Motor Homes and Extended Warranties

by  R.A. Rowell; Co-Owner of Intent-sive Nature & the Brand Shamans network

No, you can't get an extended warranty on this poor old Winnebago Chieftain. But on newer motor homes, it's a good idea. Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved

When you buy a motor home from a dealer, it will always come with a warranty of some sort. But, should you buy an extended warranty for your motorhome? Let’s learn about a motor home extended warranty and what you should expect to pay for it and what it covers on your motor home.

The first major thing to consider about purchasing a motor home extended warranty is whether you bought your motor home new or used. Newer vehicles will attract longer term warranties than older ones, just as with cars, trucks, and vans. Of course, whenever that warranty expires, you’ll be exposed to the risk of having to pay for expensive repairs that may have been covered by the warranty.

So, just as with anything you purchase, you have to determine the risk versus the reward of paying for a potentially pricey warranty. Let’s talk about the benefits of an extended warranty for your motor home.


A Motor Home Extended Warranty Offers Peace of Mind

Just like any extended warranty, purchasing one for your motor home offers peace of mind. That can be worth a lot of money if you use your motor home on a semi-regular or regular basis. They’re also pretty easy to purchase on the internet these days, meaning that you don’t necessarily have to purchase one directly from the dealer. Why’s this? That’s because dealer extended warranties are more expensive because they cover dealer commissions.

However, when buying cheaper online warranties just beware. Actually, you want to be careful even if you purchase one through a dealer. Make sure you real with reputable companies underwritten by “A” rated insurers, especially rated by Standard & Poor. NEVER buy an extended warranty from companies that don’t disclose the rating of the company backing the policy, for motor homes or anything else.

While an extended warranty is available on both used and new motor homes, used motor homes with high mileage won’t be eligible for motor home extended warranties. This is true of most vehicles, of course. But with a motor home, it’s a risk to be very well aware of when purchasing one with mileage approaching or exceeding 100,000 miles.


What Can Affect the Price of Motor Home Extended Warranties?

So, once you find a good company that offers a motor home extended warranty, how much will it cost? Here are a few guidelines to give you an idea of the potential cost.

In general, diesel motor homes tend to be more expensive to warranty. That’s because typically diesel motor homes are more expensive due to the fact that they typically offer better gas mileage and less overall maintenance. The diesel pushers, where the engine is in the back like many buses, tend to have the most expensive warranties.

If your motor home has a Renault-built engine, many companies won’t offer you an extended warranty. These motors are sometimes found in RV models using a Mercedes-Benz chassis.

Likewise, some engine modifications will void a motor home warranty. Of course, many people choose to install a turbocharger on their motor homes. Extended warranties that cover motor homes with this modification tend to have higher premiums, so keep this in mind.

With longer extended warranties, there’s going to be a surcharge for each year added to the warranty as the vehicle ages. If you buy a used motor home, there will also be surcharges as the vehicle’s mileage increases.

Any added equipment such as stereo systems, satellite dishes, and televisions will incur additional surcharges, as many extended warranties cover these particular items.

To get a quote on an extended warranty for your particular motor home, contact a few companies and get to know the differences between various policies. That way, you can make an informed decision in deciding what’s worth paying for and what’s not. Then, choose the extended warranty that fits your needs and your motorhome the best.