Do Home Warranties Cover Appliances?

Home warranty appliance coverage

The short answer is: yes, home warranties generally do cover appliances. Home warranty companies typically cover a wide range of appliances in basic plan packages. These include:

• Washers and dryers
• Refrigerators
• Dishwashers
• Oven, range and cooktops
• Garage door openers
• Built-in microwaves
• Trash compactors
• Garbage disposals

Some appliances that may be covered in extended plans include:

• Central vacuums
• Pool and spa pumps
• Stand-alone freezers

​​Many home warranty plans let you buy extra coverage for appliances and systems not included in standard protection. These add-ons can help cover items like swimming pool or spa equipment, well pumps, a second refrigerator or freezer, septic systems and extra heating or cooling units. Adding the right optional coverage helps make sure your home warranty protects all the appliances and systems you want, even those not usually included in basic plans.

What does a home warranty typically cover?

A home warranty is designed to protect homeowners from unexpected expenses by covering the repair or replacement of certain home systems and appliances due to normal wear and tear. This type of coverage helps provide peace of mind and can save money on costly repairs or replacements.

Home warranties usually cover large appliances, built-in microwaves, water heaters and systems like HVAC, plumbing, ductwork, pool heaters and well pumps. Some plans also cover additional items like pest control, septic systems, central vacuums, sump pumps and more.

Appliance warranty coverage exclusions

Even if your plan covers your appliances, you still may have your claim denied. Some reasons for home warranty coverage denial include:

• Preexisting problems with the appliance
• Failure to properly maintain the appliance
• Appliances that are under warranty through a builder’s warranty, third-party warranty or manufacturer’s warranty
• Cosmetic repairs
• Improperly installed appliances

Coverage caps

Your home warranty plan might have a limit on how much it covers for repairs. This is usually called a coverage cap. Basically, if the cost to fix something exceeds the limit or cap, you'll need to cover the difference yourself. Let's say fixing an appliance costs $5,000, but your plan's cap is $3,000. That means you'd be on the hook for the remaining $2,000.

Home warranty claim process for appliance repairs

If a covered appliance breaks down, follow these steps to request repair or replacement:

1. Review your policy: Make sure your appliance and its problem are covered.
2. Contact your provider: File a claim online or by phone as soon as the issue happens.
3. Provide documentation: Be ready to share details about the appliance, its age, the problem and any maintenance records.
4. Pay the service fee: Most plans require a service call fee (usually $60 to $125) to process your claim and send a technician.
5. Schedule inspection or repair: The provider will assign a local technician to check the problem. They will decide if a repair or replacement is needed.
6. Await resolution: Repairs are completed if possible. If the appliance can’t be fixed, you may get a replacement or a cash settlement, depending on your contract.

Timelines can vary, but most providers send a technician within a few days. Having documentation ready and responding quickly can help speed up the process.

What to do if your home warranty doesn’t cover an appliance

If you find out that your home warranty doesn't cover one of your appliances, there's usually an option to switch to a different package or plan that does include it. Some companies also have a la carte options that allow you to add just one appliance to your plan.

It's a smart move to dive into the details before making a switch — check out what exactly is covered, including any coverage limitations, which repairs are taken care of and if there are any specific exclusions. Doing a little homework can help ensure you get the coverage you need.

Choosing a home warranty for appliance coverage

Finding the right home warranty plan takes some research. The best plan for you depends on the types of appliances you have, your budget and how much protection you want. Consider the following when comparing plans:

• Appliance coverage: Make sure the plan includes all the major appliances you want covered, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers and built-in microwaves.
• Coverage limits: Look at the maximum payout or coverage caps for each appliance or repair type.
• Service fees: Understand the cost of each service call and how it fits into your budget.
• Optional add-ons: Check if you can add extra coverage for items like pools, spas or secondary appliances.
• Company reputation: Research customer reviews and ratings to find a reliable provider.
• Contract details: Read the fine print to understand exclusions, maintenance requirements and claim procedures.
• Response times: Find out how quickly the company sends technicians after a claim is filed.

Bottom line

With just a bit of regular maintenance and the right home warranty plan, your appliance could keep humming happily along for anywhere from 10 to 15 years.

To really wrap your appliances in a safety net, double-check that your policy covers a broad spectrum of issues. And don't forget to take a close look at those policy caps to make sure you're fully aware of what's covered. This way, you can set yourself up for the best protection possible.