These days, most property owners have at least heard of home warranty plans. Whether they’re looking for a comprehensive home warranty of america or just basic coverage has a huge impact on what kind of plans are appropriate, though. Read on to find out what homeowners need to know about the different levels of home warranty protection.
Home Warranties: The Basics
Before discussing what’s covered under different levels of warranty protection, it’s worth discussing the basics of how these plans work. A lot of people assume they’re a form of insurance protection, but that’s not the case. Homeowner’s insurance only covers unexpected disasters, whereas home warranties are designed to protect homeowners from expensive repair bills associated with daily wear and tear.
When homeowners take out home warranties, they are essentially signing service contracts through third-party providers. Instead of having to pay for separate service contracts for each type of appliance or home system, they only have to pay one monthly bill and keep track of one provider. When something goes wrong with a covered appliance or system, homeowners simply call the warranty company, whose representatives send out a repair technician.
Entry-Level Home Warranties
The most basic, entry-level home warranties are designed to cover only common kitchen appliances. Each one has a slightly different set of coverage options, but most plans will cover appliances like dishwashers, ovens, and certain types of refrigerators. Homeowners who want to add extra appliances generally need to upgrade their warranties, although some home warranty companies allow customization even on their most affordable plans.
Mid-Level Home Warranties
Mid-level home warranties always cover the full range of kitchen appliances described above, but they also go far beyond the basics to provide repair and replacement services for home support systems. Sometimes referred to as whole-home or complete home plans, these warranties will cover heating and cooling systems, plumbing, and electrical systems. Of course, homeowners still need to read the fine print. Depending on the warranty provider, there may be exclusions or coverage limits that homeowners need to know about.
High-End Home Warranties
Whole-home warranties may cover most of a home’s most crucial systems and appliances, but they usually come with some exclusions, and they may not offer repairs or replacements for all of the most important items. The things that aren’t covered under complete home warranties can come as a surprise to some homeowners, too. Washers and dryers, for example, are typically covered only under high-end home warranty plans.
How to Choose the Right Product
Choosing the right level of home warranty protection can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be. Homeowners can start by making lists of all of the appliances and systems in their homes they would like covered, paying special attention to those that are old enough to have aged out of manufacturer’s warranties. From there, they can check out different home warranty companies, find out about the details of each plan they offer, and decide which of them will best fit both the family’s needs and budget.
