3 Tips When Picking a Home Warranty Company

Your new home will be one of your major investments. Insuring your HVAC (heating, air conditioning, ventilation) and appliances will give you peace of mind. You can never tell when one of them will break down. Choosing the best Arizona home warranty company can relieve you of your worries. Here are three tips to consider when selecting the right home warranty company for you.

Tip #1: Know What You Need

Inspecting your home before picking a home warranty company is ideal. Determining the real condition and age of your HVAC and appliances can give you an idea of how likely they are to break soon. A home warranty can indeed cover the repairs and replacements of broken-down systems or appliances. This knowledge can help you choose a company and plan that best fits your home’s needs.

Most plans are flexible and can be tailored to fit what your home needs. Some home warranty companies give extra coverage in the form of HVAC service visits. They also cover rekeying. This allows the new owners to change the locks of the new house when they arrive in the new house. We’ll dive into coverage more in-depth next.

Tip #2: Understand the Coverage

You may have expensive appliances and HVAC systems in your home. You can get a home warranty plan to cover your garbage disposal, dishwasher, cooktop, oven, and gas range. Some home warranty companies will offer optional coverage for microwaves, refrigerators, and spa equipment. Dryers, washers, microwaves, and pools are also optional.

There are limitations to a home warranty plan as well. It can cover old home components nearing their end, but it will not cover new components because the manufacturer’s warranty will still cover them. A home warranty will also not cover a cosmetic issue or pre-existing damage.

The coverage also will not include ice makers. Some home warranty companies do not cover some components in appliances. One example of this is internet connectivity. This type of note is included in the fine print. Reading the fine print will help you understand all the inclusions and exclusions.

Standard home warranty companies also offer coverage for air conditioners, furnaces, electricals, and interior plumbing systems. You may need to purchase a ductwork coverage add-on. Appliances that failed before the effective date of the home warranty plan will not have coverage. The same goes for systems with code violations.

Also, remember that placing a claim for a home warranty policy may take some time. An inspector will be sent over to check the appliances or systems in question first. This will take some time to process and approve. You will only get your claim if the company approves it, but if your claim is valid, you will be able to get even expensive repairs or replacements covered. 

Tip #3: Seek Recommendations

It always helps to ask around about home warranty companies. Friends and relatives are good sources of information. They could recommend companies they already know about and tell you which ones to avoid if they have had negative experiences. This feedback can save you time down the road. Reading online reviews and testimonials on Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau can help solidify your decision as well.

Some home warranty companies have state-of-the-art tools and equipment. Others may not provide the same quality of service to grant your claims. Asking around for the actual physical call center and offices is also crucial. You would not want to pay a cloud-based, one-man business operating from a garage somewhere. Also, talking to your realtor about their recommendations can give you information about which home warranty companies actually pay claims and care for their clients.

Knowing How to Pick a Home Warranty Company Can Make Homeownership Stress-free

Having a home warranty can make owning a home more enjoyable. You will spare yourself from the stresses and worries of unexpected breakdowns. Choosing the right home warranty company means careful checking of your needs, the plan’s coverage, and feedback from reputable sources. The right one will help you save money, time, and effort.