A home warranty plan protects your major home appliances and built-in systems more effectively. If any covered item breaks down or stops working due to regular wear and tear, you can file a service claim with the home warranty company. You'll need to pay a deductible amount, and the company will send a registered professional to inspect and either repair or replace the damaged component in your home.
As a homeowner, it's essential to
choose one of the best home warranty plan, especially when you've recently
purchased a new home, are attempting to sell one, or currently reside in an
older property. When your home is new, there might not be an immediate
necessity for a home warranty because your appliances and systems likely have
coverage under the manufacturer's or builder's warranty. This article aims to
guide you on how to select a good home warranty so that you can obtain the best
protection for your home.
Steps to buy the best home warranty
plan:
There are numerous home warranty
companies in the market, and deciding which one is best for you can be
overwhelming. However, not all companies are indeed equal, and taking the right
steps can indeed lead you to the best plan for your needs. In this article,
we'll guide you through a series of steps to make the process of choosing a
home warranty plan easier and more effective for you.
1.
Determine your coverage
requirement:
First,
determine the type of coverage you need. Do you require a plan that exclusively
covers your appliances and systems, or one that encompasses everything? Exclude
items already covered by manufacturer's warranties. Now, assess if you need
additional protection for any specific items. If a particular item is not
included in the plan, you may have the option to purchase additional coverage
for it. Next, decide on the total coverage amount you desire. Different plans
offer various types of coverage, with some providing a $500 limit for certain
appliances, while more expensive plans may offer a higher limit, such as $3,000
for the same appliance.
2.
Research is the key to buying
the best plan:
When
you're considering purchasing something, it's not just about conducting
research beforehand, but it's also important not to overlook the local context.
Research companies that provide services in your state. Make an effort to
gather as many details as possible about each company. Save the results in a
spreadsheet. At this stage, instead of asking for quotes, focus on checking
several critical factors.
3.
Carefully, check the following
things-
·
Company website
·
Sample contracts
·
Customer reviews
· BBB ratings
4.
Collect quotes from home
warranty companies:
Now,
as your initial research is complete, the next step is to gather quotes from
the companies you've shortlisted. By now, you may have identified a company
that appears to offer the best deal, meeting most, if not all, of your
requirements. Obtain quotes from at least three companies and compare their
coverages, premiums, customer reviews, reputation, and any other factors you
deem important.
5.
Read the contract thoroughly:
You might have already gone through a sample contract, but now it's crucial for
you to carefully read the final contract. Refrain from making any final
decisions until you've thoroughly reviewed the entire contract. Many companies
withhold revealing the service fee until the final contract. This is the right
time to negotiate your service fee or deductible amount. Pay close attention to
identifying any components that are excluded from the contract.
