7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Anniston, AL

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Anniston homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to fix or replace appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear.

Homeowners file a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then finds a contractor to make the repair or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the repair or replacement costs go over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance, as it helps avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for those living in older houses or houses with fixtures near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and modern appliances may not need a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties help protect your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include washers, microwaves, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems include air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and electrical. Many home warranty plans also offer add-on coverage options for septic systems, central vacuums, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. Anniston homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements that result from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or damage caused by improperly using a system or appliance. You need to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by the policy.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

There are multiple home warranty terms to understand before signing an agreement, including:

• Claim approval: The process providers use to determine whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under a home warranty plan.
• Deductible: How much you pay for a covered repair before your warranty covers the rest. Deductibles can be per-claim or yearly.
• Trade call fee: An added fee that you'll sometimes need to pay for appliance-related claims.
• Contract rate: A pre-negotiated rate that your home warranty provider has worked out with contractors. This rate is typically less than what you would pay retail.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost you pay per claim for access to a contractor and repair coverage.
• Endorsements: Optional add-ons that expand coverage for additional systems like well pumps, septic, pools, and more. Endorsements typically cost an additional fee.
• Coverage limits: The maximum dollar amount that your warranty provider will pay for certain repairs or replacements. Check your contract's limits on repairs for things like air conditioning units, appliances, and roof leaks.

With these important details in mind, you'll be able to understand pricing and choose a home warranty customized to protecting your most essential home systems. When getting a quote, make sure you review coverage details with potential companies, so you don't encounter any unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

There are several key considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for heating, AC, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More extensive plans may also provide protection for other things such as well pumps, pools, roof leaks, and spas. Look for a company that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific systems and needs.

Service Fees

You'll pay a service fee, typically $60–100, for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These per-claim charges can quickly add up, so you may look for providers advertising lower service fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may waive deductibles when a homeowner submits no claims in a defined period.

Reputation

A home warranty company's reputation can offer insight into things such as approval rates for claims, contractor quality, speed of repairs, and customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or TrustPilot to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate that a company is known for top-tier service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. More extensive networks raise the probability of getting skilled contractors to your home promptly. Contact possible providers to learn how many technicians they have in Anniston. This helps you understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.

Added Benefits

Home warranty companies often offer extras such as energy efficiency upgrades, coverage for smart home devices, and maintenance discounts. These add value beyond just repair coverage. Added perks can maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Anniston?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Since temperatures in Anniston can easily reach 100 degrees, the extreme weather can put a lot of strain on your air conditioner. Getting a home warranty plan can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down unexpectedly.

In addition, having a home warranty can save you some time by getting rid of the need to research contractors — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the necessary repair or replacement. Another added benefit of having a home warranty policy is that it can increase your home’s real estate value. If you ever decide to sell your house, you may be able to transfer your home warranty plan to the new homebuyer depending on the company you purchased your home warranty through.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

Home warranties also have some cons. While it can give you less to worry about since the home warranty sends out a service technician who takes care of the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they would prefer to choose a contractor themselves. If that’s important to you, some home warranty companies let you choose a contractor.

Another stipulation is that home warranties typically only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They commonly won’t cover systems or appliances that have stopped working due to natural disasters, animal infestations, improper maintenance, etc.