Should You Buy Extended Warranty on Appliances in 2024?

New homeowners typically receive a one-year complimentary home warranty from the seller which covers main home systems and appliances. This type of warranty covers all repairs and replacements of certain home items.

What happens when a manufacturer’s warranty expires? Most home warranty companies offer customers the option to obtain extended warranties on appliances alone, systems alone, or a combination of both. But should you buy extended warranty on appliances?

Consider these questions, pros and cons, and FAQs:

1. What does an extended warranty cover?
2. How much does an extended warranty cost?
3. Where do I buy an extended warranty?
4. What should I know before buying an extended warranty?
5. Should I buy extended warranty on washer and dryer?
6. How does a home appliance extended warranty work?
7. Pros and Cons.
8. FAQs.

What Does an Extended Warranty Cover?

Warranty providers help homeowners cover expenses for broken home systems or appliances by replacing or repairing them. These warranties also cover manufacturing errors or faulty installations. An extended warranty for appliances is a service contract that covers repairs after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired.

This type of warranty provides a capped coverage for such basic home appliances as microwaves, dishwashers, dryers, and refrigerators. Other appliances can also be included in such a warranty, such as ovens, spa equipment, garbage disposals, and even cooktops.

Homeowners should read the fine print on their contracts to be fully aware of what appliances are included and excluded. In most cases, home warranty companies, for example, only include one refrigerator. You might need to add additional coverage for an extra refrigerator or built-in microwave.

How Much Does an Extended Warranty Cost? 

Warranty coverage for major home systems and appliances covered by home warranty companies can be a big money saver in the long run, especially once the manufacturer’s warranty has expired.

Manufacturing companies use a probability metrics approach when calculating the longevity and durability of appliances. A warranty begins the moment a product is bought and—depending on the manufacturer’s appliance warranty policies—is typically good for three to five years.

Replacing or repairing such appliances as a refrigerator and stove can cost you up to $160 and $430, respectively. Should I buy extended warranty on my washer and dryer? On average, repairing a washer and dryer can cost between $100 and $350. This is why it’s probably a good idea to get an extended warranty from a home warranty company.

Taking into account that a home appliance warranty can cost as little as $27 per month, spending money on an extended warranty is well worth the cost, especially considering it could cover up to 11 home appliances. On average, home warranties cost $300-600 dollars per year, depending on which state you live in, as well as the company you signed a contract with. Service fees range between $50 and $150 per service call. Homeowners who don’t have a home warranty can spend hundreds of dollars on replacements or repairs.

If you aren’t happy with your current warranty provider and would like to change to another one, make sure that you make the switch before your current warranty expires. (Most companies have at least a 30-day grace period before you can file a claim.)

Where Do I Buy an Extended Warranty?

You can extend warranties on individual appliances through warranty providers. Such appliances extended warranties can be obtained by three providers:

Original Manufacturers

The manufacturer’s warranty covers any flaws or damages caused by the factory. A new appliance usually comes with a 3-5-year warranty but sometimes covers up to 10 years. Each manufacturer’s warranty stipulates the terms and conditions of replacements and free repairs.

It’s important for a buyer to always read the fine print of the appliance’s warranty to ensure that the customer’s expectations match that of the manufacturer.

Extended warranties directly from the manufacturer can be purchased on appliances—typically for an additional 6-7 years—but can be expensive and have time constraints on the seller’s liability.

Retailers

A retailer can also offer extended service plans for appliances. Some sellers have their own warranties—in addition to what the manufacturer provides—to gain extra profit on your purchase. Retailers’ extended warranties, however, are typically expensive and require the customer to be involved in a lengthy returns and claims process.

Home Warranty Companies

Home warranty companies specialize in contracts and connecting customers to technicians. It’s recommended that homeowners use home warranty companies for extended warranties because they typically have a large network of contractors and low prices. Their home appliance extended warranties usually incorporate multiple appliances, compared to other providers who only cover one appliance.

You can also upgrade your plan for coverage on a combination of home systems and appliances, extending to all basic components in your home for a period of time after your manufacturer’s warranty has expired.

Realtors typically work hand-in-hand with warranty companies and offer new homeowners a one-year home system and appliance warranty after sale. Depending on the age of your home and condition of your appliances, you can decide whether you should renew your home warranty after the one-year contract expires.

Some of the best home warranty companies to consider include Landmark, Choice, Select, 2-10, and First American.

What Should I Know Before Buying an Extended Warranty?

Before buying an extended warranty, there are certain factors all homeowners should keep in mind. These contracts should give you peace of mind, but since there are multiple providers available—with different terms and conditions—it’s best to consider the following:

Do I Need an Extended Warranty? 

There are many different appliances in a home that undergo everyday wear and tear. Unlike insurance—which typically covers, for example, robbery or loss caused by natural disaster—an appliance warranty covers the inevitable wear and tear of appliances, as all systems and appliances in a home are repeatedly used and, therefore, prone to disrepair.

So should you buy extended warranty on appliances? You could go without an extended warranty. But if your appliances are old, continuously used, or need regular repairs, an extended warranty for appliances is definitely a good idea. And it’s even a better idea to get an extended warranty (beyond the manufacturer’s warranty) if you have expensive appliances in your home.

What Is Covered?

Most home warranty companies provide coverage for repair costs on appliances, covering manufacturer defects and non-mechanical items or parts. An agreement between homeowners and providers should precisely stipulate what is covered. In some cases, however, these contracts don’t cover repairs of items that have been improperly used, incorrectly installed, or haven’t undergone routine maintenance.

If you have an extended warranty for a stove or dishwasher, for example, the warranty can fix or replace any electrical or mechanical part. An extended warranty for refrigerator can be one of the best investments a homeowner can make, since it covers parts that can be quite expensive to replace.

Appliances covered on a home warranty plan include:

• Garbage disposals
• Microwaves
• Clothes washers and dryers
• Ovens and cooktops
• Refrigerators
• Dishwashers

How Do I Make a Claim?

When one of your high-quality items breaks, you can file a claim with your warranty company.  Most service providers offer easy claim filing processes—it’s as simple as contacting your warranty company by phone or email. The best home warranty companies have operators available 24/7 to take claims.

Before signing a contract, make sure you understand the company’s claims process. Some companies require customers to fax or even mail a letter to file a claim, which can result in a lengthy process. Once your claim has been processed and approved—usually within a few days—the company will send a technician to your residence for further inspection and repairs.

Are There Additional Fees and Expenses?

In most cases, a home appliance extended warranty covers all repair costs. The only additional fee incurred by the customer is a one-time service fee paid to the technician. Along with an extended warranty for refrigerator, homeowners might also consider adding additional appliances to their warranty plan.

Reviews and Credibility

Be sure to search for reviews of the servicing company you’re dealing with and read the fine print on their contract. With so many companies to choose from, it’s important to read all the requirements, to make sure you choose the company that fits your needs.

Reading reviews from fellow customers can also help you make the right decision. But keep in mind that even though some home warranty companies may receive a lot of complaints, these are usually expressed because customers didn’t read the fine print on their contracts. Make sure to read the fine print on your contract before signing. This will ensure that there aren’t any misunderstandings when you want to make a claim.

Should I Buy Extended Warranty on Washer and Dryer?

The average price for a washing machine and dryer is around $1,000 and $800, respectively. Considering that an all-inclusive appliance plan costs as little as $300 per year, it makes financial sense to buy an extended warranty on these. (A dishwasher extended warranty is also beneficial.)

Another reason to buy such a warranty is because your washer and dryer are used on a regular basis; therefore, wear and tear (and even damage) is inevitable. Paying a low warranty fee on an annual basis will save you a lot of money on repairs and replacements.

How Does a Home Appliance Extended Warranty Work?

A home warranty policy is a contract between a homeowner and a home warranty company. Companies have different terms and conditions. Under such a warranty, the homeowner can phone the company and request a certified technician to investigate a problem. A small, one-time service fee is usually paid by the homeowner for this service. The technician then decides whether the appliance can be fixed or has to be replaced. The repair or replacement fee is covered by the company, as long as all terms and conditions are met.

Again, should you buy extended warranty on appliances?  An appliance extended warranty can be financially beneficial, especially considering the high costs of replacing and repairing home appliances. The highest-rated home warranty companies have great packages that include most home appliances.

Basic home appliances often come with a short manufacturer warranty. But after the manufacturer’s warranty expires, homeowners can get extended coverage by investing in a warranty from a home warranty company.

Pros and Cons of an Extended Warranty

Note some benefits and drawbacks of obtaining an extended warranty:

PROS

• Peace of mind—knowing that there won’t be expensive or unexpected costs.
• Certified technicians—provided by the home warranty company.
• Flexibility—in choosing a service plan that adds home systems or additional appliances.
• Fixed warranty rates—with no hidden fees.

CONS

• High-quality items—seldom wear and tear, therefore not needing repairs.
• Warranty companies—may only repair broken parts and not replace them.

The biggest drawback of an appliance extended warranty is that homeowners may not ever need to file a claim. The biggest benefit is that homeowners will have peace of mind, knowing they won’t need to pay expensive or unexpected costs.

Appliance Extended Warranty vs Home Warranty

Appliance warranties only cover basic appliances in the home or comprehensive coverage on high-quality appliances, compared to a home warranty that covers all home systems—including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

The biggest difference between the two is the price. Warranties for appliances only are much cheaper than all-inclusive home extended warranties. Depending on the home warranty company, customers usually have an option between only-appliance coverage, only-system coverage, or both appliance and system coverage. A combination of the two is usually more beneficial than buying separate plans.

Conclusion 

It’s clear that having an extended warranty is important—you can save a lot of money in the long run. It covers, for example, the services fee of your individual appliance. The three most important appliances that need extended warranties are refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers. These are very expensive to replace, and their extended warranties offer a service plan that is affordable and easy to claim.