When you shell out money on a new vacuum cleaner or washing machine, you expect it to stay in working condition for at least a few years. What if it turns out to be a lemon, or what if it breaks a year after the manufacturer’s warranty expires?
An Asurion Extended Protection Plan can give you peace of mind at an affordable price, but should you spend the extra money? If you do, what all is covered? Get the answer to all your questions about Asurion’s protection plans here.
Isn’t a Protection Plan the Same As a Warranty?
Although people refer to protection plans as warranties and vice versa, each one provides different coverage. Asurion is a private company that provides optional third-party insurance for products such as appliances, lawn equipment and home goods. The coverage that Asurion provides is not related to the warranty offered by the manufacturer.
Does Asurion Offer Plans for Used or Refurbished Products?
Yes. There are protection plans solely for new products and others just for used/refurbished products. However, there is often a difference in price and term lengths for new and used items. Read “How Much Does a Plan Cost?” and “How Long Is the Coverage Period?” to find out more.
How Much Does a Plan Cost?
The cost of an Asurion Protection Plan depends on the price of the item to be insured and whether the item is new or used/refurbished. The higher the price of the item, the higher the price of the plan. Coverage on refurbished products tends to cost a little bit more.
The average cost works out to be about 15 percent of the item, give or take. For example, Asurion may charge $40 for a 3-year Floorcare Plan on a vacuum cleaner that costs $250, which is 16 percent of the vacuum’s purchase price. Three years of coverage for a refurbished $250 vacuum may cost $45, which is 18 percent.
How Long Is the Coverage Period?
Coverage periods vary according to the category of product. Floorcare plans range from 1 to 3 years for new and refurbished products while major appliance plans range from 1 to 5 years for both new and used items.
Houseware plans and home improvement plans range from 1 to 4 years for new items and 1 to 3 years for refurbished items. Asurion also offers 1 to 4-year lawn and garden plans for new products but only 1 to 2 years for used items.
What’s Covered Under an Asurion Extended Protection Plan?
Every protection plan has different terms. However, most plans cover the costs associated with parts and labor or replacement that the manufacturer or another insurance policy doesn’t cover. Even batteries are covered if they aren’t intended to be removed by the consumer. Breakdowns caused by mechanical and electrical failures, heat, humidity, dust and defects are usually covered. Some Asurion plans also provide protection against damage due to power surges.
What’s Not Covered by Asurion?
As with any insurer, the list of non-covered stipulations is longer than the damages that are covered, so we’ve included the most important ones. Damages caused by vandalism and theft are not covered and neither are products that break due to lack of maintenance. Acts of God, cosmetic damage, product loss, abuse and misuse are also not covered.
Additionally, Asurion won’t pay the costs associated with injuries or income loss caused by a damaged product. While there are some plans that do include coverage for accidental damage such as drops and spills, that’s not the norm.
Do I Have to Pay a Deductible?
Nope. Asurion usually doesn’t require consumers to pay a deductible before their protection plan kicks in. This means the only money you’ll pay is the initial cost of purchasing a plan.
Can I Get an Asurion Plan After Buying a Product?
You don’t have to sign up for an Extended Protection Plan at the same time you buy your vacuum cleaner, space heater or other home appliance. Asurion gives you 30 days after the date of purchase to add a protection plan. If you do decide to wait a few days before getting a plan, there won’t be any additional limits placed on the coverage.
When Does Coverage Begin?
The effective date (the date that coverage starts) depends on the plan. Some plans provide coverage on the purchase date while others don’t become effective until the manufacturer’s warranty expires. Asurion leaves this decision to the retailer.
Coverage under Asurion plans from Amazon doesn’t begin until the manufacturer’s warranty ends. The only exception to this delayed coverage is surge protection, which starts the day you purchase a protection plan.
When Will I Get a Copy of the Plan’s Terms?
Often, Asurion emails you a copy of the protection plan’s terms within 24 hours after you sign up for a plan. Amazon also keeps a copy on file, so you can view the terms online anytime you want. If you prefer a hard copy, you can contact Amazon or Asurion to request one.
Do I Need to Register My Product With Asurion?
Yes. You must register your product with Asurion if you want to file a claim in the future. Registering your product from the get-go also makes it easy to receive product support. When you register online, all you have to do is upload your receipt and enter your email address and phone number.
How Do I File a Claim?
The easiest way to file a claim is by going to Asurion’s website and click “claims.” Next, choose the retailer and type of product and select “start a claim.” From there, you’ll enter the order number of your protection plan and submit a receipt if you haven’t already done so. Then, all you need to do is fill out the online claim form. You can also track the status of your claim through Asurion’s website.
How Difficult Is It to Contact Asurion?
You can contact Asurion at your convenience. Phone representatives are available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year in case you need to speak to a live person.
What Happens After I File a Claim?
Depending on the product and where you live, Asurion will schedule an in-home service call or coordinate shipping. If you’re close enough to one of its service centers, you can drop off your item in person. After it’s inspected, Asurion will decide whether a repair, replacement or reimbursement is in order.
If repaired, Asurion may use non-OEM parts if no original manufacturer parts are available. If replaced, you’ll get a new or refurbished product that may or may not equal the resale value of your old product. If reimbursed for a product bought through Amazon, Asurion will keep the broken item and send you an Amazon gift card, so you can buy a new one.
Do I Have to Pay for Shipping?
No. If Asurion decides the product should be shipped, Asurion will pay all costs associated with shipping.
Can I Hire Someone to Do the Repairs and Seek Reimbursement?
All repairs made under a claim must be authorized by Asurion. Otherwise, Asurion won’t cover the cost of parts and labor.
Does Asurion Have a Lemon Policy?
Thankfully, they do. Asurion’s lemon policy provides a replacement or reimbursement for your product once three repairs have been made for the same issue. However, if the repairs stem from accidental damage, the lemon policy doesn’t apply.
Can I Transfer My Plan to Someone Else?
Asurion protection plans for floorcare products, major appliances, housewares and lawn and garden items are transferable. If you decide to buy a new appliance and sell the old one down the road, a transferable Asurion plan can be an enticing selling point. To transfer it, you’ll need to write or call Asurion and give them the product receipt as well as the new owner’s name, phone number and address.
What If Asurion Goes Out of Business?
Asurion is a privately held company. As such, it isn’t required to disclose financial information to the public. However, Moody’s refers to Asurion’s outlook as “stable” and the company has been in business since 1994, so we doubt it’s going anywhere. Should the unlikely occur, Asurion insures its policies through Continental Casualty Company. This means that if Asurion shuts its doors, you can contact its insurer to file a claim.
Can I Cancel My Protection Plan?
You can cancel the plan at any time. If you cancel it within the first 30 days of the plan’s purchase date, Asurion will give you a full refund. If you wait past 30 days to cancel, you’ll receive a prorated refund minus the costs of any fulfilled claims and a 25 dollar or 10-percent fee, depending on which figure costs less.
Note that certain states have more generous cancellation stipulations, which are spelled out in the protection plan. For instance, California residents can get a full refund if they cancel within 60 days of the purchase date, and Asurion won’t deduct the cost of any fulfilled claims for consumers who live in Arizona.
How Many Years of Coverage Should I Get?
There are two points to keep in mind when you’re trying to decide how long of a plan term you need – the average lifespan of the product and how long you intend to keep it.
For example, vacuum cleaners last about eight years if properly maintained and not abused [2]. If it’s a budget-friendly vacuum that you plan to keep a few years, you only need a 1 or 2-year term (Remember, Asurion plans through Amazon aren’t effective until the manufacturer’s warranty expires). If you plunked down a couple of hundred bucks on a top-of-the-line model, go for the 3-year plan.
Should I Even Buy an Asurion Extended Protection Plan?
Whether or not to take out an Extended Protection Plan with Asurion is purely a judgment call. Here are some rough guidelines to follow.
When to Pass
There are times when it may be okay to pass on the plan, such as when the item itself is inexpensive or the credit card you used extends the manufacturer’s warranty for free. If the manufacturer offers a lengthy warranty period or out-of-warranty coverage, you may not need an extended plan.
When to Buy
In other cases, getting an Extended Protection Plan just makes sense. Considering that 35 percent of appliance repairs cost at least $300 [3], you’ll want a protection plan for high-priced appliances and products, especially if the item contains a computer board. Also, if the manufacturer’s warranty only lasts one year, buying a protection plan is a wise choice.
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Last Update: 2024-04-19 | Affiliate links/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I purchased your ASURION 3 Year Floorcare Extended Protection Plan via Amazon – Ordered on December 3, 2020 Order# 113-5072369-3715411, for my iRobot Roomba i3+ (3550) Robot Vacuum with Automatic Dirt Disposal Disposal, but have yet to receive the warranty – please advise – my e-mail is [email protected]. Thank you
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