Guardsman is a furniture protection plan you buy at the time of purchase
Guardsman is a service contract sold by furniture retailers that covers accidental damage, stains, and wear to upholstered furniture and mattresses. When you buy a couch, chair, or bed, the retailer offers you the option to add Guardsman coverage for an additional fee. If something happens to the furniture — a spill, a tear, a burn — you contact Guardsman and they either repair it or replace it, depending on what the damage is and what your plan covers.
The plan is not insurance. It is a service agreement between you and Guardsman, a company owned by Assurant. You pay a one-time premium at purchase, and that covers the furniture for a set number of years — usually five or ten. The cost varies by the price of the furniture and which plan level you choose.
Guardsman operates in most U.S. states and Canada. You buy it through the furniture store, not directly from Guardsman. The retailer collects the payment and passes it to Guardsman, and you receive a certificate in the mail with your coverage details and a phone number to call if you need a repair.
Key Takeaways
- Guardsman covers accidental damage like spills, tears, and burns on upholstered furniture and mattresses for five or ten years from the date of purchase.
- You buy the plan at the furniture store when you purchase the item, and the cost is a one-time premium added to your purchase price.
- When damage occurs, you call Guardsman with photos or details, and they send a technician to your home to assess and repair the furniture, or they authorize a replacement.
- The plan does not cover damage from misuse, normal wear and tear, or damage that happened before you bought the plan.
- Coverage limits and what is included vary by plan level, so the certificate you receive lists exactly what your specific plan covers.
What damage Guardsman actually covers
Guardsman covers accidental damage — the kind that happens without intent. A child spills juice on the sofa. A pet scratches the armrest. You set a hot dish on the cushion and it leaves a burn mark. A seam splits. These are the situations Guardsman is designed for.
The exact list of what is covered depends on which plan you bought. Most plans cover stains from food and drink, pet damage, tears and punctures, burns, and fading from sunlight. Some plans also cover damage from water, mold, or mildew. Your certificate will list what your specific plan includes, and you should read it before you need to file a claim.
Guardsman does not cover damage that was already there when you bought the furniture, damage from normal use and aging, or damage from misuse — for example, using the couch as a trampoline or deliberately cutting the fabric. They also do not cover damage from pests, smoke damage, or stains from things like ink or paint.
How to file a claim and what happens next
When damage occurs, call the phone number on your Guardsman certificate. Have the certificate number ready, along with photos of the damage if you can take them. Guardsman will ask you to describe what happened and may ask follow-up questions to confirm the damage is covered under your plan.
If Guardsman approves the claim, they will schedule a technician to visit your home. The technician inspects the furniture in person and either repairs it on the spot or takes it away to repair it at their facility. For some damage — large stains or extensive tears — Guardsman may authorize a replacement instead of a repair. The technician will tell you what to expect.
You do not pay anything when the technician arrives. Guardsman covers the cost of the repair or replacement as part of your plan. The only exception is if you have a deductible on your plan; some plans include a small deductible per claim, usually $25 to $50, which you would pay at the time of service.
Repairs typically take a few days to a few weeks, depending on whether the technician can fix it at your home or needs to take it to a shop. Replacements take longer — usually several weeks — because Guardsman has to order the furniture from the manufacturer.
What happens if your furniture is damaged before you buy Guardsman
Guardsman does not cover damage that existed before you purchased the plan. This is called a pre-existing condition. If you buy a couch with a small tear and then add Guardsman coverage, Guardsman will not repair that tear.
This is why it is important to inspect the furniture carefully before you agree to buy it and before you decide whether to add Guardsman. If you notice any damage — a stain, a loose seam, a worn spot — point it out to the salesperson and ask whether it will be repaired before delivery. Once you sign the paperwork and the furniture leaves the store, Guardsman will consider any existing damage to be pre-existing.
Guardsman plans at different price points
Guardsman typically offers two or three plan levels, and the cost depends on the price of the furniture. A basic plan on a $500 chair might cost $40 to $60. The same basic plan on a $2,000 sofa might cost $150 to $200. Higher-tier plans cost more but cover more types of damage or have lower deductibles.
The retailer will show you the plan options and their costs at checkout. You can choose to buy a plan, buy a higher-tier plan, or decline coverage altogether. There is no requirement to buy Guardsman — it is optional. However, once you leave the store without it, you cannot add it later.
Some retailers run promotions where Guardsman is discounted or included free with certain furniture purchases. Ask the salesperson whether any promotions are running when you shop.
What to do if Guardsman denies your claim
If Guardsman denies your claim, they will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons for denial include: the damage is not covered under your plan, the damage is considered normal wear and tear, or the damage happened before you bought the plan.
You can contact Guardsman to ask them to reconsider. Have your certificate and photos of the damage ready. Explain why you believe the damage should be covered. If Guardsman still denies the claim, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner or consumer protection office. Guardsman is regulated by state insurance departments, and the commissioner can investigate whether Guardsman applied your plan correctly.
Guardsman versus other furniture protection options
Some furniture retailers offer their own in-house protection plans instead of Guardsman. These work similarly — you pay a one-time fee at purchase and the retailer covers repairs or replacements for a set period. The difference is that an in-house plan is backed by the retailer, not by a third-party company like Guardsman.
You can also choose not to buy any plan and pay for repairs out of pocket. A professional upholstery repair can cost $200 to $500 or more depending on the damage, and a replacement piece of furniture costs much more. Whether Guardsman is worth the cost depends on how much you use the furniture, whether you have pets or children, and how much risk you are comfortable taking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my Guardsman plan if I move or sell the furniture?
No. Guardsman plans are tied to the original owner and the original furniture. If you sell the couch, the new owner cannot use your plan. If you move, the plan moves with you — you do not need to do anything — but it only covers the specific piece of furniture you bought it for.
What if the furniture manufacturer recalls the item?
Guardsman does not cover recalls. If the manufacturer recalls the furniture for a safety issue, contact the retailer or manufacturer directly. They are responsible for handling the recall, not Guardsman.
Does Guardsman cover normal fading from sunlight?
Some plans do cover fading from sunlight, but not all. Check your certificate to see whether fading is listed as a covered peril. If it is not, Guardsman will not cover it because fading is considered normal wear and tear.
How long do I have to file a claim after damage happens?
Most Guardsman plans require you to file a claim within a reasonable time after the damage occurs — typically within 30 days. Check your certificate for the exact important date. If you wait too long, Guardsman may deny the claim because you did not report it promptly.
What if a technician says the furniture cannot be repaired?
If the damage is too extensive to repair, Guardsman will authorize a replacement. The replacement furniture will be the same model and color as the original, or a comparable substitute if the original is no longer available. Guardsman pays for the replacement; you do not.