Kitchen Appliance Warranties: Which Should You Buy?

Kitchen appliances are some of the most relied upon pieces of equipment in our homes. Protecting them, then, is vital. If a freezer or refrigerator fails, it can be a nightmare. Even going without one or more small appliances—including microwaves, pressure cookers, mixers, and coffee makers—can be a huge inconvenience.

Accordingly, it’s always advisable to take out an extended kitchen appliance warranty or protection plan for the most important items. But which should you choose? Today, various options exist, including manufacturer warranties and policies promoted by big-box retailers and other sellers. A range of third-party warranties and service contracts are also available.

Picking between them may seem like a straightforward choice. However, there’s more to the matter than meets the eye. Costs can vary wildly, with some providers charging up to 80 percent more than others for coverage. Then, there’s the matter of service fees and deductibles, as well as further charges for parts and labor.

To make the decision a little easier we’ll look at the three main options: Manufacturer warranties, retailer warranties, and warranties from third parties and other independent providers.

All major kitchen appliance brands offer extended warranties for their products. These warranties cover basic manufacturing defects and failures. Furthermore, they benefit from direct access to manufacturers’ engineers, their expertise, and a vast reserve of critical spare parts and replacement items.

Of course, this comes at a cost. Manufacturer warranties are generally the most expensive out of the three main options. While comprehensive, they’re also the most likely to stipulate various restrictions. Such restrictions can quickly lead to limitations where one or more appliances may not, in fact, be covered based on a technicality.

Very often, these restrictions and limitations will only come to light when making a claim. Accordingly, manufacturer warranties can effectively leave consumers unprotected when they need help the most. By and large, though, arguably the biggest issue with kitchen appliance warranties sold by manufacturers is their sky-high prices.

Many retailers offer their own versions of the kitchen appliance warranties sold by manufacturers. They can vary in price, and a lower degree of coverage is often reflected in a lower price.

However, big-box retailers, in particular, are notorious for pushing wildly expensive policies on customers when buying kitchen appliances. These expensive policies may be sold on a commission basis, which explains why staff are so keen to push them.

Most retailer warranties are underwritten by other companies. Among the largest is Allstate. Allstate sells coverage for everything from iPhones and TVs to cars and trucks. Most notably in this instance, they’re also the name behind kitchen appliance warranties sold by retailers such as Walmart.

With that, it’s always a good idea to look into a retailer’s underwriter before taking out a policy with them. Ultimately, should it be necessary to make a claim, the underwriter’s team will be responsible for handling the matter, not the retailer itself.

When considering a retailer warranty, be wary of expensive add-ons, and don’t be afraid to shop around for a deal before agreeing on a policy. For example, it may be possible to save two-thirds or more by opting for a warranty from a respected independent provider instead.

Third-party warranties and protection plans are offered for sale by independent providers unconnected to manufacturers and retailers. As such, they’re not bound by the same restrictions and limitations. Furthermore, there’s no high-pressure salesmanship – something that’s all too often the case when looking at kitchen appliance warranties from big-box stores and other sellers.

Warranties from third parties and other independent providers vary in terms of cost, coverage, and service. Therefore, it’s vital to search for the best value deal from a top-rated provider. Third-party providers have lower overheads and no costly ties to manufacturers and retailers. As a result, their plans might save you significantly on the cost of coverage.

With Upsie, prices are up to 70 percent lower than elsewhere by cutting out the middleman. In addition, Upsie is committed to transforming the existing extended warranty market and subsequently passing on the savings to consumers. Upsie’s major appliance warranty solutions are therefore more affordable than ever! The same goes for small appliance warranty options, too.

Benefits of choosing Upsie include protection against manufacturer defects, mechanical faults, and other failures for up to five years on major appliances. Additional benefits include a choice of repair and replacement options, no service charges, and no deductibles, meaning that parts and labor are covered in full.

Check out Upsie’s appliance warranties today!