Appointment Lookup
419-558-4893
Choosing a home warranty doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This complete 2026 guide walks you through coverage options, costs, providers, and key questions to help you make a confident decision.
What You Should Know About Home & Appliance Warranties
Understanding home and appliance warranties is essential for safeguarding your valuable investments. Knowing the ins and outs of these warranties can make a significant difference in protecting your home and appliances. Here, we explain everything you need to know about home and appliance warranties, from how they work to their benefits and coverage options.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Home warranties are optional service contracts that cover home repairs or replacement of certain items, providing an added layer of protection beyond homeowners insurance.
- These warranties cover repair or replacement costs for items like home systems and appliances, offering a convenient solution for unexpected maintenance issues.
- Homeowners enjoy peace of mind, direct access to service providers, and the ability to bundle coverage options, ultimately saving time and money while safeguarding their biggest financial investment.
Because your home is your biggest financial investment, you want to protect it. Home and appliance warranties help you protect it, and knowing how to get the most from them can make a difference in how helpful they are.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at home and appliance warranties. And we answer questions so you can make a more informed decision about what option is best for you.
What Is a Home Warranty?
A home warranty — not to be confused with homeowner insurance — is an optional service contract that a homeowner can buy to cover home repairs or replace certain items. You can typically choose between a home system plan, an appliance plan, or a plan covering the entire house.
Even if you have manufacturer warranties on certain components of your home, these only last for a period of time, so you’ll likely still benefit from some type of home warranty. Keep reading to discover the different types of warranties, how they work, and what approach is best for you.
Benefits of a Home Warranty or Appliance Warranty
Many benefits come with additional coverage for your home or appliances, including:
- An added layer of protection for the homeowner: A home warranty protects homeowners’ budgets from potentially costly repairs.
- Direct and easy access to service providers: You gain access to 24/7 support for service requests. This support can save valuable time and money if something breaks down. Service requests are also handled by prescreened professionals — giving you access to a local network of repair experts.
- Additional benefits during real estate transactions: A home warranty benefits all parties. Buyers reduce the risk of discovering repair concerns that went undetected during the inspection period. Sellers don’t have to worry about being pestered after a home sale if something breaks down shortly after the transaction closes.
- Ability to bundle coverage options: There are comprehensive coverage home warranty plans available to handle all repair and maintenance needs by one service provider.
- Peace of mind: With additional coverage for your home systems and appliances, you don’t have to worry about unexpected costs as home systems and appliances age.
More Information About Home and Appliance Warranties
How a home or appliance warranty works
Imagine baking your favorite treats in an oven you purchased last year when it suddenly stops working just outside of the manufacturer’s warranty. Depending on the plan, a home warranty or appliance warranty can cover the cost of repair or replacement instead of having to front the cost yourself. While some warranties have an annual charge, you can choose a monthly home warranty plan to cover the cost of unforeseen maintenance on household appliances or mechanical systems.
With a home or appliance warranty, you can avoid panic. If an appliance or home system stops working, just place a call or go online to request an appointment with your home warranty company. A professional service technician in the related department will visit the home for repairs. Depending on the coverage, you’re responsible for a small fee for the service appointment. If the home warranty provider can’t repair the item, they’ll likely replace it, depending on the agreement’s terms.
The difference between a home warranty and homeowners insurance
Homeowners insurance is a requirement by mortgage lenders that covers your home in case of structural damage. A home warranty is optional and can help cover the cost of ongoing wear and tear and general home maintenance.
The difference between a home warranty and an appliance warranty?
Differences between a home warranty and an appliance warranty lie in the particular items covered by the warranty. A home warranty covers your home systems. Examples include central air conditioning, central heat and plumbing. An appliance warranty covers the repair or replacement of home appliances, like the washer, dryer, oven and refrigerator.
Sears Home Services offers a whole house plan covering 21 major appliances and home systems for one low monthly price.
What do home warranties and appliance warranties typically cover?
Home warranties typically cover the following:
- Central air conditioner
- Central heating
- Plumbing system
- Water heater
- Water softener
- Faucets and toilets
- Garbage disposal
- Plumbing stoppages
- Electrical system
- Ceiling fans
- Garage door opener
Appliance warranties typically cover the following:
- Refrigerator with icemaker
- Built-in dishwasher
- Washer
- Dryer
- Range
- Cooktop
- Oven
- Built-in microwave
- Range exhaust fan
- Built-in trash compactor
There are also combination plans available to extend coverage.
Can I buy a home warranty when buying a new house?
Absolutely! When you buy a new home, you’ll have an inspection and work out any repairs with the seller before closing. In some cases, the inspection might miss something, and the buyer may discover that additional repairs are needed after buying the new home. Buying a home warranty plan offers extra protection for the buyer.
Remember that even if you’re buying a new construction home, you may wish to have a home warranty plan to cover potential expenses outside of the manufacturer’s warranty.
How much a home warranty costs
Not all home warranties are created equal, and costs can vary accordingly. Some are annual, while others offer monthly payment options. With Sears Home Services, you can purchase an appliance warranty plan, starting as little as $49.99 per month.
Is the cost of a home warranty worth it?
A home warranty often pays for itself. Even one service call in a year shows the benefit of a home warranty. For example, suppose your refrigerator costs $1,000 to fix. In that case, your low monthly rate is worth the flexibility of no unanticipated large expenses. Think of an extreme case where several large items need repair in the same year. In this scenario, a home warranty plan could prevent a financial disaster caused by unanticipated repair costs.
How you get repairs scheduled
You can easily book a service request with Sears Home Services online. A service technician in the appropriate department will then come to your home for repairs. If the technician can’t make the repair, they’ll replace the item.
Will I need multiple home warranty plans?
No. One of the benefits of a home warranty plan is the comprehensive coverage and ease of access to service professionals. Depending on how extensive you want the coverage, you can opt for home, appliance, or whole-house coverage.
What are some example expenses I could avoid by having a home warranty or an appliance warranty?
When you compare our plans, you’ll discover the typical repair and replacement costs for many common household appliances, including:
- A typical central air conditioning unit average repair costs $1,631 or $6,995 for a complete replacement.
- To repair a washer or dryer, you’re looking at a typical repair cost of around $200 or about $500 for a replacement.
- The typical repair cost of an oven or cooktop is $140 but can cost around $804 to replace.
- Another example is a garage door opener, which can cost $150 to repair or $500 to replace.
Get Your Sears Home Warranty Plan Today
A home warranty or appliance warranty plan can offer a homeownership safety net and peace of mind knowing your ongoing home maintenance needs are covered. The expert team at Sears Home Services knows home repairs and would love to be a support system for your home. Explore our home and appliance warranty plans today to see which is the best fit and get started with a low monthly payment that could save you money this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a home warranty and an appliance warranty?
A home warranty can cover major systems, while an appliance warranty focuses on specific products. Sears Home Services handles claims for both types if we’re in-network.
Are manufacturer warranties enough?
They typically expire after a year. Sears Home Services sees extended or third-party warranties giving more long-term coverage.
Do warranties have claim limits?
Yes, many cap the cost per repair or per year. Sears Home Services suggests verifying these limits to avoid surprise bills.
Should I buy a separate warranty for each appliance?
Bundling in a home warranty might be cheaper. Sears Home Services can still perform authorized repairs on multiple brands if your warranty covers them.
Protect Kitchen Appliances Resources
Home warranties and homeowners insurance protect your home in different ways. This guide explains what each covers, how they differ in cost and claims, and when you may need one, the other, or both.
Learn how to extend appliance warranties with Sears Home Services.
Discover the benefits of a home warranty. Find out why you need one to safeguard your home and its appliances.
Glossary Terms
ENERGY STAR appliances are energy-efficient products that meet the strict energy efficiency specifications set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the U.S. Department of Energy. These appliances are designed to use less energy and water, leading to cost savings and a reduced environmental impact.
Wattage is the measure of electrical power expressed in watts (W), indicating the rate at which a device consumes energy.
Natural gas is a fossil fuel used primarily for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. It's a hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting mainly of methane, but it also contains smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons and sometimes sulfur compounds.
A washer screw is a fastening device that combines a screw and a washer, designed to distribute the load of a screwed fastening more evenly and to prevent the screw from loosening under vibration.
Recent Appliance Symptoms
When your Payne central air conditioner won’t turn on or isn’t cooling, check for power problems, a failed capacitor, or a clogged condensate drain. This guide covers quick, safe troubleshooting steps and explains when to call Sears Home Services for expert central AC repair.
When your ICP central air conditioner won’t turn on or isn’t cooling, check for power problems, a failed capacitor, or a clogged condensate drain. This guide covers quick, safe troubleshooting steps and explains when to call Sears Home Services for expert central AC repair.
When your Heil central air conditioner won’t turn on or isn’t cooling, check for power problems, a failed capacitor, or a clogged condensate drain. This guide covers quick, safe troubleshooting steps and explains when to call Sears Home Services for expert central AC repair.
When your Carrier central air conditioner won’t turn on or isn’t cooling, check for power problems, a failed capacitor, or a clogged condensate drain. This guide covers quick, safe troubleshooting steps and explains when to call Sears Home Services for expert central AC repair.
When your Comfortmaker central air conditioner won’t turn on or isn’t cooling, check for power problems, a failed capacitor, or a clogged condensate drain. This guide covers quick, safe troubleshooting steps and explains when to call Sears Home Services for expert central AC repair.
When your Ruud central air conditioner won’t turn on or isn’t cooling, check for power problems, a failed capacitor, or a clogged condensate drain. This guide covers quick, safe troubleshooting steps and explains when to call Sears Home Services for expert central AC repair.