May 2008
One-year appliance warranties remain the norm
Illustration by
Bob Eckstein
Bob Eckstein
Appliance makers love to advertise new features, but they won't be hyping a development that started a few years ago: shorter
warranties on refrigerators, ranges, washing machines, and other major appliances.
In late 2005, manufacturers including Frigidaire, General Electric, Maytag, and Whirlpool shortened their warranties on refrigerators, ranges, washers, and other major appliances from two or three years to only one year, and it appears they have no intention of reestablishing the longer coverage.
Shorter warranties went into effect Nov. 1, 2005, for Whirlpool, Roper, Estate, and Inglis brands, and on Jan. 1, 2006, for General Electric, Hotpoint, Americana, Maytag, Amana, Magic Chef, Admiral, Frigidaire, White Westinghouse, Tappan, Gibson, and Kelvinator. Pricier brands, such as KitchenAid, Jenn-Air and Electrolux, still offer longer warranties on some appliances and their parts. Viking offers a one-year warranty but doubles it if a Viking-certified installer does the work.
A typical manufacturer's warranty now covers parts and service for only one year from purchase. If a part breaks after that, you pay. Before the warranties got whacked down, pricey parts-refrigerator compressors and dishwasher tubs, for instance-were usually covered for 5 to 10 years. To get longer coverage today, you'll have to buy a separate extended warranty, which will cost about $100 to $200 for three years.
Our data show that major appliances usually don't break within three years. So even with less protection, you probably don't need an extended warranty. Read more about extended warranties.
Some appliance companies insisted that the changes did nothing more than make warranties simpler. One company spokesperson told us that consumers would benefit from this warranty change by having simplified terms and improved product quality and after-sales care. You're probably as confused as we are, but one thing is clear: consumers are getting less coverage for the same price.
You might be able to get longer coverage without shelling out for an extended warranty by buying an appliance with a credit or charge card. Contact your card company to see if using the card extends the manufacturer's warranty.
In late 2005, manufacturers including Frigidaire, General Electric, Maytag, and Whirlpool shortened their warranties on refrigerators, ranges, washers, and other major appliances from two or three years to only one year, and it appears they have no intention of reestablishing the longer coverage.
Shorter warranties went into effect Nov. 1, 2005, for Whirlpool, Roper, Estate, and Inglis brands, and on Jan. 1, 2006, for General Electric, Hotpoint, Americana, Maytag, Amana, Magic Chef, Admiral, Frigidaire, White Westinghouse, Tappan, Gibson, and Kelvinator. Pricier brands, such as KitchenAid, Jenn-Air and Electrolux, still offer longer warranties on some appliances and their parts. Viking offers a one-year warranty but doubles it if a Viking-certified installer does the work.
A typical manufacturer's warranty now covers parts and service for only one year from purchase. If a part breaks after that, you pay. Before the warranties got whacked down, pricey parts-refrigerator compressors and dishwasher tubs, for instance-were usually covered for 5 to 10 years. To get longer coverage today, you'll have to buy a separate extended warranty, which will cost about $100 to $200 for three years.
Our data show that major appliances usually don't break within three years. So even with less protection, you probably don't need an extended warranty. Read more about extended warranties.
Some appliance companies insisted that the changes did nothing more than make warranties simpler. One company spokesperson told us that consumers would benefit from this warranty change by having simplified terms and improved product quality and after-sales care. You're probably as confused as we are, but one thing is clear: consumers are getting less coverage for the same price.
You might be able to get longer coverage without shelling out for an extended warranty by buying an appliance with a credit or charge card. Contact your card company to see if using the card extends the manufacturer's warranty.
