The Home Depot Extended Warranty Review (2024)
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The Home Depot works with SquareTrade, an Allstate company, to provide an extended warranty on appliances sold from the store after factory coverage expires. It also provides extended warranties for general merchandise, such as water heaters and power tools. Per its terms and conditions, if a manufacturer warranty guarantee is absent, protection begins immediately following the expiration date of the retailer’s in-store return policy for general merchandise protection plans. The Home Depot Appliance Warranty coverage begins the date you purchase it.
To obtain The Home Depot Protection Plan you must purchase protection when you buy a qualified product or within 90 days of qualified product purchase.
We reviewed the best home warranty companies to help you find the best protection for your home. In this review, we’ll discuss Home Depot extended warranty coverage and pricing, and help you decide if this is the best home warranty option for you and your home.
What Plans and Coverage Does the Home Depot Extended Warranty Include?
A Home Depot warranty offers various protection tiers and coverage depending on how much your product costs. The table below is an overview of the available plans:
| What’s Covered | Major Appliances Plan | General Merchandise Plan | Water Heater Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24-hour support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3-day service guarantee | ✓ | – | – |
| 50% reimbursement for mower maintenance parts | ✓ | – | – |
| 50% reimbursement for select cosmetic replacements (knobs, shelves, grates, etc.) | ✓ | – | – |
| 50% reimbursement for select maintenance parts (water/air filters, vents, hoses, etc.) | ✓ | – | – |
| Gear, component, and button failure | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mechanical and electrical failure | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| No cost plan transfer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| No lemon policy | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| No service claim reward | ✓ | – | – |
| Pickup and delivery | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Surge Protection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Premium tech support (smart appliances) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Product breakdowns and defects | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Up to $300 for spoiled food caused by mechanical failure of protected appliance | ✓ | – | – |
The Home Depot Protection Plan offers comprehensive coverage for a wide range of household items, which can be categorized into three main groups: major appliances, additional covered items, and optional add-ons.
- Compactors
- Cooktops
- Dishwashers
- Clothes washers
- Clothes dryers
- Freezers
- Built-in microwaves
- Over-range microwaves
- Wall ovens
- Refrigerators
- Fireplaces
- Generators
- Grills
- Holiday decor
- Home electronics
- Mowers
- Power equipment
- Power tools
- Small appliances
- Smart-home equipment
- Water heaters
- Accidental damage from handling
- Cosmetic and preventative maintenance parts coverage
- Food spoilage
- No service claim reimbursement
- Service guarantee
- Smart home setup
Coverage included on these items is subject to certain terms but will remain in effect depending on the length of protection purchased. Appliance plans last three to five years, and general merchandise plans last two to three years.
Coverage Specifics
Reading the fine print of an extended warranty agreement can help you understand your coverage and the expectations of a provider. Here are a few highlights from the Home Depot extended warranty sample contract.
Food Spoilage
If a refrigerator or freezer breaks down, and the cause is under warranty, policyholders are eligible for up to $300 per incident. The provider requires you to submit proof of damage before paying a claim. Items you can submit for review are dated receipts, photos, and a confirmation from the responding repair person.
Parts Reimbursement for Preventative Maintenance and Cosmetic Components
Appliances require preventative maintenance to ensure optimal performance. The Home Depot Protection Plan offers 50% off discounts on supplies such as the following:
- Air filters
- Dryer lint brushes
- Water filters and lines
- Aluminum vents
- Water fresheners and hoses
Cosmetic parts include these:
- Refrigerator shelves and doors
- Range and oven knobs
- Range heating elements or grates
- Drip pans
Note that this benefit applies only to major appliance, tractor, and lawn mower components. Additionally, this credit offer is available as a rebate. Therefore, you must pay the component’s full price in-store or online and provide a receipt to Square Trade with the purchased products shown. A reimbursement cap of $500 exists for the duration of the Home Depot warranty.
Coverage Exclusions
A Home Depot appliance warranty will not cover the cost of repair or replacements caused by excluded factors. Typical of most warranty plans, some exclusions include a defect developing abuse, misuse, or using the appliance outside a manufacturer’s instructions.
Third-party issues like acts of God and theft loss are also excluded and should be reported to a homeowners insurance provider instead.
How Much Does a Home Depot Extended Warranty Cost?
| Item Value | Contract Length | Home Depot Protection Plan Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $700–$999 | 5 years | $160 |
| $1,599.99 (washer and dryer combo) | 5 years | $235 |
The cost of The Home Depot Protection Plan depends on the value of the item you purchased and the length of a contract. According to Home Depot, it charges $160 for a five-year plan on an item that costs $700–$999. A $1,599.99 washer and dryer combination would cost $235 for five-year insurance.
It prices three-year plans less than five-year plans. In addition, this extended warranty payment is due at the time of an appliance purchase or within 90 days of the receipt date.
There is no deductible or service fee after claiming an issue or receiving service. It also waives transfer fees if you decide to sell your home.
How Can You File a Claim with Home Depot?
Home Depot Protection Plan owners can file a claim online through SquareTrade or call the Home Depot warranty phone number: 833-763-0688.
The call center is available 24/7, 365 days per year. Once a request is accepted, the company store dispatches a technician from its network of service experts, all of whom have undergone a background check.
To streamline the process of making a claim and receiving service, ensure your appliances and protection plan are registered. To create a permanent record, buyers can upload a copy of their receipt to the warranty provider or keep a physical copy for peace of mind.
Home Depot Extended Warranty Reviews
The Home Depot has been a Better Business Bureau (BBB)-accredited business since 1989 and holds an A+ rating with the BBB.
You can find a sampling of reviews below. Note: The customer reviews are for The Home Depot as a whole, not the protection plans in particular.
“I am extremely disappointed and frustrated with the extended warranty I purchased from Home Depot in 2019 for my GE Refrigerator.… My freezer/refrigerator stopped cooling 4 weeks ago and is still not working, nor do I have an estimated repair date. It has been both a financial and emotional hardship dealing with the lack of a basic need and the constant monitoring in the repair progress…” — Judith and Michal S. on March 8, 2023
“Buyers beware! In 2018, I purchased an Electrolux washer and dryer from The Home Depot and purchased a 5 year extended warranty. The washer and dryer come with a one year labor and 3 years parts replacement warranty from the manufacturer. That should have made it a total of 6 years but The Home Depot refuses to honor the warranty agreement as per the terms of coverage written in their warranty contract…” — William M. on March 7, 2023
Is the Home Depot Protection Plan Worth It?
The Home Depot extended warranty is a solid option for those who purchase new appliances or general merchandise directly from The Home Depot. However, it’s not ideal for those who need total home protection since it excludes major systems coverage.
Additionally, you must add a protection policy the day you purchase your appliance or within 90 days of the sale to be valid, so the extra expense for coverage must be considered when investing in new machines.
For the best protection against appliance and system failures, consider acquiring a policy from a dedicated home warranty company. With just one policy, you can cover major household systems and appliances at once.
| Company | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NR | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B- | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $42–$82 | $75–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| B | $35–$94 | $75–$125 | VISIT SITE | |
| A+ | $44–$58 | $70 | VISIT SITE | |
| B+ | $30–$56 | $100–$150 | VISIT SITE | |
| A | $27–$70 | $65–$100 | VISIT SITE |
| Star Rating | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Service Fee | Response Time | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Home Guard | | NR | $49–$59 | $65–$125 | Up to 48 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| American Home Shield | | B | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | Up to 48 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| Select Home Warranty |  | B- | $44–$47 | $60–$75 | 48-84 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| First American Home Warranty |  | B | $42–$82 | $75–$125 | 4-48 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| AFC Home Warranty |  | B | $35–$94 | $75–$125 | 24-48 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| Elite Home Warranty |  | A+ | $44–$58 | $70 | Up to 48 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| Cinch Home Services |  | B+ | $30–$56 | $100–$150 | 2-24 hours | VISIT SITE | |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty |  | A | $27–$70 | $65–$100 | Up to 48 hours | VISIT SITE |
| Liberty Home Guard | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | NR |
| Monthly Cost | $49–$59 |
| Service Fee | $65–$125 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| American Home Shield | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Monthly Cost | $29–$89 |
| Service Fee | $100–$125 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| Select Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B- |
| Monthly Cost | $44–$47 |
| Service Fee | $60–$75 |
| Response Time | 48-84 hours |
| First American Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Monthly Cost | $42–$82 |
| Service Fee | $75–$125 |
| Response Time | 4-48 hours |
| AFC Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Monthly Cost | $35–$94 |
| Service Fee | $75–$125 |
| Response Time | 24-48 hours |
| Elite Home Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Monthly Cost | $44–$58 |
| Service Fee | $70 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
| Cinch Home Services | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B+ |
| Monthly Cost | $30–$56 |
| Service Fee | $100–$150 |
| Response Time | 2-24 hours |
| 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A |
| Monthly Cost | $27–$70 |
| Service Fee | $65–$100 |
| Response Time | Up to 48 hours |
Liberty Home Guard is our top choice for home warranty coverage due to its solid coverage caps, extensive add-on options, and lengthy workmanship guarantee. You can choose from its Appliance Guard, System Guard, and Total Home Guard plans, each with a $2,000 coverage limit per covered item.
Liberty Home Guard assigns a service call fee, which ranges from $65 to $125, based on your home’s size, type, location, and plan selections.
For a free quote from Liberty Home Guard, call 866-452-9107 or fill out an Liberty Home Guard’s quote form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a receipt to use Home Depot’s warranty?
Yes, you need to keep the receipt of the item you purchased a warranty plan for to file a claim. The Home Depot offers the convenience of saving your receipt by allowing you to upload it directly to your protection plan online portal.
What is Home Depot’s warranty policy?
The Home Depot Protection Plan is an extended warranty that covers select merchandise past its manufacturer’s warranty. Home Depot’s coverage begins the day you purchase coverage and extends up to five years. A typical manufacturer’s warranty lasts one year. The Protection Plan covers product malfunctions caused by mechanical and electrical failures, product defects, and more.
Is coverage renewable?
Once a policy expires, options to renew the service for an additional extended warranty are typically unavailable. Because of this, buyers must consider whether the three-year protection plan will be sufficient or if a five-year guarantee is of more value.
Does Home Depot replace appliances?
While the extended warranty for non-major appliances offers adequate protection, Home Depot will use its discretion to determine if replacements are required. In most cases, rather than replacing equipment, the company will provide policyholders with a gift card or check for the original purchase price.
Ultimately, this policy helps alleviate issues with availability as, sometimes, products shown as readily accessible are stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed.
Does the Home Depot Warranty start after the manufacturer’s warranty ends?
For most products, the Home Depot Protection Plan starts the day you purchase coverage. If its manufacturer’s warranty doesn’t cover your product breakdown, the Protection Plan will cover it. It also maintains coverage after the manufacturer’s warranty expires.
What is the Home Depot No-Claim Reward?
A benefit offered under the Home Depot extended warranty is a reward system for a plan ending without a service claim. Policyholders are eligible for a 30% reimbursement of the three- or five-year plan that was initially in service. Keep in mind, the benefit is only available up to 60 days after a service agreement expires.
Related Home Warranty Reviews
Consider these articles to learn more about your options for home appliance insurance and general home warranty coverage:
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our home warranty ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to score each provider objectively. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, requesting quotes, analyzing sample contracts, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys.
We score each provider against our review standards, which include four comparison categories: coverage, value, trust and transparency, and availability and service. We rate each provider across 31 factors within these categories. Each factor is assigned a point value based on its importance to a homeowner, totaling 100 points. We then convert the final scores to a 5-star rating.
Here’s a breakdown of our weighted factors:
- Coverage (40%): We scored coverage based on included home systems and appliances, add-on options, and unique benefits. We also compared coverage caps and policy exclusions.
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- Additional coverage items
- Annual coverage cap
- Home systems coverage
- Major appliances coverage
- Obstructed wall coverage cap
- Value (30%): We compared the coverage level received to monthly pricing to determine plan value. We considered premium pricing, service fees, and flexibility in customizing plan costs.
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- Average monthly cost
- Cost flexibility
- Lowest service fee
- Trust and Transparency (16%): We evaluated each company’s reputation using the Better Business Bureau ratings and customer reviews on third-party review sites. We read through plan change policies, workmanship protections, and sample contract availability.
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- Brand reputation
- Policy change flexibility
- Sample contract availability
- Workmanship guarantee length
- Availability and Service (14%): We award higher scores for faster claim processing and response times. We also considered service technician policies, including options to choose your technician.
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- Claims process
- Guaranteed response time
- Service flexibility
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
