Best Refrigerator Warranty (2024 Guide)
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High purchase prices make even the most basic refrigerator a major investment—not to mention the costly repairs. But a refrigerator warranty offers protection by covering repair bills or replacement expenses if your fridge does break down.
There are different refrigerator warranties available, such as manufacturer warranties, extended warranties, and home warranty plans. Our team researched each type and compared their coverage, costs, and overall value. We recommend Liberty Home Guard as our top pick due to its high customer ratings and refrigerator-specific add-ons. We explain the differences between refrigerator warranties and recommend the best choices, including the leading home warranty companies with refrigerator coverage.
Best Home Warranty Companies for Refrigerator Coverage
Your refrigerator likely comes with a 1- to 2-year manufacturer warranty and may offer an extended warranty option. When that warranty expires, you may want to consider a home warranty plan that offers refrigerator coverage. Here’s an overview of the best home warranty companies for refrigerators based on key metrics:
| Best For | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Response Time | BBB Rating | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Home Guard | | Best Customer Ratings | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | Up to 48 hours | NR | VISIT SITE |
| American Home Shield | | Best for Comprehensive Coverage | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | Up to 48 hours | B | VISIT SITE |
| Select Home Warranty |  | Best Value | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | 48-84 hours | B- | VISIT SITE |
| First American Home Warranty |  | Best Appliance Coverage | $42–$82 | $75–$125 | 4-48 hours | B | VISIT SITE |
| Liberty Home Guard | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Best For | Best Customer Ratings |
| Monthly Cost | $49–$59 |
| Service Fee | $65–$125 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| BBB Rating | NR |
| American Home Shield | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Best for Comprehensive Coverage |
| Monthly Cost | $29–$89 |
| Service Fee | $100–$125 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Select Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Best For | Best Value |
| Monthly Cost | $44–$47 |
| Service Fee | $60–$75 |
| Response Time | 48-84 hours |
| BBB Rating | B- |
| First American Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Best For | Best Appliance Coverage |
| Monthly Cost | $42–$82 |
| Service Fee | $75–$125 |
| Response Time | 4-48 hours |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Company | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NR | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B- | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $42–$82 | $75–$125 | VISIT SITE |
BBB ratings are accurate as of March 2024.
Top 4 Home Warranty Companies for Refrigerator Coverage
Many home warranty companies offer some kind of kitchen appliance coverage, but not all include refrigerators in their basic plans. Based on our research of the industry’s top home warranty providers, we’ve selected these companies for their excellent refrigerator (among other appliances and systems) coverage.
Pricing information below is based on sample quotes that our team pulled for a 2,369-square-foot, single-family home in Detroit, Michigan. Your pricing may vary depending on your home’s location, size, type, and plan selections.
Refrigerator Home Warranty Company Reviews
Liberty Home Guard
Best Customer Ratings
American Home Shield
Best for Comprehensive Coverage
Select Home Warranty
Best Value
First American Home Warranty
Best Appliance Coverage
What Is a Refrigerator Warranty?
Refrigerator warranties are coverage plans that protect your appliance when they experience defects or malfunctions. Refrigerator manufacturers typically include coverage for the refrigerator’s first year of use. If you experience a manufacturer defect or issue during that period, the manufacturer will send a licensed service technician to resolve it at no extra charge.
The original warranty likely has various exclusions. Some items that are usually not covered include cosmetics, cleaning, drawers, bins, handles, bulbs, abuse, misuse, and accidental damage, among others.
Refrigerator Warranty Comparison
Nearly all refrigerator brands offer a one-year warranty that covers parts and labor due to materials or workmanship defects. Some companies include a refrigerator’s sealed system coverage. This typically includes the compressor, evaporator, condenser, dryer, and connection tubing. Most companies cover this system’s parts and labor for five years.
Here’s a table comparing top refrigerator brands and their included coverage:
| Brand | Service Rate | Full Warranty (parts and labor) | Sealed System Warranty | Compressor Only | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
GE Appliances |
6.3% |
1 year |
5 years |
N/A |
30-day water filter |
|
Whirlpool |
6.3% |
1 year |
5 years |
N/A |
30-day water filter |
|
LG |
6.3% |
1 year |
5 years |
5 years (parts), 5 years (labor) |
N/A |
|
Beko |
6.85% |
2 years |
5 years—parts only |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Miele |
9.3% |
1 year |
5 years (full), 10 years (parts only) |
Included in sealed system warranty |
N/A |
|
Samsung |
9.6% |
1 year |
5 years |
10 years (parts), 5 years (labor) |
2 year IceMax ice maker |
|
Bosch |
11.6% |
1 year |
N/A |
N/A |
5 year electronic parts only; limited warranty for non-electronic components; parts only (first to second year) |
|
KitchenAid |
13.1% |
1 year |
5 years (full), 10 years (parts only) |
Included in sealed system warranty |
N/A |
Beko offers two years of coverage but only covers parts in its five-year sealed system warranty. Miele and KitchenAid extend their sealed system warranty for an extra five years but only cover parts during years six through 10.
LG and Samsung extend coverage for certain refrigerator compressors for 10 years. GE and Whirlpool cover water filters for fridges with water dispensers for the first 30 days. Samsung offers a two-year parts and labor warranty on IceMax ice makers. Finally, Bosch will replace any defective electronic part for the first five years, but its warranty doesn’t cover labor.
When choosing a refrigerator brand, ensure it has a comprehensive warranty and the appliance is reliable and unlikely to break down. We recommend comparing several models and reviewing the coverage inclusion before making a final decision.
Annual Home Warranty Cost Calculator
Our team created a calculator to break down the estimated annual cost of owning a home warranty. Enter your monthly premium, service call fee, and estimated number of claims to see your projected annual cost. It’s best to request a quote directly from one of our recommended providers, as annual costs and service fees vary between them.
| Appliance | Average Repair Cost | Average Replacement Cost |
|---|---|---|
|
Dehumidifier |
$50–$200 |
$1,300–$2,800 |
|
Microwave |
$50–$400 |
$60–$2,000 |
|
Dishwasher |
$50–$500 |
$400–$3,000 |
|
Exhaust Fans |
$16–$300 |
$250–$950 |
|
Electric Range |
$100–$500 |
$230–$3,000 |
|
Gas Range |
$100–$500 |
$230–$3,000 |
|
Dryer |
$100–$400 |
$450–$2,300 |
|
Oven |
$100–$430 |
$400–$3,000 |
|
Washer |
$50–$450 |
$400–$2,300 |
|
Freezer |
$90–$500 |
$160–$2,900 |
|
Refrigerator |
$40–$350 |
$200–$5,000 |
Note: The annual cost figure generated by our home warranty calculator is not an indication of a company’s actual plan cost, as annual costs and service fees vary based on your plan selections and your home’s size, type, and location.
What Is a Refrigerator Extended Warranty?
Most refrigerator models allow you to purchase an appliance extended warranty (sometimes referred to as a protection plan or service contract). This warranty type may be offered by the fridge manufacturer, the store where you bought the fridge, or a third party. Coverage typically kicks in after the one-year manufacturer’s warranty expires, though some warranties may overlap. While extended warranties cover new refrigerators, they generally last for five years and only cover a single appliance.
To better understand what repairs are covered, review all terms and conditions before choosing an extended warranty plan. For example, your warranty may only cover mechanical failure during normal use.
What Is Home Warranty Refrigerator Coverage?
Consider a home warranty if you want another protection option for multiple home appliances and systems. A home warranty, also called home appliance insurance, covers repairs or replacements of major systems and appliances broken down from normal wear and tear. Most home warranty companies have at least one plan covering refrigerators.
File a claim with your home warranty company if your fridge wears out and stops working. A trusted contractor will be sent to your home to diagnose the problem. If the issue falls under your warranty terms, the technician will repair it for a low service fee.
If a repair isn’t possible, the company will either replace the refrigerator or pay you cash. Home warranties typically only cover wear-and-tear breakdowns or failures, but there’s usually no appliance age limit.
FAQs About Refrigerator Warranties
Is a refrigerator warranty worth it?
Yes, getting a refrigerator warranty is worth it. Your refrigerator is an essential appliance, and it can be expensive to repair or replace when it breaks down. In addition, a broken refrigerator also causes a major disruption in your daily life. For example, laundromats can substitute a broken washer, but hardly any options exist for keeping refrigerated food without a working fridge.
How much does it cost to repair a refrigerator?
Refrigerator repairs cost between $200 and $500, with average costs around $400. However, these costs vary based on the repair’s severity. With a home warranty, you pay between $60 and $125 for the service call only, avoiding the remaining repair and replacement costs.
How long do refrigerator warranties last?
Refrigerator warranty length varies based on the warranty type. Manufacturer’s warranties typically only last for the first year of ownership. Extended warranties may last up to five years, but usually can’t be renewed at the end of that term. Home warranties are typically purchased for one year, but they can be renewed.
How long should a refrigerator last?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, refrigerators should last about 12 years. Proper maintenance and quick repairs when necessary are key to extending your refrigerator’s life span. A home warranty can help offset repair and replacement costs after your refrigerator’s manufacturer’s warranty expires.
Related Resources
- Best Home Warranty for HVAC
- Best Home Warranty for Sewer Lines
- Home Warranty for High-End Appliances
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to score each provider objectively. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys.
We score each provider against our review standards, which include four comparison categories: coverage, value, trust and transparency, and availability and service. We rate each provider across 31 factors within these categories. Each factor is assigned a point value based on its importance to a homeowner, totaling 100 points. We then convert the final scores to a 5-star rating.
Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:
- Coverage (40%): We scored coverage based on included home systems and appliances, add-on options, and unique benefits. We also compared coverage caps and policy exclusions.
- Additional coverage items
- Annual coverage cap
- Home systems coverage
- Major appliances coverage
- Obstructed wall coverage cap
- Value (30%): We compared the coverage level received to monthly pricing to determine plan value. We considered premium pricing, service fees, and flexibility in customizing plan costs.
- Average monthly cost
- Cost flexibility
- Lowest service fee
- Trust and Transparency (16%): We evaluated each company’s reputation using the Better Business Bureau ratings and customer reviews on third-party review sites. We read through plan change policies, workmanship protections, and sample contract availability.
- Brand reputation
- Policy change flexibility
- Sample contract availability
- Workmanship guarantee length
- Availability and Service (14%): We award higher scores for faster claim processing and response times. We also considered service technician policies, including options to choose your technician.
- Claims process
- Guaranteed response time
- Service flexibility
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
