6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Norwich, CT

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Norwich homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide financial coverage to fix or swap out appliances and systems that break down due to normal wear and tear.

When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to handle the fix or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty plan gives homeowners a sense of security and can help avoid costly emergency repairs. They can be especially helpful for people purchasing older homes or homes with systems near the end of their life span. However, newer homes with modern appliances and fixtures may not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Warranties usually cover appliances such as garbage disposals, microwaves, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, and more. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty providers also offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, central vacuums, and locksmiths. Norwich homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day waiting period before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements needed due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or improper use of a system or appliance. Make sure to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement will be covered by your policy.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

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

• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost per claim that you pay for contractor access and repair coverage.
• Deductible: The amount you pay toward a covered repair before the warranty covers the rest. Some plans have per-claim or yearly deductibles.
• Coverage limits: How much money your warranty provider will pay for specific repairs or replacements. Check limits on repairs for things like air conditioning units, appliances, and roof leaks.
• Endorsements: Optional add-on coverage for systems such as well pumps, pools, septic and more. Endorsements typically come with an additional fee.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that's sometimes required to appliance-related claims.
• 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.
• Claim approval: The process a provider uses to validate that a requested repair or replacement is covered under your plan.

If you remember these terms and key factors, it’ll help you choose a home warranty that's tailored to protecting your most essential home systems. Make sure to talk to providers about the specifics of coverage during the quote process, so you can 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 varies, although most plans provide coverage for AC, heating, plumbing, electrical, and appliances. More extensive plans may also include extra things such as spas, well pumps, pools, and roof leaks. Look for a provider that offers robust 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

Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. With these per-request costs adding up over time as you file claims, you may want to choose a provider with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some companies also remove deductibles for homeowners who don't file claims in a certain period.

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies keep networks of local technicians to handle repairs in your area. Contact potential providers to ask how many repair technicians they have in Norwich and get an idea for how quickly your repairs could take place in an emergency situation. Wider networks raise the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Norwich?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Since temperatures in Norwich can be quite cold in the winter, the weather can put a lot of strain on your HVAC system. Purchasing a home warranty can help homeowners save money if one of these systems or appliances breaks down all of a sudden.

Additionally, having a home warranty can save you some time by eliminating the need to research repair people — most providers will send a trusted professional right to your door to carry out the necessary repair or replacement. Additionally, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

One disadvantage of signing up for a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For instance, 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 over the contracts you’re considering carefully to get a sense of what is included and what isn’t.

Another possible pain point of home warranties is that they don’t cover items that have been improperly maintained. This can lead to your claims being rejected, so it’s important to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance of your home systems and appliances.