Home Warranty Vs. Appliance Warranty: What’s Right for You?

A home warranty and appliance warranty are similar policies. People sometimes even use the terms interchangeably. So, which one is for you? In this article, we’ll give you the information you need to make the right decision.

What Is a Home Warranty?

A home warranty is a service contract to maintain and repair a home’s systems and appliances. The homeowner pays a monthly premium to keep a policy active. If a covered item breaks or malfunctions, all the homeowner needs to do is a file a claim. The warranty provider will cover the parts and labor associated with repairing the item. This model allows homeowners to better prepare for surprise expenses associated with repairing expensive appliances. It can also save homeowners substantial sums of money in the long run.

Home warranties aren’t usually one-size-fits-all. Plans can be adjusted to include coverage for some systems and appliances and not others. Some common coverage options include:

• Washer and dryers
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Ovens, cooktops, and ranges
• Built-in microwaves
• Plumbing systems and fixtures
• Electrical wiring and lighting fixtures
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
• Water softeners and pumps

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to adjust their plans to also cover things such as audio equipment, televisions, and other electronics.

In other words, a home warranty is a comprehensive policy that can cover a range of things in and around the home. A broader home warranty often includes both systems warranty coverage and appliance warranty coverage.

What Is a Home Appliance Warranty?

A home appliance warranty or household appliance warranty is similar to a home warranty, just a bit narrower in scope.

Some people may use the term “appliance warranty” when they’re really referring to a manufacturer’s warranty. This is warranty issued by the manufacturer of a given product, and it’s effectively a guarantee that the product will work as intended for a set amount of time—maybe two or three months for small appliances and several years for major appliances. If the product is deemed defective within that window, the company will repair or replace it at no cost to the consumer.

A true appliance warranty is not the same thing as a manufacturer’s warranty. An appliance warranty, like a home warranty, is a service contract.

Extended Appliance Warranties

Sometimes, you’ll see an appliance warranty advertised as an extended home warranty or extended warranty for household appliances. This is because an appliance warranty is effectively extending coverage after the manufacturer’s warranty expires.

Because appliance warranties are included in the umbrella of more general home warranties, home warranty providers will offer appliance warranties. This allows homeowners to purchase appliance coverage without purchasing systems coverage as well.

Occasionally, appliance manufacturers will offer their own extended appliance warranties (though sometimes these are underwritten by third-party companies). Samsung and Sony, for example, sell extended warranties for many of their products.

The benefit of these OEM-backed warranties is that users have access to company-certified technicians and parts. The downside is that users have to juggle multiple policies if they want coverage on other appliances with different manufacturers. OEM plans may also be more expensive or less comprehensive than a plan through a home warranty provider.

Home Warranty Vs. Appliance Extended Warranty

So, which one is for you: a home warranty or appliance warranty? If you want bundled coverage for a range of home appliances and systems, a home warranty is your best bet. If you need extended coverage for only one appliance, then an extended appliance warranty may be the better choice.

Either way, you can be sure that you’ll have dependable, affordable coverage with Liberty Home Guard. Call us at (833)-544-8273. We’ll help you find the plan that works for you and your home.