Driving your RV on a perfect summer day can be an extremely relaxing experience. Unless you break down on the side of the road, that is. In moments like these, motorhome mechanical breakdown insurance suddenly becomes a high priority.
Thankfully, you can get help determining your insurance needs and searching for the right policy. A local independent insurance agent can help you find the ideal coverage for your unique vehicle and also ensure you're covered by standard RV insurance for other issues, such as collisions. Until then, here's a closer look at RV mechanical breakdown insurance, what it covers, and more.
What Is RV Mechanical Breakdown Insurance?
RV or motorhome mechanical breakdown insurance can protect you from losses caused by unexpected vehicle breakdowns and necessary repairs. These policies offer coverage beyond what's included in your RV's extended warranty.
Mechanical breakdown insurance is often available for not only RVs but other types of vehicles such as cars and trucks, too. Many RV owners opt to get this coverage due to the high costs typically associated with mechanical failures and everything that goes along with breaking down on the side of the road.
What Does RV Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Cover?
Since traveling with your RV puts added strain on its internal components, it’s important to have a plan for how you'd handle mechanical or electrical breakdowns. RV mechanical breakdown coverage is designed to cover major components of your vehicle against sudden and unexpected mechanical failures.
While motorhome mechanical breakdown insurance varies by carrier and policy, coverage commonly includes:
- Mechanical or electrical breakdowns
- Battery failures
- Insufficient fuel or oil
- Flat tires
Certain RV mechanical breakdown policies also cover a lockout or entrapment in snow, mud, sand, or water if you’re within 100 feet of the road. Some motorhome mechanical breakdown policies also include benefits such as emergency accommodations.
Not all policies include the same conditions, so it’s important to review your options for RV mechanical breakdown insurance with an independent insurance agent.
What's Not Covered by RV Mechanical Breakdown Insurance?
While RV mechanical breakdown insurance provides a lot of critical coverage, it also comes with certain exclusions, such as:
- Routine vehicle maintenance
- Emergency towing services
Though most standard policies don't cover these costs, you can often add roadside assistance coverage to your policy as an endorsement. This added coverage can help reimburse you for professional emergency towing services and more if you get stranded on the side of the road.
RV Mechanical Breakdown Insurance vs. Extended Dealer Warranties
Sadly, RVs are prone to breakdowns, especially over time. In fact, about 3 in 10 RVs experience a major breakdown by their second year in use, and 8 in 10 experience a breakdown by their fifth year. By the eighth year of use, nearly every RV will experience a major breakdown.
And, unfortunately, repairs for any type of RV breakdown are very expensive. Further, breakdown repairs on the road are often more expensive than repairs for a stationary RV at your home. RV mechanical breakdown coverage could save you a lot of money over the course of your life as an RV owner.
You may have purchased an extended warranty from your dealer, which covers certain motorhome breakdowns. However, while mechanical breakdown insurance covers mechanical failures of your vehicle throughout the policy's term, extended manufacturer warranties tend to only cover repairs that are necessary because of improper manufacturing or defective materials.
Also, extended vehicle warranties expire after a set amount of time, and coverage for different parts of your vehicle may have different term lengths.
Having a motorhome mechanical breakdown insurance policy can help you guarantee you'll have coverage as long as you keep paying your policy's premiums. The coverage offered by these policies also tends to be much broader than that provided by an extended vehicle warranty.
Generally speaking, motorhome mechanical breakdown insurance also tends to be much more affordable over time, whereas extended vehicle warranties often come with expensive upfront costs.
FAQs about RV Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
Do I have to get an inspection before being approved for mechanical breakdown coverage?
No, there's not an inspection required before your coverage becomes active. However, understand that preexisting issues from before your policy goes into effect will not be covered.
Does motorhome mechanical breakdown insurance cover parts and labor?
Yes, RV mechanical breakdown insurance includes coverage for parts and labor. However, the cause of the breakdown must be covered by your policy for this to apply.
How does the RV mechanical breakdown insurance deductible work if I have to file a claim?
If you have to get repairs for your RV done due to a covered mechanical breakdown, you'll first need to pay your policy's deductible out of your own pocket. The cost of your deductible is subtracted from the total reimbursement you'll receive for your claim. So, if your RV needs a $500 repair but your deductible is $250, you'll receive a maximum reimbursement of $250 for the repairs.
Can I get replacement parts instead of repairing old parts?
If you want to get a new part for your RV instead of repairing the old one, your mechanical breakdown insurance will likely only cover the new part up to the estimated cost of what it would be to repair the old one. You will have to cover any additional cost.
Why work with an independent insurance agent when shopping for RV mechanical breakdown insurance?
Independent insurance agents have access to multiple insurance companies that specialize in RV and motorhome mechanical breakdown insurance. They'll be able to shop and compare quotes and policies for you to find the best overall blend of coverage and cost. And down the road, your agent will still be there to help you file RV insurance claims or update your coverage as necessary.
Sources
https://www.progressive.com/mechanical-breakdown-insurance/
https://wholesalewarranties.com/blog/most-common-rv-breakdowns/
