Warranty Forever - Value or Scam?

[bentjm]

Any warranty is a house deal. If the companies that issue warranties lost money doing so, then they would not be in business for long.

[NorthernDriv]

Everytime I tried to use my warranty, I was told "It didn't break, it wore out-Not covered" plus I would have to have the engine oil changed every 3700 miles!!?!

[Rexlion]

I had a crack form above the doorway of my molded fiberglass trailer. I took it to a 'boat and rv repair' place called Shoreline (IOW molded FG is their specialty) and had it repaired with a lifetime warranty. A few years later and it is cracked again in the same spot, so I took it back to the same place. Lifetime warranty? Nope, the manager told me the business (still under the same name) is no longer under the same ownership (although one of the original owners still has a piece of it) and it's no longer the same company, so therefore the "new company" doesn't have to honor the lifetime warranty of the "old company". He also let slip that they "were losing their shirts" on that lifetime warranty (judging from the fact that my pricey repair didn't stay fixed, I can believe it). So be wary of the potential for legal maneuvers a dealership might take to avoid having to make good on "lifetime" anything.

[Atlee]

Originally Posted by Slolane

We stopped at a dealer recently and they offered this as well. I don't know what the up-front cost is, but there is a mandatory annual "inspection" that is $250.

My guess is the warranty is not transferable without a substantial fee. I'm sure the up front cost + annual fee would cover a LOT of repairs. They don't push these things for our benefit.

My last trailer came with a Forever Warranty. It was no cost. Also, the dealer did the required yearly inspection at no cost. This was a pretty good deal. Never had to use the warranty,

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by bluepill

"If it sounds too good to be true......................." is still true.

You nailed it!

[Cumminsfan]

I had a Vanagon many years ago. One of the rare times I ever bought a warranty. Vanagon was used and the warranty wasn't outrageously expensive.
It paid for itself. It also covered a loaner vehicle.

I found out why VW named it a Vanagon.
It's because owners will always be fixing the Van again.

[TXiceman]

Our daughter bought a Cedar Creek with the dealer "Forever Warranty". They require mandatory annual inspections. I do not know the fee, but they check the roof for seals and other normal maintenance items. Texas requires that RVs over a certain weight have an annual safety inspection, so they have that done while at the dealer.

I do not think this will work for a full timer that cannot get by there every year.

Ken

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

Texas requires that RVs over a certain weight have an annual safety inspection, so they have that done while at the dealer.

I do not think this will work for a full timer that cannot get by there every year.

Ken

If a full-timer doesn't stay in Texas longer than 3 days he doesn't have to get it inspected. He can self-certify online. 3 days is enough time to drive through Texas - barely!

[reubenray]

The Vibe I just bought has the Forever Warranty at no upfront cost. I have to do some work myself prior to getting it inspected by the dealer ($200) once a year. It is
not transferrable and it has to be done prior to the one year period or it is cancelled. I figured I would get this done and get the Vibe winterized all at the same time each year.

[TXiceman]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

If a full-timer doesn't stay in Texas longer than 3 days he doesn't have to get it inspected. He can self-certify online. 3 days is enough time to drive through Texas - barely!

I was speaking of the required yearly inspection from the deal for the trailer "Life-Time Warranty", not the required state inspection for tags.

If you get the trailer tags online without the inspection, you have 72 hours once you return to Texas to get the state inspection. Having RVed for 10 years Full -Time, I am well aware of this requirement.

Ken

[Mango Lynn]

Originally Posted by TQ60

The warranty is valid as long as proper maintenance is performed and vehicle inspected to look for issues before they can be nasty..

Here’s the problem. The warranty is valid for as long as RV Warranty Forever wants it to be. This is a total scam. SCAM. Every review I can find on it states that. Here is what they did to me: year 1 (2020) they accepted my “coupon” and copy of the maintenance inspection. Year 2, they cancelled my warranty. I’d done the maintenance inspection and sent it plus coupon via US mail. Only when I had the 2022 inspection and Camping World called them to see if an item was covered was I told that they received my coupon but not the maintenance inspection form. (What the heck? Sent together!). They “allowed me” to submit it late and reinstated my warranty. Now, that made me nervous so I submitted the 2022 coupon and the maintenance inspection plus work done on the RV the next day (May 13; 2022) and followed up with a phone call and was assured they had all of the documents. Fast forward to Feb 2023 I called with a question and was told my warranty was cancelled because I didn’t send required inspection. I was able to provide them with a date and time stamped photo from Genius Scan showing the legible document, the date and time it was scanned AND the time and date it was exported to an email. Their response was…I had no proof I emailed it to THEM AND therefore, they would not accept the documents.

They do not send out any confirmation, they do not send out any reminders and they certainly do not send out any notice of cancellation. This is an entire SCAM otherwise, why would they not accept records from a reputable RV company?

[glwinger]

Originally Posted by Mango Lynn

Here’s the problem. The warranty is valid for as long as RV Warranty Forever wants it to be. This is a total scam. SCAM. Every review I can find on it states that. Here is what they did to me: year 1 (2020) they accepted my “coupon” and copy of the maintenance inspection. Year 2, they cancelled my warranty. I’d done the maintenance inspection and sent it plus coupon via US mail. Only when I had the 2022 inspection and Camping World called them to see if an item was covered was I told that they received my coupon but not the maintenance inspection form. (What the heck? Sent together!). They “allowed me” to submit it late and reinstated my warranty. Now, that made me nervous so I submitted the 2022 coupon and the maintenance inspection plus work done on the RV the next day (May 13; 2022) and followed up with a phone call and was assured they had all of the documents. Fast forward to Feb 2023 I called with a question and was told my warranty was cancelled because I didn’t send required inspection. I was able to provide them with a date and time stamped photo from Genius Scan showing the legible document, the date and time it was scanned AND the time and date it was exported to an email. Their response was…I had no proof I emailed it to THEM AND therefore, they would not accept the documents.

They do not send out any confirmation, they do not send out any reminders and they certainly do not send out any notice of cancellation. This is an entire SCAM otherwise, why would they not accept records from a reputable RV company?

I have to disagree with your last statement. I have had 4 yearly inspections for my warranty. I have been emailed the confirmations for the past 4 years. I get my WF inspection done at the same time I get my state inspection done.

[Ray,IN]

This is on the Warranty Forever website: quote, " Can I perform my own maintenance?

No, all annual maintenance must be performed by a professional repair facility. This ensures proper documentation, as well as the workmanship of all services performed on your RV."
Then, "
ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, YOU MUST PERFORM THE FOLLOWING MAINTENANCE

* Inspect roof and seal where necessary
* Inspect axles and hub, lube where necessary.
* Inspect furnace – clean blower and combustion chamber, control compartment, (remove any dust, lint, and obstructions) as necessary, test for gas line leaks.
* Inspect hot water heater – flush holding tank, manually operate pressure temperature relief valve, and clean burner tube (as outlined by the manufacturer), as necessary."


The trick is to read all the fine print, comply with it, and send all correspondence by registered mail, return receipt required.