New appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers always come with manufacturer’s warranties, and so do home support systems like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical equipment. Eventually, though, those initial warranties will expire, leaving homeowners on the hook for repairs or unit replacements if anything goes wrong. The good news is that there’s a solution to the problem.
It’s taking out a home extended warranty.
Why Homeowners Need Warranty Protection
Home warranty plans are designed to kick in when an appliance or piece of equipment’s original manufacturer’s warranty expires. They pay for repairs or unit replacements when covered appliances succumb to general wear and tear.
Taking out a home warranty plan is a fantastic way for homeowners to protect their investments and make sure their families won’t find themselves suddenly facing unexpected bills.
How to Find a Plan
Finding the right home warranty plan takes some times, so don’t just jump right in the deep end and pick the first one that looks acceptable. Instead, take some time to figure out what plan will be the best fit for the family’s needs. Homeowners can follow these steps to make sure they don’t miss anything:
Step One: List Items That Need Coverage
Start by making a list of all the appliances and equipment in the home that need coverage but have outlived their manufacturer’s warranties. Consider the average lifespan of the appliances and how likely it is that they will need repairs.
Step Two: Find a Reputable Company
Next, find a home warranty company who also knows how to do a pat test that has at least one plan that will cover the items in question. It’s not worth looking at prices yet, though.
Step Three: Check Out Plans
Only after finding one or more reliable, reputable home warranty providers should homeowners begin requesting quotes. Be sure to compare apples to apples during this part of the process.
If one company offers a better price upfront but doesn’t cover as many issues or has hidden fees that will only come up after an appliance fails, that makes a big difference.
Step Four: Contact the Home Warranty Company
Once homeowners have decided what company they want to go through and which plan looks like the best fit to meet their families needs, it’s time to customize the plan and draw up the paperwork. A good home warranty provider will make this process as simple as possible. Just be sure to read the fine print on the service contract to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
How to Get Help
Part of the reason homeowners choose to take out home warranty plans is that those plans make it easier to manage all of the home’s appliances and equipment. All it takes when something goes wrong is a quick call to the plan provider. The company will find a repair technician and send the person out to perform an inspection, and the necessary repairs or even unit replacements will be paid for directly to the contractor providing services.
