Curious to know what appliances are covered in a home warranty generally? Keep reading!
You may wonder what a home warranty covers, whether you recently purchased a home with a warranty or are considering acquiring one for a property you currently own.
With this wonder and need, you will conduct extensive research. It may not be easy to locate the best solution for your case, with so many home warranty providers claiming to give complete coverage.
If you’re wondering “what does a house warranty cover,” this review will explain what a home warranty is and which appliances are within the home warranty coverage.
What Does Home Warranty Cover?
A home warranty covers qualified household appliances and systems and offers reduced repair and replacement services.
It is not really important if your home is brand new or decades old; you don’t need to furnish maintenance records or have an inspection to get coverage.
The majority of home warranty providers provide policies that cover either appliances or systems, as well as hybrid plans that cover both.
You get variable coverage depending on the business and the plan you pick. Repairing or replacing appliances can be costly, but it can create considerable financial strain when a major household system fails.
The good news is that home warranty insurance, whether purchased separately or in conjunction with an appliance plan, covers systems. In a typical home warranty coverage, these appliances will have coverage:
- Air conditioning (might be optional)
- Dishwasher
- Garage door opener
- Freestanding ice-maker
- Built-in microwave
- Built-in food center
- Garbage disposal
- Pool equipment (might be optional)
- Oven, range, or cooktop
- Refrigerator (might be optional)
- Spa equipment (might be optional)
What Are The Different Types of Home Warranty Plans?
1. Specific Plans
Some home warranty providers offer policies that solely cover particular systems, such as HVAC, interior plumbing, or electrical.
There are other layouts that work with certain appliances. If you want to cover select products that no longer have coverage by a manufacturer’s warranty, you may choose a warranty scheme like this.
2. Optional Coverage
Other house systems, such as a sump pump, well pump, or septic tank, may require coverage, depending on where you reside.
Keep in mind that some items that you would think have coverage by a normal warranty, such as a refrigerator or a built-in microwave, may be classified as optional.
Furthermore, because home warranties only cover the primary kitchen refrigerator, you’ll likely need additional coverage if you have more than one.
3. Robust plans
Appliances like free-standing ice makers, garbage compactors, ceiling fans, and jetted bathtub motors and pumps generally have coverage by the most comprehensive home warranty policies. Others may offer limited roof or pest control protection.
You may also get re-keying service coverage, which is very beneficial if you just bought a house and want to replace the locks.
4. Home Warranty Coverage Limits
Annual coverage limitations will decide how much the firm will pay to diagnose, repair, and replace each eligible item, regardless of what your home warranty plan covers.
Of course, these coverage restrictions differ greatly amongst companies. One home warranty plan may limit coverage to $500 per appliance, while another may cover up to $5,000 per item.
Sometimes contracts include different caps for different items, such as $500 for the washing machine and $1,000 for the plumbing.
Remember that the plans have aggregate limitations, which are the total amount the firm will pay for all insured losses in a certain time period (usually a year). For example, the plan may pay up to $5,000 per item, with a total of $15,000 for all claims.
Things That Home Warranty Does Not Cover
While many appliances and household systems have coverage by home warranties, other products do not often have coverage.
These might include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Foundations, walls, paint, flooring, and structural problems.
- Solar components and systems
- Commercial-grade equipment or systems.
- Anything that you already know because of a previous inspection.
- Normal wear and tear and preexisting issues
- Rust, corrosion, and sediment-related issues
- Repairs resulting from poor maintenance, installation, design, a manufacturing defect, or prior repairs (outside of the contract)
- Components that do not need for the covered goods to work, such as oven racks, remote controls, clocks, and timers
- Dangerous chemicals like asbestos, radon gas, and mold.
- Correction services for building and zoning code infractions
How To Take Care Of Your Appliances?
Many home warranty companies do not cover pre-existing conditions of your appliances, so it is important to learn how to take care of your appliances to maintain them in the long run.
Here are some tips that will help:
- Dishwasher: Clean the filter and food trap of your dishwasher to avoid clogging.
- Washer and dryer: Never overload your wash bin, and make sure you clean the lint trap after each load.
- Stovetop: Make sure you clean any spills you make to avoid clogging the igniters, rusting, or staining the burners.
- Refrigerator: Clean your refrigerator from time to time using a damp cloth and remove the debris from the coils.
- Oven: Make sure to check your oven’s temperature from time to time and, if needed, recalibrate the temperature by following the manufacturer’s guide.
How To Submit a Claim For Appliance Replacement or Repair?
Not all home warranty companies cover pre-existing conditions, so before you submit your appliance repair or replacement claim, make sure if your company covers pre-existing conditions or not.
If they don’t, then you will only be able to submit a claim for damage that happened after you bought the home warranty insurance.
Once you are clear about the basics, now you can submit a claim for appliance replacement or repair by following these steps.
- Let your home warranty company know about the breakdown as soon as it occurs (ideally in 24-48 hours).
- For this, you can visit your home warranty company’s website and fill out a claim form there. Or you can call them and request a service visit.
- A service professional will come to your home soon and will then repair, replace or deny the claim as per your claim’s terms and conditions.
Mistakes To Avoid When Choosing Home Warranty Service Plans
How Much Does Home Warranty Service Fees Cost?
You are required to pay a service fee or deductible to the technician who visits your house to diagnose and fix your appliance.
The service fees vary from company to company. On average, the standard service fee is $75-$125.
Home Warranty Coverage Lasts For How Long?
A home warranty, in most cases, lasts for a year. But you can purchase coverage that last’s for longer intervals of 3-5 years which will also help you in saving money.
How Much Does Home Warranties Cost?
The home warranty cost depends on the company that you have chosen, the type of coverage and package, etc.
On average, the most basic package starts at $300 annually. For a more comprehensive plan, you might have to pay $600 or more, which will offer $20,000 worth of protection.
The Verdict
Most people’s largest single investment is in their homes. When you combine it with a decent homeowners insurance policy, a home warranty may be a great method to safeguard your investment.
Home warranties and homeowners insurance work together to provide you peace of mind and protect you from potentially severe financial losses.
If you have an idea about getting a home warranty, make sure you read the contract thoroughly before signing.
Make it a point to learn what is and is not covered, as well as how the coverage restrictions operate.
That way, if one of your appliances or home systems breaks down and has to be examined, fixed, or replaced, you won’t be surprised.
FAQ’s
How do I know which appliances are covered in my existing home warranty?
There are two options to know for sure about which appliances your current home warranty covers; you either need to read your contract or check out which appliances are in your contract.
The second option is to call your home warranty company and ask them to send you a detailed list of which appliances are in your coverage with your existing home warranty, and if you want to change something and add an appliance, you should talk with your company to figure out a way.
Do all home warranties cover the same thing?
Not necessarily, as there are different plans available for different needs. However, the basic home warranties generally cover the same thing all the time.
The plans may differ a lot depending on which plans you currently have or what kind of plans your home warranty company offers.
You might be able to customize it to your needs, too, as some companies offer this for their customers.
Shefali Jain is a Content Editor & Writer at National Planning Cycles.
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes.