6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Skowhegan, ME

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that helps Skowhegan homeowners cut the high costs of household repairs. These plans offer financial protection to fix 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 fix or replacement. The only time you may pay out-of-pocket is if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives homeowners reassurance by helping avoid high-priced emergency repairs. The coverage is particularly helpful for owners of older houses or houses with systems near the end of their life span. However, people with newer homes and functioning appliances may not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include refrigerators, washers, garbage disposals, dryers, microwaves, dishwashers, and more. Covered systems include heating, electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning. Many home warranty companies also provide additional coverage for septic systems, central vacuums, roof leaks, and locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Skowhegan homeowners to wait 30 days before they can use the policy to pay for repairs. Additionally, policies usually only cover repairs and replacements due to normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, or misusing 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

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

• Trade call fee: An additional fee that's sometimes required to appliance-related claims.
• Deductible: How much you pay for a covered repair before your warranty covers the rest. Deductibles can be per-claim or yearly.
• Endorsements: Optional add-ons that expand coverage for additional systems like septic, pools, well pumps, and more. Endorsements typically cost an additional fee.
• Claim approval: The process providers use to determine whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under a home warranty plan.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost per claim that you pay for contractor access and repair coverage.
• 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.
• 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, appliances, and air conditioning units.

Keeping these important details in mind will help you understand costs and select a home warranty that's tailored to protect your home. Make sure you discuss specifics of coverage with potential providers 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 differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans cover plumbing, heating, AC, electrical, and appliances. More comprehensive plans also include protection for other items such as roof leaks, spas, pools, and well pumps. Focus on companies with an expansive array of coverage choices including upgraded plans. Flexibility like this will help you customize protection for your home's needs.

Service Fees

Homeowners should anticipate paying a $60–100 service fee when filing home warranty claims. These per-repair charges can potentially accumulate over time, so some homeowners prefer using providers with lower service 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 provider's rating gives you insight into things such as timeliness of repairs, claim approval rates, contractor quality, and overall customer satisfaction. Use third-party review sites such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies. Positive ratings and reviews indicate a company known for stellar service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty providers have networks of local professionals to handle repairs in your area. Reach out to potential providers to find out how many repair technicians they have in Skowhegan and get an idea for how fast your repairs might happen in an emergency situation. Larger networks improve the likelihood of getting qualified contractors to quickly service your home.

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Skowhegan?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Skowhegan’s frigid winters can put a strain on a home’s HVAC system. Whether it’s summer or winter, a home warranty will cover your home’s appliances and systems in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. For example, if your air conditioner breaks down in the middle of July, a home warranty can cover the needed repairs, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.

Not only does a home warranty give you some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks, the last thing you want to do is find a contractor and schedule a repair. A home warranty deals with this process by sending trusted professionals to your door when you need them most. In addition, though home warranty companies vary, some providers will let you transfer your warranty if you sell your home. This can make your house more attractive to potential homebuyers and help your home sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

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

In addition, 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.