Today, more homeowners are seeking to protect their homes by getting other forms of financial protection as an addition to their home insurance. If the home insurance does not provide coverage for a breakdown, it is important to have the best protection option for the appliance, electronic device, or home system. For this reason, more people are choosing to buy a residential home warranty.
A residential home warranty is a protection plan that covers the cost of replacement and repair of your home devices covered under the plan that break down due to normal wear and tear and age. If you are seeking coverage for your appliances and home systems, below is a list tips on how to choose a residential home warranty:
- Determine your residential warranty coverage needs
Whether it is your new home or current home, take an inventory of your home’s appliances and systems. You should find out their age and condition to determine what could potentially fail so you can determine if a home warranty policy could help in the event of a breakdown. Key points to consider include: older appliances that may soon require repairs, if there are still manufacturer warranties that have not yet expired, and the condition of major home systems.
- Home buyers and sellers should determine benefits of a residential home warranty
For home buyers, a residential warranty can provide extra protection in the event of an appliance or home system breakdown after they have moved into the new home. Home sellers should consider purchasing plans that cover items that may break down while the home is listed or under contract, but before a buyer takes ownership of the home.
- Research multiple warranty providers
Check out several reputable home warranty providers for quotes and coverage. Key points to consider in your search include: cost of the plans, type of options offered such as extended warranties, coverage for multiple (bundled plans) items and individual plans, customized plans, as well as monthly or yearly premium payments, 24/7 customer support services via online claim forms and also phone lines, quality of their repair service technician providers and if there are labor guarantees. Most companies offer standard coverage for the following major systems and appliances. This can include, but is not limited to:
Central air conditioning and heating
Interior electrical
Plumbing
Water heater
Range/Oven/Cooktop
Refrigerator
Dishwasher
Washer and Dryer
Garage door opener
Ceiling fans
Plus more…
Once you have narrowed your choices to just a couple of residential warranty providers, you can get free quotes by submitting a request using their online quote form.
- Read the fine print
In the residential warranty contract, the fine print explains all exclusions and the terms & conditions. Read the contract to make sure you understand what’s being offered and the terms and conditions. As well, you can get detailed information regarding claims in your contract.
The quality of a residential warranty plan depends on the plan you choose, optional add-ons, and where you live. Research the details of the plan that you are interested in purchasing. A residential home warranty plan is an extra layer of protection to complement your existing home insurance.
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