Is a TV Extended Warranty Actually Worth It?

Yes — purchasing a TV extended warranty is worth it. Not only will a TV extended warranty give you total peace of mind, but it will also save you a lot of money when the TV breaks. With Upsie’s TV extended warranty, there is no service fee or deductible. In other words, after purchasing the TV warranty, you won’t have to pay a dime for repairs or replacements. Sounds like a good deal, right? That’s because it is! Keep reading to learn more about TV extended warranties.

A TV extended warranty covers everything that the original manufacturer warranty covers. This information can be found on a pamphlet in your TV box. For those of you that already threw the box away, that’s not very helpful, is it? While we cannot guarantee what your TV manufacturer covers, they typically cover the same things. Coverage includes mechanical failure, power failure, screen failure, speaker/sound failure, button failure, and wifi failure.

TV manufacturer warranties do NOT cover accidental damage. Accidental damage is exactly what it sounds like: protection from accidents. This means that, if your gaming controller flies out of your hands and breaks the TV screen or your kid runs through the house and knocks it off the stand, you’re out of luck.

Yes! With an Upsie warranty, one of the representatives will locate an approved repair shop and help schedule a technician to come to your house. This takes the hassle of scheduling completely out of your hands. The Upsie warranty also covers you well after your original manufacturer warranty has expired, which can save you as much as $350 to fix a flat-screen TV.

There are multiple things to consider when deciding whether to purchase TV extended warranty protection. First, if your TV breaks, can you afford to repair it or purchase a completely new one out of pocket? Second, do you want to save money when your TV breaks? It’s true that your TV may never malfunction or break. However, that’s a big risk to take. Third, how easy do you want the TV repair process to be? Whether you decide to purchase TV extended warranty protection or not, make sure you go through your pros and cons to make the most informed decision possible.

TV manufacturer warranties typically last one year. Check out this table outlining popular TV manufacturers and their warranty terms.

Yes! Upsie allows you to purchase your TV extended warranty up to 11 months after the purchase date. We recommend getting your warranty earlier for a couple reasons. For one, getting it earlier ensures that you will not forget to buy it later. You also still have your receipt conveniently on hand after purchase, so why not get the warranty purchase complete before you misplace the receipt? Also, getting the warranty right away ensures that it’s protected before it malfunctions or breaks. If only eight months have passed and your TV breaks, you cannot purchase the warranty to get it repaired. The TV has to be in working order when the warranty is purchased.

Store TV warranties are some of the most overpriced in the industry. That’s why Upsie television warranties cost so much less — they do not over-inflate their margins like retailers do. In fact, Upsie’s warranties cost up to 70% less than warranties from competitors.

Coverage terms can also be hazy. As we discussed earlier, TVs come with a manufacturer’s warranty. This warranty typically lasts one year. So, if your TV breaks in that time, you would go to the manufacturer for repair, not to the extended warranty company. Upsie will cover repairs that the manufacturer denies in the first year, as long as it is covered under their warranty terms. Upsie will also cover shipping costs if you have to ship your TV to the manufacturer. This allows you to get the full value out of your extended warranty.

This comparison is for most TVs priced around $999.

Using a TV extended warranty is easy if you have Upsie. With Upsie, after warranty purchase, upload a copy of your receipt to activate your plan. This way, when you make a claim, they already have all of the TV information that is needed.

The Upsie call center is open 24/7/365 and you will talk to a real person, not a machine. With TV warranties, there are no deductibles or hidden fees. Ever. The Upsie service representatives will ask you a few questions and help arrange for a repair technician to come to your house. If the repair is not feasible on the first claim, Upsie will look for a replacement for the TV. In the event that a comparable replacement cannot be located, Upsie will then reimburse you so you are able to find a replacement of your choice. As long as there have been no claims made on the plan, the reimbursement check will be written for the TV purchase price that was imputed when you purchased the plan. If a claim has already been made on the TV, the reimbursement check will be for the TV purchase price minus the cost of any prior repairs.

If you decide to purchase the extended warranty through a different warranty company, the process may look a bit different. You will have to call their claims center and give them your TV receipt information. Make sure you hold onto it and put it in an easily accessible place! If you no longer have the receipt, you can contact the retail store to see if they can send you a copy. If not, you will not be able to get your TV repaired under warranty.

A TV repair is absolutely worth it! After a repair, a TV can remain in perfect working order for years. A repair also costs a whole lot less than buying a new TV. For example, getting a TV repaired that is under warranty with Upsie costs nothing; it is only the price of the plan that you paid for upfront. Paying for a repair out of pocket can cost $260. Both options cost significantly less than paying for another $900 TV.

Additionally, repairing rather than replacing your TV is an incredibly environmentally friendly decision. Electronic waste is a huge problem in the world. According to Statistica, electronic waste is growing by 1.8 million metric tons per year. And, unfortunately, “according to the EPA, only 12.5% of global E-waste is recycled.” Repairing a device is the best way to help reduce electronic waste. If you do decide to replace your device rather than repair it, make sure to recycle it responsibly. Some retail stores such as Staples and Best Buy offer electronics recycling programs to help reduce the environmental impact of replacing electronic devices.

Upsie’s TV warranties cover replacements if the TV is not able to be repaired. This will be determined by the repair technician that examines your TV. However, if the TV has already been repaired one time, a replacement cannot be issued. Instead, Upsie will cut you a check for the remaining warranty value.

In summary, TV extended warranty plans are worth it for most people. If you want to save money or time on a repair, or if you cannot afford to replace your TV, an extended warranty is for you. Warranties become even more valuable if purchased from Upsie. Upsie offers competitive prices and excellent customer service.

If you purchased your TV a few months ago, you still have time to get a warranty from Upsie. You also have time to switch to Upsie if you purchased a warranty from another company. On the other hand, if you want to take a gamble and leave your TV unprotected, that is up to you.