Residential Home Warranties

Listen to my podcast on the subject of home warranties.

A Home Warranty is really “home maintenance” insurance policy.

Home Warranty Companies “issue” home warranty policies. These specialized “insurers” charge an annual fee for the “coverage”, and offer service call “deductibles” where authorized, screened contractors are dispatched to resolve household maintenance issues upon your request. Each company offers at least one type of coverage that normally offers repairs for HVAC, water heaters, electrical or plumbing issues.

This article heading is a bit misleading… Home warranty may help if you waived your home inspection

Despite some recent negative news about horror stories of home warranties…home warranties are good protection plans for some people who like to have one source to call for home service vendors.

Family’s frustration over broken fridge leads to questions about extended warranties

Arizona AG Brnovich accuses home warranty company of ‘false promises’

Why Home Warranties Are Getting Big in the USA

Consumer forums are full of stories from angry homeowners who were failed by their warranty providers. The most common complaints from them are: the company not honoring its promises; bad contractors; and avoidance of replacements.

Note: If you can fix or troubleshoot the obvious (a GFCI outlet trips just once & press the reset button or a simple $15 toilet tank flush valve repair), you can save a $50+ service call. Otherwise, call your home warranty provider and get a professional to help you.

(Hint: Whenever you move into a new home, walk around and get to know it a bit – Where are the circuit breakers and are any tripped? Where are the CFCI outlets that will trip when triggered? Where is your furnace and how do you change your filters? Where is your water heater and is it turned onto the proper heat setting? Do your kitchen appliances work properly? All exterior lighting have fresh light bulbs? etc,…)

SOME HOME WARRANTY COMPANY WEBSITES

2-10 – Home Warranty Information

American HomeShield – Home Warranty Information

Fidelity National Home Warranty (formerly Buyer’s Protection Group…formerly Land America) – Home Warranty Information

First American – Home Warranty Information

Old Republic – Home Warranty Information

Reviews of the above and other home home warranty service providers can be viewed at either  http://www.homewarrantyreviews.com/ or http://www.homewarrantyreviews.org/, but I have only seen warranty plans from the above companies.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/home-warranties-protect-homeowners-during-extreme-weather-attract-buyers-in-competitive-real-estate-market-118901959.html

According to many home warranty providers, the highest rate of homeowner claims encompasses water heaters, furnaces and central-air conditioning, while major appliances covered by a home warranty generally start to require servicing at five years of age. Since home systems and large or built-in appliances are acquired during a home sale, there are many unknowns, such as how things previously have been used and maintained.

References to products and services are not a specific endorsement, but the user must perform their due diligence and investigate whether the product or service is right for them. I welcome any or all comments that would help others.

 

 

 

 

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