A household appliance warranty is a type of protection plan that covers the costs of repairing and replacing certain appliances. These plans typically come with a set time frame and a specific scope of coverage.
Home warranty companies expect homeowners to perform basic maintenance on their appliances. This includes draining water heaters, changing air filters and cleaning the lint trap on dryers. If you are wondering, “How much are home warranties?” Every company offers different coverages and costs vary so be sure to look at yours individually.
Coverage
A home appliance warranty protects you from that sinking feeling when an important appliance breaks down. It may include repairs or replacements of appliances for a fee that varies from provider to provider. You should review the terms and conditions carefully to determine what you’re paying for.
You can purchase a home appliance protection plan from an extended warranty company or through the manufacturer. Some retailers even sell these warranties at the point of sale, and they usually extend the original product warranty by a year or more.
These warranties are also known as service contracts, appliance protection plans or home appliance insurance. You pay a yearly or monthly fee to have coverage. If your system or appliance breaks down, you call the company and a service technician will come to your home to diagnose the problem. The cost of the service call may be covered by your policy, but you typically pay a deductible.
Exclusions
There are many reasons homeowners turn to a home warranty to cover their appliances. Unlike protection plans purchased with appliances through retailers, which lengthen the manufacturer’s original warranty but only apply to one appliance and are often sold at the cash register, a home warranty covers multiple appliances in a single contract.
However, like any insurance policy, there are exclusions associated with a household appliance warranty. For instance, failure to perform regular maintenance such as cleaning lint traps or removing dust from refrigerator coils could result in repair costs that are not covered by the plan.
Likewise, improper installation by the homeowner or previous owners of an appliance may also lead to damage that is not covered by the warranty. Despite these limitations, many homeowners find the cost of a home warranty plan is worth it to provide peace of mind and a hassle-free way to address costly appliance repairs or replacements. It’s also a good investment to preserve the value of your home, since it ensures that your appliances and systems remain functional.
Repairs
Home warranty companies have a similar structure to home insurance policies, with premiums and deductibles, but they focus on maintenance and the functionality of household appliances and systems. Home insurance, on the other hand, protects homes from damage and loss due to fire and certain other natural disasters.
Most plans include a list of appliances and systems that they cover, and homeowners often choose a plan based on the items they want to be protected. Some providers offer appliance and system-specific plans, while others bundle system and appliance coverage into each plan option.
Both types of warranties come with a number of limitations and exclusions, and it’s important to carefully read through these terms before selecting a policy. Aside from figuring out which items are covered, you should also determine how quickly a company handles claims and the average time to send a contractor to a home or apartment. Some companies are known to approve and dispatch repair technicians within 24 hours of receiving a claim, while others can take up to four days or more.
Replacements
Home warranty companies usually work in partnership with home service providers, such as plumbers and electricians. They send a professional to assess the damage and determine whether or not your appliance can be repaired. If they conclude that it’s irreparable, they will usually replace the appliance or system.
Most home warranty providers will offer a replacement appliance that is at least equal to the one you had in your house. However, some companies may force you to upgrade to a higher-end model, even if your old appliance was working fine.
