A home warranty is an easy way to ensure that important systems and appliances in your home are regularly maintained to operate in top-notch condition. Home warranties can help you avoid the hassle of caring for every bit of equipment yourself. With this kind of coverage, you won’t have to jump in whenever something goes wrong.
Advantages of having a home warranty
Savings
Let’s say your central air conditioner is 10 years old and breaks down suddenly in the middle of a hot summer day. You call in an HVAC professional hoping for a quick fix, only to learn that your air conditioner is beyond repair. Now for the terrible news: The average cost of replacing a central air conditioning unit comes to $5,860. If your existing ductwork needs upgrading, you’re looking at up to $3,600 on installation alone. The air conditioner is just one of many home systems that can face a breakdown.
With a home warranty plan in effect, you’ll pay a flat monthly plan premium and then a deductible when you place a claim. In other words, a home warranty, in the long run, can mean huge savings.
Convenience
Issues with home appliances and systems can be frustrating. Without a home warranty, you’ll have to hunt for a technician, usually after combing through never-ending user reviews online. You might think the worst part is over once you find a professional you’d like to work with. But that’s rarely the case. Most repair companies deal with many calls daily, which means there’s usually a significant wait time before someone arrives at your door.
Peace of mind
This is perhaps the most significant advantage of home warranties. The savings, convenience, and overall dependability contribute to your peace of mind. There won’t be any surprises, shocking expenses, or waiting around to get things fixed!
However, some people have complaints, usually concerning the extent of their coverage. Let’s look at some of the top gripes with home warranties:
Surface or cosmetic issues
Accidentally dented your dishwasher front panel? Are you having difficulty ignoring the nicks and scratches on your refrigerator door? We wish these minor nags could be papered over and made perfect again! However, home warranties do not cover cosmetic issues like dings and scratches that don’t affect the operation of an appliance or system.
The stuff outside your home
You might have spent a pretty penny building a new patio by the garden or changing the shingles on your roof. But your home warranty doesn’t cover home repairs on these and other items outside the house.
No repairs needed
Another complaint many people have about home warranties is that sometimes you can find yourself paying for the service and not needing any repairs for the whole year. When this happens, a home warranty might seem like an unnecessary expenditure. However, home warranty coverage can save you money and stress when your appliances break down.