6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Long Beach, CA

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Long Beach homeowners lower the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.

When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then finds a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security and can help avoid expensive emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for buyers of older homes or homes with appliances near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with appliances and fixtures in good condition may not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover your household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as dryers, washers, refrigerators, microwaves, garbage disposals, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems include plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, and heating. Many home warranty companies also offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, locksmiths, and central vacuums. Long Beach 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 things like pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by the policy.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to understand before signing a contract, such as:

• 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 appliances, air conditioning units, and roof leaks.
• 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.
• Endorsements: Optional add-on coverage for systems such as pools, septic, well pumps and more. Endorsements typically come with an additional fee.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost per claim that you pay for contractor access and repair coverage.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that's sometimes required to appliance-related claims.
• Claim approval: The process providers use to determine whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under a home warranty plan.
• Deductible: The amount you pay toward a covered repair before the warranty covers the rest. Some plans have per-claim or yearly deductibles.

Keeping these terms and key points in mind will help you understand home warranty contracts and pricing, so you can pick the right plan and protect your most important home systems. Make sure to discuss coverage details with potential providers when you get a quote to avoid surprise 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 warranties have significant variation in what they include. Basic plans typically include heating, electrical, AC, plumbing, and appliances, while more comprehensive options may also cover spas, roof leaks, well pumps, and pools. Look for providers with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to your home's needs.

Service Fees

You'll pay a standard service fee of around $60 to $100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. This fee is charged per request and can quickly add up, so you may look for companies advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain providers may eliminate deductibles if homeowners don't submit any claims within a set period of time.

Reputation

A home warranty provider's reputation provides insights into factors such as repair speed, contractor expertise, claim approval rates, and customer satisfaction. Look at review sites like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or Google Reviews to learn more about providers. Good ratings and feedback suggest a company known for providing quality service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty providers maintain networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to ask how many repair technicians they have in Long Beach and get an idea for how fast your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. More extensive networks increase the probability of getting qualified contractors to swiftly service your home.

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Long Beach?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Home warranties are an inexpensive way to protect your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Long Beach reaching an average high of 71℃F, you may find that some appliances, like your air conditioning unit, get a lot of use. A home warranty can significantly lower out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system break down.

Not only does a home warranty provide some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a technician and schedule a repair. A home warranty takes care of the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. Additionally, though it varies by company, some providers will let you transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

There are also some downsides to purchasing a home warranty plan, like the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that are already covered by a manufacturer's warranty.

Another consideration is that home warranties typically only cover damage from normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover home systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to natural disasters, improper maintenance, animal infestations, etc.