Are Furniture Protection Plans Worth It?

Are furniture protection plans worth it? Here’s what it comes down to: your usual furniture protection plan only covers “accidental” damages that are the result of a specific, defined event. If you drop a vase on your couch and it tears the upholstery, that should be covered and if your dog jumps on the couch and tears it, that may or may not be covered too. But color change or wear and tear won’t. Of course, it will all be in the fine print and furniture plans are definitely not all the same, but even if you do claim, the claim process can be convoluted and frustrating.

The Pros of Protecting Your Furniture — In Other Words, When to Get One

I do get it, as a consumer, you want to protect your investments and keep them looking new and shiny. And things happen – spills, scratches, dents, you name it.

Let’s say you’re the type of person who’s always spilling red wine on your white leather sofa, then a protection plan is definitely worth it. You’ll save a ton of money in the long run by not having to replace your furniture every few months. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you’re covered in case of any mishaps.

So, if you or whoever you live with are calamity-prone and these things happen to you on the regular, then you might actually be able to make use of a furniture protection plan. Likewise, if you have a couch with mechanical parts like a power recliner, or if you have chosen a delicate fabric that’s prone to spills and stains, then absolutely go for it.

The same goes if you have lots of kids or pets running around if you do a lot of entertaining. In those cases, a furniture protection plan could save you from having to replace your furniture.

Here are the types of things to look out for in a good protection plan. Your plan may be very different from the list below so make sure you read it carefully before you put your hand in your pocket.

Additionally, a good policy should also cover faults such as broken zips, stitching, and buttons. Seams splitting, peeling, and cracking of leather or separation of synthetic fabric layers and mechanism failure.

The Cons of Protecting Your Furniture —When to Pass On Taking Out a Plan

Firstly, furniture protection plans can be expensive. If you’re not careful, you could end up spending more on the protection plan than the actual furniture itself. So one thing to consider is the quality of the furniture itself. If you’re buying budget-friendly furniture, then it might not be worth it to invest in a protection plan. Cheaper furniture is more likely to break or wear out quickly, and a protection plan might not cover those types of damages. Likewise or if you’re a landlord or host you may think it’s a good idea but do check first because landlords and hosts may not be eligible for this type of plan.

Here are typical things that won’t be included:

• Structural faults
• General cleaning
• Wear and tear
• Stains or damage that has accumulated or worsened over a period of time
• Color changes

My Experience with Furniture Protection Plans: Is It Worth It?

In my experience, the answer is no. I’ve had furniture several protection plans before, and I can tell you firsthand that I’ve never had to make a claim – the furniture just wore out over time and that’s not covered.

Most of the time, the damages plans cover are things that you can easily fix yourself or may even be covered by your homeowner’s insurance. It’s definitely worth checking if this is the case for you too. Plus, even if you do need to use the plan, it’s usually such a hassle to file a claim and get the repairs done that it’s not even worth it.

All that being said, I’ve taken out one (yet again) on a nice sofa that I currently have, for two reasons. One is that it was an expressive velvet fabric sofa, and secondly, it reclines so has some mechanical parts to it. The protection plan was worth it to me as the mechanical parts, as you could imagine, are beyond what I could repair myself.

Furniture Protection Plan Resources

Are you feeling lost and confused when it comes to protecting your beloved furniture? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered (pun intended).

First things first, check with the manufacturer of your furniture or the retailer where you purchased it – they may offer protection plans or warranties to cover accidental damage, stains, and other issues.

If that doesn’t pan out, you can also consult the National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA) for tips and resources on caring for and protecting your furniture. They may not offer protection plans directly, but they’ve got plenty of expertise on the different types of furniture protection products out there.

And last but not least, there are plenty of independent companies that offer furniture protection plans that you can purchase directly. Just make sure to read the fine print (and by “fine print,” we mean the terms and conditions) before signing up.

In the end, the key to protecting your furniture is to do your research and find a plan that fits your specific needs and risks. With a little bit of effort and the right protection plan, you can keep your furniture looking fabulous for years to come.