6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Meriden, CT

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that helps Meriden homeowners lower the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial protection to repair or replace appliances and systems that break down from normal wear and tear.

Homeowners submit 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 policy gives homeowners a sense of security since it 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 safeguard your home systems and appliances. Common appliances covered under a home warranty include dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, refrigerators, dryers, washers, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, electrical, heating, and plumbing. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for central vacuums, septic systems, locksmiths, and even roof leaks. Most home warranty plans require Meriden homeowners to wait 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Moreover, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover natural disasters, cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, or misuse of a system or appliance. To help ensure your next repair or replacement is covered, keep up with preventative maintenance.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

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

• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost per claim that you pay for contractor access and repair coverage.
• Claim approval: The process a provider uses to validate that a requested repair or replacement is covered under your plan.
• Contract rate: The pre-negotiated rate a home warranty company has with its contractors. This rate is usually less than typical retail costs.
• Endorsements: Optional add-on coverage for systems such as pools, septic, well pumps and more. Endorsements typically come with an additional fee.
• 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.
• 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.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that's sometimes required to appliance-related claims.

With these important considerations in mind, you'll be able to better understand pricing and choose the right home warranty to protect your most essential home systems. When getting a quote, review coverage details with potential providers, so you don't encounter any 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 policies can have major differences in covered items. Most plans provide protection for AC, electrical, plumbing, heating, and appliances. More inclusive options also include coverage for other items such as pools, roof leaks, spas, and well pumps. Look for a company that offers an extensive selection of coverage options, including upgraded plans. Flexibility is important when trying to fit a home warranty to your home's specific systems and needs.

Service Fees

Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-claim costs can add up, so some homeowners prefer using providers with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when a homeowner goes a defined period without any repair requests.

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies have networks of technicians that they use to tackle covered repairs. Larger networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to your home promptly. Contact possible providers to find out how many technicians they have in Meriden. This helps you understand how long repairs may take in an urgent situation.

Added Benefits

Certain home warranty companies provide extras such as discounts on maintenance, energy-efficient upgrades, and protection for smart home devices. These can provide extra value beyond repair coverage. Extra perks help improve your home and maximize your home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Meriden?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Temperatures in Meriden can vary greatly throughout the year, which means your air conditioner and heating systems are most likely going to get a lot of use. As a homeowner in Meriden, one benefit of having a home warranty is knowing that these home systems and major appliances can be covered in the event they have to be repaired or replaced.

Not to mention, having a home warranty can save you some time by eliminating the need to research contractors — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to complete the necessary repair or replacement. In addition, 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

Home warranties also have some drawbacks. While it can give you less to worry about since the home warranty sends out a service technician who does the repair for you, some people may not like this, and they may want to select their own contractor. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty plans let you select a contractor.

Additionally, if you don’t maintain your home systems or appliances properly, or if they need repairs due to a natural disaster or animal infestation — anything other than normal wear and tear — the home warranty may not cover it.