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An appliance extended warranty usually covers one named appliance; a home warranty is usually a paid service contract for selected appliances and/or home systems. Neither name guarantees broad protection, and both are different from the manufacturer’s warranty included with a new appliance. Compare the written terms—not the label—before paying.
What each kind of coverage means
| Coverage | What it generally is | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Included product warranty | A written promise from the manufacturer or seller covering specified problems for a stated period. | Start and end dates, covered defects or parts, and required steps. Keep the warranty and receipt. FTC guidance on warranties |
| Appliance extended warranty | Usually an optional, paid service contract for a particular appliance. It may cover specified repairs or maintenance for a stated period. | Whether it overlaps the included warranty and which parts, failures, and repairs it actually covers. FTC guidance on extended warranties and service contracts |
| Home warranty | Despite its name, generally an optional service contract for listed appliances, home systems, or both. Plans commonly apply to existing homes; coverage varies. | Which items are named, what failures qualify, and what limits and fees apply. It does not necessarily cover every appliance or system. FTC consumer alert on home warranties |
| Builder warranty | A separate arrangement associated with new construction or remodeling, typically focused on permanent home components such as plumbing or electrical work. | Do not assume it covers household appliances; the FTC says builder warranties usually do not. FTC guidance on new-home warranties |
The Federal Trade Commission puts the distinction plainly: “A service contract is sometimes called a home warranty or an extended warranty, but service contracts are not warranties.” The terms and legal treatment of a particular contract can depend on its wording and jurisdiction.
How to compare the contracts before buying
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Check the coverage you already have
Read the appliance’s written warranty and note its dates and scope. Compare those terms with the paid contract’s start date; if the paid coverage overlaps, it may add little during that period. The FTC advises consumers to check existing protection before buying an extended contract. FTC guidance
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Match the covered item to the likely repair
For an appliance contract, verify the exact appliance and covered parts or failures. For a home warranty, identify each covered appliance or system. Do not assume a repair is included unless the contract says so. FTC home-warranty alert
#1 Best Overall
ASURION 3 Year Major Appliance Protection Plan ($1000 - $1249.99)- No Additional Cost: You pay nothing for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included.
- Coverage: Plan starts on the date of purchase. Malfunctions covered after the manufacturer's warranty. Power surges covered from day one. Plan includes food loss reimbursement up to $250 per approved claim for refrigerators & freezers and laundry services reimbursement up to $25 per approved claim for washers & dryers that are out for service for more than seven (7) consecutive days.
- Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. If we can’t repair it, we’ll send you an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product or replace it.
- Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
- Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.
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Read exclusions and conditions
Look for excluded failures, maintenance requirements, accidental-damage terms, and conditions that could lead to a denied claim. A plan’s label is not a substitute for its exclusions and conditions. FTC guidance
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Calculate your full out-of-pocket cost
Add the contract price to any deductible or service-call fee, shipping or other charges, and applicable cancellation or transfer fees. Compare that total with the actual limits and remedies. The FTC notes that saving money for repairs can be an alternative to buying a service contract. FTC guidance
Rank #2
ASURION 3 Year Major Appliance Protection Plan ($200 - $249.99)- No Additional Cost: You pay nothing for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included.
- Coverage: Plan starts on the date of purchase. Malfunctions covered after the manufacturer's warranty. Power surges covered from day one. Plan includes food loss reimbursement up to $250 per approved claim for refrigerators & freezers and laundry services reimbursement up to $25 per approved claim for washers & dryers that are out for service for more than seven (7) consecutive days.
- Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. If we can’t repair it, we’ll send you an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product or replace it.
- Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
- Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.
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Find the cap and the promised remedy
Check reimbursement limits and whether the provider may repair, replace, reimburse, or choose another remedy. A contract can list an item as covered while limiting what it will pay or do for a claim. FTC home-warranty alert
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Understand how claims work
Confirm how to request service, whether approval is required before repairs, who selects or performs the repair, and how reimbursement works. Research the responsible company and check consumer-protection complaint information; a plan’s usefulness depends partly on being able to use it. FTC guidance
Rank #3
ASURION 3 Year Major Appliance Protection Plan ($250 - $299.99)- No Additional Cost: You pay nothing for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included.
- Coverage: Plan starts on the date of purchase. Malfunctions covered after the manufacturer's warranty. Power surges covered from day one. Plan includes food loss reimbursement up to $250 per approved claim for refrigerators & freezers and laundry services reimbursement up to $25 per approved claim for washers & dryers that are out for service for more than seven (7) consecutive days.
- Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. If we can’t repair it, we’ll send you an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product or replace it.
- Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
- Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.
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Review cancellation terms and keep records
Before signing, locate cancellation terms. Keep copies of the paid contract, the appliance warranty, and the purchase receipt so you can check coverage dates and provide documentation if needed. FTC home-warranty alert FTC warranty guidance
Which one fits your situation?
Start with what you want covered, then test the written contract against that need. A product-specific service contract is tied to the appliance it names; a home service contract may cover a selection of appliances and systems. Neither promises that every repair will qualify. Added coverage may duplicate existing protection, involve extra fees and limits, or prove difficult to use.
Rank #4
- No Additional Cost: You pay nothing for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included.
- Coverage: Plan starts on the date of purchase. Drops, spills and cracked screens due to normal use covered for portable products and power surges covered from day one. Malfunctions covered after the manufacturer's warranty.
- Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. We will send you an e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product. In some instances, we will replace or repair it.
- Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
- Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.
- Considering one appliance: Compare its included warranty with the proposed appliance contract’s dates, exclusions, fees, and repair limits.
- Considering several household items: List the specific appliances and systems you expect the home contract to cover, then verify each against the contract.
- Unsure whether paid coverage is worthwhile: Compare the total cost and contract limits with the protection already in place; setting aside money for repairs is another option the FTC identifies.
This is general U.S. consumer guidance, not a state-by-state legal analysis. For a legal question about a specific plan, review the contract and consult applicable state consumer-protection or insurance-regulator guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- No Additional Cost: You pay nothing for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included.
- Coverage: Plan starts on the date of purchase. Malfunctions covered after the manufacturer's warranty. Power surges covered from day one. Plan includes food loss reimbursement up to $250 per approved claim for refrigerators & freezers and laundry services reimbursement up to $25 per approved claim for washers & dryers that are out for service for more than seven (7) consecutive days.
- Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. If we can’t repair it, we’ll send you an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product or replace it.
- Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
- Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
