JohnnyT
Goshen New York
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Our current RV has been in service since July 25 2003 when we took delivery.. We currently have 100385 miles on it. our Generator has 2635 hours on it. We are very active RVers.
So here is our history... Not counting warranted issues.
Replaced failed Norcold 1200 cooling unit with Amish cooling unit
Replaced Inverters
Replaced Generator Stator
Replace control board on Washer Dryer
Replaced blower motors on both heat pumps...
Replaced Tierods
My out of pocket cost included labor for the generator, and the heat pumps, and tie rods. was $6950 my best guess is that one could easily add $1000 labor to my costs bringing the total to $7950.. So lets round up to $8,000. Take note that I have not had any powertrain issues. Which are possible...
So would I have been better off to have invested in an extended warranty?
We have also had to repair;
The house water pump.
The house water hose.
Had the slides hang up due to an electrical connection.
Had the outside stairs fail to extend fully or close completely.
The water solenoid for the ice maker fail.
The point of all this is that for most things is that some folks possess skills and test equipment to diagnose and repair. While others do not.
So for those of you that are just beginning decide two things how equipped are you diagnose and repair simple and common mechanical and electrical issues?
Other than drive train/ chassis issues I am pretty well equipped...Especially if its electrical. But I have spent $6950 on parts and labor. Would I have been better off buying an extended warranty?
I am looking for fact not philosophy. Again the purpose of the thread is to give some reasoned input to newbies who are considering whether or not to buy an extended warranty. Without question had I had a catastrophe power train failure that was covered by an extended warranty I would be ahead of the game.
What I am looking for is for folks to give factual insights relative to their expense history.
For myself, I am thinking i am near even or ahead of the game had I purchased an extended warranty in 2003. Can some one with facts alter my opinion?
For those who did not purchase and extended warranty who have some history to report. Give us your insights. The longer your history the more valuable the insight.
For those that did purchase an extended warranty please reflect on your decision.
There is something to be said about taking the worry of the board.
There is also a ritual protocol relative to gaining approval for coverage that would be good to hear about...
JohnnyT
2004 40DS02 Travel Supreme ISL 400
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Look at some of these insurance policies cost over time and what is covered/exclude in the way of repairs.
What would have been your up front cost for this kind of insurance over those years.
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Sully2
Cincinnati
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Joined: 01/20/2003
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For those who did not purchase and extended warranty who have some history to report. Give us your insights. The longer your history the more valuable the insight.
In 11 years of ownership Ive had to replace 2 refer waterlines ( to the icemaker) before I was smart enough to replace it with a copper line.
I had to have water heater repaired ( froze up because the petcock on mine became clogged and it didnt drain out) Its since been repaired and a screw in plug inserted
Water pump replaced this month ( see water heater) because I didnt drain the system and thusly didnt disc0onnect it from the tank
Ceiling vent fan replaced because the ( they call them splines...I call them plain serrations) stripped out
Anything else has been normal maintainence such as engine belts, replaced last month for the first time in 11 years, oil, filters, etc...etc. TV swapped out in 2010 to get a HD TV in the living room.
EDIT:
Addition: Something I forgot about because it was so long ago. At about 5 months I noticed some bubbles in the paint on the entry door; contacted CC about it and they put the info away for safe keeping. At 24 months I didnt like what I was seeking and contacted them again about it. They told me they had had some problems along those lines and to get it fixed here and they would pay for it. I got a guy that custom paints motorcycles to do the pain and I removed the door and installed a fiberglass panel in the door to substitute for the sheet metal and 1/4" plywood skin CC had used. Bill for lable etc came to $875 and CC cut me a check for that amount in full.
* This post was
edited 06/30/12 07:23pm by Sully2 *
2000 Country Coach Allure; Cummins ISC 330 HP; 71/2 - 8 MPG regardless
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2chiefsRus
USA Somewhere
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We deliberately waited until 11.5 months after we purchased our motorhome to purchase a 3 year Continued Service Plan from Good Sam's. We didn't want to overlap our initial coverage period for the majority of our warranty items. We only had one claim during the three years (replaced our Norcold 1210IM refrigerator cooling unit for an Amish Cooling unit). Claim was easy to have pre-approved and was paid directly to the supplier so we only had to pay our deductible.
With only one claim, we definitely paid more for the service plan than we recouped in covered claims but we fully expected it to turn out that way. In fact, we hoped it would turn out that way since we purchased the service plan more for peace of mind for a worst case scenario. We didn't feel the need to renew the service plan at the end of the 3 years. Our confidence level with the coach was higher and we had put away more funds for future expenses.
Dave & Kathy
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bsinmich
Holland, MI
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Doing your own work you have the advantage of knowing it was done right and you didn't have to hassle with some clerk who wanted to deny your claim on the first call.
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, Workhorse W22, 2008 Saturn Vue, Falcon 5250, & US Gear Unified Tow Brake
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Executive
California/Arizona/South Dakota
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Your knowledge, mechanical skills, and time are the determining factors when deciding on an extended warranty. While I possess the knowledge and mechanical/electrical skills to do many of the repairs to my coach, I elected to buy an extended warranty for a number of reasons, time being one of them. IMHO, I simply don't like to be bothered by some of the mundane repairs so I sub them out to others. Things like oil changes, fuel and oil filters, lube etc. It makes little sense to me to do those things when I can have them done at Speedco and watch them do it for less than $300. Furthermore, there are some things better left to the professionals. That said, here is my breakdown for my extended warranty. First is the service, followed by cost, followed by deductible.
Rear Axle seal replace -
Differential Replace - $ 5052.60 $200
Rear Slide Cylinder Replace- $ 431.28 $100
Replace CableMaster Unit
Replace Middle AC Heat Pump
Replace Microwave
Replace ES50 Transfer Switch
Replace 12V air compressor $ 4841.02 $200
Totals $ 10,324.90 $500
Many things like water pumps, hoses, minor electrical issues, air gauge replacement, readjust fuel gauge and sender, repaired leaky faucet were done by me. These are minor annoyances. The above required some heavy duty equipment. Like changing tires....I just ain't gonna do it...I'm retired.... ...Dennis
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wallynm
Los Alamos NM
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Experience
My experience is that Good Sam will at best pay about 50% of the total bill. They have rules about covered parts (pay) damaging uncovered parts ( no pay) or uncovered parts damaging covered parts (no pay for any parts). Rules for tear down and reassembly processing and payments. When it comes time to pay they may delay a day or two even if you have pre approval. I cancelled and they charged me $50.00. I have dropped all Good Sam coverage for anything.
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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wallynm wrote:Experience
My experience is that Good Sam will at best pay about 50% of the total bill. They have rules about covered parts (pay) damaging uncovered parts ( no pay) or uncovered parts damaging covered parts (no pay for any parts). Rules for tear down and reassembly processing and payments. When it comes time to pay they may delay a day or two even if you have pre approval. I cancelled and they charged me $50.00. I have dropped all Good Sam coverage for anything.
Hey it is good money management to min payout and max receipts I guess. 
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kjburns
Prescott, AZ
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99.999999% of the time I avoid extended warranties like the plague. I've never used them...except for the motorhome. Looking at the figures Dennis posted and your personal experiences, I think a motorhome is one place where they make sense. There are too many expensive things that can and will go wrong or fail.
2011 Winnebago Tour 42QD
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Don Don
Pleasant Grove, AL {Suburb of Birmingham}
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People, People. You byt insurance and pay for it everyday on your home, cars and more. Why not your RV. Do you think you ever get your money out of what you pay in home owners insurance? NO!
Maybe if you have a major disaster you will but almost all do not.
RV insurance is no different. It's there if you need it. Do you ever get you money back from car insurance if you never have an accident? NO again, but it's there if you have to have it.
No one looks at this or thinks about thst, they just want to say its not worth it. Well news flash, if you need it, it's worth it. If you dont think so then go cancel all your other insurance you pay for. See if it's worth it then.
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