6 Best Home Warranty Companies in Dighton, MA

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

A home warranty is a protection policy that assists Dighton homeowners in reducing the costs of appliance and system repairs. The plans offer financial 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 finds a contractor to handle the replacement or fix. Homeowners may have out-of-pocket costs only if the cost of the repair or replacement goes over the item's coverage limit. A home warranty gives reassurance to homeowners because it helps prevent expensive emergency repairs. Home warranties are particularly useful for older houses or those with aging systems. New homes with modern appliances might not require a home warranty.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?

Home warranties cover many household systems and appliances. Typical covered appliances are dishwashers, garbage disposals, dryers, washers, refrigerators, microwaves, and others. Protected systems include electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. Various home warranty plans offer extra coverage for central vacuums, roof leaks, septic systems, and even locksmiths. It's important for Dighton homeowners to understand most home warranty plans have a 30-day waiting period before repair claims will be approved. Most policies also only cover repairs and replacements resulting from normal wear and tear. Home warranties don't include natural disasters, pre-existing conditions, cosmetic issues, or improperly using a system or appliance. Be diligent about completing preventative maintenance to help guarantee your next repair or replacement is covered.

Key Home Warranty Terms to Know

Home warranties use several terms that you'll want to know before signing a contract, such as:

• Trade call fee: An additional fee that's sometimes required to appliance-related claims.
• Claim approval: The process by which your provider determines whether a requested repair or replacement is covered under your warranty.
• 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.
• Coverage limits: How much money your warranty provider will pay for specific repairs or replacements. Check limits on repairs for things like air conditioning units, appliances, and roof leaks.
• Service fee: The out-of-pocket cost you pay per claim for access to a contractor and repair coverage.
• Endorsements: Optional add-on coverage for systems such as well pumps, septic, pools and more. Endorsements typically come with an additional fee.
• 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.

Keeping these key details in mind will help you understand pricing and pick a home warranty designed to protect your most important home systems. Make sure to discuss coverage details with potential companies when you get a quote to avoid surprise fees.

Key Factors in Choosing a Home Warranty Company

There are several important considerations when choosing a home warranty provider:

Coverage Options

Home warranty coverage differs significantly when it comes to what's covered. Most plans cover heating, plumbing, AC, electrical, and appliances. More robust coverage options also offer coverage on other items such as roof leaks, well pumps, spas, and pools. Look for companies with a diverse range of coverage options, including upgraded plans. This helps you customize your plan to your needs.

Service Fees

Expect to pay a per-service fee of $60-100 for each home warranty claim. As this charge applies to every separate claim, some homeowners prefer to choose a company with more affordable fees to maximize savings on every claim. Some providers also remove deductibles when customers have a claim-free period.

Reputation

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

Contractor Network

Home warranty companies keep networks of technicians to handle covered repairs. Wider networks increase the probability of getting qualified technicians to service your home ASAP. Reach out to potential providers and ask how many contractors they have in Dighton to get a sense of how quickly your repairs could happen in an emergency.

Added Benefits

Home warranty providers often offer extras such as coverage for smart home devices, maintenance discounts, and energy efficiency upgrades. These extras can add value beyond just repair coverage. Additional perks help maximize the usefulness of the home warranty.

Is a Home Warranty Worth it in Dighton?

---

Benefits of a Home Warranty

Home warranty policies are an affordable way to guard your home systems and appliances from normal wear and tear. With temperatures in Dighton hitting an average high of 58℃F, you may find that certain appliances, such as your air conditioning system, get a lot of use. A home warranty can considerably decrease out-of-pocket expenses should your HVAC system stop working.

Not only can a home warranty save you money on repairs and replacements, it saves you time as well. Instead of having to vet service technicians yourself, home warranty providers do the work for you and send a contractor from their network right to your door when you need them. Plus, though it varies by company, 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

As for the disadvantages of home warranties, system and appliance coverage varies by company, so it’s important to understand what each plan covers and excludes in the contract.

Another stipulation is that home warranties usually only cover malfunctions due to normal wear and tear. They most likely won’t cover systems or appliances that need repairs or replacements due to natural disasters, improper maintenance, animal infestations, etc.