Home Warranty Basics and What It Covers

Owning a home means caring for a home. It also means ensuring that the house and the things inside are maintained properly, as well as repaired or replaced as it becomes necessary.

Let’s face it, though. Not many people have the financial means to continuously pay for repair after repair and replacement after replacement as things begin to break down and fail. Yet they will break down and fail. So what is a regular homeowner supposed to do about it?

The good news is, if a homeowner obtains a home warranty, they won’t have to pay for every repair and every replacement in their home. In fact, by just paying a small service fee, home owners can have their failing appliances and systems taken care of.

A home warranty is an annual service contract that you can purchase each year that will cover the repairs and replacements of most of your home’s appliances and systems.

What that means is that when something breaks down in your home, all you have to do is contact your warranty, pay the service fee, and they send a local service provider out to take care of the problem. That is, as long as the failing appliance or system is covered by your warranty.

While there are exceptions, most home warranties cover the home’s major systems and appliances such as the HVAC system, plumbing, electrical, and hot water heaters. Some warranties cover other appliances like stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, and dryers. There is also sometimes optional coverage available for swimming pools, spas, and more.

Not every appliance and system in your home will be covered by your warranty, but most of the main ones will be. There’s a great peace of mind that comes with knowing your large, expensive home systems will be taken care of if they fail.

Most home warranties are purchased for the first time when they house is purchased. Sometimes the seller purchases the warranty, sometimes the buyer does, and sometimes the buyer’s real estate agent will purchase it as a gift.

Typically lasting a year, home warranties tend to cost anywhere from $300-$700. They can be renewed each year once the warranty is set to expire.

Oftentimes home buyers will think that a home warranty is unnecessary since they are buying homeowner’s insurance. They are under a misconception, because home warranties cover different aspects of the home than insurance does, which sets it apart as another essential component.

Buying a home warranty will not only provide you with a peace of  mind, but tangibly it will provide you with the repairs and replacements that you need.

As a homeowner, there will come a time when your appliances and systems begin to fail. If it covered by your home warranty, all you need to do is contact the company. After paying or agreeing to pay the small service fee, they will find a professional service provider to come out, check out the break down, and determine what needs to be done to fix it.

The provider communicated with your home warranty company and treats the problem; either they repair the problem or replace the system or appliance. Your home will be back in proper working order soon, and you won’t have to worry about spending a fortune.

If you buy a home warranty and continue to renew it each year, you won’t have to worry about some of the difficulties and large expenses that can come with owning a home. Knowing that the details and the finances are in someone else’s hands can really set you free to enjoy your home and focus on the details you most care about.

In fact, if the day comes when you’re ready to sell your home and move on to something else, your home warranty will not only help you to ensure potential buyers that your home’s systems and appliances are in top shape, it will also help you to draw in eager buyers.

Obtaining a home warranty for the home when you are selling it shows buyers that you are serious about ensuring the condition of the home’s appliances and systems. It provides them with the peace of mind that you have taken care of the home, and that things will be covered for the duration of the first year. Your policy can typically be transferred to the new homeowner so that they can continue to keep up the home.

Knowing that the home is covered tends to be very enticing for home buyers. They will have relief knowing that they won’t have to worry about the major appliances and systems, and be more likely to purchase the home.

Even if you have homeowner’s insurance, you will want to obtain a home warranty. Whether through the seller, the real estate agent, or yourself, when you move into a home, you will want to make sure that you won’t have any surprises that will set you back. Your home warranty can help to ensure that you can stay focused on your new home and not worry about the unforeseen.