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A HOMEBUYER’S GUIDE TO

HOME WARRANTY

HOME WARRANTY 101

The home warranty is a product that is meant to cover different aspects of your home and help you out financially if you need to make repairs. A home warranty is like a service and sometimes replacement contract on key items in your home. If you have a home warranty on your home, then you have a service contract to help if you need to do costly repairs or in some cases, if you have to replace contract specified items in your home.

Manufacturers warranties are similar in concept, except they cover specific appliances or items for a specified term, the home warranty applies to a selection of multiple items in your home depending on your contract. For example, some warranties will cover everything from HVAC systems, plumbing, fancy appliances, to equipment and their motors, depending on coverage options. You can choose from very basic home warranty coverage to very extensive coverage depending on your needs, budget and how much of a risk you think you might have.

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HOME WARRANTY FAQ’S

What Is the Best Home Warranty?
The best home warranty contract would be the one that offers you the protection you need for your home. Before we review some of the features of home warranties and how to find the best one for your circumstance, let’s clarify how a home warranty is different than your basic home insurance policy coverage.

What is the difference between a Home Warranty and Home Insurance?
Home warranties and home insurance both cover unexpected circumstances. The difference is that in your homeowner policy there are exclusions about regular wear and tear and mechanical breakdown. If your dishwasher breaks down, or the air conditioning system fails, the actual replacement of those items or repair would not be covered although resulting damage may be covered in a claim, for example, if there was water damage.

What Is Covered By a Home Warranty?
Here are some examples of things that may be covered for servicing, replacement or malfunction in a home warranty program, remember every home warranty program is individually managed, so be sure and ask for the specifics of the program you are considering purchasing before you commit to the contract, these are just examples of what may be covered by different plans to help you shop for a good warranty:

  • Plumbing
  • Electrical wiring and infrastructure
  • Appliances like refrigerators, washers,
  • dryers, stoves and dishwashers
  • HVAC systems
  • contractor or repair services by professionals like plumbers and electricians
  • central vacuums
  • garbage disposals
  • ceiling fans
  • bathtubs with motors
  • jacuzzis, pools, and spas

QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT A HOME WARRANTY BEFORE YOU BUY

Beware that each plan specifies details of what kind of service they are willing to provide if you get repairs, replacements, etc. You also want to find out if the warranty is limited by the age of the appliance, some warranties may specify that they only cover appliances 10 years and under, for example. Some plans exclude refrigerators.

It is important to ask as many questions regarding how to make a claim and what to expect before your purchase decision.

  • Are there limits for each coverage. Are there certain parts of covered appliances that are excluded? Are there maximum amounts payable?
  • What are the deductibles?
  • What kind of service calls are covered? Is there a limit on how many service calls?
  • Is there a charge to have a professional come and assess whether something is covered or not? There may be service fees charged in addition to your deductible.
  • Do you have to use their network of contractors and service people, or can you choose your own?
  • What is the process to make a claim? How will you be paid?
  • Is there a waiting period?
  • What kinds of damage are excluded? Ask for examples to make sure you understand the range of coverage. Many situations can be tricky and have restrictions or limitations, in particular with electrical and plumbing, how they interpret pre-existing conditions will be important.

HOME WARRANTY PROVIDERS

Here are a few companies our clients have used in the past and who would be very happy to speak with you regarding their warranties:

**Please note, all clients should verify current pricing for any Home Warranty company’s marketing material displayed on the Wemert Group Realty site.**