Find Home Appliance Insurance
See House Method reviews on the best home warranty companies in the business
Read home warranty reviewsHome appliance insurance—also called a home warranty—is an annual service contract that covers expensive repair and replacement costs and protects major home appliances and systems when they break down due to normal wear and tear. It’s different from traditional homeowners insurance in that it covers major home items instead of covering damage done to the structure of your home.
Having home appliance insurance can be a life-saver if you don’t have an emergency budget for unexpected home repairs and can provide peace of mind that if something were to break down, you’d be covered and receive professional service in a timely manner. Keep reading to learn about home appliance insurance and how to find the best home warranty for you and your home.
Before buying a home appliance warranty, you should compare different home warranty companies and make sure that you’re comfortable with the one you select. To save you time, House Method did the research for you. We called home warranty companies, asked them the tough questions, and negotiated prices to find out how low they would go. Here’s what we found:
Best home warranty for:
Editor's choice
Plans:
2 plans + optional add-ons
Premiums:
$36–$44 per month
Service fee:
$85
Availability:
All states except CA, OK, and WA
BBB rating:
B
Best home warranty for:
Customizable plans
Plans:
4 plans + optional add-ons
Premiums:
$50–$60 per month
Service fee:
$75–$125
Availability:
All states except Alaska
BBB rating:
B
Best home warranty for:
HVAC coverage
Plans:
2 plans + optional add-ons
Premiums:
$28–$43 per month
Service fee:
$75
Availability:
Not available in AK, CT, DE, HI, IL, LA, MA, ME, MN, NH, NJ, NY, ND, RI, VT, or WI
BBB rating:
B
There are three types of home warranty plans that can cover the costly repairs and replacements of household appliances: a home warranty, homeowners insurance, and a manufacturer’s warranty. Here’s everything you need to know about all three plans.
A manufacturer’s warranty is a guarantee from an appliance manufacturer—such as Samsung, Frigidaire, or GE—that its product will perform as advertised for a specific amount of time (usually one to two years). However, some manufacturers might cover expensive components—such as a motor—under an extended warranty for a longer period of time.
If you want to cover an electronic or specific home appliance, you’ll have to register your product at the time of purchase to activate your coverage. The manufacturer will outline procedures for you to follow in the event that a covered appliance needs service while it’s under warranty.
Appliance insurance | Manufacturer’s warranty | |
Required? | Optional | Optional |
Cost | $25–$67 per month | Up to $125 per product per year |
Coverage | Covers most home systems and appliances | Only covers registered appliances and electronics |
Exclusions | Age or brand don’t matter, but companies are not liable to match brand, dimensions, or color | Only covers the registered brand name and specific model at the time of purchase |
Coverage length | 12 months with the option to renew | 1–2 years unless you buy an extended warranty |
Other factors to consider | Transferable between seller and buyer at closing | Non-transferable between buyer and seller during a home sale |
Homeowners insurance protects your home in the event of theft or natural disasters—such as a tornado or fire. Unlike appliance insurance, homeowners insurance is required by mortgage lenders before you can close on a house.
Homeowners insurance covers structural and property damage in cases of perils, liability if someone is injured on your property, property lost through theft or damage, and short-term housing costs in the event that your home becomes uninhabitable due to damage or disaster.
Appliance insurance | Home insurance | |
Required? | Optional | Required |
Cost | $25–$67 per month | $600–$2,000 per year |
Coverage | Most home systems and appliances | Structural damage, theft, liability, and short-term housing costs |
Exclusions | Coverage is limited to items explicitly written into the contract that break down due to normal wear and tear | Coverage is limited to perils—such as natural disasters and theft—named by the insurance policy |
Coverage length | Renew coverage annually or pay in monthly installments | Premiums are bundled with mortgage payments |
Other factors to consider | Coverage is capped at a certain dollar amount, so the provider may not pay for the full cost of the repair or replacement | There’s a set deductible that you’re responsible for paying prior to the insurance company |
Here are some common appliances that are covered under home appliance insurance:
Appliance | Average lifespan | Cost to repair | Cost to replace | Potential savings |
Furnace | 16–25 years | $285 | $4,249 | $1,500 |
Air conditioner | 15–20 years | $347 | $5,413 | $1,500 |
Water heater | 8–12 years | $546 | $1,065 | $1,037 |
Refrigerator | 14 years | $310 | $1,925 | $1,306 |
Range | 14–19 years | $150 | $1,675 | $1,607 |
Built-in microwave | 8 years | $125 | $408 | $1,485 |
Dishwasher | 12 years | $150 | $1,000 | $1,683 |
Clothes washer | 12 years | $310 | $1,250 | $1,466 |
Dryer | 13–14 years | $250 | $1,075 | $1,466 |
Most home warranty companies have three levels of coverage—a basic plan that covers appliances and/or home systems (such as air conditioning), a combo plan that includes coverage for additional items like a Whirlpool bathtub or a clothes washer and dryer, and optional add-ons for special features like a pool, spa, or guest house.
As seen in the table above, most home warranties will set limits on repairs and replacements at a specific dollar amount. For example, your home warranty company may pay for a refrigerator replacement up to $1,306, leaving you to pay for the remaining $620.
Additionally, many home warranty companies don’t cover appliances or systems that have pre-existing conditions or have been improperly installed or inadequately maintained, which often includes rust and corrosion.
Before purchasing home appliance insurance, schedule a home inspection and have your house evaluated by a real estate agent to ensure that your systems and appliances are functioning and in good working condition. You’ll also want to read your contract’s terms and conditions and make sure you know how much your warranty company will pay for covered services.
Depending on the type of coverage you purchase, a typical appliance insurance plan will cost between $25–$67 per month. For more comprehensive plans, you can expect to pay upward of $50–$75 per month. In addition to this monthly premium, you’ll likely pay a trade service call fee, or deductible, that ranges between $75–$125 whenever you contact the home warranty company for a service.
The overall cost of your home appliance insurance will vary by state, the company you purchase coverage from, and the level of coverage you purchase. Note: the size and age of your home, appliances, and systems should not affect coverage or costs unless you live in a brand new home, which should be covered by a builder’s warranty, or a house that’s larger than 5,000 square feet.
Yes, we believe home warranties are definitely worth the investment. Not only can these home protection plans save customers thousands of dollars, they can give homeowners peace of mind. When a covered item breaks under your plan, you can rest assured that an expert will handle the problem in as quickly as 24 hours. Some customers have even reported same-day appointments.
Additionally, a home warranty gives homeowners access to a whole network of local professionals. Instead of nagging your neighbor for the name of their plumber again, or spending hours reading reviews of technicians online, your home warranty provider will schedule an appointment with a local and licensed contractor in your area for you.
Note: Most home warranty companies aim to schedule service within 48 hours of receiving your claim; however, this process can take longer on weekends and holidays. Since it may take a couple of days to dispatch a licensed contractor to your home, contact your home warranty company as soon as you notice an issue with your system or appliance.
While appliance insurance isn’t mandatory, it gives homeowners peace of mind against costly repairs and replacements. It’s a given that systems and appliances will wear down and break over time, so we recommend home appliance insurance for anybody who owns a home.
In particular, the following groups of people will benefit from a home warranty:
Before buying a home appliance insurance plan, there are a variety of factors to consider, such as coverage, pricing, customer service, and more. Here are a few factors to consider when searching for a home protection plan:
See House Method reviews on the best home warranty companies in the business
Read home warranty reviews7 Best Home Warranty Companies of 2021
Looking for the best home warranty? Our team at House Method reviewed the top home warranty companies in the industry so you can choose the right plan for your home.
Home Warranty Coverage – 2021 Plans and Pricing
Home warranty coverage varies depending on where you live, the type of coverage you opt into, and the home warranty company you buy from. Learn what a home warranty covers and how to choose the best policy.
Cheapest Home Warranty [2021 Update]
We found the cheapest home warranty to save House Method readers time and money. Compare the premiums, service fees, and discounts of the top three home warranty plans available today.
By continuing to browse or by clicking “OK” you agree to the storing of first- and third-party cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Privacy Policy.
OK