When I sent the DSLR in to get it fixed, it came back in less than a week. But this was a primo plan sold to me by the Sony Store. But I go the camera originally as a refurb that looked like it had never been used, so I got the camera and drop and spill warranty for quite a bit less than the price of a new camera. If I had purchased a new camera without the protection plan, I would have been screwed when someone knocked over my tripod at an event and broke the internal autofocus device.
I consider the drop and spill plan more of an insurance plan. As far as the typical extended warranty plan sold at Walmart, etc. most items are just a waste. But if you buy it for a cheap printer and something goes wrong, you will just be getting your money back which you can use toward the purchase of another cheap printer. It actually kind of fits your profile on this. If you look around your home at all the items that you own, few are as complicated delicate moving parts inside as a printer and they are made for a highly competitive market. They are not designed to hold up very well for the most part.
Oh yeah, with cameras it’s different and it’s not in the same realm as most computer peripherals. I don’t have a good digital camera, just a few cheapos.
Got a nice 35mm camera, though, that I really should get some film for, haven’t used it in a long time.
I kind of go by replacement cost and if I consider something as being something I expect should be okay for a good while. If it costs over $100 & up, I’d think about an extended warranty.
Good digital cams cost money, and as you note, their insides are complicated.
First thing I was taught about video cameras - if you see it tipping over on the tripod, throw your body between it and the floor. Gotta go Secret Service and take the bullet. Especially studio/production quality cams, they’re expensive to buy and expensive to repair.