Buying a new TV is a big investment for most households. The average person spends nearly $500 on a new television, according to a recent CE.org study. With high-quality 4K and 8K TVs commonly priced at $1,000 or more, many consumers find themselves weighing whether it‘s prudent to shell out a bit more for an extended warranty in case the unthinkable happens.
When buying a TV from the nation‘s largest retailer, a Walmart TV warranty is often pitched as a smart add-on to protect your purchase. But do these plans really provide value and peace of mind, or are they an unnecessary upsell that pads Walmart‘s pockets?
As a savvy shopper and consumer product expert, I dug into the details to help you make an informed decision. From coverage specifics to claims processes to real customer experiences, here‘s everything you need to know about Walmart TV warranties before forking over the extra cash.
TV Failure Rates: How Likely Are You to Need a Warranty?
No one buys a TV expecting it to fail. Yet malfunctions and breakdowns happen more often than you might think. According to Consumer Reports, about 20% of TVs will develop some problem within the first 5 years. The most common issues reported include:
- Screen problems (lines, dead pixels, cracks)
- Power and electrical malfunctions
- Audio and speaker defects
- Unresponsive remotes or buttons
- Software glitches and app crashes
These failures often happen outside the standard 1-year manufacturer‘s warranty window. In fact, Consumer Reports found that the median TV failure age is 3 years. This leaves many consumers footing the bill for often pricey repairs once problems crop up down the line.
How much do TV repairs typically cost? Here are some average prices for common TV fixes, per HomeGuide:
| Problem | Average Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Backlight repair | $100 – $125 |
| Inverter board replacement | $150 – $400 |
| Main board replacement | $200 – $400 |
| Screen replacement | $400 – $1,000+ |
As you can see, a single repair can easily cost more than what you might pay for 2-5 years of extended warranty coverage through Walmart. And if your TV is beyond repair, you could be looking at shelling out hundreds for a new one vs. having it replaced under warranty.
Of course, these failure rates and repair costs are just averages. Some lucky folks‘ TVs will chug along trouble-free for a decade or more. But if you‘re risk-averse or just want the assurance you‘re covered if something goes south with your new TV, an extended warranty plan from a reputable retailer is worth considering.
Walmart TV Warranty Overview: What‘s Covered and What‘s Not
Walmart offers TV warranty plans backed by two of the biggest names in the extended coverage biz: Allstate and Asurion. These plans are basically insurance policies for your TV, extending your coverage beyond the standard manufacturer‘s warranty for a set number of years.
Covered Failures and Malfunctions
In general, Walmart TV warranties cover mechanical and electrical failures that occur from normal use of your TV. This includes problems like:
- Pixel burnout and screen malfunctions
- Distorted/fuzzy picture quality
- Color accuracy and backlight issues
- Faulty speakers, ports, or remote
- Motherboard and circuit failures
- TV won‘t power on
Basically, if your TV stops working correctly through no fault of your own, your Walmart warranty should kick in to get it repaired or replaced.
What‘s Not Included
While Walmart‘s TV warranties are fairly comprehensive, they don‘t cover everything under the sun. Key exclusions to be aware of include:
- Accidental damage (drops, spills, power surges, etc.)
- Intentional abuse or misuse
- Improper installation or mounting
- Lost or stolen TVs
- Pre-existing faults or cosmetic damage
- Failures covered by recalls or the manufacturer‘s warranty
It‘s also worth noting that while the warranties cover mechanical failures, they typically don‘t guarantee your TV‘s programming, internet connectivity, app ecosystem, and other software elements. If Netflix stops working on your smart TV, you may be on your own to troubleshoot.
Walmart TV Warranty Pricing: How Much Is Peace of Mind?
Pricing for Walmart‘s TV protection plans varies based on your TV purchase price, whether you‘re buying new or refurbished, and the length of coverage you select. Plans are typically offered in 2, 3, or 4-year terms.
Here‘s a simplified breakdown of starting prices for Walmart TV warranties:
| TV Price Range | 2-Year Plan | 3-Year Plan | 4-Year Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 – $199.99 | $10 | $15 | N/A |
| $200 – $399.99 | $24 | $39 | $59 |
| $400 – $999.99 | $39 | $52 | $69 |
| $1000+ | $79 | $99 | $119 |
So for example, you could add a 3-year warranty to a $750 TV for around $52, or snag two years of coverage on a $150 TV for just $10. In most cases, you‘ll have the option to add the warranty during checkout or within 30 days of your Walmart TV purchase.
Consumer product expert and analyst Jack Linker believes these prices often provide solid value compared to the cost of potential repairs or replacements down the line.
"For a relatively small upfront investment, these plans can save consumers hundreds in unforeseen repair bills and provide real peace of mind," Linker told me. "If you experience even one major issue in the first few years of owning your TV, the warranty often more than pays for itself."
Still, he advises consumers to carefully consider the likelihood they‘ll use the coverage and compare pricing and terms to other options like credit card extended warranties before buying.
Walmart TV Warranty Providers: Asurion vs. Allstate
One important distinction with Walmart‘s TV warranties is that they‘re provided and serviced by two different external companies: Asurion and Allstate.
Asurion is one of the world‘s largest technology protection companies, with over 300 million customers. They‘ve partnered with Walmart for TV warranties since the mid-2000s and continue to service plans purchased before 2018.
Allstate (and its subsidiary SquareTrade) took over as Walmart‘s primary TV warranty provider in 2018. The insurance giant acquired SquareTrade for $1.4 billion in 2016 and has expanded its reach through retail partnerships like Walmart. If you‘ve purchased a Walmart TV warranty in the past few years, it‘s most likely through Allstate/SquareTrade.
While both providers cover the same general scope of TV malfunctions and failures, there are some notable differences in their coverage terms, fees, and claims processes that are worth digging into.
Allstate/SquareTrade Walmart Warranties
Covered Products: Allstate/SquareTrade warranties are available for most new TVs sold by Walmart, including major brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, Vizio, and Hisense. Coverage is offered for both in-store and Walmart.com purchases.
Claims Process: For TVs covered by Allstate, you‘ll start the claims process online through the SquareTrade Walmart portal. You‘ll log in with your Walmart.com account credentials, fill out a claim form with your TV‘s details and a description of the problem, and pay a $0-$100 deductible based on your plan.
Many claims are instantly approved online, and a SquareTrade rep will work with you to schedule a repair or ship a replacement. If your TV can‘t be fixed, SquareTrade will reimburse you the original purchase price or provide a Walmart e-gift card for a replacement.
Fees and Deductibles: While some Allstate TV plans include a $0 deductible option, most have a tiered deductible structure. The standard deductible is $75 for TVs originally priced at $500 or more, and $25 for sub-$499 TVs.
Claim Limits: There‘s no cap on the number of claims you can file during your coverage period. However, if the total payout for repairs/reimbursement exceeds the original purchase price, your plan may be considered "fulfilled."
Service Timeframes: Quick claims processing is a big selling point with SquareTrade plans. Their website says most claims are "resolved in roughly 2 days," though some repairs requiring parts can take longer. If a repair takes more than 5-7 business days, SquareTrade may offer a loaner TV.
Asurion Walmart Warranties
Covered Products: Asurion TV warranties were previously available for most TV brands sold new and refurbished from Walmart. However, they stopped offerings new plans in 2018 when Allstate/SquareTrade took over. You may still have active coverage through Asurion if you bought a plan pre-2018.
Claims Process: Asurion claims also start online through their Walmart portal. You‘ll need your original purchase receipt or the email address used at checkout. After entering your TV details and problem description, a rep will contact you within 1 business day to go over repair/replacement options.
Fees and Deductibles: Asurion plans typically include a standard $70-$100 deductible, due when your claim is approved. This is waived if your TV is deemed unrepairable and a replacement is authorized. Some "3-star" plans may offer $0 deductible repairs.
Claim Limits: Asurion plans cover your TV from covered failures until the total payout for repairs meets or exceeds the original purchase price. At that point, they‘ll offer a prorated refund for the remaining plan cost.
Service Timeframes: Asurion claims are typically processed within 1-2 business days, and simple fixes can be done within a week. However, some customers have reported repair delays of 3-4+ weeks in cases of backordered parts or busy techs.
Comparing Walmart TV Warranties to Other Options
A Walmart TV warranty isn‘t your only option for extending coverage on your new TV. From manufacturers‘ plans to credit card benefits, here‘s a quick look at how Walmart‘s offerings stack up to other common TV warranty alternatives:
Manufacturer Extended Warranties
Most TV makers offer their own extended warranties that can add 1-5 years to the included coverage. These plans are serviced directly by the manufacturer, which can be a plus if you want brand-certified repairs. However, they‘re often pricier than retailer plans.
For example, a 2-year manufacturer warranty on a $500 TV might run $80-$120, while Walmart‘s 2-year plan starts at $39. Manufacturers‘ plans may also have strict claim filing windows and more exclusions.
Other Retailer Warranties
Nearly every major electronics store offers their own flavor of extended TV warranties. Here‘s a glance at equivalent plans from Walmart‘s competitors:
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Best Buy: Geek Squad Protection Plans offer similar coverage as Walmart, plus they cover burn-in and dead pixels. But they‘re pricier – a 2-year plan on a $500 TV is $110 vs. Walmart‘s $39.
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Costco: Costco extends the manufacturer‘s warranty to 2 years on TVs and gives a 90-day return window. Their add-on SquareTrade plans are competitive with Walmart, but only for Costco members.
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Amazon: Amazon offers 2-5 year TV warranties through Asurion that are similar in price and coverage to Walmart‘s Allstate plans. The main difference is repairs are typically done via mail-in vs. in-home service.
Credit Card Extended Warranties
Some credit cards will extend a TV‘s manufacturer warranty by an extra year or two for free as a cardholder perk. For example, many American Express and Citi cards offer this benefit. The coverage is more limited than retailer plans, but it‘s a nice freebie if you bought your TV with an eligible card.
Home Warranty Coverage
If you have a comprehensive home warranty, your TV might be covered under the plan‘s appliance or electronics protection. However, many home warranties exclude TVs or only offer coverage as a paid add-on. Be sure to read your specific plan details.
The Bottom Line: Should You Buy a Walmart TV Warranty?
With TV prices creeping higher every year, Walmart‘s protection plans can offer some enticing peace of mind – but they‘re not necessarily the right call for everyone. Before deciding, consider the following:
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Your TV‘s price and features. The more you paid for your TV and the fancier its features, the more you have to lose if it fails. A $100 warranty makes a lot more sense on a $2,000 OLED than a $200 budget set.
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Your risk tolerance. No one wants to eat a huge TV repair bill – but some folks can afford to gamble. If you‘re okay rolling the dice, skipping the warranty could save you a chunk of change. Just be honest about whether you can easily replace your TV if worse comes to worst.
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The warranty‘s cost and coverage. Carefully read what is and isn‘t covered in the plan details. Make sure you understand the fees, exclusions, and claim limits. Is the price reasonable for the length and terms of the coverage?
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Your TV track record. Have you had to repair or replace TVs frequently in the past? If so, you may benefit more from an extended warranty vs. someone who‘s never had a TV go bust in decades of viewing.
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Other coverage options. See if you have other avenues for extending your TV‘s coverage for free or cheaper, like credit card warranties. Compare the prices and terms to Walmart‘s plans.
If you‘re buying a pricey TV, are risk-averse, or have had bad luck with past TV failures, a Walmart warranty could be a smart buy. Their Allstate plans are among the cheapest options for multi-year TV coverage and their claims process is more user-friendly than many manufacturers‘ or retailers‘.
That said, no warranty is a must-buy for every TV shopper. If you‘re getting a budget set, are comfortable with some failure risk, or have other coverage options, holding off could be the smarter financial move.
Ultimately, it‘s a personal choice based on your unique situation and preferences. But knowing the ins and outs of Walmart‘s TV warranties – and how they stack up to the alternatives – can help you decide with eyes wide open. Because no one wants to get stuck staring at a blank screen when the big game or new episode of your favorite show is on the line.
