll the cost into the loan
Cons
Some major things aren't covered like the automatic awnings (manual only) and the seals Seals for doors, windows, and slideouts
I feel like to some extent I am paying twice for the same coverage
So please load me up with wisdom my friends :)
Lucky Mike said
08:03 AM Mar 28, 2014
Did you ask Howard for a quote......he might help you out and save you money knowing most warranties out here and has used his a few times in the last year.
most dealers offer warranties to line there pockets before you go out there door!
Howard said
11:21 AM Mar 28, 2014
First of all, don't feel pressured to purchase the warranty from the dealer. As Mike said, often the dealers have high mark-ups on the warranties they sell which is one of the reasons we represent Wholesale Warranties - the pricing is just better. Also, you certainly don't have to purchase an extended warranty at the time of the purchase of your RV. You can get an extended warranty at anytime after your purchase, although you wouldn't then be able to roll it into the loan (which I wouldn't recommend anyway as that really increases the cost).
Most extended warranties won't cover seals, but I would think it should cover the automatic awning. However, no extended warranty (service contract) pays for anything until the RV manufacturer's and component manufacturer's warranties expire. The warranty companies know they won't have claims during that time, but that's built into the pricing. An extended warranty is much cheaper on a new unit than a two year old unit so it's more economical to purchase it in the first model year even though you may not use it until a year or two down the road.
At a minimum, I would click on the banner at the top and get a free quote from Wholesale Warranties to compare pricing and coverage before buying from the dealer. However, since you will be at the Spring Rally next month, you might want to wait and listen to our extended warranty seminar where we'll cover these contracts in a little more depth so you have a better understanding. Again, you won't be able to file a claim as long as other warranties are in place, so you have plenty of time.
Hope that helps a little. :)
Lonney Wade said
11:26 AM Mar 28, 2014
Trace, when we bought our new 5th wheel from a dealer in Mi. we also purchased a 5 year extended warranty $1750.00 with the loan on the camper. They said it would cover everything even a blown tire, when we took the camper home we almost don't have brakes on the trailer, I had never pulled a trailer with electric brakes so I thought that was normal. So on some trips I had a time stopping the camper so I called the dealer and took it in, they told me I should not have put that much grease in the bearings, I told them I only had 800 miles on the trailer, I did not grease the bearing, the factory warranty was 1 month over the one year coverage and the extended warranty would only cover the parts and not the labor because that was a maintenance thing on my part (hello what the) I was not a happy camper. It took them about 8 hours to clean out all the grease in the 3 brake drums, extended warranty would not cover the labor, I argued with them till I was tired and blue it the face, they still stood their ground, I walked away paying about $477.00 I will not buy from them again, General RV Center in Wayland, Michigan. Very big place and many stores in Mi.
Lonney
Camper Chronicles said
12:43 PM Mar 28, 2014
Howard wrote:
First of all, don't feel pressured to purchase the warranty from the dealer. As Mike said, often the dealers have high mark-ups on the warranties they sell which is one of the reasons we represent Wholesale Warranties - the pricing is just better. Also, you certainly don't have to purchase an extended warranty at the time of the purchase of your RV. You can get an extended warranty at anytime after your purchase, although you wouldn't then be able to roll it into the loan (which I wouldn't recommend anyway as that really increases the cost).
Most extended warranties won't cover seals, but I would think it should cover the automatic awning. However, no extended warranty (service contract) pays for anything until the RV manufacturer's and component manufacturer's warranties expire. The warranty companies know they won't have claims during that time, but that's built into the pricing. An extended warranty is much cheaper on a new unit than a two year old unit so it's more economical to purchase it in the first model year even though you may not use it until a year or two down the road.
At a minimum, I would click on the banner at the top and get a free quote from Wholesale Warranties to compare pricing and coverage before buying from the dealer. However, since you will be at the Spring Rally next month, you might want to wait and listen to our extended warranty seminar where we'll cover these contracts in a little more depth so you have a better understanding. Again, you won't be able to file a claim as long as other warranties are in place, so you have plenty of time.
Hope that helps a little. :)
Thanks Howard :) Appreciate the advice...I did reread the brochure and the automated awnings are covered IF they are listed on the introduction page...as a matter of fact a whole bunch of stuff is covered but only if listed on the information page so apparently that's really important to make sure all of those things are listed. I have seen in your journal you have had pretty good luck with warranties in general which is good to know. Thanks again for the advice and looking forward to learning more at the Spring Rally!!
jrzygrl64 said
01:45 PM Mar 28, 2014
Tracey,
Just as an FYI - the quote we got from Wholesale Warranties was a lot less than the plan being offered by the dealer. Like half!
Kelly
Camper Chronicles said
04:17 AM Mar 29, 2014
My quote is $2300 for platinum coverage for 7 years which I think is pretty reasonable. This includes an RV tech coming to us, unlimited towing, and tire shield. Once I explained I would not be selling the RV in 5 years he extended the coverage to the longest time period possible which made it a much better deal for us. Couldn't find any credible reviews online one way or another about actual service experiences which is a concern but ultimately for me the piece of mind is well worth the $350 a year it will cost me. I loaded up on warranties for the truck and don't regret it at all. Generally I pass on them because with a Steady income I can afford to roll the dice, but not going forward. Thanks Kelly appreciate your experience :) your always one step ahead of us :)
Workinrvers said
04:48 PM Mar 29, 2014
We had USA Travel Care on our 5er for the first 7 years we owned it. We did use the coverage and they covered what they said they would cover. Make sure that you read and follow the claim process exactly, this goes for any extended warranty you purchase. Reading complaints of people who were denied coverage, a lot of them were trying to recover payment for a repair that had been completed and then they contacted their extended warranty provider afterwards trying to get reimbursed. You must, in almost every case, have your repair shop contact them prior to making any repairs to get authorization.
We ended up having several issues that were covered and they paid the shop directly after authorizing the work, we then paid our deductible to the shop. Most will also not pay trip fees for a mobile technician to come to you and do the work and they would also not pay for shipping charges of parts. Moral of the story is to read then re-read your contract with them.
Phil
Camper Chronicles said
02:33 PM Mar 30, 2014
Thanks Phil that's terrific. The finance guy was very clear that everything much be preauthorized and the technician must take a credit card because that is how they are paid.m we did pay extra for the "park model" coverage so the travel charges are covered.n
We have to decide whether or not to buy the extended warranty tomorrow and I am on the fence. It's a new custom order unit so there should be some level of factory warranty...I am just not sure whether to spend the $1675 on the extended warranty.
Pros
The deductible is only $100
They supposedly have a national network
The generator is covered
We can roll the cost into the loan
Cons
Some major things aren't covered like the automatic awnings (manual only) and the seals Seals for doors, windows, and slideouts
I feel like to some extent I am paying twice for the same coverage
So please load me up with wisdom my friends :)
most dealers offer warranties to line there pockets before you go out there door!
First of all, don't feel pressured to purchase the warranty from the dealer. As Mike said, often the dealers have high mark-ups on the warranties they sell which is one of the reasons we represent Wholesale Warranties - the pricing is just better. Also, you certainly don't have to purchase an extended warranty at the time of the purchase of your RV. You can get an extended warranty at anytime after your purchase, although you wouldn't then be able to roll it into the loan (which I wouldn't recommend anyway as that really increases the cost).
Most extended warranties won't cover seals, but I would think it should cover the automatic awning. However, no extended warranty (service contract) pays for anything until the RV manufacturer's and component manufacturer's warranties expire. The warranty companies know they won't have claims during that time, but that's built into the pricing. An extended warranty is much cheaper on a new unit than a two year old unit so it's more economical to purchase it in the first model year even though you may not use it until a year or two down the road.
At a minimum, I would click on the banner at the top and get a free quote from Wholesale Warranties to compare pricing and coverage before buying from the dealer. However, since you will be at the Spring Rally next month, you might want to wait and listen to our extended warranty seminar where we'll cover these contracts in a little more depth so you have a better understanding. Again, you won't be able to file a claim as long as other warranties are in place, so you have plenty of time.
Hope that helps a little. :)
Trace, when we bought our new 5th wheel from a dealer in Mi. we also purchased a 5 year extended warranty $1750.00 with the loan on the camper. They said it would cover everything even a blown tire, when we took the camper home we almost don't have brakes on the trailer, I had never pulled a trailer with electric brakes so I thought that was normal.
So on some trips I had a time stopping the camper so I called the dealer and took it in, they told me I should not have put that much grease in the bearings, I told them I only had 800 miles on the trailer, I did not grease the bearing, the factory warranty was 1 month over the one year coverage and the extended warranty would only cover the parts and not the labor because that was a maintenance thing on my part (hello what the) I was not a happy camper.
It took them about 8 hours to clean out all the grease in the 3 brake drums, extended warranty would not cover the labor, I argued with them till I was tired and blue it the face, they still stood their ground, I walked away paying about $477.00 I will not buy from them again, General RV Center in Wayland, Michigan. Very big place and many stores in Mi.
Lonney
Thanks Howard :) Appreciate the advice...I did reread the brochure and the automated awnings are covered IF they are listed on the introduction page...as a matter of fact a whole bunch of stuff is covered but only if listed on the information page so apparently that's really important to make sure all of those things are listed. I have seen in your journal you have had pretty good luck with warranties in general which is good to know. Thanks again for the advice and looking forward to learning more at the Spring Rally!!
Just as an FYI - the quote we got from Wholesale Warranties was a lot less than the plan being offered by the dealer. Like half!
Kelly
We ended up having several issues that were covered and they paid the shop directly after authorizing the work, we then paid our deductible to the shop. Most will also not pay trip fees for a mobile technician to come to you and do the work and they would also not pay for shipping charges of parts. Moral of the story is to read then re-read your contract with them.
Phil
Really appreciated hearing a first hand account.