How refrigerator warranties work

A refrigerator warranty covers repairs for a set period, and the terms differ by manufacturer and by plan. Read the written warranty before you pay for a repair, because a covered part can cost you nothing.

This guide explains the rules that apply to most appliance warranties in the United States. It does not list specific plan terms, because those change. Check your own warranty document for the exact coverage.

Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a company that offers a written warranty must label it as either “full” or “limited.” A warranty earns the “full” label only if it meets five conditions. Any warranty that misses one of them must be labeled “limited.”

The five conditions for a full warranty are:

• Implied warranties are not limited in time.
• Warranty service goes to any later owner of the product, not only the first buyer.
• Warranty service is free, including the cost of returning the product or removing and reinstalling it.
• If the product still fails after reasonable repair attempts, you get a replacement or a refund.
• The company does not impose unreasonable conditions beyond reporting the problem.

Read the warranty document, and check whether its coverage meets those conditions.

An extended warranty is often a service contract, not a warranty in the legal sense. A service contract does not promise the quality of the product. It promises repair or replacement under specific terms.

A retailer, the manufacturer, or a third party can sell a service contract. Some service contracts are regulated as insurance under state law, so federal warranty rules do not apply to them.

Some plans charge a deductible or a service fee each time you use them. Add up those charges, and compare them with the cost of a single repair.

A warrantor generally cannot require you to use a specific repair shop or specific brand parts to keep a warranty valid. The exception applies when the company supplies those parts or services free of charge, or the Federal Trade Commission grants a waiver.

If a warranty document says otherwise, ask the company to explain the requirement in writing before you rely on it.

1. Read the full warranty document before you buy. Warranty terms must be in one clear document, and the seller must make it available before you purchase.
2. Find out how long parts are covered, and how long labor is covered. These periods are often different.
3. Ask whether you pay a deductible or fee for each repair.
4. Ask for any promise in writing. A verbal promise is hard to enforce later.

1. Find your model number and serial number. These are on the label inside the refrigerator. See how to find your appliance model number.
2. Gather your proof of purchase and any warranty paperwork.
3. Call the company or the plan administrator, and describe the problem.
4. Keep a record of the date, the company representative, and any reference number.

When a warranty expires, compare the repair price with the cost of a new refrigerator. Read is it better to repair or replace an appliance for a step-by-step comparison.