Household appliances are expensive, and as manufacturers add more and more features, the cost keeps rising.
With so much money on the line, warranties are extremely important. While the manufacturer’s warranty may protect you against defects for the first few years, you might wonder about an extended warranty for longer coverage. Often, when you buy an appliance, the retailer will offer you an extended warranty, or you can buy a third-party contract like a SquareTrade appliance warranty.
There’s another option outside of adding to warranty each individual product. A home warranty service is a contract that typically covers the major appliances and systems in your house. If a covered appliance or system breaks down due to normal wear and tear, you report the issue to the home warranty company. It’ll send out a service technician from its roster of approved providers to diagnose and solve the problem.
Our team has researched many home warranty providers to recommend the best ones. We’ve found that American Home Shield is our top-rated home warranty company. Unlike a SquareTrade appliance warranty, American Home Shield can cover up to 21 major home appliances and systems — not including optional add-ons.
Our Preferred Home Warranty Alternatives
Today’s Homeowner recommends a few home warranty companies to our readers. Below, you’ll see our latest suggestions and their money-saving deals. You can also read our review of the companies with similar home warranty plans to learn more about these top picks.
SquareTrade Appliance Warranty Overview
SquareTrade was founded in 1999. Insurance company Allstate officially acquired SquareTrade in January 2017.
SquareTrade began with a mission to cover electronics for “the breaks, spills and mishaps of everyday life” and to offer better customer service than other extended warranty companies.
In addition to selling warranties through its website SquareTrade works with a wide range of online and brick-and-mortar retailers. It provides extended warranties for electronic items, appliances and furniture sold through many companies, including Costco, Amazon, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target and Wayfair.
SquareTrade provides extended warranties for a wide range of products, including major home appliances. Some of the other products the company provides coverage for include:
- Cellphones
- Computers (laptops, tablets and desktop)
- Televisions
- Watches and fitness trackers
- Furniture
- Gaming gear
Home Warranty Resources
- What is a Home Warranty?
- How Much Do Home Warranties Cost?
- Is a Home Warranty Worth It for You?
- Best Home Warranties in 2023
- Do Your Appliances Need Extended Warranties?
What to Know About SquareTrade Appliance Warranty Plans
Retailers usually offer SquareTrade appliance warranty plans to customers when they purchase a new appliance. If you don’t purchase a SquareTrade appliance warranty when you purchase your appliance, you may be able to buy one later either through the retailer or through the SquareTrade website.
In most cases, you must purchase a SquareTrade appliance warranty within 30 days of purchasing the new appliance.
Even though you buy it when your appliance is new, the SquareTrade appliance warranty covers your appliance after the manufacturer’s warranty is no longer in effect.
Your appliance is covered for:
- Electrical and mechanical failures
- Failure to turn on
- Unexpected leaks
- Burnout due to power supply surge
SquareTrade appliance warranty excludes:
- Issues that result from improper use of the product
- Lack of proper maintenance
- Improper installation
- Problems caused by perils
- Improper modifications
If you purchase coverage from SquareTrade for electronics, you can add coverage for protection against accidents, such as spilling something on your cell phone. This sort of coverage isn’t available with a major appliance like a refrigerator or washing machine.
Cost of SquareTrade Appliance Warranty
SquareTrade appliance warranty costs are based on the price of the appliance you want to cover and the length of coverage time. You can select either three or five years.
You may find different coverage terms, such as a four-year policy, on some retailer’s websites for policies covering an item you buy from that retailer.
Because the SquareTrade appliance warranty doesn’t kick in until the manufacturer’s warranty expires, add the length of each of the two warranties to see how long you have coverage.
For example, if the refrigerator manufacturer gives you a one-year warranty and you purchase a three-year warranty from SquareTrade, you end up with four years of warranty coverage.
The price of a SquareTrade appliance warranty may vary depending on the retailer. SquareTrade publishes the prices it charges on its website. Here are some of SquareTrade’s published prices to cover appliances in various price ranges.
| Price range of appliance | 3-Year Plan | 5-Year Plan |
| $200 to $299.99 | $99.99 | $109.99 |
| $1,000 to $1,249.99 | $149.99 | $299.99 |
| $2,000 to $2,999.99 | $219.99 | $399.99 |
SquareTrade appliance warranties don’t charge deductibles or service fees.
The SquareTrade appliance warranty will cover the appliance up to the cost of the appliance, based on the plan you purchased. So, be conscientious when you select the price range for the coverage you’re purchasing.
For example, if your dishwasher cost $700, but you accidently purchased a plan for an appliance that cost $200 to $299, SquareTrade would cover repairs or replacement up to $299 — which means you wouldn’t get as nice of a dishwasher if SquareTrade has to replace it.
How to Get a Quote from SquareTrade Appliance Warranty
You may be offered a SquareTrade appliance warranty when you buy a new appliance from one of SquareTrade’s partner retailers.
You can also purchase a policy through the SquareTrade website. Select the kind of item you want to buy a protection plan for, select the price range you paid for the item (not including things like taxes or installation) and choose the term you want the warranty to cover.
You’ll instantly see how much the SquareTrade appliance warranty costs, and you can click to purchase the policy. SquareTrade will ask for billing information and take your credit card information.
How to File a Claim With SquareTrade Appliance Warranty
You can file a claim any time on the SquareTrade website. For a quick claim process, register with SquareTrade when you purchase an appliance warranty. If you upload your sales receipt then, it can speed up the process when you file a claim later.
Your claim may be approved immediately. If not, the company will work with you over the phone or online on the next steps. They may first help you troubleshoot the issue.
If necessary, SquareTrade will arrange for a repair technician to come to your home to repair the item. In some cases, the company might authorize a replacement, either by sending you a new item or reimbursing you.
There is no service fee for a home repair visit, but SquareTrade limits the amount it will cover for repairs or a replacement item to the upper level of the policy you purchased.
Many SquareTrade warranties include a “no lemon” policy. This policy applies if you had the appliance repaired two times for the same issue and need a third repair for the same problem within a 12-month period. If that happens, instead of repairing the problem a third time, SquareTrade would authorize replacing the covered product with a comparable model or give you cash to replace the appliance.
SquareTrade Appliance Warranty Reviews
SquareTrade has a 4-star rating on Trustpilot. Out of more than 13,000 reviews, 74% of reviewers said they had an excellent experience, while 12% of consumers rated the experience as bad. All ratings are as of March 2020.
Because SquareTrade covers many consumer electronics in addition to appliances, most of the reviews do not involve a specific SquareTrade appliance warranty. Most comments seem to involve phones, televisions and computers. Many of the reviews don’t specify what sort of item was covered.
Positive reviews on Trustpilot note that their SquareTrade experience was hassle-free and quick.
Is a SquareTrade Appliance Warranty the Best Option?
A SquareTrade appliance warranty might sound appealing, with a one-time payment and facing no further fees. However, if you buy warranties on multiple appliances, the cost can add up quickly.
Additionally, it’s difficult to determine how well the company serves its appliance warranty customers, since so much of its business involves consumer electronics.
The reviews team believes a better option for protection on your appliances is a home warranty from American Home Shield.
Preferred Provider: American Home Shield
American Home Shield is our team’s choice for home appliance coverage. With three available plans, plus optional add-ons, AHS provides flexible, comprehensive coverage for all the important appliances and systems in your home. Opened in 1971, American Home Shield is the oldest home warranty provider in the business. The company offers coverage in all states except for Alaska. Read American Home Shield reviews for more insight.
Unlike SquareTrade, which only offers coverage when you buy a new appliance, American Home Shield will cover appliances of any age.
American Home Shield’s ShieldGold™ and ShieldPlatinum™ offer appliance coverage. Under the basic ShieldGold Plan, for an average cost of $49.99 per month, American Home Shield will cover your:
- Refrigerator
- Range, oven and cooktop
- Clothes washer and dryer
- Dishwasher
- Built-in microwave
- Freestanding ice maker
- Garage door opener
American Home Shield offers free quotes online and has flexible service fee options of $75, $100 and $125. Homeowners can select their own fee, with a higher fee translating to a reduced monthly cost. The home warranty provider provides an easy claim process on its site, over the phone or on its mobile app. American Home Shield claims to respond to customer service requests within 24 hours 98% of the time.
| American Home Shield | SquareTrade Appliance Warranty | |
| Number of appliances/systems covered | Up to 23 | 1 per policy |
| Length of warranty | Renewable each year | 3 to 5 years |
| Years in business | Since 1971 | Since 2000 |
| Monthly payment option | Yes | No |
| BBB-accredited | Yes | Yes |
| Free 30-day trial | Yes | Yes |
With an American Home Shield home warranty, you have the peace of mind of knowing that all the important appliances and systems in your home are covered for mechanical breakdown due to normal wear and tear.
A home warranty also simplifies your life. You don’t have to keep up with individual warranty policies, find purchase receipts or juggle multiple online accounts.
Top Home Warranty Provider Comparison
American Home Shield is an excellent choice for warranty protection, but it’s not your only option. The table below shows how some of the top home warranty companies in the industry compare in terms of coverage, cost, and ratings.
Company | Our Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Coverage Cap | States Covered |
 | $49.99–$69.99+ | $65–$125 | $2,000 | All 50 states | |
 | $49.99–$99.99 | $100–$125 | $6,000 | 48 States ex. AK & HI | |
 | $44.99–$58.99 | $70 | $15,000 | 47 States ex. CA, TX, WA | |
 | $46.83–$54.75+ | $85 | $3,000 | 48 states, ex. WA & CA | |
 | $60.42–$63.75+ | $60–$75 | $3,000 | 47 states, ex. NV, WA, & WI | |
 | $30.00–$60.00 | $75–$125 | $3,000 | 49 states, ex. HI | |
 | $39.99–$54.99 | $100–$125 | $2,000 | 47 states, ex. CA, AK, & HI | |
 | $17.00–$60.00 | $65–$100 | $2,500 | 42 states, ex. AK, HI, MT, NH, ND, OK, SD, & WY | |
 | $36.00–$46.50 | $75–$125 | $3,500 | 34 states, ex. AK, CT, DE, HI, IL, LA, ME, MA, MN, NH, NJ, NY, ND, RI, VT, & WI |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SquareTrade offer appliance warranties?
Yes, SquareTrade offers extended warranties on appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers and washers and dryers.
What does a SquareTrade appliance warranty cover?
A SquareTrade appliance warranty covers mechanical and electrical failures, issues when the appliance won’t start and power supply burnout.
What is SquareTrade known for?
The company started out providing extended warranty coverage for consumer electronics, such as cellphones. Consumer electronics continue to be a major thrust of its business. In fact, SquareTrade maintains a YouTube channel where it posts videos of tests it conducts on consumer electronics. For instance, SquareTrade has posted a video showing it testing how breakable the iPhone 11 is.
Reviews of Other Home Warranties
