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5 Best Home Warranties for Refrigerators in 2023
By James F. Trumm MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
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- Good coverage on home systems
- Does not cover pre-existing issues
- They will replace items that fail if they can't be fixed regardless of age, make or model
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- Industry leader since 1971
- More than $2 Billion in claims paid in last 5 years
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- No inspection or maintenance records required
- 30-day workmanship guarantee
Home warranties for refrigerators: what you need to know
Home warranties are service contracts that protect you from paying the full cost for the repair and replacement of home appliances and systems. You’ll pay a monthly (or, sometimes, annual) fee for this protection, in addition to paying a service call fee each time you need work done. In return, the home warranty company will cover your repair or replacement costs, subject to some limitations.
Refrigerators are covered by most home warranty companies we’re aware of. However, many companies won’t cover second fridges or fridges kept in a garage and some companies exclude fridges altogether from their least-expensive plans.
If you have a newer refrigerator, it makes sense to keep an eye on the date of expiration of the manufacturer’s warranty. There’s little point in paying for a home warranty on a fridge when it’s already covered by the company that made it. However, it can be a good idea to invest in a home warranty that will cover your fridge after the manufacturer’s warranty expires.
In this article, we’ll discuss the kinds of protection that various home warranties provide for refrigerators, the types of repairs that are included and excluded from coverage and how to get the most value from your home warranty dollar.
Table of Contents
- Manufacturer Refrigerator Warranty Comparison
- Best Home Warranties for Refrigerators Company Reviews
- Best Home Warranties for Refrigerators Guide
- FAQs
- How We Chose the Best Home Warranties for Refrigerators
Refrigerator Manufacturers’ Warranty Comparison
All new fridges come with a manufacturer’s warranty. To avoid paying for double coverage, it’s smart to be aware of what those warranties cover and when they expire. There are, however, some situations when it makes sense to have some overlap between a refrigerator manufacturer’s warranty and a home warranty.
Here’s a look at five of the most popular refrigerator manufacturers and the warranty coverage they provide:
| Brand | Warranty Period | Coverage |
| Kenmore | 1 year 5 years 10 years |
Refrigerator- full Sealed refrigerant system Compressor |
| GE | 1 year 2-7 years (depending on model) 2-12 years (depending on model) |
Refrigerator- full Sealed refrigerant system Compressor |
| Whirlpool | 1 year 5 years |
Refrigerator- full Sealed refrigerant system and Compressor |
| LG | 1 year 5 years 5-10 years (parts only 6-10 years) |
Refrigerator- full Sealed refrigerant system Compressor |
| Samsung | 1-2 years (depending on model) 5 years 10 years |
Refrigerator- full Sealed refrigerant system Compressor |
Best Home Warranties For Refrigerators Company Reviews
Here’s what you can expect from the best home warranties for refrigerators:
American Home Shield
- Flexible service fees
- No maintenance records required
- No coverage cap for systems
- Slightly more expensive per month than some companies
- No appliance-only plan
- Unavailable in Alaska, Hawaii and New York City
American Home Shield (AHS) offers three home warranty options. Shield Silver covers major systems but not appliances. Shield Gold covers major systems and appliances (including refrigerators). Shield Gold starts at $49.99 a month and its maximum appliance coverage is $3,000 (including refrigerators). Shield Platinum, starting at approximately $69.99 per month, provides coverage for 23 different home systems and appliances, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning and roof leak repair, among others. Shield Platinum’s coverage for appliances (including refrigerators) is $6,000. Service call fees range from $75 to $125.
Choice Home Warranty
- Straightforward plan structures
- Flat rate service fee
- Response time of four hours for a service request
- Can't choose your service provider
- Small list of optional add-on coverages
- Not available in Washington
Choice Home Warranty (CHW) offers two home warranty plans. The Basic Plan does not cover refrigerators but the Total Plan does. CHW doesn’t publish the cost of its home warranties on its website, and in any event, those costs vary depending on your location and the type and size of home you live in. Expect an average price of around $55 a month for the Total Plan. The Total Plan also covers many other home systems and appliances, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning. CHW’s maximum coverage for appliances is $3,000 (including refrigerators). CHW charges a flat rate of $85 for a service call.
Select Home Warranty
- Nationwide availability
- Free roof leak coverage
- Multi-year policy discounts
- Unclear service fee pricing
- Somewhat strict claim guidelines
- Doesn't cover pre-existing conditions
Select Home Warranty (SHW) offers three plans called Bronze, Gold and Platinum. Bronze covers appliances (including refrigerators), Gold covers major systems (air conditioners, heating systems, etc.) and Platinum covers both. Trusted sources report that Bronze and Gold plans are $52.50 monthly, whereas the Platinum plan is $56.25. SHW’s maximum coverage for appliances (including refrigerators) is $500. As for service fees, SHW claims their service fees range from $60-$75, depending on your location.
Cinch Home Services
- Three flexible plan options
- 24/7 mobile app access
- 180-day workmanship guarantee
- Expensive service fee
- Not available in Alaska and Hawaii
- No roof coverage
Cinch Home Services offers three plans. The appliances plan covers all home appliances, including your refrigerator. This plan starts at $27.99 a month, depending on where you live. The maximum coverage for appliances (including refrigerators) is $2,000. The Built-in Systems plan covers your heating, air conditioning and electrical system, among others. The Built-in Systems plan starts at $32.99 a month. The Complete Home plan, which starts at $39.99 a month, covers everything in the Appliance and Built-in Systems plans. Service fees start at $100 and can be more depending on where you live.
Home Warranty of America
- Transferable warranty if you sell your home
- Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Available nationwide
- Doesn't provide coverage for pests or termites
- No optional roof leak coverage
- No appliances- or systems-only plans
Home Warranty of America offers two home warranty plans, Premier and Premier Plus. The Premier Plan starts at around $46.08 a month — depending on where you live — and the Premier Plan Plus begins at around $59.92 a month. Both plans cover over 20 home systems and appliances (including refrigerators), but the Plus plan also covers air conditioning. The maximum coverage for appliances (including refrigerators) is $5,000. Service fees start at $75 per call and can be more depending on your location.
Our Guide to the Best Home Warranties for Refrigerators
As you think about whether to purchase a home warranty that will cover your refrigerator, here are a few things to consider.
Things to know before purchasing a home warranty for a refrigerator
Before you purchase a home warranty, check to see if your refrigerator already has coverage. Most refrigerators these days come with a one-year full warranty. Most brands have 5-year coverage for the sealed refrigerant system and many brands cover the compressor for ten years or more (see the above chart for some examples).
Another thing you should keep in mind is that each home warranty company places limits on how much they will cover to fix or replace your appliances. Some companies cover up to $500 of repairs on your fridge, while others cover up to $6,000. Make sure you understand the coverage before you buy.
What does a home warranty for refrigerators cover?
Generally, racks, shelves, and components not integral to the refrigeration of items are not covered by home warranties. Mini-fridges, wine coolers and refrigerators not in the kitchen are usually not covered as well. Home warranties will not cover repairs if your refrigerator’s problems are due to food or liquid spillages.
Home warranties cover your refrigerator’s significant parts and components, including the integral freezer unit.
How much does a home warranty for refrigerators cost?
It is hard to say exactly what a home warranty will cost you as they cover more than just your refrigerator and come in many different packages. Depending on how much coverage you want, where you live, and what company you go with, your monthly plan will likely cost at least $50 a month, but may cost significantly more depending on what coverage plan and add-on coverages you choose.
How does a home warranty for refrigerators work?
If your refrigerator goes on the fritz, you call your home warranty company and they will send out a service technician. Most companies will require you to pay a flat fee for the service call. Once the problem is fixed, your home warranty company will pay for the repairs up to the coverage limit.
How can I file a claim for a refrigerator home warranty?
If you’re having a problem with your refrigerator, call your home warranty company. Make sure you understand what’s covered before you file a claim. When you talk to the company’s customer service representative, explain the problem as precisely as you can. Some companies will have you fill out a form on their website to request service.
Frequently Asked Questions about Home Warranties for Refrigerators
What parts of a refrigerator are covered by a home warranty?
What is not covered by the home refrigerator appliance warranty?
Does every home warranty cover refrigerators?
Does a refrigerator home warranty cover pre-existing defects?
Can I have multiple refrigerators under warranty?
How We Chose the Best Home Warranties for Refrigerators
We researched home warranty companies and tried to determine the best ones for refrigerators based on packages provided, price, service fees, response time and overall customer satisfaction. We also looked at what else was provided in the home warranty coverage besides the refrigerator, since you have other appliances and systems in your home.
We concluded that American Home Shield, Choice Home Warranty, Select Home Warranty, Cinch Home Services and Home Warranty of America are the five best home warranty companies for protecting your refrigerator and other home appliances.
