Home Warranties - What You Need to Know
Before you buy a home warranty, you need to know what to look for. A comprehensive plan may cover appliances and cover repairs for some items like roofs and pest control. A limited plan might even cover re-keying services. This article will give you an overview of the different types of home warranty plans and how to choose the best one for your needs. Here are the important factors to consider. And remember, the more coverage you get, the more money you'll save!
Costs
While the average cost of a home warranty is $300 to $600 annually, this amount can vary depending on the type of coverage and add-ons chosen. The total cost of a home warranty plan can run from $300 to $2000 per year, depending on the type of coverage chosen and the area of residence. Some plans have a service call fee, which can range from $60 to $125 per visit. In many cases, the cost of a service call will be less than the cost of a covered repair.
Home warranty companies take a calculated risk. They need to collect enough premiums and payouts to remain profitable. Therefore, they put caps on the maximum payouts. This limit is detailed in the contract. For example, some plans have a $500 limit on individual appliances, while others have a total cap for the entire house. In either case, the maximum payout per year is typically $500. While this may seem like a lot of money, it is worth it to ensure that the coverage limits are adequate for the homeowner's needs.
Exclusions
While a home warranty offers comprehensive coverage, it may not cover everything. Many contracts don't cover certain types of damage, including cosmetic issues. Ask about coverage exclusions and browse sample contracts to find out exactly what your contract doesn't cover. This will help you determine which home warranty company offers the best coverage for your money. Exclusions of home warranty coverage include acts of God, certain types of plumbing, and appliances.
Before you sign a home warranty agreement, read the exclusions and conditions of the contract. Check for any pre-existing conditions. If you notice any problems before the warranty coverage begins, you are probably exempt from the warranty. You should also know that companies generally have a 30-day waiting period before protecting you. Pre-existing conditions are defined as appliances or systems that failed before the coverage started. A simple mechanical test or visual inspection will often determine whether a particular system or appliance is covered.
Term
A home warranty is similar to a home insurance policy, but with a few key differences. While a home warranty will cover you for repairs if your home is damaged due to an unforeseen event, you will not be covered for repairs if a system breaks down a long time after purchase. In addition, a home warranty will not pick up repair responsibility until the manufacturer's or builder's warranty expires, so make sure to read the terms carefully. When purchasing a home warranty, you may not know the maintenance habits of the previous owners. This means that you may not know how old appliances are - or what kind of maintenance they received.
The cost of a home warranty will depend on the plan that you choose, as well as your state of residence and a variety of other factors. Many companies offer discounts for purchasing an annual plan, but remember that this will increase the monthly premium. Term of home warranty contracts can be as short as one year. Depending on the amount of coverage that you need, you may want to pay a monthly or annual premium. Depending on the service you need, you may even want to consider upgrading some of the covered items to get better coverage.
Buying options
Considering home warranty plans? There are several benefits of self-insurance. You can stash the money you would need for product repairs in an emergency fund or in an emergency savings account, rather than pay for a plan that you may not use. Additionally, home warranty plans have many limitations, such as covering only mechanical items and the structure of the home. As such, self-insurance is a great option in situations when you don't need to replace a product in the future.
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