5 Most Important Factors When Choosing a Home Warranty Plan
If you are a homeowner, you will agree that maintaining a home can be quite costly. You might be thinking a home warranty would help with very expensive surprise costs. HVAC, appliances and the like can be very expensive to fix. That’s why many rely on a home warranty plan.
Purchasing a home warranty plan is currently the most effective way to protect yourself, and your bank account, from inevitable emergencies such as appliance breakdown and plumbing systems malfunctions.
To find out which home warranty makes sense for you, ask yourself some basic questions while you hunt for the ideal home warranty company.
1. What Are The Conditions Of Your Appliances And Systems?
Appliances can help make our lives easier. However, with time, these appliances and the parts of the systems we depend on wear out and will eventually break down if not replaced.
Assess the state of the appliances. Check to see which appliances are no longer covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Also, check the condition of the parts of major systems you intend to get a warranty for before making a final decision. In some cases, it may make more economic sense to pay a contractor for minor repairs and parts replacement rather than pay more for a home warranty that covers them.
2. Are You Planning To Replace Or Upgrade Your Appliances Soon ?
The advancement of technology has not only made most electronic and electrical appliances and their components more affordable, but they also may come with extended manufacturer warranties. You may find that you upgrade your major home equipment within a few years after the
However, the best appliances and equipment are costly to replace, considering that a typical home may have several of these appliances. If you are planning on upgrading soon, it is probably best to get a short-term home warranty for the appliances you intend to replace, and a longer warranty for the rest of the systems.
3. Are there vital components in your appliances and house systems that the warranty does not cover?
While considering a home warranty that covers the systems you are worried about, such as plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, it is important to read the fine print and find out if any of the components are not covered. For instance, a warranty may not cover the ductwork of your HVAC, which can be quite expensive to replace. It is also not uncommon for a home warranty covering appliances not to include the refrigerator’s ice maker or damages caused by electrical faults.
4. How does the home warranty supplement or complement your homeowner’s insurance?
Another important question you should ask yourself while shopping for a home warranty is how it affects your homeowner’s insurance. While the insurance covers what might happen, the warranty covers what will happen. Having both to supplement and complement each other is a simple yet effective way to live comfortably in a happy home and have peace of mind knowing that all your most vulnerable bases are covered.
5. What is the upper limit costs for replacements and repairs for the home warranty you are considering?
The maximum amount the provider is willing to spend on repairs and maintenance is largely dependent on the home warranty plan you choose. Plans often start with the most affordable basic or standard with the lowest upper limit and the cost increases in breadth and depth of coverage. Companies structure their home warranty plans to cover all types of customers and it is up to you to determine what is ideal for your situation.
You can determine which plan is right for you by comparing how much you typically spend in maintenance, repairs, and replacements with the upper limit the provider is willing to spend on the cover of your choice.
Conclusion
The right home warranty plan for you should strike a balance between what you can afford to pay annually versus what it covers. There are of course hidden benefits to this approach because the moment you buy the warranty, the value of your home’s equity instantly rises. By how much depends on what you invest.
Your answers should guide you in finding the ideal home warranty plan that brings peace of mind, comfort, and cash flow freedom for you and your family.