Camper Extended Warranty: What's The Real Cost?

The cost of an extended warranty for a camper can vary depending on several factors, including the type of RV, its make and model, age, mileage, and the level of coverage desired. Extended warranties for motorhomes tend to be more expensive than those for towable RVs like travel trailers and fifth wheels due to the additional mechanical components. The cost can range from a few thousand dollars for a short-term travel trailer plan to upwards of $20,000 for a high-mileage, top-of-the-line motorhome. Exclusionary policies, which cover everything except specifically listed exclusions, are typically more expensive than inclusionary or listed component policies. The length of coverage also affects the price, with longer plans generally offering lower annual rates. Full-time or commercial use of the RV may also incur additional charges. It is recommended to get quotes from multiple providers and carefully review the terms and conditions before making a decision.

Extended RV warranties can cost anywhere from $1,000 to over $10,000

Motorhomes, particularly Class A motorhomes, tend to be the most expensive to cover due to their size and the greater number of mechanical components. In contrast, towable RVs such as travel trailers and fifth wheels typically have lower warranty costs since they lack a drivetrain.

The age and mileage of an RV also impact the cost of coverage, with older and higher-mileage units generally costing more to insure due to an increased likelihood of repairs. The coverage level chosen, such as an exclusionary or inclusionary policy, also affects the price, with exclusionary policies offering more comprehensive coverage at a higher cost.

The length of the warranty is another factor, with longer plans often providing a lower annual rate. Full-time or commercial use of an RV may also result in additional charges, as constant use increases the likelihood of repairs.

When purchasing an RV extended warranty, it is essential to consider the reputation and financial stability of the warranty company. It is recommended to choose a company backed by a reputable insurance carrier to ensure coverage in the event of mechanical breakdowns.

Additionally, it is worth noting that buying an extended warranty from an RV dealer may result in a higher cost compared to purchasing directly from a warranty company. Dealers may mark up the price of the warranty and encourage buyers to include it in their financing, leading to interest charges. Therefore, it is advisable to get quotes from multiple sources and carefully review the terms and conditions before making a decision.

RV extended warranties are not actually warranties, but vehicle service contracts

An extended warranty isn't actually a warranty at all. It's a vehicle service contract. The difference is that to be a warranty, coverage has to be included in the purchase price of the vehicle. If you have to pay extra for it, it's not really a warranty. As warranties and service contracts are regulated differently - in some states service contracts aren't regulated very much at all - it's very important to carefully read the service contract before you agree to buy it.

RV extended warranties are a lot like extended warranties for regular cars, but how you choose one can be a little different, especially if your RV is a motorhome

An extended warranty for a travel trailer, 5th wheel, or motorhome is a promise from the company you buy it from to pay for repairs that are covered by the contract. Keep in mind that there is usually a deductible you’ll be required to pay any time you get service under the contract.

An extended warranty isn’t actually a warranty at all. It’s a vehicle service contract. The difference is that to be a warranty, coverage has to be included in the purchase price of the vehicle. If you have to pay extra for it, it’s not really a warranty. As warranties and service contracts are regulated differently - in some states service contracts aren’t regulated very much at all - it’s very important to carefully read the service contract before you agree to buy it.

When shopping for a warranty consider what equipment your RV has. Higher-end equipment like slideouts can be expensive to fix, so it’s a good idea to make sure any plan you choose will cover the pricey stuff.

On the other hand, keep in mind there are things RV extended warranties won’t cover, such as roof leaks caused by tree branches. As roof leaks can cause catastrophic damage to RVs, in addition to examining your extended warranty, you’ll also want to make sure your RV insurance policy covers such damage.

When it comes to what to look for in an RV extended warranty, if you decide to get one, there are two main types of contract, inclusionary and exclusionary. Inclusive contracts list all the components they cover. If a part isn’t on the list, it won’t be covered. Exclusionary contracts cover everything except what is listed as exclusions. In general, exclusionary contracts cover more than inclusive contracts, but that means they’re also more expensive.

If you want the best possible coverage, you usually want an exclusionary contract. Check into optional extras you can tack on - sometimes those extras are for systems you might want to cover, such as more components that make up your expensive slideouts.

RV extended warranty prices are all over the map, depending on a lot of variables that don’t even exist for regular extended warranties. Contracts for towable campers are usually cheaper than those for motorhomes. You’ll likely pay more for that half million dollar Class A than you will for a Scamp. And RVs with luxuries like slideouts, toy storage, or full appliances will cost more than more basic campers. And if you’re a so-called “full timer,” who uses the RV a lot more than most, there will be even more cost to a plan.

As we said, inclusive contracts usually cost less than exclusionary contracts. And contracts issued on new RVs often cost less than ones issued for older campers, simply because newer ones are less likely to break during the contract period.

Expect to pay between $1,000 on for a limited coverage inclusive contract on a lower-priced camper that you use twice a year, to sometimes over $10,000 for exclusionary expensive motorhomes that are used more often.

From a purely financial standpoint, statistically they’re not. That’s why the regulars on our Car Talk Community forum will almost always tell you to avoid extended warranties of any kind. Companies have to make more selling them than they spend honoring them, or they’d go out of business. That means most people won’t use their warranty enough to make up for what it cost them. But that’s true of any insurance policies you carry as well; you have fire insurance on your house even though it’s very unlikely you’ll ever need it.

From a different point of view, an extended warranty might be worth it. If not having coverage will keep you up at night, worrying about having to pay for an unexpected RV repair, then an extended warranty might give you enough peace of mind to make the expense worth it.

There are a few companies that are worthy of consideration when it comes to RV extended warranties. America’s RV Warranty is a popular choice for RV owners. They’ve got several different plans for trailers and motorhomes, plus a buffet of extras such as tire and wheel road hazard coverage, or protection if there’s a surge in the campground’s shore power that damages things in your RV.

Good Sam has a long history of providing auto club style coverage for RV owners. But they also offer extended service plans for motorhomes, trailers, and even the trailer’s tow vehicle. Unlike many other companies, Good Sam’s offering is not an extended warranty, but instead mechanical breakdown insurance. The difference is that an extended warranty, which as we talked about earlier isn’t actually a warranty, is a service contract, while mechanical breakdown insurance is just what it says - an insurance policy. As insurance, it’s generally subject to insurance regulation in the state where it’s sold.

If you buy your RV from a dealership, they might offer you an extended warranty from the redundantly-named Protective Asset Protection. They offer a standard, for RVs, menu of coverage options but since you’re probably buying them via a dealership, it might cost more than 3rd party plans. Remember that buying an RV is like buying a car - everything’s negotiable. Try to talk the dealership down in price. It can’t hurt!

The cost of an RV extended warranty will depend on a number of factors. The type of RV, mileage, year, purchase price/ value, engine type, make, and model all help determine the cost of an RV Warranty policy. It also depends on what type of coverage you want, or qualify for, at the time.

Typically, RV extended warranties are less expensive on towable RVs like truck campers, travel trailers, and fifth wheels. This is because there is no drivetrain as found in motorized RVs (Class A, Class B, and Class C).

The price will also vary depending on the deductible. You get to choose what level of deductible you’re most comfortable with. And, much like your insurance policy, a less expensive RV extended warranty policy will mean you pay a higher deductible. Choosing a lower deductible will mean a more expensive policy. We have seen deductibles range anywhere from $50 – $500 per repair visit (not per item).

Something to keep in mind. If you sell the RV before the contract expires, you can cancel the contract and get a pro-rated refund based on the unused time or mileage remaining on your RV Warranty term.

If you decide an RV warranty is worth the investment for you, it is better to buy sooner rather than later. If you buy when the RV is new, you won’t need to get an inspection to qualify. You’ll also avoid future policy price increases.

This will also avoid (or reduce) the risk of finding a ‘pre-existing condition’ that may be disqualified for coverage on the contract. And you’ll be able to secure a longer contract period. Buying right away also lets you have immediate peace of mind.

You can purchase your RV extended warranty in full upfront. Some of the most reliable and reputable companies will also offer a payment plan for RV extended warranties.

Make sure you get a quote for the specific RV you have in mind before you buy, and factor this into your RV shopping budget.

RV extended warranties may only cover the car section, while others cover the entire vehicle, including the house components

RV extended warranties can be a great way to protect yourself from the high cost of RV repairs. When your RV breaks down, repairs can be expensive, and an extended warranty will help cover those costs. However, not all extended warranties are created equal, and it's important to do your research before purchasing one. Some extended warranties only cover the car section of an RV, while others cover the entire vehicle, including the house components.

When deciding on an RV extended warranty, it's important to consider the type of RV you have, the make and model, the year and mileage, the coverage level, and the length of the warranty. Motorhomes, for example, are typically more expensive to cover than towable RVs like travel trailers or fifth wheels. The more expensive the RV, the more expensive the coverage will be. Older units are also more likely to need repairs, so coverage will cost more. Exclusionary policies, which cover everything except what is specifically excluded, are generally more expensive than inclusionary policies, which only cover what is specifically listed.

It's also important to consider where you buy your extended warranty. RV dealers often mark up the price of extended warranties, so it's usually more cost-effective to purchase them directly from a warranty company. It's also a good idea to compare prices and coverage between different warranty companies to make sure you're getting the best deal.

In addition to the cost of the extended warranty itself, there are also other factors to consider, such as the deductible, which is the amount you will have to pay out-of-pocket for each repair. Generally, the higher the deductible, the lower the overall cost of the warranty. It's also important to read the fine print of the warranty contract to make sure you understand what is and is not covered.

Overall, an RV extended warranty can be a worthwhile investment, but it's important to do your research and compare different options before purchasing one.

There are two types of RV extended warranty contracts: inclusionary and exclusionary

Inclusionary contracts, also known as listed-item coverage, provide a detailed list of what is covered. If it’s not on the list, it is not covered under the plan. Here are a few examples of items included in an inclusionary policy:

• Fresh and waste water components
• Heating and AC components
• Slide-out mechanisms

Inclusionary plans allow customers to find the level of coverage that suits their needs. With America’s RV Warranty, listed item coverage for motorhomes comes in three different levels: Basic, Plus, and Total.

The Basic plan covers the engine and transmission, the most expensive items to repair on a motorhome. For those who want the biggest expenses covered, this plan offers peace of mind.

The Plus coverage adds several automotive coverages to the engine and transmission, including steering components, brake components, engine cooling components, chassis AC components, and more.

The Total plan goes one step further, adding coverage for the items inside the coach, or home, of the RV. Items include fresh and waste water components, generator, AC and heating components, kitchen center components, and many more. For towable RVs, the Total Coverage includes items in the coach as well as the suspension.

Exclusionary policies are the most comprehensive plans offered for RV extended warranty coverage. They are also the simplest policies to understand. An exclusionary policy lists the items that are not covered under the policy, and anything not listed under the exclusions is covered. America’s RV Warranty offers the Complete plan, an exclusionary policy for motorhomes and towables.

Warranties cover mechanical failure, so the policy specifically excludes damage from accidents, weather, or fire. Also excluded are nonmechanical items and items that are replaced through normal operation, such as oil filters. Here are a few examples:

Pre-existing conditions

Frequently asked questions