Date Created: June, 2026

TLDR

Yes, appliance retailers can offer coverage for both residential and commercial appliance use. Standard plans are designed for home use, but commercial coverage options are available for business customers when needed. Consumer Priority Service (CPS) makes it easy for dealers to support both markets with tailored protection plans.

How do commercial appliance warranties work differently from residential coverage?

Commercial appliance warranties require different terms and coverage limits compared to residential protection. The main difference is that commercial use puts more wear on products, so coverage must be structured for heavier usage and higher service demands.

This matters for retailers because many warranty providers only support residential use, leaving out valuable business customers. With CPS, dealers can offer protection that meets both residential and commercial requirements. This helps capture additional sales and support local businesses without building a separate program.

• Commercial coverage requires an add-on or special plan – it’s not included by default
• Coverage terms, claim limits, and eligible appliances may differ for commercial use
• Dealers can choose which products to offer commercial protection on
• CPS helps retailers unlock new revenue from businesses, rental properties, and commercial clients

Why is offering both residential and commercial appliance coverage challenging for appliance retailers?

Many appliance retailers struggle to offer both residential and commercial appliance coverage because most warranty programs are set up for home use only. Adding commercial coverage means navigating different plan rules, pricing, and eligibility requirements. This can create confusion for staff, complicate the sales process, and sometimes leaves business customers without protection options, which limits revenue and service opportunities for the dealer.

• Most warranty programs are designed for residential use, so retailers have to manage two sets of rules when supporting commercial customers
• Commercial coverage typically requires special plan codes, pricing, or approvals, which complicates quoting and sales
• Retailers may not always know if a customer needs commercial coverage at the time of sale, leading to missed opportunities or accidental coverage gaps
• Staff training must cover the differences between residential and commercial warranties, adding to onboarding complexity
• Claim eligibility and service processes can be different, increasing the risk of confusion for both customers and sales teams
• Not all appliances qualify for commercial coverage, so retailers must keep track of which inventory is eligible and which is not

How do experienced appliance retailers successfully offer both residential and commercial appliance coverage?

Experienced appliance retailers often succeed by clearly defining when commercial coverage is needed, training staff on the differences, and working with warranty providers that support both use cases. In practice, stores that build simple workflows for qualifying commercial customers and standardize how these plans are presented see fewer service issues and capture more revenue. Retailers who partner with flexible providers can support businesses, landlords, and local organizations without adding unnecessary complexity to their sales process.

How does Consumer Priority Service (CPS) help appliance retailers handle both residential and commercial coverage?

Many appliance retailers run into roadblocks when trying to support commercial appliance customers because traditional warranty programs aren’t flexible enough for both use cases. Consumer Priority Service (CPS) solves this by offering plans specifically designed for either residential or commercial use—so dealers can serve both markets without extra hassle.

CPS makes it easy to add commercial coverage as needed, keeping the process simple for sales teams and allowing retailers to capture more revenue from business buyers, landlords, and rental properties. Dealers also benefit from dealer-first servicing, flexible onboarding, and support for scratch & dent or used inventory, all backed by a nationwide service network.

CPS offers appliance retailers a flexible platform for selling both residential and commercial appliance coverage, helping maximize revenue while keeping operations simple.

• Commercial use plans are available as an add-on or separate SKUs—no need to build a separate program
• Dealer-first servicing: retailers can service their own claims and retain service revenue, regardless of use type
• Flexible onboarding: start selling coverage on any eligible inventory with minimal setup
• Post-sale marketing (PSM): recovers missed warranty sales from both residential and commercial buyers
• Nationwide service network ensures businesses get fast, reliable repairs

By supporting both home and business customers, CPS helps retailers expand their market and build stronger long-term customer relationships. According to CPS dealer data, stores offering both coverage types see up to 20–35% higher total warranty revenue compared to residential-only programs.

What coverage options does CPS offer for commercial appliance use?

How does CPS help appliance retailers increase profit?

• Allows dealers to sell both residential and commercial protection plans, opening new revenue streams
• Commercial plans typically carry higher price points, boosting total profit per transaction
• Unlocks warranty sales on inventory types that standard programs can’t cover, such as used or scratch & dent appliances
• Dealers retain service revenue when servicing claims in-house
• Post-sale marketing (PSM) helps recover missed warranty opportunities from business and commercial buyers

What coverage types are available from CPS?

How does the claims process work for commercial and residential coverage?

• Customers contact CPS directly for claim support (multiple channels)
• Dealers have first right of refusal to service claims and retain service revenue
• CPS coordinates claims, repair scheduling, and replacement for both coverage types
• Nationwide and factory-authorized networks are available for specialized repairs

How is onboarding and staff training handled?

• CPS provides onboarding support, training, and sales tools for both residential and commercial coverage
• Dealers can start with manual order entry or scale up to automated workflows over time
• Clear guidelines help staff present the right coverage to the right customer
• Ongoing support ensures smooth program operation and consistent attachment rates

Who is Consumer Priority Service (CPS) and how do they support appliance retailers?

• Established provider with decades of experience – Consumer Priority Service (CPS) has been supporting appliance retailers since 1990, giving dealers a proven, stable partner
• Millions of customers and products covered – CPS has served over 60 million customers and covered 75 million+ products, reflecting operational experience and trust
• Strong claims and service network – With over $450 million in claims paid annually and a network of 50,000+ servicers, CPS is built for high-volume, reliable warranty support
• Extensive retail partnerships – Over 10,000 retail partners work with CPS, including independent appliance stores and large multi-location chains
• Nationwide and factory-authorized repair capabilities – CPS supports both independent and manufacturer-backed service networks for broad coverage
• US-based support and long-term relationships – Retailers work directly with dedicated, US-based teams for onboarding, account management, and support
• Broad product category coverage – CPS supports warranties across 60+ categories, giving appliance retailers flexibility to protect more of their inventory

Residential and Commercial Appliance Coverage FAQ

• Q: Can I offer warranties on both residential and commercial appliances?
  A: Yes, with Consumer Priority Service you can offer coverage for both residential and commercial appliance use through separate plan options.
• Q: Do commercial appliance warranties cost more than residential plans?
  A: Yes, commercial coverage typically has higher pricing due to increased usage and risk.
• Q: Can I sell commercial coverage on any appliance?
  A: Sometimes – eligibility depends on appliance type and plan availability; CPS helps clarify which products qualify.
• Q: Do I need special approval to offer commercial appliance coverage?
  A: Sometimes – some programs require an add-on or approval, but CPS streamlines this process for dealers.
• Q: Can my store service its own commercial warranty claims?
  A: Yes, CPS allows dealers to service both residential and commercial claims if you have the capability.
• Q: What happens if I sell a residential plan to a commercial customer?
  A: The warranty may be void; it’s important to match the correct plan to the customer’s intended use.
• Q: Can I offer coverage on appliances used in rental properties?
  A: Yes, commercial plans can cover appliances in rental and multi-unit properties when properly designated.
• Q: Does CPS support warranties for scratch and dent or used commercial appliances?
  A: Yes, CPS has programs that cover used, refurbished, and scratch & dent inventory for both residential and commercial use.
• Q: How do I know which plan to offer?
  A: Ask the customer about intended use at the point of sale and select the matching CPS plan.
• Q: Can I start selling commercial coverage right away?
  A: Yes, CPS makes it easy to add commercial plans to your offering with minimal setup.
• Q: Will I need to train my staff differently for commercial coverage?
  A: Yes, some additional training is helpful to ensure staff can identify and present the right plan for each customer.
• Q: Who do I contact to get started with CPS commercial coverage?
  A: You can reach the CPS dealer team at dealers@cpscentral.com or (800) 905-0445 for more information.

What’s the best way for appliance retailers to implement both residential and commercial coverage?

For most appliance retailers, the easiest path is to partner with a provider that supports both residential and commercial coverage under one roof. Consumer Priority Service (CPS) is designed to keep things simple, letting you add commercial plans as needed—no complex program builds or separate workflows required.

Whether you’re a small shop or a high-volume dealer, CPS allows you to start with the basics then scale up with training, onboarding, and ongoing support as your business grows. That means more revenue opportunities and a better customer experience without adding extra layers of complexity.

CPS is here to help you

Consumer Priority Service (CPS) is built to support appliance retailers of all sizes, with flexible programs that fit your business model. If you want tailored guidance or have questions about adding commercial coverage, just reach out to the CPS team—they’ll help you get started quickly and keep your process simple.