After Market Warranties

[JW_of_Opechee_S]

Has anyone out there had experience with collecting for repairs with an after market warranty like Good Sam's. We had bought a new to us unit and when the current warranty runs out we are considering getting extended protection. I know some think it is a waste of money and it may well be but I was wondering if some have had possitive experiences with this type of warranty.

[Tixie]

These things can either be a very good thing or a rip off. There are a lot of conditions associated with the contract and I have heard of the horror stories of those who have been denied certain coverages. Having said that, I bought a used 2008 Winnebago RV back in 2012. I did buy an after market 4 year extended warrenty covering as much as I could and with the lowest deductable. It came out to about $1000 bucks a year for the coverage. 4 months in, I had a slide motor go out and I only had to pay $100 on a $1600 repair bill. Had some minor diesel engine and generator repairs done recently too. For me it has worked out. I simply wanted the piece of mind in case something went wrong. I am trading in next week on a 2013 Newmar Dutch Star. Given the age of the newer coach I have decided to still get an extended policy, but with a much higher deductable and only cover the high ticket items against catestrophic failure. If I never have to use it, then I lose. It is really a******shoot. Peace of mind has a price, but I can certainly understand why some folks choose not to go with an extended coverage plan. Good Luck.:C

[CavemanCharlie]

There was a local car dealer selling these warrantees and then never turning the warrantee in. He was just pocketing the money. It made a big deal in the paper but, in the end they dropped the charges against him and everybody just got took. (He was rich and buddies with all the lawyers and such. ) So, beware , make sure you have copies of everything and the deal actually goes through to the warrantee company.

[Rollnhome]

On one warranty I lost my butt. Bought it on a new car never used it. The second warranty I bought on a two year MH. I am at the break even point now and it is in the shop for a new hdtv, Sirius radio, and rear heater. I still have about three years left on the warranty. Bought a warranty on a used car. 30 days later an oil leak appeared cost over double the price of the warranty to repair. Still have 4 years left on warranty. I like the peace of mind. You do have to shop and compare before you buy.

[Captain_Happy]

I've only bought one of these after market service contacts in my whole life, and man did we get ripped off. Haven't bought one since. I just take the money that I would have spent on them and put it in the bank. And besides, you won't have to deal with the stress of dealing with these people tring to get the repairs paid for.

[LarryJM]

southernsky wrote:
I have Good Sam and after two claims it almost paid for itself. The new modern campers with all the electronics it's was worth it for me.

This is not directed at the quoted person, but the OP and I used to quote to make a couple of points.

1. Notice the words "almost paid for itself" read that it wasn't cost effective so not worth it.

2. On the electronics comment remember that generally those will be limited to the refer and A/C and maybe the genset and W/D if equipped. O.K. I forgot about the Stereo, TV, etc. so there are some more, but STILL... You already have either the trailer manufacturer or OE manufacturer warranty and it's been my experience that now days electronics will generally either fail early or last a long time. Remember I said generally and there will always be exceptions or the Statisticians would be out of work. IMO you would be MUCH WISER to invest your $$$ in a good EMS system than in any aftermarket service contract.

3. Your question in the way you phrased it is sort of a loaded one since what you are asking for are only positives so I'm not sure how much weight you should put on the information here in making whatever decision you are contemplating making.

Larry

[martipr]

Look at that contract carefully. The exclude list is about twice as long as the include list!!
That being said I did collect once. The dealer talked me into a five year extended when I bought my TT $1,275.00. The upper unit of the air conditioner failed. $600.00 parts, $250.00 labor. 5 years is now over, I lost.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Habu wrote:


NMHO put the money in the bank and use it as needed.

"I" HMO the same also.

.

[noe-place]

My experience was positive. Had to replace AC compressor. Almost $700 paid by the contract BUT I had to pay up front then the contract company reimbursed me. Like some have said SHOP first then read the fine print. Some of these things are worded so thy can "explain" their way out of paying for anything.

[big_bird_2]

They are not cost affective. Some lucky folks can claim success, but everyone else pays for their luck. I guess it all depends on how lucky you feel. If I was that lucky I would live in Vegas. I don't!

[Kirk]

We have used them more than once and as long as you shop carefully and understand the contract they can be very helpful. I suggest that you may find this Article from Escapee's Magazine on the subject to be very helpful as you shop.

[fpresto]

They are not warranties. Only the OEM can offer a warranty. They are service contracts. In many states it is illegal to advertise them as warranties. The difference may seem trivial unless you have to go to court as they are treated differently. A service contract company can go out of business one day and open the next under a new name and of course your money is gone. A few things to keep in mind is that if you are buying new the dealer pushes them because he will receive at least 50% of the money kicked back to him just for selling it which is pure profit. Research the company carefully. Look out for ones that just incorporated. Read the service contract carefully before you sign. What the bold print promises the fine print takes away. The last thing is to remember claims paid = profits down claims denied = profits up.

[Habu]

Ours did not work out as well as it should have! NMHO put the money in the bank and use it as needed.

[southernsky]

I have Good Sam and after two claims it almost paid for itself. The new modern campers with all the electronics it's was worth it for me.

[Moderator]

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