6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Burlington, MA

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection plan that assists Burlington homeowners in reducing the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans provide coverage to swap out or repair appliances and systems that malfunction due to normal wear and tear. When something stops working, you submit a claim and pay a service fee. The home warranty company then arranges a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement exceeds the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives peace of mind to homeowners, as it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are the most useful for owners of older homes or homes with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances may not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover many home systems and appliances. Covered appliances typically include refrigerators, washers, dryers, garbage disposals, dishwashers, microwaves, and others. Covered systems include air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and heating. Many home warranty providers also offer additional coverage for roof leaks, central vacuums, septic systems, and locksmiths. Most home warranty plans require Burlington homeowners to refrain from making claims for 30 days before the plan will cover repairs. Moreover, policies normally only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't cover cosmetic issues, pre-existing conditions, natural disasters, or misuse of a system or appliance. To make sure 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 understand key terms like:

• Claim approval: The process a provider uses to validate that a requested repair or replacement is covered under your plan.
• Deductible: How much you pay for a covered repair before your warranty covers the rest. Deductibles can be per-claim or yearly.
• 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.
• Trade call fee: An additional fee that some companies charge for appliance-related claims.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost you pay per claim for access to a contractor and repair coverage.
• Endorsements: Additional coverage for systems like well pumps, pools, and septic, which usually comes with a fee for each add-on.
• 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.

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

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage varies, although most plans include protection for plumbing, electrical, heating, AC, and appliances. More inclusive plans may also cover extra things such as spas, well pumps, roof leaks, and pools. Look for providers with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you tailor protection to your 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 companies with more affordable per-claim fees to maximize savings. Some providers also offer disappearing deductibles after periods where a customer files no claims.

Reputation

A home warranty company's reputation provides insight into things such as contractor quality, approval rates, repair timeliness, and customer service. Check review platforms such as TrustPilot, Google Reviews, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research providers. Good ratings and feedback indicate a company known for great service.

Contractor Network

Home warranty providers have networks of contractors to handle covered repairs. Bigger networks increase the probability of getting qualified technicians to swiftly service your home. Contact potential providers to find out how many contractors they have in Burlington to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could be handled in an emergency.

Added Benefits

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

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Burlington?

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Benefits of a Home Warranty

Burlington’s cold winters 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 if 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 necessary repairs, preventing you from spending a lot of money out of pocket.

Not only can a home warranty give you some financial relief, but it also saves you time. If an appliance breaks down, the last thing you want to do is find a technician 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 it varies by company, 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

Home warranties also have some drawbacks. While it can save you time when the home warranty sends out a repair person who does the repair for you, some may not like this, and they would rather select a contractor themselves. If that’s the case for you, some home warranty plans let you choose a contractor.

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