7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Griffith, IN

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Griffith homeowners reduce the high costs of household repairs. These plans provide financial coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that stop working from normal wear and tear.

Homeowners submit a claim and pay a service fee when something breaks. The home warranty provider then arranges a contractor to make the fix 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 gives reassurance to homeowners, as it helps prevent costly emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for older construction 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 cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are dryers, dishwashers, washers, refrigerators, microwaves, garbage disposals, and more. Included systems are normally plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical. Many home warranty companies offer add-on coverage for septic systems, roof leaks, locksmiths, and central vacuums. Griffith homeowners should know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they will cover the cost of any repairs. Additionally, most policies only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover problems such as pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, 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

Here are some essential home warranty words to know before signing a contract:

• Claim approval: The process providers use to determine whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under a home warranty plan.
• 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 pay toward a covered repair before the warranty covers the rest. Some plans have per-claim or yearly deductibles.
• 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.
• 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, well pumps, septic and more. Endorsements typically come with an additional fee.

If you remember these important 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 coverage specifics during the quote process, 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 varies, although most plans include protection for electrical, heating, plumbing, AC, and appliances. More extensive plans may also cover additional items such as well pumps, roof leaks, spas, and pools. Look for providers with an array of coverage options, such as upgraded plans. Flexibility helps you tailor your protection for your home’s needs.

Service Fees

With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a service fee, usually falling in the $60 to $100 range, which gets paid per claim you submit. The costs from multiple fees can add up. You may decide to look for companies with more affordable fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles when customers go a period with no claims filed.

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies have networks of professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. Wider networks improve the probability of getting qualified contractors to your home promptly. Contact possible providers to learn how many contractors they have in Griffith to understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Griffith?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Temperatures in Griffith 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 Griffith, one of the benefits 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.

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 handles the research by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. In addition, though it varies by company, some providers will let you transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your home more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

One disadvantage of buying a home warranty is that there are often exclusions. For example, if you already have a manufacturer's warranty on one of your appliances, it may be excluded from the home warranty, so it’s important to read over any contracts you’re considering carefully to understand what is included and what isn’t.

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