7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Troy, AL

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Troy homeowners reduce the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.

When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement exceeds 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 systems near the end of their life span. However, homeowners with newer homes and functioning appliances might not need a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover many home systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include microwaves, dishwashers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dryers, washers, and more. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for central vacuums, locksmiths, roof leaks, and septic systems. Troy should understand that most home warranty plans have a waiting period of 30 days before repairs are covered. The majority of policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misusing a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to ensure your next repair or replacement is covered.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Home warranty contracts use several terms that you'll want to learn before signing, such as:

• Endorsements: Optional add-ons that expand coverage for additional systems like well pumps, pools, septic, and more. Endorsements typically cost an additional fee.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that's sometimes required to appliance-related claims.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost you pay per claim for access to a contractor and repair coverage.
• Contract rate: The rate that your home warranty provider has pre-negotiated with its contractors. Normally, this rate is lower than what you'd pay retail.
• Coverage limits: Dollar limits that cap how much the warranty will pay for certain repairs or replacements. Check limits on appliances, air conditioning units, roof leaks, and similar repairs.
• Deductible: The amount you're responsible for before your warranty covers the remainder of the cost. Deductibles apply to covered repairs and may be on a per-claim or yearly basis.
• Claim approval: The process providers use to determine whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under a home warranty plan.

With these important considerations in mind, you'll be able to understand pricing and choose the right home warranty to protect your most essential home systems. During the quoting process, review coverage details with potential providers to help avoid unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

When you're deciding on a home warranty provider, there are several important things to take into account:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage can have major differences in what's included. Most plans include protection for plumbing, AC, heating, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also cover other items such as roof leaks, well pumps, spas, and pools. Focus on providers with wide-ranging coverage selections including upgraded plans. This flexibility enables you to customize your plan to meet your home's needs.

Service Fees

Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, you may want to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings. Some companies also do away with deductibles if a customer goes a period of time without filing any claims.

Reputation

A home warranty provider's rating gives insight into things such as claim approval rates, timeliness of repairs, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Look at third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Complimentary ratings and reviews indicate a provider known for stellar service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies use networks of local repair contractors to manage repairs in a given area. Contact potential providers to ask how many repair technicians they have in Troy and get an idea of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency. Bigger networks improve the chance of getting qualified contractors to promptly service your home.

Added Benefits

Home warranty companies may offer bonuses such as coverage for smart home devices, energy efficiency upgrades, and maintenance discounts. These add value beyond basic repair coverage. Additional perks help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Troy?

---

Benefits of a Home Warranty

Temperatures in Troy can get quite high in the summer, which means your air conditioner is likely to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Troy, one benefit of having a home warranty is that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they need to be repaired or replaced.

In addition to saving you money on out-of-pocket expenses, a home warranty can provide you peace of mind and save you the pain of trying to find a qualified contractor to visit your home. Home warranties usually come with a network of pre-vetted technicians who can handle any repair issues you may experience. A home warranty can also yield value in other ways. For instance, some plans can be transferred between owners during a home sale.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

One disadvantage of buying a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For example, if one of your appliances already has a manufacturer's warranty, it may not be covered under the home warranty, so it’s important to read through the contracts you’re considering thoroughly to understand what is included and what isn’t.

Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those needed because of natural disasters. For example, if your house floods, the impacted systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.