5 Surprising Things a Home Warranty Should Cover

By Kevin Pannebecker | July 31, 2025

Brought to you by UPKEEP Home Warranty & Maintenance. We are proudly serving Saint Louis, Saint Charles, and Saint Peters homeowners with smart, reliable protection.

When most people hear “home warranty,” they tend to think of the essentials: things like a broken furnace in winter or a failed fridge in the middle of summer. But a great home warranty doesn’t stop there. In fact, it can often cover a lot more than you’d expect.

At UPKEEP, we believe a home warranty should do more than just protect the basics. It should give you peace of mind, reduce surprise expenses, and even make everyday life a little easier. That’s why many of our plans include coverage for small-but-important features around your home that are just as prone to failure as your major systems.

Here are five things that might surprise you when it comes to what a home warranty can cover:

1. Garage Door Openers

It’s easy to take your garage door opener for granted—until it stops working. Whether it’s a faulty motor, wiring issue, or gear malfunction, garage door opener repairs can get expensive fast. The good news? Many home warranty plans include coverage for this essential convenience, meaning you won’t be stuck manually lifting your garage door while you wait for repairs. At UPKEEP, we include garage opener coverage, because we know how much homeowners rely on it.

2. Exhaust Fans

These features don’t always make the “important systems” list—but they’re definitely part of your home’s daily comfort and ventilation. Exhaust fans help keep moisture and odors under control in bathrooms and kitchens. When motors burn out or switches stop working, your home warranty can step in and cover repairs or replacements. This way, you’re not left sweating the small stuff.

3. Microwaves

These handy kitchen staples aren’t immune to failure. If yours stops heating, sparks, or starts making strange noises, you won’t have to face the repair or replacement cost alone.

4. Water Dispensers and Filters

These can be complicated, delicate, and prone to failure over time. Many home warranties specifically exclude these components—but UPKEEP often includes them in our comprehensive coverage. That means you’ll have support to get it fixed without shelling out hundreds of dollars.

5. Hidden Plumbing and Electrical Components

Sure, everyone knows a good home warranty covers toilets, faucets, pipes, and wires—but not all plans go beyond the surface. UPKEEP’s coverage includes more extensive protection for things like plumbing blockages, leaks behind walls, circuit breakers, and wiring failures. These kinds of issues can lead to major disruptions and repair costs—but with a warranty in place, you’ll have a plan for tackling problems quickly and affordably.

What Else Is Covered?

Every UPKEEP home warranty also protects:

  • Heating and air conditioning systems
  • Dishwashers
  • Refrigerators
  • Ranges and ovens
  • Washer and dryers
  • Disposals
  • Water heaters
  • Outlets, switches, and breakers
  • And much more

The truth is, coverage varies from provider to provider, and even from plan to plan. That’s why it’s so important to choose a company that’s transparent about what’s included, and who’s committed to helping you avoid surprise bills and stressful breakdowns.

Why UPKEEP?

We’re proud to offer Saint Louis homeowners more than just standard warranty protection. With UPKEEP, you also get access to ongoing preventative maintenance, expert technicians, and fast, friendly service whenever you need it. Better yet, since UPKEEP takes care of your home maintenance for you four times a year, we never deny claims for lack of maintenance. We know that a home warranty is only as good as the people behind it—and we’re here to make sure you feel confident in your coverage.

If you’re curious about what a plan could cover, or if you’ve been meaning to sign up but haven’t made the leap, now’s the perfect time to reach out. You might be surprised by just how much a home warranty can help.


Let UPKEEP take the guesswork out of homeownership—so you can focus on enjoying the home you love. Visit us at www.upkeepstl.com today.

NEXT UP: Why Older Homes in the Saint Louis Area Benefit from Home Warranties