My $2,500 Smeg retro fridge stopped cooling. I called a repair tech. “I don’t work on apartment-sized units,” he said. I called another. “Is that in a tiny home? We don’t enter mobile dwellings.” My home warranty denied the claim because “Compact/RV appliances” were listed in the fine print exclusions. I was left with a warm fridge and no options.
Key Takeaways
- Techs Hate Tiny Homes: Service technicians often refuse to work on tiny homes because of cramped access (can’t pull the unit out) or liability (don’t want to enter a trailer).
- “Compact” is a Dirty Word: Standard Home Warranties (like American Home Shield) often exclude “compact,” “portable,” or “RV-specific” appliances.
- Insurance covers Perils, not Breakdowns: Your tiny home insurance pays if a power surge fries the fridge (lightning). It pays $0 if the compressor dies of old age.
- Europe vs. US Parts: Many tiny homes use European appliances (Smeg, Bosch). Getting parts in the US in 2026 can take 6 weeks due to supply chain/import delays.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Non-Standard Equipment.”
A standard dishwasher is 24 inches wide. A tiny home dishwasher is 18 inches.
A standard repair manual covers the 24-inch model. The 18-inch model is often a re-badged European unit or a specialized RV unit.
Insurers and Warranty companies build their pricing models on standard Whirlpool/GE appliances. When you introduce a specialized Summit or Furrion appliance, the repair cost is double, so they simply exclude it to save money.
The Investigation (My Analysis of Protection)
I checked how to protect these expensive mini-appliances.
Manufacturer Warranty
- The Reality: The 1-year warranty is your best friend.
- The Catch: You might have to unbolt the unit and bring it to a service center. They won’t come to you if you are parked in a field.
Good Sam Extended Service Plan (ESP)
- The Solution: If your tiny home is NOAH/RVIA certified, it qualifies as an RV.
- The Benefit: Good Sam ESP specifically covers RV-sized appliances (Dometic, Norcold, Furrion). They have a network of mobile techs who will come to a tiny home.
Best Buy / Geek Squad
- The Alternative: If you buy the appliance at Best Buy, buy their protection plan.
- The Risk: Verify they will service a “mobile” address. Some require you to bring the unit into the store.
[IMAGE: Photo of a 24″ compact laundry combo unit pulled halfway out of a cabinet, showing how tight the access is]
Comparison Table
| Feature | Standard Home Warranty | RV Extended Service (ESP) | Tiny Home Insurance |
| Mechanical Breakdown | Excluded (often) | Covered | Excluded |
| Power Surge | Sometimes | Excluded | Covered |
| Mobile Tech Dispatch | No | Yes | No |
| Cost | ~$50/mo | ~$60/mo | Included in Premium |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Read the Exclusion List: Before buying a Home Warranty, search the PDF for “Compact,” “Portable,” and “RV.”
- Buy Common Brands: Avoid the exotic Italian brands. Buy GE or Whirlpool compact lines. Parts are easier to find in the US.
- Install Surge Protection: Since insurance only covers electrical damage, protect the board. A whole-house surge protector ($150) saves the $2,000 fridge.
- Learn DIY: For compact appliances, YouTube is your repairman. Access is usually the hardest part. Build your cabinets with removable panels so you can actually get to the back of the washer.
FAQ
Does my credit card extended warranty work?
Yes! If you bought the fridge with an Amex/Chase Sapphire, they often double the manufacturer warranty. This is the easiest way to get paid.
What if the fridge leaks and ruins the floor?
Insurance covers the floor (Resulting Damage). It does not cover the fridge (Cause of Loss).
Are combo washer/dryers covered?
They are notorious for breaking. Get an ESP specifically for this unit.