Is an appliance extended warranty worth it?
It can help pay for major repairs, but should you get one?
If you’re like many of us, you want to make sure you get your money’s worth on your home appliances — and you might not have the budget to pay for a big repair or replacement in the event something goes wrong.
Most new appliances come with a manufacturer’s warranty, but it’s possible you’ll want to extend coverage to protect your purchase for longer. This is where an appliance extended warranty comes in handy.
Key insights
- An appliance extended warranty provides coverage for the repair and replacement of appliances, but this kind of plan can be pricey — and there’s a chance you won’t need it.
- You can get an appliance extended warranty from the original manufacturer, the vendor or a third party.
- Extended warranty coverage for appliances typically costs $25 to $50 per month.
- Whether appliance coverage is worth it depends on your situation, including the age of your appliances and whether you can afford the cost of repair or replacement out of pocket.
How do extended warranties work for appliances?
An appliance extended warranty is a service agreement that provides coverage for repair and replacement of individual appliances listed in your contract. You can get this type of warranty from the manufacturer or dealer of your major home appliances before your manufacturer’s warranty expires to make sure there’s no lapse in coverage.
An appliance extended warranty is a service agreement that provides coverage for the repair and replacement of specific appliances listed in your contract.
Appliance extended warranty vs. home warranty
An appliance extended warranty is an alternative to paying for a home warranty plan that covers the appliances you’re concerned about. These extended warranties help pay for the repair and replacement of home appliances, including refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, washers and dryers. You can get this coverage from the original appliance manufacturer or vendor, or you can purchase it from a third party.
A home warranty provides bundled coverage for these home appliances as well as various home systems, depending on your plan. It pays for the cost of fixing or replacing a covered household item when it breaks down from wear and tear.
Appliance extended warranty coverage
If you’ve bought an appliance at a brick-and-mortar store, you’ve probably been asked by a salesperson if you want to go ahead and extend your warranty at the time of purchase. Typical appliance extended warranties cover individual major home appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, cooktops, water heaters and clothes washers and dryers.
Appliance extended warranty coverage differs depending on the specific warranty plan; some coverage lasts a short period, while other plans last years, and particular parts coverage and conditions vary. These contracts are often similar to the original manufacturer’s warranty — they just extend the period of time you’re covered.
» MORE: What does a home warranty cover?
Pros and cons of appliance extended warranties
Appliance extended warranties offer a number of benefits — for instance, they can be more affordable than a bundled home warranty plan — but they don’t make sense for everyone.
Appliance extended warranty pros
As with many extended warranties, one of the biggest perks of extended appliance coverage is the peace of mind you get knowing you won’t be responsible for huge repair or replacement costs for any covered items.
- Peace of mind: There’s a level of comfort in knowing you won't have to break the bank to repair or replace an appliance that fails.
- Professional repair: Whether you’re new to the area and don’t know any local professionals or you’re just not as handy as you’d like to be, a warranty guarantees repairs done by a qualified technician.
- Convenience: Having a warranty helps to get an appliance fixed as soon as possible. It also means you don’t have to find a technician yourself.
- No hidden fees or charges: When you purchase a warranty, you know exactly what you’re paying, with no hidden fees or sneaky charges.
Appliance extended warranty cons
Extended warranties can be pricey, and there's always the chance you won’t end up using the coverage.
- Cost: These plans typically aren’t cheap, though you may be able to spread the cost out over monthly payments.
- No coverage for home systems: If you’re looking to get coverage for home systems in addition to your appliances, an appliance extended warranty can’t help you — you'd have to get another warranty to cover home systems.
- May not be necessary: While it’s helpful knowing coverage is there if needed, some people never use a warranty, which can make it feel like a waste of money in the end.
- No accident coverage: Most appliance extended warranties cover breakdowns from routine use, not accidents that cause damage.
» CALCULATE: Home warranty costs
FAQ
What is an extended warranty?
Extended warranties typically function like an original manufacturer’s warranty, but they lengthen your coverage period. With an appliance extended warranty, when an issue occurs, you can file a claim with the warranty provider, and it sends a technician to assess and fix the problem or replace the appliance entirely.
How much do extended warranties cost for appliances?
The cost depends on the type of appliance, the type of coverage, the warranty provider and your location. As of publishing, a typical appliance extended warranty costs between $25 per month and $50 per month.
Are refrigerator extended warranties worth it?
An extended warranty for a refrigerator can save you money if something goes wrong and your fridge is no longer under the manufacturer’s warranty. However, with any extended warranty, there’s always the chance you won’t end up using the coverage.
Can I cancel my extended warranty?
You should be able to cancel, but each warranty plan is different, and each provider has its own rules for cancellation. Make sure you’re familiar with these rules — you don’t want to be stuck in a contract and paying for coverage you don’t want.
Bottom line: Are appliance extended warranties worth it?
An appliance extended warranty can help pay for issues that unexpectedly arise with your major home appliances. Purchasing coverage may be a good choice if you have older appliances or if you know you won’t be able to handle the cost of any major repairs or replacement out of pocket.
Before purchasing an appliance extended warranty, check for an existing manufacturer's warranty and find out if you already have extended coverage through your credit card. Whether an appliance extended warranty is worth it depends entirely on you and your situation. Make sure you read over any agreement carefully before purchasing extended coverage.
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