Buying a new appliance comes with a mixture of emotions. There’s the excitement of owning a brand new appliance, eagerness to use it, as well as the fear that the appliance might not last long. Now, this is where an extended warranty for appliances comes in.
But, what’s an extended warranty?
Typically, this is a service agreement, which covers the replacement or repair costs of an appliance in case it breaks down. You can buy extended warranties for different products. However, most people purchase extended warranties for major appliances, like stoves, refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers, among others.
Extended warranties come with different terms and conditions. Some warranties might be valid for only a single year, while others might be valid for five or ten years. Also, some extended warranties cover only the repair costs, while others offer a full refund. However, there’s a question of what specific repairs do extended warranties cover, and if a client has to pay extra fees like shipping fees or deductibles, or they have the avail themselves for that coverage.
So, what do extended warranties specifically cover?
Generally, extended warranties on appliances cover damages caused by the general wear and tear to the electrical and mechanical components of your appliances. However, it’s important to note that an extended warranty covers specific appliances. That means you must purchase a separate warranty for every appliance you have in your home.
Home warranties, on the other hand, cover different types of appliances in your home with a single policy. While you will need multiple extended warranties to cover all your appliances, a home warranty covers all the appliances in your home, including your pool, septic system, and well pump.
Now, since you understand what an extended warranty on appliances is, why should you get one for your valuable appliances?
Helps you save money
Most appliance breakdowns are an emergency. That means you might not have the money to repair the appliance immediately after it breaks down. However, having an extended warranty for your appliances helps to avoid the stress and costs associated with repairing a damaged appliance. So, your damaged appliance will be repaired immediately at no extra cost, other than the monthly payments that you make towards the extended warranty.
Gives you peace of mind
An extended warranty for your appliances works like an insurance policy. And just like having an insurance policy, an extended warranty for appliances gives you peace of mind. Most people who purchase extended warranties have expensive appliances.
Thus, if the appliances break down, the owners are protected against any financial loss. The experts from Tampa appliance repair, Hartman say that an extended warranty on appliances comes in handy when it comes to costly appliances like HVAC and refrigerators.
There are no exceptions
Although most appliances come with warranties, there are always exceptions to these warranties. However, that’s not the case with extended warranties for appliances. Such warranties protect you from recurrent repair bills if your appliance keeps on breaking down frequently. That means, even if your appliance breaks down repeatedly within the warranty term, your provider will cover all these claims, and even offer a refund for you to purchase a new appliance.
Access to a professional repair
It doesn’t matter whether you purchase your extended warranty from a third party or the manufacturer, you are assured that you have access to a qualified technician in the event your appliance requires repairs. Your warranty service provider has access to professional technicians, who they will contact to come and repair your appliance if it malfunctions.
Important things to consider
An extended warranty for appliances comes at an extra cost. Therefore, it’s important to understand what you will get out of your warranty before purchasing it. With that said, let’s look at a few considerations to make before purchasing an extended warranty:
- Is the appliance expected to need repairs? Certain appliances rarely break down when kept in good condition. Therefore, you must research whether there’s a substantial risk that justifies you purchasing an extended warranty for your appliance.
- What does the warranty cover? Most people tend to get surprised when they realize that an extended warranty doesn’t cover certain parts of their appliances. Some companies tend to use clauses that take the liability away from them in case the user modifies the appliance or doesn’t do regular maintenance. Therefore, it’s important to take time to read the terms and conditions of the warranty before signing the contract. This can save you a lot of stress in the future.
- How do you make claims? Now depending on the terms of your warranty, the store, third-party contractor, or the manufacturer might do any repair work required. Therefore, it’s important to find out these details in advance.
- The reliability of the servicing company – an extended warranty is as good as the company providing it. Most customers tend to purchase extended warranties from retailers. However, some companies don’t recognize such warranties. So, if you don’t know the reputation of the company, or you are not confident sharing your credit card details over the phone, just avoid that company.
Bottom Line
While it might cost you extra money, an extended warranty on appliances can prove to be valuable in the future, especially if you have an appliance that keeps on breaking down. However, we cannot overemphasize the importance of doing your research before purchasing your extended warranty. This can help you avoid falling into a trap and losing your money.
