Whether you are a talented home cook or your most frequent trip to the fridge is to fetch a drink from the water dispenser, your refrigerator is a central appliance in your kitchen. Our survey of 1,000 homeowners indicated that more than 50% of respondents would immediately repair or replace their refrigerator if it weren’t functioning properly. 

With a refrigerator warranty, you can access repair technicians without racking up unnecessary costs or researching qualified providers near you. After your manufacturer’s warranty runs out, you can also get a general home warranty to cover your refrigerator and other appliances and home systems.

 

What Is a Refrigerator Warranty?

A refrigerator warranty is a type of guarantee that protects a purchaser from defects and malfunctions that don’t meet the manufacturer’s standards. If the covered appliance breaks down during the warranty period, the manufacturer will connect you with a licensed repair technician to diagnose and repair the issue at no cost to you. 

Generally, the refrigerator warranty will be valid for at least one year from the original purchase date, but terms can vary. For example, some refrigerator warranties cover all parts and labor costs, while others may only cover specific parts. It’s a good idea to shop around, compare several brands, and read the warranty terms to confirm you’re aligned on what to expect before purchasing a refrigerator.

 

Refrigerator Warranty Terminology

Before deciding the best refrigerator warranty for your needs, it’s essential to brush up on industry jargon, so you know what to look for in a policy. Refrigerator warranties will vary depending on the manufacturer, appliance retailer, or home warranty coverage you select.

Knowing the terms below will help you navigate making an informed decision for your home appliance. 

  • Sealed system warranty: A sealed system warranty covers only the compressor, condenser, evaporator, drier, heat exchanger, condensate loop, and other connective tubing. 
  • Manufacturer’s warranty: A manufacturer’s warranty is sometimes referred to as a factory warranty. It’s a guarantee from the manufacturer that all parts and workmanship meet its standards. If the appliance malfunctions during the warranty period, the manufacturer will be responsible for repair costs. 
  • Limited warranty: A limited warranty covers specific parts, scenarios, and defects. It may also include a stipulation that the consumer and the manufacturer will split repair or replacement costs during this period. 
  • Full warranty: A full warranty provides more protection than a limited warranty. If the company cannot repair your refrigerator, it will issue a full refund or replace the item at no additional cost. 
  • Extended warranty: An extended warranty extends the original warranty period offered by the manufacturer. Extended warranties are not included in the original purchase price and must be purchased before the manufacturer’s warranty expires.
  • Home warranty: Home warranty coverage allows you to bundle protection for a suite of your major appliances, including your refrigerator, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and laundry machines.

 

Compare the Top Refrigerator Warranties by Manufacturer

As mentioned above, every refrigerator manufacturer or appliance brand has its own terms and conditions. To conveniently compare the refrigerator warranties offered by the most popular appliance brands, you can review the table below.

Brand Name

Coverage

Whirlpool
  • One-year full warranty
  • Four-year warranty on sealed system repairs (starts after the one-year warranty expires)

LG
  • One-year limited warranty
  • Nine-year warranty on compressor parts (starts after the limited warranty expires)

GE Appliances
  • One-year limited warranty
  • Four-year warranty on sealed system repairs (starts after the limited warranty expires)

Samsung
  • One-year limited warranty
  • Four-year warranty for sealed system parts (starts after the limited warranty expires)
  • Nine-year warranty for inverter compressor parts (starts after the limited warranty expires)

KitchenAid
  • One-year limited warranty
  • Four-year warranty on sealed system repairs (starts after the limited warranty expires)

Sub-Zero
  • Two-year full warranty 
  • Full five-year warranty on sealed system repairs
  • 12-year limited warranty on sealed system parts

Bosch
  • One-year limited warranty
  • One-year warranty on non-electronic parts
  • Four-year warranty on electronic parts

Miele
  • One-year limited warranty

Electrolux
  • One-year full warranty (two years if you register within 60 days of purchase)

Frigidaire
  • 10-year warranty for all parts on registered products

Maytag
  • One-year limited warranty
  • Four-year warranty on sealed system repairs (starts after the limited warranty expires)

 

Top 5 Home Warranty Companies Covering Refrigerators

A home warranty is a home protection plan that allows homeowners to protect their kitchen appliances, laundry machines, built-in systems, and more. Whether you’ve recently purchased a new refrigerator or you’re looking to protect a well-maintained appliance that’s aged out of its manufacturer’s warranty, a home warranty can help mitigate unexpected malfunctions by connecting you with a qualified repair technician near you. 

Here are the best home warranty companies that cover refrigerators:

 

American Home Shield

Fast Facts:

  • State Availability: 49 (all but Alaska)
  • Service Fee: $75–$125
  • Get a Quick Quote: Visit AHS site 

American Home Shield (AHS) is one of the oldest home warranty providers in the industry. As such, it has more than 17,000 contractors available across the country to access, diagnose, and repair essential appliances, such as your refrigerator, clothes washer, and garbage disposal. 

AHS’s service contract states that replacement refrigerators will have similar features, capacity, and efficiency, but it does not guarantee matching dimensions, brand, or color. Compared to other providers, AHS has generous coverage caps on appliances. With its ShieldGold plan, your appliances are covered up to $3,000 per item. With the ShieldPlatinum plan, this coverage cap is $6,000 per item. 

Get the Full Scoop: American Home Shield Review

 

Choice Home Warranty

Fast Facts:

  • State Availability: 49 (all but Washington)
  • Service Fee: $85
  • Get a Quick Quote: Visit Choice site

Choice Home Warranty’s Total Plan covers a combination of major appliances and systems, including your refrigerator, oven, air conditioning, and water heater. Each account is monitored by a small team of representatives, allowing you to maintain a consistent point of contact with a customer service team that’s familiar with your claim. 

In a 2019 class-action lawsuit, Choice was accused of failing to live up to its contractual obligation to customers by denying claims in bad faith. While the lawsuit has yet to be resolved, a representative from the company informed us that, as of October 2021, more than 90% of 1.1 million claims filed in 2021 had been approved. We recommend that you review the service agreement to confirm that you know all potential exclusions and limitations associated with your policy. 

Choice offers a $3,000 coverage cap per item––the same coverage cap as AHS’s ShieldGold––which is considered generous compared to other providers. Like AHS, Choice does not guarantee that replacements will match the dimensions, brand, or color of the previous refrigerator, but it will match the efficiency and capacity. 

Get the Full Scoop: Choice Home Warranty Review

 

Cover Your Assets (Consumer Priority Service)

Fast Facts:

  • State Availability: 50
  • Service Fee: $99
  • Get a Quick Quote: Visit CPS site

Cover Your Assets (CYA) is a program offered by Consumer Priority Service. CYA offers traditional appliance, systems, and combo plans, as well as more specialized plans, such as smartphone, jewelry, and furniture warranties. Unlike other providers, CYA does not have a pre-set coverage cap outlined in its terms and conditions. Instead, you’ll be eligible for coverage up to the original purchase price or the fair market value of the covered item.

 

Liberty Home Guard

Fast Facts:

  • State Availability: 48 (all but Washington and Wisconsin)
  • Service Fee: $65–$125
  • Get a Quick Quote: Visit LHG site

Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is an excellent option for homeowners with high-end kitchen appliances due to its suite of pro-series appliance add-ons. Each item is covered up to $2,000, but commercial appliances aren’t included in the base plans. The provider offers up to 38 additional coverage options, including coverage for pro-series refrigerators. LHG also has a note in its sample contract that your refrigerator must be located in the kitchen to be eligible for coverage. 

Get the Full Scoop: Liberty Home Guard Review

 

Select Home Warranty

Fast Facts:

  • State Availability: 46 (all but Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, and Wyoming)
  • Service Fee: $75
  • Get a Quick Quote: Visit Select site

Select Home Warranty stands out for its quick claim response time. According to the service agreement, you can file a claim with the provider and expect a response within 12 business hours. Many customers report service in as little as four business hours. 

Appliances are eligible for up to $500 of coverage per item. Select’s home warranty coverage includes control boards, compressors, thermostats, damper control, wire harness, evaporator fan motors, and condenser fan motors, but it excludes coverage for your refrigerator’s sealed system. 

Get the Full Scoop: Select Home Warranty Review

 

Our Recommendation

While many refrigerators come with a manufacturer’s warranty that’s valid for the first year from purchase, it does not cover the life span of your appliance. With a home warranty, you can streamline the appliance repair process and save you time by not having to track down an appliance repair technician. 

If high coverage caps are important to you, American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty both offer at least $3,000 per covered item—a generous limit compared to other providers on this list. If you’d rather prioritize a company with quick claim response time, Select Home Warranty’s response time of 12 business hours is much shorter than the typical 24- to 48-hour response time offered by other providers. Both Liberty Home Guard and Cover Your Assets allow homeowners to seek out specialized coverage for items typically left off home warranty plans. 

In any event, we recommend that you request a quote from at least three providers so you can compare the coverage, exclusions, and guarantees of each home protection plan.

 

Refrigerator Warranty FAQ

 

How We Chose the Top Home Warranty Providers

Our team reviewed and researched nearly 40 home warranty providers, thoroughly analyzed sample agreements, and identified customer pain points based on customer-review analysis and interviews with industry experts.

During this process, we determined that the most critical aspects of a home warranty company include available service plans and add-ons, depth of coverage, plan cost, industry reputation, customer support infrastructure, and additional features. We also focused on the ability to choose your own contractor, upgrade your coverage package, transfer your plan to another owner, and cover roof leaks, high-end appliance brands, ceiling and exhaust fans, and faucets and fixtures.

Our research supported that plan coverage should carry the most weight, with customer support as the second-most important factor. Industry reputation, plan availability, and additional features were rated equally. We determined that price range, while worth considering, should not be the primary basis for choosing a home warranty provider for your home’s needs.