First, I'm not starting this topic to debate the merits of having an extended warranty. We have one, it's expiring and we plan to renew or find a new warranty. Given the number of repairs we've had and the cost of the warranty, we have come out far ahead, our rig is only getting older so I don't expect the repairs to slow down or quit.
Our original warranty was brokered through Wholesale Warranties, we were provided 3 different quotes / options at that time and we chose the one we felt was best for us. Now it appears they have their own warranty call the Viking Protection Plan and didn't really give me any other options. Maybe it's just me, but I like to feel I have a choice so I am researching other options on my own to decide if I feel theirs is the best option.
Questions:
- Anyone have experience with this plan? Good/Bad??
- Are they no longer a broker for any other companies now that they offer their own plan?
I've read through the Viking Protection Plan and it's not bad, it is missing or covers less than our current warranty, so I want to explore my options.
Thanks
TheNewhalls said
03:09 PM Oct 26, 2017
When we bought our first warranty in 2014 it was from Wholesale Warranties. In 2015 we transferred it to a another coach. The paperwork came from Wholesale Warranties, Viking and the actual contract is by Portfolio Protection. We have been extremely satisfied with them. We didn't lose any coverage in the transfer.
Howard said
11:12 AM Oct 29, 2017
Wholesale Warranties is still a broker, BUT they quote their own branded warranty product - the Viking Protection Plan - by default. As they have become more experienced in warranties, claims history, and service, they determined that they wanted to eliminate the inconsistencies in service they were seeing from multiple warranty administrators. So they have a contract they developed with a single administrator and branded it.
Though they don't "administer" (i.e. process claims for) the Viking Protection plan, they do have more influence with the administrator which can be quite helpful to the customer.
We have the Viking Protection Plan ourselves and recently had a claim paid with no problems (even though the repair facility didn't get pre-approval like they are supposed to).
Of course, you know we've been working with Wholesale Warranties since 2012 and we refer them a lot of business and quotes can be obtained by requesting through our website. Working with an extended warranty company can be rough on a reputation and our reputation is all we have, so we don't take it lightly. We continue to maintain our relationship because 1) they've always done everything they told us they would do and have never violated any provisions of our partnership contract, 2) they've been very responsive anytime I've contacted them about a customer's issue, and 3) they are one of the few companies that sell extended warranties that you can call when you are having issues with a claim or there are disputes between the repair facility and the warranty administrator (claims processor).
One thing I've found is that though we provide a contact at Wholesale Warranties should any issues come up, folks often never call that contact to help work things out. They don't take advantage of the mediator role that they take on to try to resolve issues with a claim. Having someone to talk to at the company you purchased from is one of the biggest reasons, in my opinion, to use Wholesale Warranties, but if you don't avail yourself of that benefit, neither they nor I can help until it's too late. Remember, Wholesale Warranties sells the contract but, even though it may their own branded plan, they don't administer it and they aren't automatically contacted every time there is a claim started, so they don't know a claim is in process unless the customer notifies them directly.
As you intend to do, you should check out other options outside of Wholesale Warranties and I would also ask them what other plans they can quote for you besides Viking Protection. They aren't always the cheapest and I've noticed costs have been going up, but I still think the back-office help after the sale has good value if you take advantage of it. And that back-office help is even better with the Viking Protection plan because they have additional clout with the administrator. They won't always be able to get you a favorable outcome, but the odds they can help are higher.
Also, beyond just getting a quote it's a good idea to speak with someone and discuss your personal situation and needs. Often an addendum can be added to a contract and it may or may not come with an additional premium.
I know you do your homework, so I hope my long dissertation helps. :)
P.S. Laws in California and Massachusetts prevent anyone to sell extended warranties (service protection plan contracts) online - you have to buy through a dealer. So, Wholesale Warranties can't issue the Viking Protection plan in those states (yes, ironic since they are located in California). However, they have worked out a deal with another provider to issue Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (regulated differently) in those states. Mechanical Breakdown Insurance is what Good Sam offers and it's a very good plan that is recognized all over the country (but it can be quite pricey).
NWescapee said
10:22 AM Oct 30, 2017
Hi Howard,
First of all, THANK YOU!! I really don't mind your long dissertation as it helps me gain a much better understanding. BTW, Dale laughed at your comment, "I know you do your homework". Yep, I'm the analyst in the family.
I will reach out to Wholesale Warranties again and ask for more than one quote. I was a bit taken aback by the process this time, I had to send a follow up request as somehow the one I sent through your website fell through the cracks. The sales person then quickly gave me a quote and wanted me to immediately act on it without any time to review. It felt very rushed and he didn't see to want to provide anything but their Viking Protection Program. Given the amount of money this will cost, I am certainly not willing to rush to a decision.
My previous experience was great, the sales person was very patient in answering questions, giving me time to evaluate, etc.
Our current warranty doesn't expire until January but I was seeking a new warranty to go into effect in late December as I recall your message that waiting until January would be more expensive due to the RV being another model year older.
So thanks, I will reach out again.
Ruth
Charmaine said
06:16 PM May 11, 2018
I just picked up on this post because I too am considering an extended warranty. The WW rep that responded to me seems a bit pushy and talks fast, and I don't like that. I get the impression he thinks I'm just a woman that he can be fast and loose with to sell a plan, and I am assuredly not. He also made a big deal out of the fact that they "service the plan" - I guess that's not saying they are the administrator, but it could imply that to someone not getting the facts. It does mean a lot that Howard and Linda use them (though they will likely get different service due to their relationship with the company). Howard, if you pick up on this, I'd be curious whether you stayed with them after transitioning to the motor home? And any comments from anyone with any other recent experience with the Viking plan would be great. Thanks.
Justin Black said
05:20 PM Jun 22, 2020
Wholesale Warranties has been in the RV industry for over a decade and has spent that time helping RVers plan, budget for, and ultimately avoid costly repair bills. The Viking Protection Plan RV Warranty, exclusively offered by Wholesale Warranties, is the culmination of this experience. We have used our extensive understanding of the modern RVer’s needs, in-depth first-hand claims experience and research, and impeccable customer service to create what we believe is the best RV Extended Warranty on the market.
The Viking Protection Plan will be there for you when you need it most. Did you know that the average cost of RV Repair is on the rise? Repair data shows that the average costs associated with repairs are skyrocketing, landing at $100 per hour or more for labor alone. Many RV owners fail to factor in the cost of parts, however, which generally run 2 times the cost of labor. In other words, for every hour or $100 in labor spent, the cost of parts will average $200, for a total of $300 per hour in total.
With the Viking Protection Plan RV Warranty, you won’t have to face those costly RV repair bills alone. We can personalize this policy to meet your coverage needs, allowing you to feel confident that your next trip won’t be sidelined by an expensive visit to the RV Repair Shop. Request a quote below and one of our helpful RV Warranty Specialists will work with you to find the best policy to suit your desired level of risk, allowing you to hit the road with peace of mind this upcoming travel season!
-- Edited by Justin Black on Monday 22nd of June 2020 05:23:33 PM
-- Edited by Justin Black on Monday 22nd of June 2020 05:25:28 PM
First, I'm not starting this topic to debate the merits of having an extended warranty. We have one, it's expiring and we plan to renew or find a new warranty. Given the number of repairs we've had and the cost of the warranty, we have come out far ahead, our rig is only getting older so I don't expect the repairs to slow down or quit.
Our original warranty was brokered through Wholesale Warranties, we were provided 3 different quotes / options at that time and we chose the one we felt was best for us. Now it appears they have their own warranty call the Viking Protection Plan and didn't really give me any other options. Maybe it's just me, but I like to feel I have a choice so I am researching other options on my own to decide if I feel theirs is the best option.
Questions:
- Anyone have experience with this plan? Good/Bad??
- Are they no longer a broker for any other companies now that they offer their own plan?
I've read through the Viking Protection Plan and it's not bad, it is missing or covers less than our current warranty, so I want to explore my options.
Thanks
When we bought our first warranty in 2014 it was from Wholesale Warranties. In 2015 we transferred it to a another coach. The paperwork came from Wholesale Warranties, Viking and the actual contract is by Portfolio Protection. We have been extremely satisfied with them. We didn't lose any coverage in the transfer.
Wholesale Warranties is still a broker, BUT they quote their own branded warranty product - the Viking Protection Plan - by default. As they have become more experienced in warranties, claims history, and service, they determined that they wanted to eliminate the inconsistencies in service they were seeing from multiple warranty administrators. So they have a contract they developed with a single administrator and branded it.
Though they don't "administer" (i.e. process claims for) the Viking Protection plan, they do have more influence with the administrator which can be quite helpful to the customer.
We have the Viking Protection Plan ourselves and recently had a claim paid with no problems (even though the repair facility didn't get pre-approval like they are supposed to).
Of course, you know we've been working with Wholesale Warranties since 2012 and we refer them a lot of business and quotes can be obtained by requesting through our website. Working with an extended warranty company can be rough on a reputation and our reputation is all we have, so we don't take it lightly. We continue to maintain our relationship because 1) they've always done everything they told us they would do and have never violated any provisions of our partnership contract, 2) they've been very responsive anytime I've contacted them about a customer's issue, and 3) they are one of the few companies that sell extended warranties that you can call when you are having issues with a claim or there are disputes between the repair facility and the warranty administrator (claims processor).
One thing I've found is that though we provide a contact at Wholesale Warranties should any issues come up, folks often never call that contact to help work things out. They don't take advantage of the mediator role that they take on to try to resolve issues with a claim. Having someone to talk to at the company you purchased from is one of the biggest reasons, in my opinion, to use Wholesale Warranties, but if you don't avail yourself of that benefit, neither they nor I can help until it's too late. Remember, Wholesale Warranties sells the contract but, even though it may their own branded plan, they don't administer it and they aren't automatically contacted every time there is a claim started, so they don't know a claim is in process unless the customer notifies them directly.
As you intend to do, you should check out other options outside of Wholesale Warranties and I would also ask them what other plans they can quote for you besides Viking Protection. They aren't always the cheapest and I've noticed costs have been going up, but I still think the back-office help after the sale has good value if you take advantage of it. And that back-office help is even better with the Viking Protection plan because they have additional clout with the administrator. They won't always be able to get you a favorable outcome, but the odds they can help are higher.
Also, beyond just getting a quote it's a good idea to speak with someone and discuss your personal situation and needs. Often an addendum can be added to a contract and it may or may not come with an additional premium.
I know you do your homework, so I hope my long dissertation helps. :)
P.S. Laws in California and Massachusetts prevent anyone to sell extended warranties (service protection plan contracts) online - you have to buy through a dealer. So, Wholesale Warranties can't issue the Viking Protection plan in those states (yes, ironic since they are located in California). However, they have worked out a deal with another provider to issue Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (regulated differently) in those states. Mechanical Breakdown Insurance is what Good Sam offers and it's a very good plan that is recognized all over the country (but it can be quite pricey).
First of all, THANK YOU!! I really don't mind your long dissertation as it helps me gain a much better understanding. BTW, Dale laughed at your comment, "I know you do your homework". Yep, I'm the analyst in the family.
I will reach out to Wholesale Warranties again and ask for more than one quote. I was a bit taken aback by the process this time, I had to send a follow up request as somehow the one I sent through your website fell through the cracks. The sales person then quickly gave me a quote and wanted me to immediately act on it without any time to review. It felt very rushed and he didn't see to want to provide anything but their Viking Protection Program. Given the amount of money this will cost, I am certainly not willing to rush to a decision.
My previous experience was great, the sales person was very patient in answering questions, giving me time to evaluate, etc.
Our current warranty doesn't expire until January but I was seeking a new warranty to go into effect in late December as I recall your message that waiting until January would be more expensive due to the RV being another model year older.
So thanks, I will reach out again.
Ruth
Wholesale Warranties has been in the RV industry for over a decade and has spent that time helping RVers plan, budget for, and ultimately avoid costly repair bills. The Viking Protection Plan RV Warranty, exclusively offered by Wholesale Warranties, is the culmination of this experience. We have used our extensive understanding of the modern RVer’s needs, in-depth first-hand claims experience and research, and impeccable customer service to create what we believe is the best RV Extended Warranty on the market.
The Viking Protection Plan will be there for you when you need it most.
Did you know that the average cost of RV Repair is on the rise? Repair data shows that the average costs associated with repairs are skyrocketing, landing at $100 per hour or more for labor alone. Many RV owners fail to factor in the cost of parts, however, which generally run 2 times the cost of labor. In other words, for every hour or $100 in labor spent, the cost of parts will average $200, for a total of $300 per hour in total.
With the Viking Protection Plan RV Warranty, you won’t have to face those costly RV repair bills alone. We can personalize this policy to meet your coverage needs, allowing you to feel confident that your next trip won’t be sidelined by an expensive visit to the RV Repair Shop. Request a quote below and one of our helpful RV Warranty Specialists will work with you to find the best policy to suit your desired level of risk, allowing you to hit the road with peace of mind this upcoming travel season!
-- Edited by Justin Black on Monday 22nd of June 2020 05:23:33 PM
-- Edited by Justin Black on Monday 22nd of June 2020 05:25:28 PM