7 Best Home Warranty Companies in Frederick, MD

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Frederick homeowners reduce the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to repair or swap out appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear.

When something breaks down, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the repair or replacement. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty provides security for homeowners by helping them prevent expensive emergency fixes. They're particularly useful for those who live in older homes or ones with aging systems. More modern homes with working fixtures probably don’t need a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover your home systems and appliances. Common covered appliances are refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, washers, microwaves, and more. Included systems are typically air conditioning, heating, electrical, and plumbing. Many home warranty providers offer add-on coverage for septic systems, locksmiths, central vacuums, and roof leaks. It's important for Frederick homeowners to know that most home warranty policies have a 30-day period you must wait before they can be used to cover repairs. Additionally, policies typically only cover repairs and replacements that result from 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. It's important to keep up with preventative maintenance to help ensure that your next repair or replacement is covered by your policy.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Here are some key home warranty terms to learn before signing a contract:

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

With these terms and key factors in mind, you'll be able to understand pricing and choose a home warranty customized to protecting your most essential home systems. When getting a quote, review coverage details with potential companies, so you don't encounter any unexpected fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

When selecting a home warranty provider, there are several key factors to consider:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans include protection for electrical, plumbing, AC, heating, and appliances. More robust coverage options also cover other items such as well pumps, spas, pools, and roof leaks. Look for a company that offers comprehensive coverage choices, including upgraded plans. You want the flexibility to customize coverage to fit your home's specific needs.

Service Fees

With any home warranty claim, you'll pay a repair fee that typically ranges between $60 and $100, which gets paid per repair request filed. The per-request costs can add up. You may decide to look for companies with lower service fees to maximize your savings on each claim. Some companies also offer disappearing deductibles if a homeowner doesn't submit claims for repairs for a specified period of time.

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. Use third-party review sites such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, 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 professionals that they use to tackle covered repairs. More extensive networks raise the likelihood of getting skilled contractors to your home swiftly. Contact possible providers to learn how many repair professionals they have in Frederick. This helps you understand how long repairs could take in an urgent situation.

Added Benefits

Home warranty providers sometimes offer bonuses such as maintenance discounts, energy efficiency upgrades, and coverage for smart home devices. These extras add value beyond repair coverage. Added perks maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Frederick?

---

Benefits of a Home Warranty

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

Additionally, having a home warranty can save you time by getting rid of the need to research service technicians — most companies will send a trusted professional right to your door to do the necessary repair or replacement. 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 home more attractive to potential homebuyers and maybe even help your home sell faster.

Downsides of a Home Warranty

There are also some drawbacks to getting a home warranty plan, such as the coverage exclusions. For example, home warranties may not cover systems or appliances that already have 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.