Kenmore Appliance Warranty: Is It Enough Protection?

If you’ve purchased a Kenmore appliance recently, you’re entitled to a manufacturer warranty on that purchase. For example, you may have seen information on the box or an included brochure touting a one-year limited warranty on the entire appliance. You might even see language about a limited lifetime warranty.

But is Kenmore’s warranty alone enough protection? Or are you at risk of ending up on the hook for expensive appliance repairs after all?

Here’s what you need to know about Kenmore warranties, plus a better extended warranty alternative from Upsie.

According to the company, specifics on Kenmore warranties vary from product to product. That said, nearly all products offer one year of warranty coverage against defects in materials or workmanship. In addition, appliances deemed defective will either be repaired or replaced free of charge during this one-year window.

Many Kenmore products also offer lifetime warranties on specific parts and pieces, but these coverage types are pretty narrow in focus. On washers, for example, there’s a lifetime warranty on just the washer drive motor, while on refrigerators and freezers, only the storage bins get that lifetime warranty.

It’s important to note that the (very) limited lifetime coverage lasts only for the first year. After that, you’re on the hook for the labor costs. Also, only the replacement part is free. (And those costs can add up faster than you might think.)

Kenmore offers a few high-end appliances in its Kenmore PRO line. These have the same one-year warranty as normal Kenmore products but may have additional specific coverages. For example, Kenmore Pro refrigerators enjoy a five-year warranty on their sealed refrigerant systems and ten years on their linear compressors (plus that ever-so-generous lifetime warranty on storage bins).

Bear in mind that these five-year and ten-year coverages have the same limitations as the lifetime coverage: after one year, you’ll pay for labor costs. And, even then, only the part itself is free.

Kenmore warranties cover only defects in material or workmanship and nothing more. No Kenmore warranties cover damage from accidents or misuse. Coverage is fairly comprehensive for the first year and drops off considerably after that year.

Yes, lots of them. At the bottom of Kenmore’s terms page, the company lists 13 exclusions and categories they won’t pay for even if the device is still under warranty. Here’s a sampling:

And the list goes on.

Some Kenmore products purchased through Sears are eligible for a variety of Sears protection plans. For example, certain appliances, like refrigerators and freezers, washers and dryers, and dishwashers, are eligible for Sears Master Protection Agreement.

This plan is quite costly, but coverage appears to be high in quality. It includes several things that most service plans don’t, including annual preventive maintenance and up to $300 in food loss reimbursement (for refrigerators and freezers only).

If you’re looking for better coverage than you can get from Kenmore’s manufacturer warranty, look no further than Upsie. With Upsie, customers can choose between three-year or five-year extended appliance warranties. These warranties offer coverage for defects, part failures, internal leaks, heating and cooling issues, drain failure and more.

In addition, customers can transfer Upsie’s plans to a new owner, and you can elect in-home repair.

Best of all, Upsie’s extended appliance warranties are affordable. In fact, a five-year Upsie extended warranty plan for an $850 refrigerator costs just $154.99. A five-year Sears master Protection Agreement for that same refrigerator costs $360 — more than double the price of Upsie’s extended warranty.

Don’t get stranded with a broken or dead appliance. And don’t pay three times what you need to for quality extended warranty coverage. Get Upsie coverage today instead.