5 Tips for Choosing the Right Home Warranty
Whether you’ve owned your home for a while or are about to buy a new one, you probably know how inconvenient and costly it can be for your appliances to break down. A home warranty is the best way to protect your finances if mechanical appliances and home systems break down due to everyday wear and tear. However, choosing the right home warranty provider may seem like a daunting task with all the options out there.
Repairing or replacing just one of your expensive appliances or mechanical home systems can quickly destroy your savings and jeopardize your finances. Home warranties are becoming increasingly popular– especially among first-time homeowners. Here’s everything you need to know when comparing the best home warranty companies.
1. Decide on Your Requirements
Before looking into home warranties, you need to assess your household’s requirements. Begin by making a list of all the items you want to be covered by your home warranty plan.
When figuring out your requirements, you should think about the age of your appliances. Older devices are more likely to need to be repaired or replaced – so you need to make sure your plan covers them. You should also assess the condition of your vital home systems, such as your water heater, furnace, plumbing, and air conditioner.
2. Research Home Warranty Providers
Once you have a good idea of what you need to get out of a home warranty plan, you can research home warranty providers.
Make a list of all the providers in your area that offer plans that meet your requirements, and compare their pricing and services. When researching home warranty providers, look at their online reviews and customer ratings.
3. Ask for Recommendations
Aside from searching for home warranty providers online, the best way to find a reputable provider is to ask your friends, family, and acquaintances for recommendations. You can also ask professionals in the home industry – like your realtor or regular contractor.
If you know someone who has purchased a home warranty, ask them for details about their experience with the provider – including the different plans, pricing, and the efficiency of their affiliated contractors.
4. Compare Quotes
Once you’ve made a shortlist of all the providers that meet your requirements, ask them for free quotes. Select at least three different providers.
Once you have the estimates from the shortlisted providers, you can determine which plans, and providers fall within your budget. You should also ask for dummy contracts or brochures with the breakdowns of the pricing and coverage for each home warranty plan.
Usually, home warranty providers will offer appliance-only plans, home systems-only plans, comprehensive coverage, and customized plans where you can request specific add-ons.
5. Understand Your Coverage
The most important factor to consider when purchasing a home warranty is what it will cover. Most complaints about providers arise due to a misunderstanding about coverage.
Before signing a home warranty contract, read each point and make sure you understand how to claim, what’s covered, what is not covered, and if there are any limits on repairs or replacements for any of your appliances or home systems.
