America’s RV Warranty: Leading the RV Extended Warranty Industry
Editor’s Choice 2024
America’s RV Warranty (ARW) is a well-established player in the RV extended warranty industry, known for its affordable coverage and hands-on service. With decades of collective experience in providing extended warranties, also known as extended service plans or protection plans, ARW has earned a solid reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction. Based in Marietta, GA, ARW offers flexible coverage options to RV owners nationwide, standing out with perks like mobile service call fee coverage, full retail cost for replacement parts, in-house claims management, and no required inspection to sign up.
Why ARW Stands Out
America’s RV Warranty has quickly earned a reputation as the best in the business due to several unique benefits:
Mobile Service Call Fees: ARW covers mobile mechanic service fees, making it more convenient for RV owners who need repairs done wherever they are.
Full Cost of Replacement Parts: The company pays the full retail cost of new parts for repairs, ensuring customers are not burdened with additional out-of-pocket expenses.
In-House Claims Management: By managing their own claims, ARW ensures a smoother and quicker claims process, providing peace of mind to their customers.
No Required Inspection: ARW does not require an inspection to sign up for coverage, simplifying the process for RV owners.
How We Evaluate
For many customers, the goal of a warranty is peace of mind for their travels. These customers cruise America and live the RV life, and they want to ensure that they don’t go bankrupt because of a big surprise on the road. That’s why things like insurance policies or manufacturer’s warranty (aka a factory warranty) are so important. The final piece of the puzzle is the extended warranty, which covers breakdowns. Anyone who has owned an RV for long enough knows that breakdowns are inevitable.
As we reviewed the extended warranty companies on our list, we evaluated how well they deliver this peace of mind. We looked at their products, their service, and their track record. While it was a tough decision, we ultimately decided to crown America’s RV Warranty as the 2024 Editor’s Choice best overall warranty provider.
New in 2024: Mobile Mechanic Coverage
ARW continues to rank in the #1 spot for 2024 because they have responded to the needs of RV owners nationwide by enhancing their mobile mechanic coverage for new policies.
RVs are more popular than ever, and licensed RV repair centers are busier than ever. Some RVers are waiting over a month just to have their RV looked at. Plus, many experienced RV technicians are leaving service centers to work as mobile mechanics.
It’s easy to see why RVers want to use mobile mechanics: mechanics come to them (instead of vice-versa), they’re experienced, and they’ll get the job done more quickly. However, every company we checked (except for ARW) only allows repairs for disabled RVs. If you need minor repairs or repairs that are not essential to your RV’s ability to travel, other RV extended warranty companies will not cover a mobile RV mechanic.
ARW has changed their policy to allow new customers to use a mobile mechanic whenever and wherever they want. This added convenience applies only to new policies, not existing ones.
Coverage Options
The company offers both named-component plans and exclusionary policies. Eligible vehicles include both new RVs and used RVs. The company covers both motorhomes and towables such as 5th wheel trailers, toy haulers, and travel trailers. Trailers must be less than 15 years old to be eligible for coverage. Motorhomes must be under 20 years old and have less than 100,000 miles on the odometer.
RVers have plenty of choice when it comes to the level of coverage. Customers can choose from four different plans for motorhomes and two for towables. The plan choices range from the Basic to the Plus, Total, and Complete plans.
The Basic plan covers the drivetrain: the engine, transmission, and drive axle. The Plus plan adds even more automotive coverage, while the Total plan covers both automotive and coach-related items. The Complete plan is an exclusionary policy, which offers the most comprehensive coverage to both the coach and the automotive items.
Those with towables have the option of the Complete and Total plans, which in this case do not include the automotive components.
In addition to the coverage included with each plan, risk-averse customers can enhance their peace of mind with several add-on coverages.
Comparing ARW's Coverage
The coverage edges out some of the competitors in a few respects. First, when a repair requires mechanics to order parts, ARW pays the retail price for new parts. Other companies only pay a reduced rate or the price that used part would cost, leaving RV owners on the line for the difference.
The service contracts offer other advantages, such as a $500 mobile mechanic service fee reimbursement—this is in addition to covering the repair costs. This amount is $100 more than some competitors, while some contracts don’t even offer this feature. If your recreational vehicle is broken down roadside or in a campground, you’ll spend less to get back on the open road.
Additional perks include coverage for seals and gaskets as wear and tear. These two issues often cause costly repairs to be considered “non-covered” by other warranty companies. When you’re comparing extended RV warranties to get the best coverage, be sure to get a straight answer about exclusions and limits under the coverage.
Using the Coverage
Using ARW’s coverage is straightforward. Coverage is valid at any licensed repair facility in the United States or Canada. Members simply need to inform the mechanics that they have a warranty for their RV, and the facility will usually communicate directly with the company to receive payment based on the terms of the service contract.
While most warranty companies require their customers to notify the company before receiving any repairs, ARW allows their members some flexibility for emergency after-hours repairs. In such a case, customers can submit claims shortly after receiving RV repairs.
Covered Items
The following list is taken from the Total motorhome coverage option. The Total plan covers mechanical components on the following items:
- Fresh/Waste Water System
- Roof or Basement AC
- LP Gas System
- Heating System
- Generator/Power Plant (includes inverter)
- Range/Convection Oven/Burner
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Water Heater
- Hi-Tech Components (including sensors, backup cameras, keyless entry, and fireplace burners)
- Deluxe Appliances (Icemaker, trash compactor, washer/dryer, etc.)
- Entertainment Components
- Interior and Exterior Components
- Leveling System
- Power Step
- Slide-Outs
- Seals and Gaskets
- Wear and Tear
Additional Coverage Options
Besides the regular plans, customers can also add a number of optional coverages to their plan.
Tire and Wheel Coverage: Covers the repair or replacement of wheels and tires when they are damaged on the road. For towable units, the coverage extends to the tow vehicle.
Power Surge Coverage: Reimburses the RV owner in the event that a power surge destroys electrical items connected to the electrical system.
Commercial Use Coverage: Needed if the RV is operated as part of a business, especially if the RV is registered in the name of a business.
Consequential Loss Coverage: Ensures that the covered part is covered, even if its mechanical failure is caused by the breakdown of a non-covered part.
Navigation Package Coverage: Protects the repair and/or replacement of items like the compass, onboard communication systems, and GPS components.
Roadside Assistance: Can be purchased when signing up and includes unlimited towing, locksmith, tire service, jumpstart/battery boost, fluid delivery, winching, and RV technical assistance.
Customer Service
ARW takes customer service seriously. They provide their customers with dedicated account managers who are helpful, knowledgeable, and forthcoming with information. Their representatives offer great service and consistently respond to customer needs without using aggressive sales tactics.
Claims Process
America’s RV Warranty partners with their administrator, creating a streamlined communication process that makes it easier to resolve issues when they arise. This partnership results in a quick and easy claims process, as attested by some customers.
No Required Inspection
RV owners do not need an inspection in order to sign up or receive coverage. However, a 30-day waiting period applies if the RV has not been inspected. During this period, customers can read through the coverage to understand it fully before it becomes effective. If customers change their mind, they can cancel to receive a 100% money-back refund.
Plan Details
The length of ARW’s extended warranties is a huge advantage, with plan lengths of up to eight years available. Coverage is also fully transferable, and the extended warranty can be transferred to a new unit or to the new owner if you sell your rig. The coverage can also be canceled at any time for a prorated refund.
Extras
When RVers sign up, they receive benefits for more than just their RV. Members get access to free or discounted products and services from insurance (RV insurance, homeowners, auto) to identity protection, deep retail discounts, and even medical benefits.
Warranty Cost
ARW’s extended warranties come at a fair price, often costing less than competitors such as Good Sam, Wholesale Warranties, and Eagle Vision RV. They offer flexible financing options and do not charge customers interest. Their plans deliver a full money-back guarantee for the first 30 days. If customers choose to cancel after that period has ended, they will receive a prorated refund.
Is This Extended Warranty Worth It?
If you’re looking for an extended warranty, it’s important to decide which features of the warranty matter most to you. How important is cost to you? Convenience? Coverage? Trustworthiness? Once you know what matters to you, you’ll be able to decide if this company can bring you peace of mind with their extended service plan.
ARW might not have the rock-bottom lowest prices, but their prices are very competitive when measured against other top companies in the industry. America’s RV Warranty as a company is large enough to meet customer demands and offer competitive rates, but not so large that customers become numbers. Customer service staff are informed and diligent about communication, which always helps resolve issues.
When it comes to coverage, RVers have the options they need to find the level of coverage they need. Often, the best value is with the more comprehensive plans, such as the Complete or Total coverage. While an exclusionary policy is more expensive, it can save you lots of money on parts and labor costs at the repair facility.