Does a home warranty cover your microwave?
The microwave is one of the most convenient modern kitchen appliances. But because of the convenience for cooking, we tend to use the microwave when we’re in a rush or are multitasking other last-minute chores. We throw something in, slam the door, press the timer buttons and walk away.
Carelessness leads to maintenance issues for your microwave, and when your microwave breaks down, it’s unlikely you will want to try repairing it yourself. In fact, a microwave oven can be very dangerous to repair if you don’t know what you’re doing.
That’s why a warranty plan with microwave coverage makes sense.
What could go wrong with a microwave?
Common microwave mistakes lead to common maintenance problems. A broken microwave plate or interior light bulb is easy enough to replace, but mechanical problems and damage to components are more complicated.
Here’s how to get the longest life out of your microwave oven:
Clean the inside of the microwave regularly.
Baked-on food splatter gathers dangerous bacteria and corrodes or stains the walls of your microwave as food bits are exposed to high heat over and over again. Use chemical-free cleaners, such as vinegar and baking soda, to effectively clean the inside of the microwave without exposing food to harmful chemical residue.
Don’t slam the door.
The microwave door is designed to keep users safe from microwave radiation while it is running. There are three important mechanisms that need to click in a particular order to allow your microwave oven to start. When you don’t close the door gently, these mechanisms can get damaged and prevent it from running.
Avoid heating water by itself or running an empty microwave.
It can be dangerous to microwave a glass of water by itself because it can get superheated and boil over, damaging both the interior of the microwave and possibly burning you when you try to remove it. Running an empty microwave can easily happen by accident, but it exposes the appliance parts to excessive radiation and can cause damage to the machine.
Only heat microwave-safe containers and materials.
Microwaving metal causes sparks, and heating a non-microwave-safe plastic container, like a takeout container, can cause melting that could seep chemicals into your food. For both food safety and proper appliance maintenance measures, only heat food in microwave-safe containers.
When a home warranty includes the microwave, what does it usually cover?
A home warranty typically takes care of the cost to repair or replace a home appliance or home system that falls outside your homeowners insurance coverage. A home warranty plan can cover major appliances, like your kitchen appliances, garbage disposal, or water heater and home systems, such as your electrical system or air conditioning, when damage is incurred from regular use and daily wear and tear.
Unlike home insurance, which covers a homeowner when major accidents or disasters impact the structure of a house, a home warranty plan protects you from the cost of repairs needed for regular wear and tear on the mechanical systems and major appliances in your house — the things you use every day.
It’s important to keep up with the cleaning and maintenance of your microwave and use it as intended because a warranty does not cover damage caused by improper use or damage that results from failure to keep up with regular maintenance.
What is included in home warranty coverage?
A microwave oven can be a covered appliance — similar to any other major appliance in your kitchen — but only built-in microwaves, not countertop models, are covered by a home warranty. And even built-in models are only covered when the breakdown is caused by regular wear and tear, which is damage that occurs over time despite it being used properly.
A warranty plan covers the cost of replacing or repairing the appliance and connects you with a local service provider to repair it. Cinch Home Services warranty coverage takes care of all components and parts of a built-in microwave oven when the damage results from wear and tear — for up to $2,000 of repair or replacement costs per appliance. Our service network has thousands of qualified repair technicians and the up-front service fee is a minimal cost.
Every warranty company has its own coverage limits, and these can vary based on where you live and which warranty package you need.
What is not included in home warranty coverage for microwaves?
Damage from an improper installation is not covered under a warranty. Secondary damage, or damage caused by another incident, is also not covered in a warranty.
If your microwave was damaged by fire from your stove or oven, for example, coverage comes from your homeowners insurance instead of your home warranty.
If you have an active manufacturer’s warranty on the microwave, that warranty kicks in before your home warranty plan would.
What should you consider when comparing home warranty plans with microwave coverage?
The average cost of microwave repair without a home warranty is approximately $150, and the cost to replace is upwards of $500–600 at least. At a total annual cost of approximately $150 per year for full coverage, a warranty is well worth the small investment and can be purchased annually or via a small monthly payment.
To decide which warranty and which home warranty company is best for you, ask these questions of the home warranty company:
- How much is the annual service contract for the warranty?
- How much are the service fees paid to a service provider when a claim is made under the warranty?
- Does the warranty company have a network of qualified repair services, and is their service guaranteed?
- What coverage options are offered? Is a microwave oven covered under the standard package?
Home warranty benefits are well worth the cost-effective annual fee and small service fee because even the most well-cared-for microwave is only designed to last about 10 years. A home warranty protects you from the unpredictable cost of repair and replacement of your built-in microwave oven and helps you find quick and qualified repair service.
Find the best home warranty coverage
A home warranty operates as an affordable annual plan. When a covered appliance is in need of repair or replacement, then a service technician approved by the home warranty company will assess the appliance and determine what kind of work is needed. If a repair or replacement is required, you’ll only have to pay a small service fee for the job.
A warranty plan typically covers degradation due to wear and tear for:
- Built-in home systems, such as your plumbing system, electrical system and heating and air conditioning
- Built-in and major appliances, such as your washer and dryer, water heater and garbage disposal
- Standalone appliances, such as refrigerators, oven ranges and range exhaust hoods and freestanding ice makers
- Accessory items, like ceiling and attic fans, central vacuums, doorbells and garage door openers
- Add-ons, like a sump pump, pool or spa
When searching for the best home warranty coverage for your microwave, make sure you compare the different types of warranty coverage that are available and check that the home warranty covers other major home systems, such as your electrical system. You’ll also need to compare the home warranty coverage to your homeowners insurance to make sure that they don’t overlap. You can also look into acquiring a manufacturer’s warranty for when home warranty coverage does not apply.
Additionally, before you sign on to your service contract, the warranty company should provide the exact components that apply under the service plan.