3 Potential Ways to Cash In on Your Home Appliance Warranty... Even if Nothing Breaks

To buy an extended warranty on an appliance or not—that is the question. There’s plenty of debate over whether they’re worth it, with plenty of “not worth it” opinions floating around online.

But when you’re face-to-face with an appliance salesperson, sometimes their pitch can be pretty convincing. Maybe you’re the “better safe than sorry” type, you simply don’t want to risk a hefty repair bill later on, or happen to be a firm believer in them. So, you go for it and find yourself with a warranty that may—or may not—come in handy if something breaks.

The good news is, even if your appliance runs perfectly and never needs repairs, that doesn’t mean it was money entirely down the drain! In fact, many warranties offer financial benefits even when nothing goes wrong. So don’t just shove the paperwork in a drawer and forget about it— make sure to read the fine print and capitalize on any perks they might have used to sell you on buying it in the first place!

Here are three ways you might be able to get some value out of an appliance warranty—even if the product doesn’t break:

1) Reimbursement for Upkeep

Some warranties cover part of the cost for items that help keep your appliance in tip-top shape, like hoses, filters, or even cleaning supplies. While it may not get you these items for free, you can often get a percentage reimbursed with proof of purchase. Be sure to check the annual reimbursement limit for your plan—it could save you a decent amount over time.

2) Money Back If You Never File a Claim

Believe it or not, some warranty programs reward you for not needing repairs. If you go the full term of the warranty without filing a claim, you might be eligible to get a percentage of the warranty cost refunded. Just don’t expect them to remind you of this or just send you a refund! You’ll have to keep your eye on the expiration date and reach out to the company in order to get some money back.

3) Added Value If You Sell It (Or Include It in the Sale of Your Home)

Some warranties transfer to a new owner. If you sell your appliance—or include it in the sale of your home—a transferable warranty can be a big selling point. Buyers love the added assurance that their new purchase is covered, and it can even boost buyer confidence in your overall deal. It may be difficult to quantify how much value you get out of this, but it can certainly help justify the money you spent on it!