7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Lithia Springs, GA

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Lithia Springs homeowners cut the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to repair or replace appliances and systems that stop working due to normal wear and tear.

When something breaks down, you file a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty provider 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 gives reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with up-to-date appliances might not need a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties help protect both your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances include microwaves, washers, garbage disposals, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and others. Covered systems include heating, plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning. Many home warranty plans offer additional add-on coverage options for locksmiths, central vacuums, septic systems, and even roof leaks. Lithia Springs homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements needed due to 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 is covered by the policy.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Before signing a home warranty contract, you should understand key terms like:

• 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.
• Trade call fee: An added fee that you'll sometimes need to pay for appliance-related claims.
• 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 roof leaks, air conditioning units, and appliances.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost per claim that you pay for contractor access and repair coverage.
• Endorsements: Optional add-on coverage for systems such as pools, well pumps, septic and more. Endorsements typically come with an additional fee.
• Claim approval: The process a provider uses to validate that a requested repair or replacement is covered under your plan.
• 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.

If you remember these terms and key factors, it’ll help you understand costs and select a home warranty tailored to protecting your most essential home systems. Make sure to talk to providers about coverage specifics when getting a quote, so you can avoid unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

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

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans provide coverage for heating, electrical, AC, plumbing, and appliances. More robust coverage options also cover other items such as well pumps, roof leaks, pools, and spas. Look for providers with flexible coverage choices, including upgraded plans. This allows you to customize your plan to your needs.

Service Fees

You'll pay a standard service fee of around $60 to $100 for each claim filed with your home warranty provider. These fees to accumulate quickly with each claim, so you may look for providers advertising more affordable fees to optimize savings on each repair claim. Certain companies may waive deductibles after a customer goes a period of time with no claims filed.

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies have networks of contractors that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to your home promptly. Reach out to possible providers to ask how many repair professionals they have in Lithia Springs. This helps you understand how long repairs might take in an urgent situation.

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Lithia Springs?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Lithia Springs’s hot summers can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty is designed to cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner fails in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the repairs, saving you from spending unexpected money out of pocket.

Not only can a home warranty save you some money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of having to vet technicians by yourself, home warranty companies do the work for you and send pre-screened technicians right to your door when you need them. In addition, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will allow you to transfer your warranty in the event that you sell your home. This can make your property more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

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

Another drawback is that home warranties may not include some repairs, like those due to natural disasters. For example, if your HVAC system is damaged from an animal infestation, the affected systems and appliances most likely won’t be covered by the home warranty.