Short answer
Many home warranty plans cover major kitchen and laundry appliances, such as refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, washers, and dryers, when they break from normal wear and tear. What a plan actually pays depends on which appliances are listed by name, the per-appliance cap, parts exclusions, and the replacement terms.
Appliance coverage is one of the most common reasons people buy a home warranty, and appliance plans are often among the lower-priced options. But “covers appliances” can mean very different things from one contract to the next.
Which appliances plans commonly cover
Appliance-focused and combination plans often list:
- Kitchen: refrigerator, range or oven, cooktop, built-in microwave, dishwasher, and garbage disposal.
- Laundry: clothes washer and dryer.
Many contracts cover only appliances that are built in or part of the home, and some limit coverage to one of each appliance type.
What often costs extra
Items that are commonly sold as add-ons or excluded entirely include:
- A second refrigerator, or a standalone freezer.
- Built-in ice makers, wine coolers, or water dispensers.
- Countertop and portable appliances, such as countertop microwaves.
- Commercial-grade or high-end appliances, which some contracts exclude or limit.
Terms vary by contract. Read the covered-items list rather than a marketing summary, and check that every appliance you care about appears there.
The terms that decide what you get paid
Per-appliance caps
Many plans cap how much they’ll pay for each appliance, per claim or per year. If a repair or replacement costs more than the cap, you pay the difference. Caps matter most for higher-priced appliances, where a replacement can easily exceed a modest limit. See limits and caps.
Parts exclusions
Contracts often cover the mechanical and electrical parts that make an appliance work, but exclude cosmetic or non-functional parts, such as shelves, drawers, knobs, handles, glass, lights, and racks. Some also exclude specific components, such as certain ice maker parts or control panels. These lists vary widely, so they’re worth reading line by line.
Repair or replace
The provider usually decides whether an appliance can be repaired. If it approves a replacement, contracts commonly specify one of these:
- Comparable replacement: an appliance of similar features and capacity, not necessarily the same brand, color, or finish.
- Cash-out: a payment instead of a replacement, often based on the provider’s cost, which may be less than retail price.
- A choice between the two, under conditions the contract sets.
If matching finishes, built-in dimensions, or a specific brand matter to you, check how replacements are chosen, and whether you can put a cash payment toward an appliance you pick.
Access, installation, and disposal
Some contracts exclude the cost of removing an old appliance, modifying cabinets or counters to fit a new one, or installing it. That can matter for built-in appliances.
Home warranty vs. manufacturer warranty
New appliances usually come with a manufacturer warranty, and some buyers also have extended warranties from a retailer. Overlap is common:
| Manufacturer warranty | Home warranty | |
|---|---|---|
| Who provides it | The appliance maker | A home warranty company |
| What it covers | Defects in that specific appliance | Breakdowns of listed appliances from normal wear and tear |
| Typical length | Set by the manufacturer, often shorter for parts like the compressor than for labor | Usually a yearly contract that renews |
| Who picks the technician | Typically the manufacturer’s authorized servicers | Typically the warranty company |
If your appliances are still under manufacturer warranty, a home warranty may add little for those items. Check whether the home warranty contract excludes claims that a manufacturer warranty should handle. See our guide to alternatives to a home warranty.
Tip
Make a quick list of your appliances with their ages and any remaining manufacturer warranty. It will show you whether an appliance plan, a systems plan, or no plan at all is the better fit.
Common reasons appliance claims are denied
Terms vary by contract, but frequent reasons include:
- The appliance, or the failed part, isn’t listed as covered.
- The failure is attributed to improper installation, misuse, or lack of maintenance.
- The problem existed before coverage started.
- The repair would exceed the cap, and the contract pays only up to that limit.
If a claim is denied, ask for the reason in writing and the contract section it relies on. See what to do if a claim is denied.
When an appliance plan may make sense
An appliance plan may be worth considering if several major appliances are out of manufacturer warranty and the per-appliance caps are meaningful compared with replacement cost. It may be less useful if your appliances are new, if you’d rather choose your own repair service, or if you already have savings set aside for repairs. See is a home warranty worth it?
Questions to ask before you buy an appliance plan
- Is every appliance I own listed? Check by name, including built-ins like a microwave over the range.
- What is the cap per appliance, and is there a total limit? Compare caps with what a replacement would realistically cost you.
- Which parts are excluded? Ask specifically about ice makers, control boards, seals, and racks if those matter to you.
- How is a replacement chosen? Ask whether you can choose the model, how finishes and sizes are matched, and how any cash-out amount is calculated.
- Who installs a replacement, and who pays for removal? Built-in appliances can involve extra work.
- Does the plan exclude claims that a manufacturer warranty should cover? If so, the plan may add little for newer appliances.
Keeping appliance claims on track
Simple habits can help a claim go smoothly. Keep the model and serial numbers of each appliance, along with purchase dates and any manufacturer warranty documents. Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions, such as cleaning refrigerator coils and dryer vents, and keep receipts for any repairs. When something breaks, note what happened and when, take photos or a short video, and submit the request promptly so the failure isn’t treated as something that developed over time.
Next steps
- Compare your appliance list with the covered-items section of each plan you’re considering.
- See how we evaluate plans for appliances.
- Use our comparison worksheet to line up caps and exclusions side by side.
This page is general education, not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Home warranty terms vary by provider, plan, and state; the contract you sign controls what is covered. Spotted an error? Request a correction.
