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.

Jim Johnson writes on many consumer related topics including motorhomes. You can find out more about motorhome insurance and rv insurance by visiting our Motorhomes Review website.