Every Appliance We Sell Comes With a Warranty: Here's How to Use It

Every appliance that leaves Gulf Coast Appliances, new, open-box, or scratch & dent, comes with a warranty. We genuinely hope you never need to use it. But appliances are machines, and machines occasionally need service. Here's what the numbers say about how often that happens, and how to make a claim as painless as possible if it does.

A Quick Note on How Warranties Work

We sell every appliance with warranty coverage, but we're not the ones providing that warranty; that's typically the manufacturer. On some appliances, coverage instead comes through New Leaf Service Contracts (ServiceMax). Either way, your invoice is what tells you which coverage applies and for how long, so it's worth holding onto.

How Often Do Appliances Actually Need Warranty Service?

According to Warranty Week, which tracks warranty data reported by manufacturers, the average U.S. appliance warranty claims rate has run about 1.92% of product sales over the past two decades, and came in even lower, around 1.27%, in 2025. In plain terms, only a small slice of appliances sold ever generate a warranty claim in a given year.

When something does need attention, refrigerators are the most common culprit. This Old House reports that among homeowners who've had a recent appliance issue, about 54% pointed to their refrigerator, followed by ovens and ranges at roughly 22% and dishwashers at about 7%. Nationally, service call fees for these visits typically run $75–$125, though as you'll see below, that's not something you'll pay if your appliance is still under warranty with us.

So while a warranty claim is the exception rather than the rule, it's not rare enough to ignore, and refrigerators lead the pack, followed by cooking appliances and dishwashers.

We Wish It Never Happened. But If It Does, Here's How to Handle It.

We'd love to tell you nothing you buy from us will ever break down. Realistically, appliances are mechanical, and mechanical things sometimes fail; that's exactly why every purchase includes a warranty in the first place. If yours needs service, here's what to know.

• Hold onto your invoice, it's your fastest path to answers. It shows what's covered and for how long, so keep it somewhere safe. And as a backup, we keep a copy of every purchase on file too, so if yours is ever lost, just reach out and we can help you track down the details.
• Your model and serial numbers are already on your invoice. No need to hunt for a sticker inside the door; it's right there on the paperwork we gave you, and on the copy we keep.
• Document the problem as it happens. A short video of the noise, the leak, or the error code, and a couple of photos, makes it much easier to diagnose the issue and speeds up the claim.
• Don't attempt repairs that could void coverage. It's tempting to pop a panel off and take a look, but unauthorized repairs can sometimes void the remaining warranty. When in doubt, ask us before you open anything up.
• Start a claim as soon as you notice the issue. Waiting doesn't help your case, and some issues get worse, or harder to diagnose, the longer they sit. When you can, start the claim online rather than by phone; claims that begin online tend to move faster and more smoothly than ones that start by waiting on hold with a call center.
• Register your warranty right after you buy. Most manufacturers (and New Leaf, for units covered that way) let you register your appliance shortly after purchase, and it's worth doing right away. A registered warranty is already tied to your appliance and contact information, so if you ever do need service, there's less to track down and fewer delays getting a claim started.
• There's no service fee for repairs still under warranty. If your appliance is within its coverage period, the visit itself won't cost you anything.
• Parts can occasionally take time. Most repairs happen quickly, but every so often a part is on backorder. If that happens, expect a short wait rather than a same-day fix; we know that's not fun, and we appreciate your patience when it comes up.
• Save the repair company's contact info once you have it. Which company actually handles a claim can change over time, since repair companies move in and out of manufacturer service networks. Once yours is assigned, jot down their name and number; it'll save you time if you ever need to follow up.
• Scratch & dent and new appliances carry the same warranty coverage. Cosmetic condition doesn't change your protection. What actually matters is your coverage period, and that's printed right on your GCA invoice, so it's always easy to check.

What to Expect From Us Along the Way

Because your warranty is provided by the manufacturer (or, on some units, New Leaf Service Contracts), the claim itself runs mainly between you and them once it's underway, which means there are cases where we simply aren't able to step in directly. We know that's not always what you want to hear, and we wish we could do more in every case. What we can promise is this: we'll help you get a claim started, point you toward the right contact, and answer any questions about what your coverage includes, every step we're able to.

We're Here When You Need Us

Warranty claims aren't anyone's favorite part of owning an appliance, but they don't have to be stressful. If something goes wrong with an appliance you bought from us, text (850) 377-8827 and we'll help you get things moving. For other questions about returns, delivery, or payment, check our FAQ.