Where to Get the Best Refrigerator Warranty (2020)

The average refrigerator lifespan is nine to 13 years old. For your refrigerator, it may soon be time for professional repairs or a replacement under a refrigerator warranty. But did you know that there are several types? Which one offers the best coverage?

We’ll explain your options and how a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty makes refrigerator repairs and replacements affordable.*** Keep reading for the benefits of a home warranty and how to find better coverage for your kitchen appliance.

For a free quote for a home warranty, call 848.256.4658 or answer a few questions about your home online.

What is a refrigerator warranty?

There are several plans and contracts that cover your refrigerator and offset the costs of repairs or replacements. These include a manufacturer’s warranty, homeowner’s insurance, refrigerator insurance, extended warranties, and home warranties.

Manufacturer’s warranty

There are mandatory warranties and optional warranties. A manufacturer’s warranty is a contract that comes with the product, and it is normally included in the sales price. It repairs or replaces only parts that match the exact brand and model.

This type of warranty is normally limited to one year for full coverage, including all parts and labor. After one year, manufacturer warranties typically only cover a specific part.

Below are a few examples of refrigerator warranties that exist for current brands.

Homeowner’s insurance

Homeowner’s insurance is mandatory when you have a mortgage. Unlike other refrigerator warranties, which are not insurance policies but rather warranties or service contracts, homeowner’s insurance protects against property damage that may occur in the future, such as a natural disaster or theft. For example, a tornado that damages your home and therefore damages your Whirlpool refrigerator is a valid claim for a repair or replacement.

Regular wear and tear is not covered by homeowner’s insurance. This is why many households decide to supplement homeowner’s insurance with an extended warranty or a home warranty.

Refrigerator insurance

“Refrigerator insurance” doesn’t completely exist, but you may hear this term when others refer to homeowner’s insurance for a refrigerator or a type of warranty that covers a refrigerator.

Extended warranty

An extended warranty is a service contract that you can purchase to cover your individual home appliance after the manufacturer’s warranty runs out. It is an extra charge not included in the price of the appliance, and it covers damage caused by regular wear and tear.

When you purchase an extended warranty for a refrigerator, you pay a monthly or one-time fee that goes toward any repairs or replacements that year. They usually have an annual payout cap, but you will only have to pay the service fee at the time of repair unless the repair costs more than the payout.

Extended warranties typically last one year but can be renewed. Since they are an extra cost, it is important that you don’t pay for an extended warranty while the manufacturer’s warranty is still active.

Home warranty

A home warranty (sometimes called home appliance insurance, though it’s not insurance) is a service contract that covers major home systems, like plumbing and electrical, as well as major appliances. For a monthly fee normally under $100 per month, you can protect multiple systems and appliances at once.

For some consumers, home warranties and extended warranties are seen as a waste of money. Why not save that money each month and take the chance? Rafi Mohammad, founder of Culture of Profit and contributor to the Harvard Business Review, believes that these types of warranties have real value:

The value of a home warranty: The four C’s

It is comforting to know that an expensive refrigerator repair can be rectified with a small service fee and monthly payment through a service provider. Home warranties offer many benefits to customers:

• Convenience—Don’t waste time registering your appliances for separate warranties when you can register all of them at once under a home warranty.
• Coverage—Home warranties cover long-term, regular use of your appliances, and old age isn’t a factor in coverage.
• Cost—You may be able to save on half of the cost of a replacement for an appliance, and major repairs are only a fraction of the price.
• Customer Support—You can receive assistance from an expert in as little as 24 hours. Your provider will also schedule an appointment with local contractors for you.

The real cost of refrigerator repairs and replacements

There are several common problems that you’re likely to experience with any refrigerator:

• Running too warm
• Running too cold
• Leaking refrigerant or water
• Loud noises or rattling
• Broken ice machine or water dispenser

Depending on the severity of the issue, repairs and part replacement can hit your wallet hard. The cost of repair doesn’t end at parts. You have to pay for professional labor, too. Here are just a few examples of the average cost for certain refrigerator repairs:

• Leak caused by a broken sealing system: $300–$400
• Water pooling due to a defective drain: $200
• A broken compressor causing warmer temperatures: $500–$700

Below are some examples of pricing for specific refrigerator parts by brand:

• Whirlpool Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Motor (OEM Part – Manufacturer #WP67005023): $123
• Samsung Ice Maker Assembly (DA97-07365G): $165
• LG TCA35271202 Refrigerator Compressor: $384

After adding necessary labor fees, it is easy to see why a home warranty is cost-effective. The annual cost of your warranty could be comparable to just one of these fixes.

Choice Home Warranty: House Method’s recommended provider

For comprehensive home appliance coverage and excellent service, we recommend Choice Home Warranty as the top provider. Get a refrigerator warranty in addition to coverage for your dishwasher, water heater, plumbing system, and more.

You can cover your refrigerator through the Total Plan and Optional Coverage, which includes protection for a second refrigerator at an extra charge.*

Refrigerator warranty: Plan inclusions and exclusions

Though a home warranty has generous coverage, there are still exclusions for certain refrigerator parts, as well as appliances that have been neglected or poorly maintained.

Included—All components and parts, including integral freezer units

Excluded—Lighting and handles, racks, shelving, ice makers, line restrictions, leaks, wine coolers, doors and hinges, and Internet connection components

Customers with refrigerators that include audio/visual and Wi-Fi enabled components may have a harder time finding coverage than other customers. It is also important to note that your refrigerator must be located in a kitchen. For a more detailed view of coverage, you can read the sample user agreement.

What do you get as a Choice Home Warranty customer?

We choose Choice Home Warranty as our favorite provider for home appliance warranties because of the value that they bring to customers.

• Nearly 25% of American households have more than one refrigerator. You have the option to add a second refrigerator to your coverage.
• Home warranty plans with Choice Home Warranty are less expensive than many competitors in the industry. Plans start at about $1 a day.
• Customer support is available all day, every day.
• Easily make a claim online.
• There are no annual coverage caps.
• A home inspection is not required to get a home warranty.
• The age of your appliance does not affect coverage.

Customers also agree in their reviews that Choice Home Warranty is a quality provider:

“I’ve only submitted two claims but both were scheduled technician visits [within] 24 hours. The technicians were extremely professional, they were very friendly, and extremely technically competent. So glad I picked Choice Home Warranty.” – Joseph, December 2018

“My refrigerator temperature control was allowing my refrigerator side to freeze the food. I called Choice and they sent a company to check it out. The company has ordered the part and will repair it as soon as the part arrives.” — Ada, July 2018

“Efficient prompt service. Very understanding and courteous associates who seem to be concerned about customer needs. Very grateful and impressed with results. Thank you.” — Anne, August 2018

Other home warranties that offer refrigerator coverage

Request a free quote for an appliance warranty

A refrigerator warranty from the manufacturer doesn’t last forever. Whether you have one or two refrigerators in your home, a home warranty is the best way to protect yourself financially.

Receive a free quote for a home warranty today. Just call 848.256.4658 or go online to enter your details.

*Terms and conditions apply. Review complete limits of liability and any exclusions. CHW offers service contracts which are not warranties.
**See policy for specifics on response times.
***CHW reserves the right to offer cash back in lieu of repair or replacement in the amount of CHW’s actual cost (which at times may be less than retail) to repair or replace any covered system, component or appliance.
****In the event a claim is denied, and a customer seeks to have Us review that denial, We have the right to request routine maintenance records in reviewing its decision.