These days it seems as if everything comes with some form of extended warranty. The salesperson wants you to purchase that warranty "just in case" something were to happen. But how do you know that the warranty is a good deal? Is it a case of luck on whether or not the item you purchased will tear up and leave you holding an expensive repair bill?
Perhaps it is a case where you pay out hundreds of dollars in extended warranty only to never need it. Extended warranties are funny that way. On some products we automatically make that extra purchase but on others we skip the warranty. In this article we will cover what an extended warranty is, what products are covered, and even whether or not you should invest your money in an extended warranty.
What is an extended warranty?
An extended warranty is also known as a service contract or service agreement. It is a written agreement that states that if the merchandise is damaged it will be fixed or replaced without any cost to you. The extended warranty is a guarantee for when the regular warranty either does not cover a certain product or you want it for a period of time that is longer than what the original warranty covers.
If something were to happen how do I make an extended warranty claim?
The first step is to locate your warranty paperwork. This is the time to carefully review what your coverage is as well as what is necessary to fill out a claim. If the paperwork seems confusing about what is covered and what is not covered you can always call the customer support center.
Make sure you get the person's name you are speaking with and ask them to explain the warranty to you in detail. From there you will have to fill out a claim form and send in proof of purchase such as your receipt. The warranty information should tell you where to send the merchandise or give you a list of repairmen in your area that service those machines for the warranty company.
If I had a cell phone or electronics covered by an extended warranty does it include if the product were to become wet and stop working?
Most extended warranties do not cover when an item is damaged due to the user's fault. This includes getting the cell phone or electronics wet. They will protect against faulty equipment wiring and internal pieces being broken but if they determine that it was the user's fault you could be charged for the repairs and your claim denied. That is why it is so important to read through your warranty information carefully to see what is covered and what is not covered by the extended warranty.
Why does some consumer advocate groups speak against getting an extended warranty?
The reason some consumer advocate groups speak out against purchasing an extended warranty is because most of the time the item is not susceptible to damage and you are only lining the salesman's pocket. They usually get a commission based on how many extended warranties that they sell. Many times the cost of getting the item repaired is going to be far less than what the extended warranty costs.
The cost of repairs for a motorhome or RV can be very significant at times, and so some people opt to buy an extended RV warranty or service contract to help insure themselves against major repair bills in advance. This can be a very smart move if done correctly, but all service contracts are not equal, and here are some things that you will want to consider before buying one:
* Who is actually issuing the warranty? Is it the manufacturer or a third party company? How long have they been in business? If they go out of business for any reason, who will take over the contract in that case? Is that clearly stated in the warranty contract? It can also be a good idea to check with the insurance commissioner in the state where their main office is located to see how reliable and trustworthy they are.
* What exactly is covered? Take some time to read the contract through completely and carefully. If you don't see something listed, it's a safe bet that it's not covered. Check over all the clauses in the contract and make sure that you understand them. Sometimes companies slide in special qualifications for certain repairs that releases them from liability in many cases, so make sure that you can live with any added clauses and that they are reasonable.
* Where can you take your RV or motorhome if a repair is needed under the contract? You don't want to break down and find that your extended warranty company does not have any facilities for repair in that state. The best RV extended warranty companies have lots of approved repair facilities all across the country that makes getting a quick, quality repair very easy to do.
* Read RV discussion forums online and ask local experienced RV owners about their experiences with extended warranty companies. The RV community loves to discuss consumer experiences, both good and bad. So find out which companies have treated RVers well, and which haven't. Which have been reasonable to work with and quick to respond, and which haven't? This will be invaluable unbiased information that can help you make a wise choice.
* If major repairs are necessary, does the RV extended warranty provide a hotel room and a rental car for the duration of the repair? If not, this can add up to a significant amount if your motorhome is in the shop for an extended stay.
Having the answers to these questions in advance can help guide you in your decision making process, and help you select an RV extended warranty company that will bring peace of mind while you travel on the open road.
Both Mike Selvon & Jim Johnson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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